I took my first demo flight 11/18/2006 in N597FA, a 172SP and was "hooked" then and there. My lessons took place at Glendale Aviation with Zach Bird, CFI instructing all but 3. I couldn't afford to fly the 172SP all the time at $114/hr, so I did my first part of my lessons and did my first solo flight in the pattern in a Cessna 152 at a more reasonable $68/hr wet. It's still one of my favorite planes to fly solo or with an FAA standard adult (<=170lbs). It was also the plane where I nearly entered my first accidental spin during stall training. My CFI's remark for that "maneuver" was something along the lines that he's paid money for rides that fun... :-) It's also why it took me so long to master power-on stalls as I had to overcome the fear of that happening again.

My first trainer plane - N5436L, a Cessna 152 "Sparrowhawk".

Eventually, I stepped up to a Cessna 172P (at $88/hr wet) as I needed a plane with working navigational radios (VOR) for the cross country portion of my instruction. It was more difficut to land compared to a 152 as the "picture" was different. However, after mastering some cross-wind landings and quite a few bounces later, I got the hang of this different plane. It's still one of my favorite 4 seaters for the money.

The day I finally mastered landing (without bouncing) N97811, a Cessna 172P.

Landing Runway 19, KGEU, Glendale, AZ in N97811.

Some of my more memorable flights included my first cross country to Sedona, where Beth tagged along, my night cross country to Cooliage, AZ, and my first solo cross country to Eloy, AZ on a blustery day. Then, a couple more lessons and hours later, I was able to make my long solo cross country flight. I flew from Glendale, AZ, to Blythe, CA, then south to Yuma, AZ, then back east to Glendale. All of my cross-country flights took place in N97811.

My first long cross country to Blythe, CA at 6500 ft.

Looking down at mountains on long cross country.

Overflying the Colorado River while descending to Blythe, CA.

A week prior to my check-ride, I found out my favorite plane N97811 was going off line for it's annual inspection and for a GPS installation. That meant I had to switch to a 172SP to avoid the underpowered 172N's. It also meant a new plane, with new goodies, and more money. With a week under my belt in N65501, and after 63.6 total hours of instructional and solo flying, on Feb 8, 2007, I passed my check ride and obtained my Private Pilot Certificate. The FAA requires a minimum of 40 hours (spread out at certain minimums for solo, dual, cross country, and night instruction), and most pilotes complete at an average of 70-75 hours, so I still felt pretty good at under 64. I was issued a temporary certificate, and received my permanent card about 45 days later. Total cost was just under $9000 including plane rental, course materials, instruction, and exam fees.

2/8/2007 - I finally get my PPL. I'm standing next to N65501, a newer Cessna 172SP.

On Feb 9, 2007, Beth and I took a quick trip in the 152 at night for her first front-seat flight and as my "first passenger". Then on Feb 18, 2007, I was finally able to take the kids as well for their first ride. We flew around the west end of the greater Phoenix valley, over Buckeye, and around the "other side" of the White Tanks, before overflying Surprise (pointing out home and their school) and then returning to land.

The girls standing outside of N65501 while I pre-flight the plane.

Girls seatbelted in and ready to go with headsets on.

The kids have flown with me a couple of time since then in both N97811 and N65501, including a recent trip April 1st, 2007 to Sedona and back. It was originally planned to be a Grand Canyon trip, but due to people not feeling well after Seonda and a rapidly slipping schedule, we called it a day after "brunch" at Sedona. We'll try again soon... and post pictures.