Monday, October 12, 2009

Student Pilot Financing

Every where you look there are ways to finance cars, boats, homes or just about anything you like. One thing that is hard to find is a way to finance pilot training.

The Montgomery GI Bill will cover a portion of your training but only kicks in for Instrument and Commercial.

The post 9/11 GI Bill will take you from 0 hours through Commercial but you must do it through a college degree program.

Both of these options are great for military members if you can take the time to go to school full time or can afford your Private before needing help with money.

If neither of the above options fit the needs of the student then the options are limited.

A group of investors have offered a solution to the pilot financing problems but as always could use help to get more people in the air.

The money presented to students can be in the form of grants, low interest loans or by non-typical loans.

Please help provide the funds necessary to get more pilots in the air!

If you need help financing your training, please feel free to contact me and I will help link you up with people that can help.






Zaon Portable Collision Avoidance System

Zaon Portable Collision Avoidance System - PCAS XRX Onyx




Click for more information and to order


Zaon Portable Collision Avoidance System - PCAS XRX Onyx


Zaon PCAS XRXO-A Onyx system: The first portable collision avoidance system to give
you relative altitude. And now, the only device with quadrant direction. Why
would you fly without it?



  • Tiny, unobtrusive size (3.9" x 3.6" x 2.7")

  • Digital range, scalable from 6NM to 1NM

  • Relative altitude, scalable from +-2500 ft to +-500 ft, with
    ascending/descending indicator

  • Metal or composite airframes

  • Displays top three intruders

  • A built-in altimeter, a built-in compass, and a built-in turn/bank
    sensor, and internal thermometer provide the highest, real-time accuracy
    available

  • Completely portable

  • Audio voice alerts for threats and advisories are included, with both
    Headset-Direct(TM) hookup and in-cabin output

  • Built-in directional antenna

  • Instant traffic updates with no delays

  • "3-D" view Quadrant Direction, 45° increments

  • Menu-driven interface, with selectable aircraft profiles and advanced
    calibration options

  • Displays the local squawk code, altitude, bank angle, bearing and
    temperature

  • RS-232 out for integration with other units.


XRX is the first ever portable, passive, stand-alone collision avoidance
system for general aviation to offer direction from within the cockpit. Threat
aircraft direction can be detected from within your cockpit in a tiny,
self-contained unit. XRX offers multiple aircraft information, audio alerts and
advisories, an easy-to-use menu interface, and local information. XRX displays
"3-D View" quadrant bearing information, as well as relative altitude and range,
all from inside the cockpit and without the need for external antenna arrays.


The detection window is scalable with a maximum range of 6 NM, and altitude
of +/-2500 feet. The tiny unit is only 3.9" (100mm) wide, 3.6" (93mm) deep, and
2.7" (69mm) tall. The majority of the height is for the enclosed antenna array.
XRX tracks up to 10 aircraft and displays the top three threats with all three
axis of information. Close traffic is announced by two levels of voice alerts.


Following in the footsteps of previous models, the traffic information
accuracy is the best in the industry. Range is accurate to 0.2 NM on average,
and altitude to +/- 200 ft. The unit displays the local squawk code, altitude,
and bearing. The easy-to-read LCD display boasts large numerals and EL
backlighting for night operation. All parameters are controlled by an
easy-to-use menu system.


XRX includes many built-in sensors for razor-sharp accuracy, including a
pressure altimeter for relative altitude accuracy, a solid-state 16-point
compass for bearing accuracy, a solid-state attitude and bank sensor for bearing
accuracy, temperature compensators and overtemp protection for accuracy in any
environment. The unit also monitors aircraft bus voltage and host transponder
operations and is powered through aircraft power (12-40 V compatible). All
traffic data is output through a built-in RS-232 data port. An installable
upgrade will also be available.


Everything you need is included!



  • Dash-mount unit with integrated antenna

  • Cigarette-lighter adaptor

  • Audio cable

  • Velcro mounting dots

  • Silicone "gripper" feet

  • 75-page Owner's Manual

  • Quick Guide

  • Hard carrying case





List Price: $1,795.00



Our Price: $1,375.00
Click for more information and to order

PPING!

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

First Solo




To sum it all up: It was GREAT!!!!

After the day I had on Friday I didn't think there was much of a chance of it happening today. When I got to the airport the weather was about as good as I could hope for but my plane was sitting there in pieces.

The school has a second 172 but its got the 180hp conversion and I had never flown it. I thought that maybe I'd go flying in that plane but never guessed that it would be so smooth to fly.

After doing a couple power off stalls, slow flight and steep turns we headed back to the field for some T&Gs.

Things were going pretty smooth and I was taking the normal ribbing about not liking to pull the power out while close to the ground, more right rudder on climb out and some tips for engine out practice.

We had already been at it for about 1.5 so when I was told to make it a full stop I figured I was done.

After we got back to the school Steve jumped out and said have fun.

During my run up I double and triple checked EVERYTHING to make sure I wasn't going to do something stupid.

My first take off was nice and smooth with an easy turn out and set up on the downwind. I must say that I was right on the numbers and I actually held it off as long as Steve had been trying to get me to during my other landings. The takeoff was normal but the second landing was a little bouncy.

I had too much speed over the fence and skipped a little but it wasn't a big deal. My take off was a little rough though..... Some how I got my foot stuck under the right rudder at about 100 feet AGL. I wasn't too happy with that and lowered the nose to pull the power back and set her down on the remaining 3000 feet of runway when my foot popped out from under the pedal.

I pitched back up and continued around for my 3rd and last landing, It wasn't as good as the first but better than the second.

As I headed back to parking I looked over at the empty seat and started looking forward to my next trip by myself. :)

I count that as a great day!!!






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