Numbers and figures...

Week 3.

It's been a little while since I last posted but I'll try to keep it brief all the same.


Why is it that all of a sudden there are not enough hours in the day??? I'm putting all the hours I have into studying...but there just aren't ENOUGH hours to revise everything we go through in the day it seems! Frustrating! I've never had to study like this before. Seriously, 3 years of University is a piece of cake compared to this. Dead simple. University just doesn't come close...

I am enjoying it though, but the stress is overshadowing that enjoyment at the moment. We have regular 'Progress Tests' which are not important, but should be taken very seriously as they give you a clear indication of the level of knowledge required in the exam. In all honesty, my first progress test on 'Principles of Flight' was a complete disaster. I only have myself to blame though. My revision technique was clearly so very wrong indeed. All I was doing after University was coming home, READING the books and effectively not 'processing' what I was reading. In other words, I didn't LEARN it! Pretty fatal, hmm? I felt awful after that little test. I'm a very positive individual but I couldn't help but immediately jump to conclusions and question my ability to succeed on this course. Needless to say, I spoke to my tutor who advised that I should be constantly answering practice questions from the online 'question bank' already............so I've been doing that alongside the reading, since and I think such a technique is working because my practice grades are seemingly improving so...that's a start! We'll see what happens in the second 'Principles of Flight' Progress Test this Friday anyway...closely followed by 'Performance' on Monday. Urgh.

Here's a typical 'Performance' question for you to attempt:

"What is the minimum field length required for the worst wind situation, landing a twin jet aeroplane with the anti-skid inoperative?

Elevation: 2000ft
QNH: 1013hPa
Landing mass: 50000kg
Flaps: As required for minimum landing distance
Runway condition: Dry
Wind:
Maximum allowable tailwind: 15kt
Maximum allowable headwing: 50kt

a. 3100m
b. 2900m
c. 2600m
d. 2700m"

Nice, hmm! :/


As stupid as this may sound, HOW do you revise such a huge volume of information anyway?! Sure, I'm answering questions...but I'm finding that having spent most of a particular evening trying to understand one subject - as well as answering questions on the chapters I have read, I run out of time and have to forfeit reading/answering questions relating to other subjects because I know I *MUST* get some sleep! Last night was a complete joke. I went to bed at 0300hrs, despite knowing that THAT was the 'wrong' thing to do...and why???? Because I was too busy reading 'Principles of Flight' and answering questions on the chapters I was reading. My PLAN was to study 'Performance', also...but that didn't happen because I was so wrapped up in PoF! SIGH. I like to think that my study technique will slot into place and become more EFFICIENT in time as my understanding of the initial two million topics we're having to focus on currently, improves. We'll see. Any suggestions, let me know! But remember I'm currently studying the following - all at the same time:

- Principles of Flight
- Powerplants
- Gas Turbine Engines
- Performance
- Electrics
- Airframes & Systems

At the end of the day, only I can figure this out I guess. I was always very good at studying for and writing reports at University, but we never had to do exams. This course is ALL exams so I'm just going to have to figure this out.

Anyway, last time I posted I was in the process of moving to London. Well, I'm here now...and it's ok. My room is really large and airy, with plenty of space for my belongings.............and all these books! I even have a little section in my room that I pretty much use as a fitness area, so having a workout and then going for a run around the local area (which is nice by the way) after uni ends, is ideal really! I love running. It's a great escape from being stuck indoors all day studying and allows me to take my mind off things! For 45-60 minutes I can just FORGET about the course and have a clear mindset. I really like that.

Overall, I'm keeping positive. This is a great opportunity to prove wrong a few individuals in the past two to three years who doubted me. It's pretty personal. Obviously, it is my dream to become a Professional Pilot, but it will feel all the sweeter when I get through this course as I know I'll be well on my way to achieving my goal. I've felt quite a mixture of emotions recently. I miss flying (although I will try to catch some airtime once a month if I can...), the family pets (my cat and two dogs) and I miss America like crazy. Thoughts of returning there in May/June 2012 to build my hours keep me going, help me believe and is my everyday incentive to achieve. I don't want to complete ALL my hour building there, but I certainly want to experience flying in America and perhaps travel around it. Would love to ask someone if they would like to experience such an adventure with me.

Until next time.


David

P.s. Hmmm...that wasn't exactly 'brief' was it?

Expected...yet overwhelming

Uhhhh, where do I start?? This week has been very intense, frankly. I can't say I didn't expect it though. I knew that the course would start with a bang and the workload would suddenly be piled on, but it still feels like quite a shock to the body-clock! I had been staying with my sister all week which made things easier (didn't have to commute all the way from home!), but all of a sudden I'm waking up at 0600hrs Monday - Friday to prepare and arrive on time for class start at 0900hrs. It's been almost two years since I last woke up at such 'unearthly' hours for work on a daily basis so...here we go again! I best get used to it again I guess! Especially considering I'll be expected to work all kinds of hours when I'm a First Officer for an airline someday.

The first day was great. The other students on my course all seem really down-to-earth and easy to talk to which is great! The girl and guy I sit next to in class seem such fun and we all help each other out in class if one of us doesn't understand a particular topic of the lecture. The lecturers are great too - ENCYCLOPEDIAS! Being specialists in their respective fields, they are seemingly able to explain absolutely anything in an understandable 'bite-size' manner. Such a wealth of experience. Our first exam is on 7th November for the following three topic areas that we are currently studying:

- Airframes and Systems, Powerplants, Electrics, Emergency Equipment (Patrick Geary)
- Performance (Peter Knapp)
- Principles of Flight (Washington Mhangami)

I'm finding the above subjects really interesting so far, although I'm struggling a little bit with 'Performance'. There are so many equations to remember and right now, I feel completely overwhelmed with the sheer quantity of information that has been presented to me in the first week. I'm sure everything will start making more sense throughout the second week starting on Monday once I have settled into my study routine. Oh and everyone is in the same boat as me after all :).

Tomorrow afternoon, I move into the house I'll be renting in London for the duration of the course (8 months) so I'll finally have my own space to focus. I've been trying to arrange a transfer with work to a store near where I live so hopefully they'll get back to me sometime next week because I honestly do not want to have to commute home for work every weekend. Pointless.

Better get back to packing now. The need to keep 'current' with regard to my flying is also in the back of my mind...so I need to book a Sunday slot for sometime mid-month, THIS month. I'm going to be really disciplined with my studying throughout the week so I can have a break at weekends for work and flying purposes. Whether this idea is too ambitious or not is yet to be discovered, but I feel I will burn myself out if I study literally seven days a week! Need to have at least a day's rest...and is there anything better than getting some airtime? I don't think so :)



David

Hopes and fears...

Over the past few years I have lost count at the amount of times I have created a blog account only to never use it - to never post! I'm sure many of us have done exactly the same thing as the idea of 'blogging' seems to appeal to many as a little chunk of online space for us to talk about our thoughts, feelings, fears, general emotions and day-to-day happenings/events. However, blogging requires time and a degree of dedication/motivation to put these accounts to paper which is probably why many people (like me) are unable to keep it up once started. My sister has been through a fascinating period in her life where she has been lucky enough to travel to various wonderful places in the world - most notably, China - where she taught English to Chinese students. Throughout her time there I was most impressed with how she successfully managed to write an almost DAILY blog of her travels which enabled us at home to effectively 'follow' her progress as the months passed by.

In a way, I aspire to use this blog as a record of my progress as I undertake the toughest challenge of my life (and studies) yet; completing my 'ATPL' (Air Transport Pilots License) studies in London. ATPL studies are the highest level of theoretical qualification within the aviation industry so I am most certainly not going to underestimate the grueling months ahead. With this in mind, I would therefore like to also use this blog as a way to present my current thoughts, feelings, fears, general-emotions and day-to-day happenings/events - as mentioned earlier in this post. I suspect there will be days where I will write very little due to an overwhelming workload and/or sense of tiredness...but there will also be days where I will try to update you all in more detail...


...If you can stay awake that is ;)


I'm very excited for the future. I have never felt so certain in my life with regard to knowing what I want to DO WITH IT as I do now. I feel very blessed for having the gift of flight in my possession as it is the most wonderful feeling. To be able to see the world on a daily basis from such a beautiful perspective is a dream that I shall work my socks off to achieve because the one thing I fear more than anything now is failure to succeed.


"Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe" - Gail Devers



Oh, please note I'm a Retail Management graduate, not an English Literature graduate so I'm sure my way of writing probably leaves a lot to be desired sometimes! Please bear with me and just roll with it :). If you ever have anything to add, feel free. I appreciate feedback always. After all, without such feedback, we learn very little and cannot improve ourselves.