instrument rated!
 

It is my great pleasure to say that I passed my instrument checkride a couple of hours ago. There was a PPL applicant who cancelled twice due to wind, and even last night when I flew it was quite windy. So I was hoping the wind would die down in the morning. When I saw the G (gust) word I knew it was going to be interesting. Oh it was something like 330 at 11 G18. Could have been worse. I had to fly for a nearby airport to meet the examiner (same gentleman with whom I took my PPL ride with). I was instantly felt at home after shaking hands with this wonderful retired 747 driver. The oral lasted about an hour and a half. He had me plan a cross country, but due to low ceilings and ice along the route, I decided not to embark on the journey. Good call, he said.
Right after take off (10:30am) the winds were already kicking and we were getting bounced around quite a bit. Did a GPS approach to a nearby airport, ILS, and a localizer approach that was followed by a circle to land. I had a crab in for over 30 degrees on the ILS approach. Besides an error of chasing the needle too soon, he said I did everything good. It's certainly a great day! Time to say goodbye to those foggles (for a while) and explore some new destinations. I am at 175 hours now so without further ado, I must build time. Good luck to everyone who is pursuing the rating!

Thank you very much for everyone who answered my questions!
Commercial is next..

Congrats!

Easily and without a doubt by far the biggest hurdle to date in your training. Its all easier from here.


(except for the CFI initial)

A job well done PP.

USMCFLYR

Congrats!!!!
 

Now you'll be getting the same strange looks I get when I tell people I did not fly this weekend because the wx was too good :)

For me, the next two biggies were IFR actual w/o an instructor on board, and IFR actual at night (can't see the clouds).

Again - Way to Go!!!!

I'm celebrating 20 years with my instrument rating. Good luck and try not to scare yourself too many times (you will... that's how we learn the limits).

Congratulations sir. I could feel the pride that you're experiencing while reading your post. Go gettem!:cool:




atp

Congrats, another gateway of learning has been completed, but yet you still have more to learn!

Thanks yes can't wait to get back and do some more cross country flying. I also hope to get some actual time in the spring. Of course I will be filing IFR on my future cross countries. Being at 175 my plan is to build time until I reach around 200 or so. Since my FBO does not have a complex, I am going to learn the CPL maneuvers in a Skyhawk and then move on to another FBO that has a "gutless Cutlass." So hopefully the time will work out as far as 250 hours goes. Then my plan is to either get a CFI rating or multi. Rewarded myself by purchasing a Bendix/King Av80r GPS yesterday. I am very excited to get back in the air and explore some new destinations.

I think the bolded above is one of the most important part of the training process. Get out of the familiar surroundings and challenge yourself with new places and some actual. It sounds like you have a really solid plan there PP.
Enjoy the new found freedom - with a healthy dose of caution and good headwork of course ;)

USMCFLYR

Thanks for the kind words, USMCFLYR..free from the foggles, now I can finally take some pictures.