Author: cody

Forty days. Four subjects. 112 classroom hours, tho realistically, a little less once you account for the occasional off-topics discussions. Whoever designed this schedule clearly believes in the “sink or swim” approach. But to my surprise, it wasn’t as brutal as I’d imagined, maybe bc I stayed locked in during class, or maybe I pushed…

It’s been 10 weeks since my first sortie. As i write this, i’m done with phase 1 flying. Back to ground school next Monday, back to the routine. And honestly i missed it. 0630 gym, 0800-1530 classes, 1900-2100 study, weekend coffee runs. Comforting in its predictability. But prolly halfway through, I’ll be whining about missing…

Back from a break for pre-solo check This flight was my first one back after a 10 day break. 10 days doesn’t sound like much, and I didn’t think it would affect my performance that badly, but it did. I couldn’t even start the engine properly. Ouch. Something so basic, yet I fumbled it. It…

Sitting in my instructor’s office for circuit lesson 6 debrief. My instructor, all casual goes, “You ready for your first solo tomorrow?” like they’re asking what’s for dinner. “No, i’m not ready” I snap We keep talking, but my result in the RT listening test held back any solo plans. They look at my exam…

That morning’s flight still haunts me. After 2 circuits on 03R, my instructor asked, “Do you want to make this a full stop?” “Yeah…yes please.” I replied My head just wasn’t in it. It wasn’t like one big screw up. It was a bunch of tiny mistakes piling up before we even left the ground.…

I’ve finally sussed the taxiing on a DA40 which honestly is a real pain compared to Cessna 172 (and i already can’t taxi that thing properly either) There was one time on taxiway bravo, a long straight stretch, i was pedalling like a snake. My instructor, absolutely dripping with sarcasm and disbelief at how shockingly…

Yet another blue sky day at Parafield, I went to grab the aircraft for the lesson while my instructor nipped to the mess for a bite. All I had to do was text my instructor where the plane was parked: edge of the FTA apron, UniSA side. Easy peasy. Except I sent, “All the way…

As a VET (private) student, sweating it out with Starlux cadets for the same CASA CPL. Their relentless hustle sparks something in me, but I’m learning to balance that fire with a dose of chill. After 6 weeks of ground school, 3 external exams, here’s how it went. Ground School Grind Phase 1 ground school…