One fine day

It was a beautiful day here in Cincinnati, a gorgeous Saturday morning. It seemed like sort of a waste to spend such a nice fall day inside of a simluator training facility. However, it was time well spent. Today was the end of an endeavor that began on Oct 9th. Today, was the day that I took my checkride to become an official airline first officer. I have spend two months training, studying, and sweating for this one 6 hour period. Actually, this journey began back in the fall of 1997 when I decided to go to Spartan School of Aeronautics. Then came a long period of instruction in Boulder, CO. After that came the job that taught me the most about flying and my own abilities, my Cessna Caravan time. I learned a lot in the Beech 18 shortly after that as well.

Now finally, I'm in a jet and ready to give this airline business a try. It has been a hard couple of months that ended in a challenging test of what I've learned.

My new gig

Yes, after flying a Beechcraft Model 18 for the past six months it was time to move on to something new and a little faster.


This is the CRJ700 operated by Comair, a Delta Connection. I'm in training now to fly the smaller version of this airplane, the CRJ200 ( which will be pictured below ). The CRJ series is very popular throughout the regional airlines. Obviously, this is a step up from the Beech 18 in every aspect except oil usage.

Don't get me wrong, the Beech 18 was a very good airplane to fly. It was one of those airplanes that taught you something just about everytime the round engines were fired up. I will miss my time operating that aircraft. But, look at this new aircraft, it's beautiful. Sleek, sophisticated and quick. What else can you ask for? So it is in the CRJ that I start my airline career. Here's hoping that it's long and prosperous.


On the left is the new destinations that I could potentionally be flying to in the future. I'll be starting my career out as a First Officer ( what used to be called the "Co-pilot" ). I can expect to hold that position for a number of years, until my seniority and the needs of my new airline allow me to move into the left seat.

I'm not exactly sure when I'll be able to actually fly the aircraft. I have a lot of training to get through between now and then. I'll try to make some regular updates to this site when I start flying.


Below are some more pictures of both the CRJ200/700. Enjoy.

Long time no write

Wow, it's been quite some time since I wrote anything on this blog. Everything is basically the same. I'm finally getting used to flying an old Beech 18 around the skies of Kansas. This being Kansas and all, the weather has been kind of a bear lately, lots of thunderstorms and wind lately.

Going back and forth between Great Bend and Wichita, I'm getting the multi-engine time that I've been needing. Even though it's at a rather slow rate. Still I'm flying a big twin twice a day and gaining some great experience. In fact, it's always an "experience" landing a big multi-engine taildragger.

On a non flying related subject; my Rockies are doing great and as I write this they are in first place in the NL West. I've been a fan through the bad times and the better ones. Go Rocks!




No new flying pics, but I do have a few shots of a camping with my Josh ( my 10 year old son ). We went camping in Eastern Oklahoma with the Boy Scouts. We camped with a group of Civil War reenactors...very cool.

New Job

So I have given up my job as a Cessna Caravan Captain in order to move my career forward. I am no longer flying out of Guymon. Instead, my new run starts in Great Bend, KS and ends in Wichita, KS. Here is a picture of the "new" aircraft that I am currently training in.

Welcome to the world of the Beech 18. The longest running ( in years) production aircraft in the world. Some 9000 built. This one is a 1961 model.







Ain't she a beauty.

Well, well, well

Obviously, I haven't been doing a very good job of updating my blog. Sorry. But I'm back now and will be making regular entries. Here are a few pictures during the period I was away.