Last weekend we had the inauguration of class 0407 which was a happening as always. That night I also celebrated my 23th birthday.

On Monday we first had to do groundschool for the Seneca V followed by a test on Tuesday. I was scheduled to fly on Wednesday but since we were under influence of a cold front, low clouds made it impossible to fly. My flight was cancelled and luckily enough replaced with a simulator session. The next day I was scheduled again but weather conditions were still not perfect. My instructor decided to cancel the VFR flightplan and to do the first flight IFR.

After completed the walkaround and startup we proceeded to runway 19 for a November departure. The take off was fantastic. You can really feel that this airplane is turbocharged! Also when we made the recovery from an approach to stall in landing configuration you could really feel the turbo's kicking in and accelerate the airplane.

We proceeded through the clouds at F050 IFR to Nisa VOR and along the way I had to do some exercises to get familiar with the airplane's behavior and handling characteristics. The aircraft flies remarkably light especially in the roll and it's very stable. We did some timed and steep turns as well as approach to stalls. My instructor also asked me to fly an DME arc and to do some interceptions. After one hour we had to return to Evora and got a straight in approach for runway 19 which is highly unusual! The wind was also cross and blowing with 10 to 15 knot's. The Seneca's demonstrated crosswind component is 17 knot's. Not the best situation to try your first landings on a new aircraft I think. My instructor was pretty confident that I was able to make a nice landing. Instead of moving his seat closer to the controls to assist or take over he moved his seat backwards. The first landing was pretty nice but my second one was perfect as my instructor said. Well maybe beginners luck.

I was very pleased with the flight and really like the Seneca. Off course it's only the beginning and when we are going to train single engine flight everything will be a lot more difficult. Nevertheless, i'm really looking forward to next week!

Finally! On Wednesday, 9 of March, 2005, I earned my Commercial Pilot license or CPL. The day before I passed my IF exam.

It where hectic days. Saturday I went with Instructor Acilona and classmate Robert Bos to Seville again to finish night flying. Robert flew to Seville and I flew night on Sunday. I made 3 approaches at Jerez and 1 at Seville.

Tuesday I had my IF check. My examiner was Mr. Kistemaker and my safety pilot was instructor Nuno Ferreira. Just after take off I had a SEFATO (simulated engine failure after take off) my reaction was good and I could continue on the sierra 1A departure to Beja. First I had to do a ILS approach to rwy 19R followed by a missed approach back to the beacon BJA for an NDB approach to be done single pilot. After this approach I had to do some interceptions on a vor station and aerial work. Steepturn, an approach to stall in landing configuration, partial panel with timed turns and finishing with the NDB approach at Evora. The flight went pretty well. Of course you're a little nervous for such a check and I think I could have done better, but I'm pleased with the result!

The next day on Wednesday I had my CPL exam with our head of training Mr. Bitter. Just like the previous exam we started with theory questions about flight planning, mass and balance, performance, etc...I had to prepare a flight from Evora to Badajoz. Just after take off I had to divert to a place 60 nm away. Despite the haziness I had no problem finding my way towards the designated village. I got some failures like radio master switch, engine fire and forced landing. I also had to do a full stall in clean configuration and a steepturn. The last part of the exam was in the circuit for flapless, normal, shortfield landing, sefato and a waveoff. The exam went well and after finishing the after parking checklist I heard that I passed. Commercial Pilot license, at last!

Cathedral in Seville

Preparing my night flying LEZL-LEJR-LEZL

AIS Seville

Waiting for our instructor at the general aviation apron Seville.

This week 0309b had to do their ME+IR exams. Everybody passed and this morning they went home for their last part of training, MCC on a full flight simulator b737. Diederik, Rob, Frank, Jose and Mart I wish you all the best and see you soon!

Next week we will have groundschool for the Seneca V. I'm really looking forward to fly this nice airplane!

See ya,
Bas

Long time no write so to speak :-) I was very busy last weeks completing the TB20...but first things first!

Since I was still waiting to finish night flying I did a lot of simulator. In the mean time I decided to start with the solo hours for CPL training. It was great to fly VFR again! On your own after all those hours with your instructor and flying IFR, looking inside. It was great!