Hello Everyone,
It’s been quite a busy last two weeks for me. With school work and last week’s Spring Break, I’ve been occupied with a lot of activities. During Spring Break, I headed home from Saturday to Wednesday to see my family and to go flying up north. Home was nice and I was glad to see my parents again, after only visiting the weekend prior. I was able to fly down the Hudson River Corridor with my Dad while I was home as well. The new rules are in effect, so I had to read up on them, however they are mostly revisions to the old rules.

After Wednesday, I spent Thursday through Sunday in Daytona Beach. The weather wasn’t exactly beach weather, but it was warm at least. I spent most of my time back here hanging out with friends and going to Orlando at nights. I’m finishing up Instrument training and I’m beginning my Cross Country flights. Private Multi is coming to a finish also as I’m just waiting to be scheduled for a Practice Checkride.

For the Student Alumni Association, I’m working on, with the rest of the executive board, setting up this year’s Etiquette Dinner. It’s a lot of fun, and a lot of work. I’m hoping the final product is a hit. Now that classes are back in session, the time is coming for the second wave of tests. I can’t wait!

For those of you who read my journal regularly: I’ve noticed a spike in the amount of Facebook Friend Requests that I usually get. If you would like to add me as your friend, just make a little note in there that you read my journal. I’d be more than happy to add you. Without saying that, I assume I don’t have any connection to you and then click Ignore.

Over and Out.

It’s now more than halfway through spring semester and I’m looking forward to next week’s Spring Break (March 15-20). I’ve started practicing approaches using VOR, RNAV/LNAV, GPS, ILS, and Localizer systems. After approaches I get to start working on IFR Cross-Countries. This (unfortunately) reminds me that I need to take my instrument ground written exam. On the days when I’m not flying IFR, I’ve been learning Private Multi in the Turbo Seminole across the field.

The Daytona Bike Week has concluded and the only indication of that is that the noise level has returned back to normal. All these events that Daytona hosts are exciting and fun but if you expected to catch up on your sleep during those days, think again.

I went home this past weekend prior to spring break to see my family. On my return flight (HPN-MCO) we overflew the Ormond Beach VORTAC, which placed us right over Daytona. I was able to snap a photo of ERAU from the air, pretty sweet I’d say. I realized I missed home so much that I’m going back again next weekend for spring break week. I return during the middle of the week so I will still be able to enjoy my days off in Florida too.

The weather has been perfect for flying these past few weeks. Not a cloud in the sky. Great VFR weather! Now that I’ll be flying IFR, I’m hoping for some clouds actually, so I can log actual instrument time in my logbook.

I see that many prospective students have already been emailing me for advice and such. Feel free to ask me a question. I’m more than glad to help.

Over and Out.

The temperature is rising and Bike Week is over. This can only mean one thing: spring break is around the corner at Embry-Riddle. Surprisingly, classes are more than halfway over, and time is flying by. While I am looking forward to spring break, these past two weeks have been fun packed.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to visit my parents while they were vacationing in Palm Beach. I had limited options to get there since I do not have a car and there are no flights between Daytona and West Palm Beach. Instead, I had the opportunity to experience a different form of travel: bus. Early Saturday morning, I took a taxi to the Greyhound station and boarded the bus to Orlando, then connected onto the bus bound for West Palm Beach. Needless to say, Greyhound and its riders are different from an airline’s. While I did not particularly enjoy my experience, they did get me to where I wanted to go – it was a six hour ride.

At West Palm I was picked up by my parents. It was a five minute drive across the inter-coastal to Palm Beach. I spent Saturday night and most of Sunday at the resort with them, then they kindly drove me back to Daytona Beach, where we enjoyed an excellent meal from The Cellar. The drive back took 3 hours.

Florida is a big state. Daytona makes it easy to get to most places in Florida, as it’s located in east central Florida.

Switching gears… classes. About half of my six classes this semester are related to business. While that is a bit of a drag, I’m learning new things and developing interests right and left. Not long ago, my Principles of Aeronautical Science (flying for non-flight students) took a tour of the aviation maintenance building. While I do not plan on being a mechanic for an airline, it was fascinating to watch students take apart airframes and engines (powerplants), then reassemble them and test them. For anyone interested in airline management, specifically for those interested in running an airline someday, it’s important to have some understanding of each aspect of an airline, including aviation maintenance.

At Embry-Riddle, students are given the opportunity to learn about other fields within the aviation industry, regardless of your major. Any student can chose to observe a flight student’s flight, free of charge. Most professors are thrilled when students ask them questions about a specific program or express an interest to learn more – you have the opportunity to do that here. While I want to work in the airline industry in the business side of things, I’m taking the opportunity to learn as much as I can about other aspects within the industry.

If you ever have any questions about Embry-Riddle, life as a student, or the college of business, feel free to ask! (My email is listed above).

Until after spring break,
Jonathan

Spring break is almost here, and classes will be at the halfway mark this week. It is strange how quickly time passes here; much faster than high school. With six classes, there is a fair amount of work to do each night, which means I’m rarely bored. Aside from school work, club meetings and special events fill the time.

About two weeks ago, the Airport Management Club (AMC) had its second meeting in the Daytona Beach International Airport terminal’s conference room. The room was situated on top of terminal, and there we talked with the airport’s director, an Embry-Riddle alumnus, who shared his memories and experiences working at the airport. It takes a lot to run an airport, as it is a very multi-faceted branch; finance, operations, marketing, etc. I thought to myself, “airport talk, sitting in a conference room overlooking the terminal, and pizza – what could be better?”

Last weekend I had the opportunity to go home for Valentine’s Day. Aside from a three hour tarmac delay at Charlotte and lost luggage, it was great to go home and see friends and family. I was welcomed by fresh italian food and sushi; my favorites. Fortunately Embry-Riddle had off on Monday, so I was able to spend three days home. Another close friend from Embry-Riddle flew up to see his sister, and we were able to catch the same return flights back to Daytona. Since friends were not around for the weekend, we were not able to catch a ride back to campus, but it’s only a 10-15 minute walk away – why not?

This past week, I had the opportunity to meet one my favorite authors: Homer Hickam. He is the author of “Rocket Boys,” which became the movie “October Sky.” The IC Auditorium was packed, and he gave an excellent motivational speech. While my interests are primarily in airlines, airports, and aircraft manufacturing, it was good to step out of those fields and take a look into the engineering / rocketry side of aviation.

That’s all for now – check back here in two weeks for another post!
Jonathan

The weather here in Florida is finally starting to warm up and it’s about time. The last few weeks have been the coldest it’s ever been. It was even warmer at the Winter Olympics than it was in Daytona Beach. However cold weather is still good flying weather, so no complaints there.

I’ve finished learning holding procedures and I’m now starting to fly instrument approaches. Instrument training is a lot of work, but the more you do it, the easier it gets. I’ve been thinking a lot about the next step, which is commercial multi-engine. I’ve decided before I do that, I should get my multi-engine add-on to my private pilot’s license. That way when I start commercial training, I get to log the time as Pilot In Command; which is important when looking for a job.

As for extracurricular events, I’ve gotten involved with the Air Traffic Control Organization, as well as the Student Alumni Association, of which I’ve been selected to be the President of. I’m very excited and honored to have that opportunity.

I’ve been sick for the last two weeks, only recently has it affected me enough to put a flight-only ground on my training. I seem to be getting better, but it needs time. Health services has been a great help and I highly recommend using them when needed. Dorms are known for spreading illnesses around, so you’ve got to be careful, but even if you are, there is still a good chance you’ll get what is going around.

The College of Aviation had its family weekend this past week. There were different seminars for parents ranging from financial aid, to flight concepts, to simulator sessions, they were even allowed to sit-in on any Aeronautical Science class with their son/daughter.

The Daytona 500 was a quite interesting time in this town. Surprisingly it was the quietest of all the speed-week races, considering how close we live to the track. Students get a discounted ticket price, however when I called up, they were all sold out. Traffic was a nightmare and a lot of stores were closed because they sold their parking spaces to NASCAR spectators. The airport closes Runway 16/34 to use as a parking area for visiting aircraft. Those were certainly a sight to see!

Spring break is just around the corner (Mar 15) and I bought a resident beach pass ($20) for my car, so now I can park there anytime I want for the whole year. After four visits, the pass pays for itself.

Over and Out.

This past week, I received the wonderful chance to meet Homer Hickam! If you have seen the movie, October Sky, or have read the book, Rocket Boys, then you know Homer and his inspirational and extraordinary life story. He visited the Embry-Riddle campus to talk about his upbringing, his dreams of becoming a rocket scientist, and his life as a NASA engineer. It was an honor and privilege to be in his presence and have the great opportunity to meet him!

“So, I say to you students of Embry-Riddle, don’t be afraid and please don’t walk away from a career in aerospace. The nation is depending on you to pry from the tiller of space the hands of those who don’t understand what its promise means. The nation is depending on you to rebuild from the wreckage that our present leaders may cause. The nation is depending on you to bring the vigor of youth to aging bureaucracies and to make them all new and bright again. This you can do, this you must do, and this old rocket boy is certain you will do. Now go forth and make me proud.” ~ Homer H. Hickam

The STS-130 crew of space shuttle Endeavour returned home last night (2/21) wrapping up a successful 13 day mission to the International Space Station. Endeavour travelled more than 5.7 million miles and has given ISS crew members a backyard view of our extraordinary planet. Endeavour has one flight remaining before being decommissioned and only four total shuttle flights remain before the program retires.

There is much more to come in the upcoming months, but those stories I will hold for next time. Until then, see you out there!

Nothing too exciting has happened in the past two weeks…I’ve mainly been going to class, work, and doing homework. My homework is usually just reading assignments; unfortunately, I sometimes get bored with it and feel myself scanning the words and not really reading them. I hate when I do that because then I have to go back and reread several paragraphs or pages. On another note, I’m looking forward to Spring Break!! I think my sister is planning on coming down and maybe we’ll take a road trip or just hang out at the beach—if it ever gets warm enough! The weather here is actually pretty nice compared to what it’s like back home right now.

My job at the Daytona Beach airport has been going well and I enjoy being an observer to the airport environment. The other day a man came up to me and we started talking about the weather, then he asked me where I was from and it turns out we were both from Illinois. We continued talking and I found out that his son is a teacher at the community college I went to before coming to Embry-Riddle. Just goes to show you what a small world this is! As you can tell from the picture, I have a big TV behind me that shows incoming and outgoing flights along with the weather radar. Many people come over to take a look at it; then they ask me a few questions and I get to tell them about Embry-Riddle. I really enjoy talking to everybody and love finding out why people are coming to or leaving Daytona Beach.

Graduation is fast approaching and the other week I attended a meeting that gave all the details about the ceremony and things you must do before walking across the stage. Only about three more months till the day is here and I’m excited to order my cap and gown! If we want to, we can decorate our cap and I’m trying to decide what I want to put on there. Some people were shocked to find out that I would be graduating too; I love watching people’s reactions when I tell them! Along with the graduation meeting, I went to a MBA information session and learned some more things about the curriculum. In order to finish by next May, I think I will be spending my summer taking classes. I’ve taken summer classes before and I sort of like them better because you are done in six weeks instead of fourteen.

I did go on a “field trip” with Air Force ROTC this past Saturday. We went down to Orlando to a place called Rebounderz where you get to jump on a trampoline indoors. There are even trampolines on the sides, so you can jump off the walls! We played a game of dodge ball and being able to jump in the air to dodge the ball adds a whole new dimension to the game. I had a lot of fun and wouldn’t mind going back again!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Until next time,

Kaleigh