Tag: Europe

  • ATPL Theory is done

    Finally the EASA ATPL theoretical course is done and I got a certificate of completion. I can take exams in the CAA with this document. The course was really tough. 4 months is definitely not enough without any prior knowledge, but even with some preparation it’s challenging. I took tests every day except Mondays, and…

  • ATPL Theory

    It’s been a while I did not make an update, but I am still on the way to my first pilot job. From January 2019 I am studying EASA ATPL theory subjects in a Polish flight school. Actually the online part is already finished (in April 2019), and it was very tough: you really need…

  • Free Flight

    The blog is still alive, as like the idea 🙂 Last week I traveled to Prague. It was not related to my aviation progress, but I did not want to miss the opportunity to fly while being in Europe, so I tried to find an airplane. Unfortunately I had a very tight schedule, and it…

  • Adjusting Priorities: My Revised Flight Career Plan and Goals

    It seems that I need to adjust my priorities compared to my plan that I made in December. Currently, due to my job, I have to remain in Moscow, which means I am unable to fly at the moment. Moreover, obtaining US visas has become more challenging, and the risk of not being granted an…

  • Choosing the Best Place to Obtain a Pilot License: Considerations about Flight Schools in Europe and the United States

    For every professional pilot, the first step is a Private Pilot License (PPL). The second usual step is an Instrument Rating (IR), which allows one to fly in worse weather. Currently, I am at this stage, but what’s next? For various reasons, I decided to learn to fly in Europe and in the US. Australia…

  • Obtaining a First Class Medical Certificate: My Experience in Poland

    Today, I received my first-class medical certificate which is required for commercial pilots in Europe. Prior to this, I had a second-class medical certificate, which is less expensive, but it’s sufficient for a private pilot license that I currently hold. Normally, the initial first-class medical examination should be taken only in a hospital. Subsequent examinations…

  • Flying in Hot Windy Weather: A Pilot’s Experience

    I was supposed to fly early in the morning, but it didn’t happen. The airplane didn’t have enough fuel, and the fuel service is usually only available in the afternoon. Anyway, I needed some more sleep. I took off in the afternoon and during the flight, I noticed that my ground speed was way less…

  • Chasing Flight Hours: A Pilot’s Excursion to the North-West of Prague

    Every pilot should have a minimum flight time before taking an exam. For the modular commercial pilot program in Europe, it should be 200 hours of total time. I am currently continuing to gain these flight hours. Today, I decided to fly to the North-West, where I found a nice aerodrome with a concrete runway.…

  • I’m A Little Black Rain Cloud, of Course

    I’m just a little white rain cloudHovering under the honey treeI’m only a little black rain cloudPay no attention to me… Sometimes the weather just doesn’t want to cooperate. Today, one of these rain clouds demanded my attention. Although the clouds look gorgeous, they are also scary. This one in particular may not seem dangerous,…

  • Improving My Pilot Skills with Holiday Flying

    I don’t work on holidays, which means I can fly more, or at least, work less if the weather doesn’t permit flying. Today, the weather is great, so I can practice my landings. Practicing more landings helps gaining skills, and different aerodromes aid in that too. Currently, crosswind landings are the most challenging for me,…