Private Pilot License: Lets start Flying.

Work-in-progress

As I am writing this post I am searching the ways to get a Private Pilot License. I read an article 2 days back here: http://www.desicrunch.com/Articles/privatepilot.html. And I just started dreaming on flying a small plane looking below at the green fields and river. Sitting besides is my wife and 2 friends behind.

Isn't this amazing!!!

First let me burst all the myths that are in your mind right now.

1. The whole process is easy. I do not mean getting license is cake walk because this is where you do the hard work. I just mean the “process”

2. Non-US citizens can fly.

3. Its not that expensive. USD 5000-USD 10000

4. No upright fee, Pay as you go.

Total cost:

1	Medical exam	$ 080.00
2	Written Exams	$ 150.00
3	TSA Security Clearance	$ 130.00
	Total	$ 360.00

Steps to earn a Private Pilot License:

1. Get 3^rd Class medical exam
2. Search for a Pilot Training School
3. Get introductory flight.
4. Get clearance from TSA
5. Begin training and log Hours
6. Pass Written Exams
7. End

1. Get 3^rd Class medical exam

To get a Private/recreational one needs an Third Class Medical Certificate. The following link explains more. This is just a Medical examination need to be passed via a FAA designated doctor. The doctor will certify that the prospect candidate is okay for flying. FAA recommends getting the Third Class Medical Certificate before starting the actual training. http://www.faa.gov/pilots/become/medical/

Usually the medical certificate and student pilot certificate are one and the same and are issued by a doctor, called an aviation medical examiner, who has been approved by the FAA to administer the medical exam.

Save yourself the extra step by being sure to request a combination medical and student pilot certificate when you visit the medical examiner

The combination medical/student pilot certificate is easy to carry in your logbook, wallet, or purse and required to be in your possession when you fly solo. The difference between the regular medical certificate and the combination medical and student pilot certificate is that, on the back of the medical/student pilot certificate, there is space for the flight instructor's signature before you fly solo.

To locate a FAA Doctor (Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)) follows: http://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/

2. To locate a Flight School near you.

This is probably tough step. It’s tough because it is for the student to select a training school that suits the most to him, it can be in terms of cost, distance, flight trainer, etc.

Start here http://flighttraining.aopa.org/learntofly/school/flight_schools/ and search the schools that are near your place. Call them and let them know that you are interested to flying and getting PPL/Sports/ Recreational license.

I guess the possible lists of questions to be asked are:

1. How can I get started?
2. Cost of introductory flight, read more about in Step 3.
3. Cost per hour of Flying (Wet/Dry) and Trainers fee. Wet means that the cost of Gas is included and Dry means not.
4. How ling it will take to earn a license. It’s kind of vague question, because it entirely depends on ones capability, but just to get an idea.

Recently I have discovered that apart from Flying Schools, there are many small and big Flying clubs. So instead of going to Flying Schools one may choose to learn flying from these Flying Clubs. I am explaining more about these Flying Clubs at the end of this blog.

3. Get introductory flight.

Schedule a introductory flight with training school(s). This is not

4. If you are non US Citizens: Get clearance from TSA [$130.00]

One needs to choose Category 3 while applying for the TSA clearance. Use this website to get Clarence from TSA https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov/.

They have listed step by step process to submit the application form. The Application Guide link (https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov/afsp2/?acct_type=c&section=AG) explains what all the required is simple plain English. The requirements also include finger printing.

6. To schedule a Written FAA Knowledge Exams use this site. [$150.00]

http://www.catstest.com/html/applicants/faa/

Web Page that I read:

http://www.desicrunch.com/Articles/privatepilot.html [Motivation Point]

http://flighttraining.aopa.org/learntofly/welcome/ [Learning what the Flying License is all about]

http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/media/faa-h-8083-27a.pdf - Information about the Pilot License

http://www.cessna.com/learn-to-fly.html

http://www.aopa.org/learntofly/index.html

[Complete How to become a PPL]

http://www.wikihow.com/Obtain-an-FAA-Private-Pilot's-License

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Update April 29, 2010:

The beauty of this country (USA) is that things are really easy and straight forward. If you want to fly go ahead no issues, if you wanna lean robatic engineering go ahead no issues. hmm So I called a couple of people in and around Lansing, MI (48910) to get the information if I am missing something. And this is my advice to you too, call and meet as many people you can. These folks are experienced and can give you some good tips.

So I called 3 Different people:

LLC (Lansing Community College): They just do the aviation career and not just the Private Licensing.

Aric Newsted [anewstedaatgmaildotcom]: He is teaching at Flying Club at the capital airport in Lansing, MI. I never knew this, because his Flying Club is not listed in AOPA website. So this place is near close.

Kreem Walton: He is a flight instructor at various places and lastly

Dan Holtzclaw: He teaches in Pontaic, MI.

All sounded me reasonable. So like a link by link chain.

I guess I will visit the Grand Ledge (grandairaviation.com/) and Erec (www.oldsforgeflyers.com/)

Spartan Wings, Inc, Mason: http://www.spartanwings.com/10.html

This is my understanding on how the future looks like after this new memorandum on "employer-employee" relationship.

1. I see many H1B Employees getting affected. There will be many h1 transfers denial, denials in extensions. So either they will find a new real Full Time job, or get their H1 transferred to “big” consulting companies like K Force, TEK Systems, Infosys, Wipro, etc. Else failing this will force them going back to their home country. Many might change their status to H4 (if a spouse id working).

2. All major consulting companies will “have to” hire H1s like TEK System, K Force because since there will be no layer concept they wont be able to get consultants from some Body Shoppers.

3. Consultancy Companies aka Desi Companies, Body Shoppers, Job will close if they do not have large number of direct clients and most (90% if not 95%) of them don’t have . Even if they have small number of direct clients they will have to close down in future, because the economy is not very good and maintaining employees on bench is a expensive affair.

4. Many CGs process will stop, because of the reason mentioned in point 1 above.

5. Approx all categories of GC will have very less backlogs. We can even see a backlogs of 2-3 years if not 1-2 years in future.

6. Sharp decrease in H1 applying to GCs. Consider this how many true companies will sponsor their employees for GC knowing that most of them will leaver as soon as they get their Green Card.

7. Demand for EAD/GC/US Citizens will rise because consulting don’t have to do a H1 transfer i.e. no costs attached and no need to pay them on bench.

8. Some clients will face storage of consultants because many H1b will be going back to their home land because of H1 extension denied or consultants changing their job.

9. I see the concept of % salary going away and a relative low pay fixed income starting. With fewer options left for consultants, the companies will come in the driver’s seat. They will offer fixed salary in the range of 55 – 70K as suppose to 7—120K salaries.

10. Job market in some countries esp. India will witness many US return IT professionals.

11. A sight glitch in the real estate market since a little share is owned by many H1bs

I guess in the long run this will help all the parties involved.

My personal experience was very bitter. I was not treated as suppose to me when one comes to an alien country. My X-Desi company did not gave me Medical benefits (I got my own for 3 months). Yeah not getting paid on bench, I have complained to DOL regarding this.

Thanks for reading. Please post your comments.

Tobbaco, Gutka, Cigarettes, Alcohol- Why can't be all ban it once n for all.

Gutka eats away Mumbai youth's tongue

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Gutka-eats-away-Mumbai-youths-tongue/articleshow/5389821.cms

I was reading this article that tell that the mumbai youth is in trouble because of excessive use of Gutka, tobacco. After reading all this I felt sad and sorry for all the people who are into a habit of consuming

tobacco, alcohol, etc.

Something comes to my mind: Why can't we just ban all these things, close down all the factories.

Someone will immediately say Hey you can't do that simple because Millions of people will be affected and jobless.

Also someone says "What happened to freedom?". Someone also says that the govt is getting so much on revenue that is needed to make road, railways and other essential infrastructure.

It may seem at the first glance that this is an insane thing to be done.

But now my question is that Why can't a govt make Drugs such as Brown Sugar, Opium etc. legal. They also have the same effect as the others have. The only difference is that its fast as compared to smoking. But it can also generate revenue of the govt, it can also create jobs and then the govt. can give more options and freedom to its citizens. Now they have one more thing on the menu, you may choose to consume Opium.

Most of us will not agree to this. Can you tell me why ?

Coming back to the question of banning tobacco, alcohol, I fell we will do better if we compare both the aspects. One the one hand we have Jobs, Revenue and so called freedom. On the other hand we have better health, better environment, less expenses because not you do not buy them, less medical expenses, less violence. So what do you think about it ?

I do not buy the argument that a loss of revenue will be huge. We have an example of Gujarat which is a dry state meaning the liquor is not sold opening. ( i know there will be always some sort of smuggling). And Gujarat is one of the best state revenue wise. I admit this may be a weak example but if we compare the pros and cons down the line we can see the benefits of banning tobacco, alcohol, etc.

I am sure you will agree that there are somethings that can not be calculated in monetary terms, e.g. how would you determine the benefit of a man beating his wife after drinking because he has lost his senses versus a man not beating with wife. On a person committing a small crime such as shoplifting or pocket picking or big crimes like theft, kidnapping or even killing for getting money for his bad habit versus a person not doing at least for these bad habits.

A common sense thinking says that the crime with surely reduce, the heath problem related to tobacco and alcohol will minimize.

I admit that a major overhaul will be required to dilute the effect of banning these things. Such as govt. might have to open new avenue to provide jobs, plan some other ways of revenue etc.

Do not forget to comment about how do you feel about it, even a word will be an appreciation.

Thanks for reading

Remembering Gandhi: Time of India Home Page

Remembering Gandhi: This was the post on 2^nd October 2, 2009. This is the day of Gandhi Jayanti .

While seeing the home page of timesofindia.com, I can across this Photos Section. I felt so bad, and so guilt. As you can see just adjacent to the great leader’s photo and the lust pic.

I feel sorry for the editor. I am sure this is not what Gandhi ji wanted and of couse many of us.

This is how my H1B extension going on

1. 09/24/2009 sometime noon: My employer calls and say that I have got a query.
2. 
   
3. 09/27/2009 07:25 PM: I should not have this call. Called some1 I know from my previous project. He is leaving India for good. because of some H1B complication in extension. One of the main reason is that the Client is not giving him the client letter.
4. My wifes mold if offffffffffffff and so is mine.
5. 09/27/2009 07:41 PM: Called one of my friend, and told him the events. He suggested to relax.
6. 09/28/2009 around 8 AM: Mailed employer to talk to the attorney asap and send the answer to the query today itself.
7. 09/28/2009 12:46 PM: Called attorney, voice mail. Leaf him a V mail.
8. 09/28/2009 12:56 PM: Tried to call my employer but voice mail. Leaf him a V mail.
9. 09/28/2009 1:54 PM: Received call from my employer that he is going to send the doc via FedEx today.
10. 
    
11. 
    

No Internet no work no life

I am writing this offline. For those who don’t know the internet jargon very much, not working on the internet is working offline.

After reaching the office today, I realized that my network was not working. I tried to restart my PC 2 times, because they say that the simplest way is to restart the PC when something goes wrong. Anyway I went to my manager cubical to know if they he is also experiencing the same problem, he was not there. I went to my super manager, she was not there. I went to my Lead cubical, he was not there. I went to my other team member, he was not there. So finally I talk to some other employee working on the same floor. She was also experiencing the same issue.

I said that we can’t do anything without going online, even if the computers were working. She agreed. She instantly said terrorist can just disable the internet and everything comes down. I was taken aback, one is not suppose to talk abt them leave alone is soft voice. I said yes, I read somewhere that these are electronic bombs that can hamper grids, electric wires and electronics equipments. She said yeah. Then she said banks wont work, nor credit card transactions. Then we discussed that how crippled our life is without internet. We can’t do any coding (of course), make reports. There should be some manual was

I saw everyone going here and there, because there is nothing to be done offline.

Computers, internet, mobile phones and other things have made a permanent place in our life. We can’t just think of doing something else without them.

Well by the way, I am writing this offline!

Go Green or Perish, leave difference apart and lets work together for a better world

The world is facing a greater threat, the threat larger in many folds than the nuclear war. And this threat is Global warming. The Global Warming has many side effects and has ripple effects like endangering sea animals and fishes, change of pattern of rain and this drought and floods. We are in a urgent need to change the way we live and eat. Because of us there is a severe shortage of water. Even before we heard of all this at least 2 Billion people or 1 out 6 people did not have the access to the safe drinking water. And we all know that the water is the essence of life.

I wish I were a president of USA, or France or India and the people of the world can listen when I am talking. Still I am writing this because it’s the only way I can spread what I am thinking and wanted to tell the world. I wish Barack Obama read this and release where we are heading and where actually we all wanted to go. I believe if we call take baby steps we can make a difference. But if comes from top then we can make more progress collectively in less time, because as I said we are already late and there is not much time left.

Utopia

I am thinking all the nuclear countries including North Korea, USA, India, Pakistan, China etc show sit on a table and agree to disarm their all nuclear weapons with the very moment. And all should start working to reduce the global warming and pulling down the increased temperature. All the nation tops scientist can work together to make perfect (90% if not 100%) renewable energy sources. They should work in tandem to exchange ideas that can benefit other countries.

We have to do a lot of work

• Reduce dependency of fossil fuels like coal, oil
• Ban not Reduce the use of plastic and try to convert existing plastic to something good, something which do not pollute the Mother Nature.
• Make more n more energy efficient appliances
• Generating more renewable energy like Solar, Hydro, Solar Thermal, Geo Thermal, Bio Diesel, tidal/wave, Bio Gas.
• Subsidizing Green technologies including Auto running to very low or zero emission, CFL bulbs, hybrid buses.
• Developing good and cheap public transport.

If you are thinking that is just too ambitious then just wait for 50-70 more yrs and we will see the earth coming so an standstill. We can have larger conflicts not only between countries but also between states/provinces because of the scarcity of water.

I will end this article with some quotes.

We have done enough talking( that’s what I am doing right now), its time to act now.

Better late than never

Please let me know what to do feel about this article. I am sure the language may not be a good one because I am not a professional writer.