Delta Connection Academy

If At First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again

From day one of ground school, you are taught a vast amount of facts & figures which you are expected to know and understand. These are tested during stage checks which is my weak area. Similar to learning a new language, this has not come easily for me. I study, review note cards and read over my notes yet still struggle with recollection & confidence.

My latest strategy: print out the document I created and take it with me everywhere so if I have any extra time I can have it right there to study. If I’m waiting in the drive-through line, traveling, or get to school early, I don’t waste any time. Many instructors have created study guides to correlate to each stage check, and they are more than happy to give you a copy. All you have to do is ask.

Each month, there is a meeting for all the academy students. The following was shared in our meeting so I thought I’d share it with you. If you do not satisfy the requirements for the stage check on the first try, you get to retest the areas you missed in a second attempt. If you still do not satisfy the requirements, you get a third attempt. On this third try, you may just be tested on those areas you struggled with, or you may have to start at the beginning and test over everything. If you still do not satisfactorily complete the third attempt, you must complete the entire oral. This is the same for the flying portion of the stage check, but you can’t attempt the flight until you pass the oral, and once it’s passed you don’t have to go back. After each unsatisfactory attempt, you must meet with your primary instructor for review of the unsatisfied areas before testing again. This costs time and money, so of course you’ll do your best to pass it the first time, but if you don’t, take a deep breath and realize everyone learns and retains information differently. You will get there. Your instructor is responsible for submitting you to be scheduled for your stage check, and it reflects poorly on them if you don’t pass, so he/she will do their best to help you prepare. Always ask questions/give him/her a call if you’re studying and have a question. If you don’t have any questions, ask them what they suggest you read or review before the next time you meet or before your stage.

Chair Flying

A great way to practice for an upcoming flight is to “chair-fly.” Until now this has been a challenge for me. I’m not sure if it was because of a lack in my attention span or that my dad taught me that only perfect practice makes perfect. 

Navigation Logs & E6Bs

Navigation Logs & E6Bs

Go Back to the Books!

During ground school, homework is very structured. With flight homework, you have some guidelines to go by. But it doesn’t stop there. If you’re having difficulty with anything, go back to the books! 

Work ahead!

2-20 You know by now that you don’t want to miss any scheduled time at the academy, but weather, airplane maintenance, and sickness are unavoidable. If you know something’s coming up, work ahead. You can ask to fly on Saturday, complete parts of navigation logs ahead of time, and complete homework before it’s due. I’m planning a wedding out of town and will have to miss a few Fridays. These are a few things I’m doing to make those missed days not hurt so much. Today I’m sick – I have been all weekend – and probably won’t be able to fly tonight. As long as I call four hours before my flight I won’t get charged as a “no-show.” This doesn’t have to be a wasted day even if I don’t fly. I can complete homework and study for upcoming stage checks. It will be a bummer if I don’t get to complete my lesson today, but I could miss more later if I don’t take care of myself now. I’m not going to beat up myself if I sleep a lot, that’s necessary to get better. It’s also necessary to eat right and drink lots of water and orange juice. If you’ve been out on your own for a while, using your common sense will usually work, but if you’ve just left home in the past year, you may need to call mom for some guidance. She’ll hate to hear you’re sick but will love that you called her. Moms like to feel needed! If you’ve been feeling bad for more than 4-5 days it may be a good idea to visit a doctor. If you have a virus it will only get better with a prescription. If you’re far from home and can’t get to your doctor, check with your insurance (or ask your parents if you’re on their insurance plan) to see if there’s a specific place you need to go. Most insurance plans allow you to visit urgent care type facilities, or pharmacies with clinics (located inside stores like Walgreen’s or CVS). Do you have topics you’d like me to blog about? If so, let me know at my academy email, JessicaCooper@dcamail.net.

Houston's New Building!

We’ve moved into our new building in Houston! Everyone has been looking forward to this move for months. Prior to the new building we were in a double-wide trailer, but now we are in half of a new hangar. There is one entrance for pre-flight planning and pre-and post-flight flight briefing and another for classrooms and offices. Simulators are in both parts of the building. There is also increased security since the only way to get to the planes is through the building. We knew the old place was tight, but now that we’ve moved, I can’t imagine how we made it before! Now, every area is specifically designed for its use. We have ample space to spread out as well as use the weather radio, computer, and phone to get briefs and file flight plans in the planning room. The post-flight briefing area has cubicles, some with computers, and some with workspace. The new classroom is fantastic. We have eight individual tables with two seats per table. The projector screen used to be right on top of the whiteboard. Now they are on different parts of the wall. Even though I haven’t used it yet, it will be much easier to concentrate in class when we’re not being interrupted by the beeping simulator through the very thin walls! This is a much better space for Delta Connection Academy students and instructors. On a personal note, I passed my stage check, lesson 37 and am moving on! The next one is 47 – I’ve heard it’s very similar.

Stage Check Saturdays

When it comes to stage checks, Saturdays are a working day at the academy. Sunday is the only day you will have guaranteed off. A helpful tip is not to make plans near your stage check. I've been waiting to be scheduled for a week and unfortunately it landed on the day I made plans. I'm thankful that my friends understand. It may sound like I'm complaining - I am frustrated, but my job here is to learn to fly. That's it. It's not to meet up with friends, and it is not limited to five days a week, during the time spent at DCA. You will make friends with your classmates and they are on the same crazy schedule as you. My classmates and I rely on each other for studying, backseating each others' flights, and celebrating with each other when we've been successful. Next blog - We've moved into our new building in Houston!

Unexpected networking opportunity

You never know when networking opportunities will present themselves… I went to New Orleans with my fiancé this past weekend to begin planning our wedding. While listening to jazz at Fritzle’s on Bourbon Street, I met two female pilots. We had a great conversation and their husbands gave Nick an idea about the schedule to expect when I get an airline job. As I mentioned in a former post, professional organizations are great for networking, but those are no good to you if you don’t make personal relationships. I made sure I got Erin’s & Laura’s phone numbers and email addresses and I will definitely keep in touch with them. Not only are they female pilots, they live in an area where Nick & I are interested in moving, and we all got along very well. They are about my age and had lots of good insight to share with me.

From everything I have heard, Delta Connection Academy does everything they can to get you to the airlines, with Delta Connection or one of their many partners. They do guarantee interviews upon graduation, but I think they’d agree that professional pilots need to explore every opportunity for leads to jobs. This economy is tough on all industries. Historically, the airline industry has had a few years of prosperity followed by a few years of hardship. I believe I am in training at exactly the right time. You could be too. I believe there’s not a better place to be than in training while cuts are being made. As I gain experience, accumulate hours, and become qualified with various ratings, the airlines will be looking for more professional pilots to hire. On a personal note (speaking of ratings) I should be closer to my first rating this week. I have finally been put up for my first instrument stage check! It took a long time, but since I’ve been hoping for approval every day, I’ve been studying like I expected it each day. This allows me to have the confidence I need to go into my oral exam.

More organized studying tips

Being an academy student at DCA is a full time job. I continue to look for new ways to study to keep my interest and not get overwhelmed with the variety of knowledge I’m supposed to know. 

1. Certifications & Documents
2. Airworthiness Requirements
3. Weather information
4. Cross Country Flight Planning
5. National Airspace System

6. Performance & limits
7. Operations of Systems
8. Aeromedical Factors
9. Aircraft Flight Instruments & Navigation Equipment

10. Instrument Cockpit Check
11. Air Traffic Control Clearances
12. Compliance with Departure, En Route, & Arrival Procedures
13. Loss of Communications Procedures/Scenarios

Professional Organizations

There are many benefits of being involved in professional organizations. Most offer reduced rates for students, along with free joining incentives such as free newsletters or magazines, online or in print. By joining, you open up possibilities unavailable to you on your own such as social networking, special offers, and the ability to apply for scholarships! You can increase your chance of being considered for a scholarship by being active in a chapter near you. The first organization I joined was Women in Aviation (WIA) dedicated to providing networking, education, mentoring and scholarship opportunities for women (and men) who are striving for challenging and fulfilling careers in the aviation and aerospace industries(www.wai.org). They hold an international conference in a major city each year. I was able to go when it was in my hometown of Cincinnati in 2003. This year it’s in Atlanta, Georgia, February 26-28. You can visit their website at www.wai.org for more information. (They do give out scholarships which were due in November.) They also have local chapters in many cities and colleges. Don’t be fooled by the name – men are welcome to join the organization and get involved. The 99’s are a similar group “founded in 1929 by 99 licensed women pilots for the mutual support and advancement of aviation”(www.ninety-nines.org). Another Organization I joined was the Organization of Black Airline Pilots, “founded in 1976 to enhance, advance, and promote education opportunities in aviation (www.obap.org). They also have a conference each year, this year it’s in Atlanta, August 4-9. They hold ACE camps for high school students in selected cities every summer. They also offer scholarships to their members. AOPA is the Airplane Owner & Pilots Association. They offer tons of services to pilots. From their pilot training magazine – free to student pilots - to safety seminars around the United States. They offer insurance and scholarships as well as current weather & planning information. You name it, they’ll probably be able to provide or lead you to it. Visit their website at www.aopa.org. I enjoy my memberships in these organizations. They keep my interest and continue to expand my knowledge base. I’m looking forward to becoming more involved and meeting people enhancing my aviation network. I hope you check them out!

Vacation

 Vacation...

A day in the life of an academy student

0800 - Arrive at DCA for pre-flight planning & briefing

0900 - Meet with instructor and complete flight

1030 - Return to DCA for post-flight briefing

1100 - Study items from flight at school

1200 - Eat lunch

1300 - Ground school

1700 - Study for FAA written on DCA computer

1800 – Go home, eat dinner, study & relax

A typical day for me would begin with an early flight. Students are required to arrive at least one hour before your flight so whoever has the first flight of the day has to be there at 0500. It was nice when I had a few hours between a flight and school because I’d just stay at school and study or complete homework. During ground school, we were in class from 1300 - 1700 Monday through Friday. We flew once a day, as early as 6am or as late as 9pm or 10pm. As a rule, for each hour I spent in ground school, I’d spend an hour studying or completing homework. Three hours of ground school = three hours studying. The other hour of ground would include checking homework, instructor’s aviation stories and breaks. It’s important to study and finish schoolwork, but it’s also important to spend some time doing something you like. Whether going the gym, watching some television or keeping up with friends online, take a few hours each day to relax.

Frustration with instrument approaches...

I am so frustrated with instrument approaches! It seems that no matter how hard I study, instrument approaches elude me. Luckily, I have great instructors who are guiding me through various ways to study, directing me to appropriate activities to address different challenges. Before I even got in the plane, I had lessons in the simulator, which saves money and allows me to practice on the ground. The instructors can freeze the simulator and provide instruction if something doesn’t make sense or goes wrong. Currently, radio calls are preventing me from moving forward. In order to get more proficient, I have listened to the website, liveatc.net. This allows me to listen to the live air traffic control broadcast from selected airports online. As I listen, I try to reply as if I were flying the plane. I’ve also “backseated” flights of other students. This allows me to watch & listen to the student operate the radio as well as everything a student does while flying. This is a common practice – many students backseat other flights to aid in the learning process. Of course there are textbooks and other flying books that guide pilots through approaches (and any other maneuvers you’ll have to do in an airplane). Those are always good to read. Yesterday I told my instructor how frustrated I was getting and he was very encouraging. He reassured me that I would get it and he would think of things to help me learn. It takes a ton of studying and thinking outside the box, but I will get it.

Time management & studying

With all the excitement of learning new information and flying, it’s easy to let time pass quickly without thinking of other tasks. One “task” I've mentioned earlier was the Gleim study guide for the FAA written test. This is taken four weeks into school, after the official Private Pilot ground school course is complete. You must get 80% on an academy practice test in order to take the official FAA test (where you must get at least 70% to pass). *Please note – this time flies by – literally! The Gleim study guide gives you every question and answer that makes up the pool of questions for the test. It is imperative that you study this from day one. Start reviewing the chapters as soon as you get it. Even though you may not understand everything, look over the questions and read the explanations so that when it is introduced in ground school it makes more sense. If you wait until you cover the material in ground school it could be too late. Gleim sells CDs to use on your personal computer but the school also has them for practice on their computers – for free. There’s studying that goes with ground school – find a friend that you can work with. You’re allowed to do your homework together and it may be easier when someone else is there to help you stay on task! It's a good idea to exercise now and then - work it in! This can relieve more stress than watching TV and is important for health & clear thinking. At some point you may want and go home to visit – but don’t miss ground school! I missed one day to go home for my brother’s wedding – I missed a lot!

Beginning class & first flight

We bought our books on enrollment day, and since there was some time before class started, they told us to read the DCA standards manual. It outlines the program as well as expectations of the student. From what I understand, it helps ensure that the program is run the same at all the campuses and answers most questions about the Academy. I’m so glad I read it before ground school because we hit the ground running!

The first day of class was exciting and busy! We were scheduled for four hours with 15 minute breaks each hour. Our ground instructor was great. She was knowledgeable and kept our attention with interesting stories pertinent to the content being taught. My hand was cramped because I’m one who takes many notes. Much of what she taught was in the textbook, so some students chose to highlight information in the book. There was so much information to take in, and there was homework to complete each night. I figured out quickly to stay on top of studying. That first week zoomed by and we were ready to fly.

During the second week, we finally got off the ground! And with flying comes more homework (this is good homework because it gets you off the ground). DCA uses Cirrus SR-20s to train in. They are sweet little low-winged airplanes with “glass cockpits.” This means they have a primary function display (PFD) and a multi-function display (MFD) which gives the readings of all the gauges you would normally find in older type training aircraft. They are also equipped with an S-Tec 55 autopilot and Garmin GMA 340 GPS in addition to a few necessary gauges. You can learn more about the Cirrus SR-20 on the website. Flying was amazing! I had flown in a small plane years ago, but now my dream was becoming a more achievable goal. I was energized and encouraged, that although it was difficult to leave my friends and family, I was finally getting to pursue my passion to make me a better person.

Additional thoughts about moving

More thoughts on moving & starting class…

DCA has housing available in Sanford, however, in Houston you are responsible in finding your own housing. I highly suggest visiting the area and exploring your options! Search the web and call around before you visit so you have a good idea & a plan of action because you may not have much time. Consider deal-breakers such as: Are pets allowed? Do I need a washer & drier? Do I want a studio, one or two bedrooms? Is there a gym on site? Location also may be a factor. I live four miles away and I wouldn’t want to live any further. You may be particular about getting a first or second story level unit. Make a list of the places you visit and take specific notes. Talk to residents if at all possible. I knew which complex I wanted to live in, but they didn’t have a place available on my move-in date. I didn’t know my next favorite place because I was sure I’d get that one. Bailey, my 70 pound golden retriever, did not end up coming with me, and I hadn’t taken notes about the places that didn’t accept dogs.I ended up calling an apartment finder. I told her my preferences, and as happy as I am in my complex, it is not one I would’ve chosen for myself.

As for class starting, I would buy the Gleim study guide for whatever rating you’re starting with as soon as you enroll. Go online or to a local flight school and they’ll know exactly what you’re talking about. Even though you may not understand all the content, read through the questions (the correct and incorrect answers are explained) and you’ll be ahead of the game! This is a study guide for the FAA written test which can creep up on you at the end of the private course. Trade phone numbers with a classmate when you arrive and start studying together. All of these suggestions should help your transition go smoothly.

Moving and Starting School

There are so many options for moving! From loading a truck and driving it down yourself, to hiring someone else to move everything for you. I did a little of both. I found a company who let me load their truck, and pay for the number of feet I used. The company loaded their cargo in front of my load and after they delivered their load, they delivered mine to my apartment in about three business days.

My mother and I drove my car down with last minute packing items. Others in my class moved quite differently. One person flew here with his suitcase and bought essential furniture and a car when he got here. Another lived close enough to make a few trips with his brother, and another just moved with whatever he could fit in his car.

My timing was such that I unloaded the truck on the Wednesday before Ike came ashore. Mom and I evacuated to Dallas that night and I didn’t come back for a week. DCA was very understanding when we came back and moved classes back a bit because we didn’t all have electricity. When we finally started school, we were ready. Our first day was an enrollment day where we signed contracts with DCA, signed to get our loans started, and had our pictures taken for our airport IDs. We bought our first set of books and had the chance to meet our classmates. The subsequent week was intense. We began to learn seemingly everything about planes and flying and got to start our flight training on the ground and in the simulator. The second week we got to fly!

My Decision

Welcome to my student blog, my name is Jessica and I have just recently started the flight program in Houston with Delta Connection Academy.  If you’re reading this, you’re probably pretty serious about finding a flight school appropriate for you.

Express Jet Field Trip

In Houston, we have the opportunity to visit the Express Jet Training Facility at Houston Inter-continental Airport. I went on this trip last fall and it was very interesting. We started in the simulator where jet training is completed. We all got to sit in the simulator and I’ve heard in the past they let a few people on the tour try it out. Definitely worth going for the chance! I hear it costs thousands to run. We visited a classroom with training computers, a plane that was set up for practicing emergency procedures, & finally another classroom where we were free to ask tons of questions. Our tour guide was the lead instructor at the facility and had received his training at a Houston based flight school. You may find yourself with the opportunity to visit other hangars, visit with employees who can take you behind the scenes, or meet maintenance personnel who can show you parts of an engine. Whatever opportunities present themselves to you, take advantage of them!

Backseating

As an aid to learning, your flight instructor may require you to “backseat” other students’ flights. You are allowed to backseat stage checks, but only one other person is allowed at a time and the student who is being tested has the right to not let anyone sit in on the check. Some benefits to backseat include being able to sit back & relax & watch a fellow classmate fly or test. It’s great practice because you are not in the hot seat and you can learn what to do as well as what not to do. You can gain confidence when you know what the next action or answer is, and learn the correct answer when what you thought was wrong – and no one else knows you were wrong. Also – this is free! It is also a good idea to let others backseat your flights and stage checks. One of my instructors told me a story about a student was up for his end-of-course for commercial. Another person wanted to backseat but since the student hadn’t let others, he denied this request. Because of this, although he did everything right on his checkride, the check pilot put in the limitations section that he could not carry passengers. So remember - Backseating & Backseaters are highly recommended!