Robinson 22 Transition Complete

I am now endorsed to fly the R22. This took 10 hrs of flight training with advanced manouvers like 180 autorotaions. I was flying the Schweizer 300cbi, but am now able to fly both.
This is good as it gives me more experience in different aircraft and also broadens my job prospects at the end, as most schools only fly the Robinson. I will now be starting work on my instrument and commercial license.

Some sad news...

Officials seek cause of death of man found in river

FLORIDA TODAY

An autopsy will be conducted by the medical examiner today to determine the cause of death for a man pulled from the Indian River Lagoon near Titusville.

Brevard County sheriff's investigators were also trying to confirm whether the body matched the description of a man reported missing Sunday in Titusville, officials said.

The body surfaced about 400 yards south of the NASA Parkway on Tuesday, officials said.

The Brevard County sheriff's helicopter also was called out to conduct a search in the area. Four men fishing for redfish found the body, officials said.

The man reported missing had blue eyes and brown hair and was attending Helicopter Adventures Inc. at Space Coast Regional Airport before his disappearance, officials said.

The autopsy, to be carried out at the medical examiner's office in Rockledge, could determine if the person recovered was a drowning victim or if foul play was involved.

May 21, 2005

Body found floating in Indian River is identified

FLORIDA TODAY

Police have identified a body found in the Indian River Lagoon earlier this week as that of a Danish man in Brevard County training to fly helicopters at a North Brevard flight school.

Benny W. Kriastiansen, who lived on Windover Oak Court, last was seen about 1 a.m. Sunday at the Holiday Inn in Titusville when a friend called a cab for him.

Fishermen discovered his body Tuesday, one day after a missing-person report was filed.

The cause of death is unknown, and autopsy results are pending.

His name is Benny and he lived just above our apartment and would frequently chat to us and wave as he passed by our apartment. He attended the JAA helicopter program. He was a really nice guy from Denmark.
Unfortunately he got very drunk on Saturday night and the rest of the night has yet to be determined.
Ben.

Private Pilot

I am now a private pilot in the helicopter!!!!
I have just passed my checkride this evening. It was possibly my worst flight ever but I still managed to pull it off.
I was so stressed it was unreal. I only just made it on my sloped landings as I kept trying to bring the helicopter down but couldn't do it right. In the end I had to have a very deep breath and instead of looking just outside the aircraft but looked straight ahead and I had much clearer/better vision. I was then able to complete the maneuver safely and to standard! Hurray!
I was glad it was over.
So once I have 15 more hours(school policy requires extra hours) I am able to take Anisha up for a ride :) if she will come...!?!
Ben.