Finally! On Wednesday, 9 of March, 2005, I earned my Commercial Pilot license or CPL. The day before I passed my IF exam.

It where hectic days. Saturday I went with Instructor Acilona and classmate Robert Bos to Seville again to finish night flying. Robert flew to Seville and I flew night on Sunday. I made 3 approaches at Jerez and 1 at Seville.

Tuesday I had my IF check. My examiner was Mr. Kistemaker and my safety pilot was instructor Nuno Ferreira. Just after take off I had a SEFATO (simulated engine failure after take off) my reaction was good and I could continue on the sierra 1A departure to Beja. First I had to do a ILS approach to rwy 19R followed by a missed approach back to the beacon BJA for an NDB approach to be done single pilot. After this approach I had to do some interceptions on a vor station and aerial work. Steepturn, an approach to stall in landing configuration, partial panel with timed turns and finishing with the NDB approach at Evora. The flight went pretty well. Of course you're a little nervous for such a check and I think I could have done better, but I'm pleased with the result!

The next day on Wednesday I had my CPL exam with our head of training Mr. Bitter. Just like the previous exam we started with theory questions about flight planning, mass and balance, performance, etc...I had to prepare a flight from Evora to Badajoz. Just after take off I had to divert to a place 60 nm away. Despite the haziness I had no problem finding my way towards the designated village. I got some failures like radio master switch, engine fire and forced landing. I also had to do a full stall in clean configuration and a steepturn. The last part of the exam was in the circuit for flapless, normal, shortfield landing, sefato and a waveoff. The exam went well and after finishing the after parking checklist I heard that I passed. Commercial Pilot license, at last!

Cathedral in Seville

Preparing my night flying LEZL-LEJR-LEZL

AIS Seville

Waiting for our instructor at the general aviation apron Seville.

This week 0309b had to do their ME+IR exams. Everybody passed and this morning they went home for their last part of training, MCC on a full flight simulator b737. Diederik, Rob, Frank, Jose and Mart I wish you all the best and see you soon!

Next week we will have groundschool for the Seneca V. I'm really looking forward to fly this nice airplane!

See ya,
Bas