Flying a plane all by myself, and landing it in one piece, and me still alive and kicking. That's the second milestone in my life after software, first being the decision to become a pilot. Three full circuits (a square pattern around the runway, 800 feet above ground level) is what I did, all alone. I had all the time anticipated an overwhelming feeling when this would happen, but it wasn't until late yesterday evening, when I got a chance to sit down and reflect on the day, did it actually sink in, and nothing less than a few tears would make the permanent mark for me - CZBB APR14/2006 1553HRS to 1605HRS PST.

After the flight, all the instructors and my buddies at school congratulated me. Thank you Ben, if not for you, this wouldn't have happened as quickly - it's exactly 4 weeks since I started.

And after all the handshakes, there was the traditional photo session. And the traditional bucket of water. Raj, thank you for the honours. For those who don't know, it's a tradition to dump a bucket of cold water on a student pilot after they come back from their first solo flight. And today was my turn. It's an event to remember. Have a look at the pictures (click on this line).

Cheers
Mayur Poddar.

It was only after a good 4 weeks in Canada that I got to make a trip to Tim Hortons, the premier and hottest coffee chain of Canada. It's like the Cafe Coffee Day or Barista of India. The last time I was in Canada, way back in 2002, Tim Hortons was THE place I would make a daily trip to. The unbeatable coffee and the irresistible bagels. I can't forget them to this day. And yesterday when I walked into Tim Hortons, the memories filled me up to the brim. For quite a few minutes, I just stood there, taking it all in, the colors, the counters, the coffee pots, the bagels, the doughnuts, the menu, everything. And then I realised that there was something missing, something very weird. It struck me that I was not smelling any coffee! How was that possible? I was standing in Tim Hortons and I couldn't smell the coffee?!?!?! No way. Alas. Yes way. So I quit coffee a few months back, and now coffee is a rare drink for me. And in these few months, my brain has probably started blocking the smell of coffee; so even when it's present, it's not ever strong enough to trigger any "I want one" signal in my head. So much for the coffee. But the bagel? Oh yes. I still smell the bagel and butter. So nothing stopped me from getting a sesame seed bagel, toasted, well done, with butter, and a large hot chocolate. Well, it's quite a surprise to me, but the hot chocolate was amazing, the best I've had in some time. So Tim Hortons is now my "adda" for hot chocolate!

Flying is great. I've now totalled over 18 hours of flight in the Cessna-152 with my instructor Ben Webster. I've also had one flight each with 4 other instructors (Marc, Kim, Dave, Christine). And I've been cleared for solo. It should happen in the next few days, when I'll go up all alone. No instructor to save my life. It'll be the biggest challenge ever. Wish me luck.

If you're a student or instructor at Professional Flight Centre (ProIFR), doing your PPL or CPL or Multi Or IFR or anything (just an aviator!), then do take a look at http://aviation.poddu.com, and if you like it, register and make your valuable contribution there. It's like a discussion forum, with one dedicated to ProIFR students.

A message for a well wisher who sent me an anonymous email, directing me to a news article about making money off your website by letting google put advertisements on your website: This website is very personal, no crappy ads and all, and I don't intend to make money off it. While I do appreciate your wishes, I do not appreciate anonymity. I'm responding only because you signed as a well-wisher, and do not assume that I will respond the next time.

Cheers
Mayur Poddar

12 is the number of hours I now have on my pilot log book. Oh! When did I become a pilot. Ok, not yet, but then the log book is still called a pilot log book. I've done all the crazy things I possibly could, including spirals dives and spins with a plane - those are the terms that are used when the plane is either spiralling down or spinning towards the ground. Yes dude. That's what it is. It's nowhere like a giant wheel. I've never been on a roller coaster, but I would imagine it to be something like that. Yet, a roller coaster is on tracks and wheels - the plane is 3000 feet high and in air. Crazy eh. Totally.

Yesterday I moved from Ladner (the small town close to school) to Richmond. From Ladner, school was a 45 minute walk (each way), from Richmond, the bus ride is 1 hour (change 1 bus), but I can use the time in the bus to read. I've started missing my reading - I brought a few books from India, but they've been just staring at me - screaming sometimes - READ ME! So I'm going to either read those books, or use the time in the bus to study.

I moved into a shared house. A very sweet sardarji Mr.Singh owns the house, it's big, has 8 rooms on 2 floors. Each floor is independant - has it's own kitchen and bathroom. I'm on the first floor, with a fairly large room, fully furnished, with a 14" TV, wireless internet, et all. And Mr.Singh has agreed to make me a meal everyday - today is Aloo Paratha - am I lucky or what.

So it's time to fulfill my promise with the pictures from here. I couldn't get very many. There's pictures from the farmhouse (a.k.a. shared house in a farm) where I lived for the first 4 days, and there's pictures from school. And yes, there's one with me in uniform - I've been asked so many times for a shot like that. Geez. Here's the picture, and you can click here to see the rest of the pictures.

At Professional Flight Centre

Cheers
Mayur Poddar