Blue skies and the Bible

The weather has turned for the better again here and below is a good indication of what I'm faced with each day as I lift off runway 05 at Naples Aiport ( call sign KAPF ) . Yup, blue , blue and more blue. I don't think I have seen a cloud in 3 days. The air is cool which makes for easier flying and at 3,000 FT above ground it's a smooth ride.

At the moment I'm studying the budding aviator's bible. Aka - Gleims ''Private Pilot and recreational pilot FAA knowledge test''. 346 pages of enthralling reading that pertains to everything you need to know about flying. Read it, digest it and then do the the test. I need to achieve above 70% and having completed the book and the practice test in the back I got 85% which has given me the optimism to go for the exam tomorrow which has both surprised and impressed my instructor. 100 USD to sit the exam and if you fail you can take it again once you have parted with another 100 USD.  I also did a pre-solo exam today which I passed. This now allows my instructor to send me solo when the weather is appropriate. I need a total of 10 hours of solo and with 5 already under my belt from my training in Oz I'm looking forward to getting the next 5 out of the way. Then comes 3 hours of night flight followed by cross country navigation culminating with my instructor letting me go solo across country to an airport at least 100 nautical miles form Naples. Tad nervous about that ! In between all that I have to also do a sit down oral exam with a FAA examiner . Then finally a check ride with a FAA examiner who determines my flying skill and whether I should be unleashed into the skies. So for those interested in knowing what comes next here is a summary.

1. Pre solo exam - done 

2. FAA knowledge test - tomorrow

3. Five hours of solo flying - hopefully starting tomorrow

4. Three hours of night flying - hopefully starting later this week

5. FAA oral exam - early next week

6. Cross country solo - hopefully late next week

7. Check ride with FAA examiner - hopefully early of week beginning 22nd.

Question of the day. Why do 65+ year old men in the USA wear baseball caps to dinner ? In fact why does anyone of any age think it is a good look to wear a baseball cap to a restaurant full stop ?