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What Are The Post Solo Requirement For Private Pilots

February 21, 2010 By: Bruce Hogan Category: Hobby

There seems to be a lot of indecision and mixed feelings when it comes to the solo flying requirements that an individual must do to obtain their private pilot’s license. It would seem that there are some that are of the mind that there should be no progression until the flow of solo flights is completed, whereas others believe that these requirements can be met at any given time and not just at a specific time.

There are still some stringent rules applied to solo flying a cross-country flight and not being able to go beyond 25 miles is one of the mandates until the solo flights are completed. Furthermore, the individual must always land where they began, and they are not allowed to land at outside runways.

Naturally the would be pilot training is striving for the moment when he can fly on his own. The only way he is going to be able to do this meaning to go across country is complete the proper training that is applicable to the plane that he wants to use for this trip.

He also has to convince his instructor that he is well versed in all the procedures that are going to be required to participate in this endeavor. He also has to be willing to accept whatever restrictions the instructor sees fit to place on this trip. Although that’s a very brief outline, there is a lot more that goes with it. It will depend once again on what the instructor feels is correct.

There is no way you would be able to take this type of trip without being able to read the applicable charts. You also are going to need to be able to put your compass to good use and understand what this is telling you. Then you have to be able to understand what the weather’s going to do and decipher any of the reports for the particular time that you are planning your trip. Then on top of this there are all the traffic patterns that you must know as well, which are part of keeping you safe while you are in the air. This is in case of any difficulty and also for communication. You have to know how to work your radio properly.

If one thinks that they can get away with being weak in any of these points then not only are they fooling themselves, but they are putting themselves in grave danger. There is no way that any instructor will allow any student to do a cross-country flight that is not fully capable of handling any potential emergency that they may come across. It is not just the safety of the student pilot that is a concern here but the general safety of others that are flying as well.

Any individual that breaks any of these rules will not only not be able to get their pilots license, but they would probably be expelled from the course itself. The flying instructor schools must remain critical, and they’re the ones that set the criteria for their students in order for them to be able to pass their final flying exam.

Using a Zippo to Light a Cigar

January 10, 2010 By: Brian Mallikarjunan Category: Hobby

Where cigars are concerned, Zippo lighters are something of a controversy. Zippo, of course, is the most well-known manufacturer of fluid-filled lighters. Any fluid-filled lighter will be the subject of the same controversy as are that manufacturer’s. The debate stems from the fluid itself and how it affects”or doesn’t affect, depending upon who one asks”the flavor of the cigar.

A Zippo lighter has, for a long time, been known to outdoor enthusiasts as one of the most reliable tools to bring into the wilds. Zippo has advertised for many years the reliability of their lighters and, born out of the trenches of World War 1, they have certainly proven themselves in that regard! Some smokers claim, however, that they lend the taste of lighter fluid to a cigar and ruin the smoke. Most often, this stems from using cheap lighter fluid and can be remedied by upgrading to any one of the many flavor-free lighter fluids available on the market.

The reason Zippos remain popular for outdoor use is that they are an inherently windproof lighter. The lighter fluid used to fuel them is slow to evaporate and is thick enough that it will stick to the wick and ignite even in very windy conditions. This makes them popular with sailors and fishermen.

As is the case with everything concerning cigars, whether or not to use a Zippo is a matter of personal preference. These lighters are often heirloom items and using them is something of a ritual for some people. If one should detect an unpleasant chemical taste fouling that of their favorite cigar, the solution may be to purchase a higher-end fluid. Some fluids advertise that they give no taste to the tobacco at all and, even among very discriminating smokers, these fluids are a popular option.

Some smokers claim that they can’t taste a thing and, if one is using one of the high-quality fluids, this is likely true. If a Zippo happens to be something to which one is very attached, consider using a high-end lighter fluid to ensure the best smoking experience. It’s not only good for taste; it’s good for the lighter.