Chocks Away!

Hello all you love gods.

Just now I'm sitting by the pool nursing the worst hangover I've ever had in my entire life. Last night Pete and I managed to stumble into a college toga party clutching a 2 litre bottle of vodka and coke.

We were ejected from the party later on by some Mexican dude with a problem with us Brits getting all the action! The single best thing to bring with you while travelling has got to be a kilt. Even if you're English (unlucky), go and buy one. It works even better than saying you're a pilot.

OK, so what the hell has been happening? In short, not much. I've been flying every day to different airports, with different people in different aircraft. Why only 4 days ago I helped deliver a $400,000 helicopter to some guy at the busiest airport in the world!

A video of us just after taking off at the same time as a JAL 747-800 is here. Another vid of us flying over the beach Black Hawk Down style is here, and it's quality! The last one of the flight is here, where we flew through all the buildings in downtown LA - as close to 9/11 as it gets, and highly illegal.

So studying is the main priority, trying to get my written test out the way. After that it's a couple of solo cross countries, a few night flights then I take a checkride with an examiner after an oral exam. Should be done in about 2 weeks, if I get my finger out enough.

There's really only one photo I can stick up here that's any good...



One thing I did do is go on a cross country with one of the students at the academy who had just passed his PPL. Medany is from Egypt, hasn't quite grasped the English language fully and I don't think he owns a toothbrush. He is also the worst pilot I've ever seen. Just before he almost crashed into another Cessna at 3000ft he told me to call him by his first name. "What's that?" I asked. He replied, "Islam" I knew this was going to be a bad flight.

You can blatantly see the smog all around LA (that's it on a good day). After a few flights in Wee Laura the wing struts and the propeller are manky - all caused by pollution. Mmmmmmm. The X-games are on just about where we were over just now, so LA is pumpin.

Enjoy the vids folks,

Mick

M + P - Good talking to you guys on the phone, see you in a month?

V + B - 30 days and counting!

Rod - Laughed like a tit in the post office when I got the envelope - cheers boss!

BC - Congratulations BC - you are a free man!!

Millar - Meh Millar, meh. 2 day hangovers are not the same without Subway/McD's! By the beard of Zeus - not long til ure home now? You know I don't speak spanish. Why do birds etc

Nick, Michelle, Steph and Louis - Looking good for a flight up to Half Moon Bay!

Phil + Ross - How are you both coping without each other? It's OK, men are allowed to cry

Emma - How many mobiles you lost now doll?

Peek, Ronnie, Colin, Bob, Der Bleh - BLOTTTTTTOOO!!! Manchester sesh required.

Loy and Steve - See you on the 3rd!

Caz - See email for chance in a lifetime

Faisal - Derimah

Kimmy G - Good talking to you on the phone doll! See you Sept x

Richie, Glen - Fishing, beer, maybe even a flight or 2, immense!

Mike D - Fingers crossed mate I can make it down to good ol' St Louis!

Nat and J - J - immense news about job, crackin - hope you're both well.

Craig + Adamski - I had a couple of Coronas the other day - WITHOUT LIME! Almost shot the barman.