Yawn. I hate studying for the written test.

I'm studying for the written test for the commercial glider pilot exam.  I've always done well on standardized tests and I'm taking it seriously, so I don't expect to have a lot of trouble passing it.  It's just a drag.

Not to mention I have to actually go take the test, and the testing facility isn't anywhere nearby, I don't think.  I actually don't know.  The last time I took an FAA written test, it was back in the 80's when you used pencil and paper and waited for the results for several weeks.  Now, it's computer based and you know right away if you passed - much better.

In preparation, I've attended our weekly ground school sessions at Harris Hill for the past couple of months and sat through lecture, read through Bob Wander's "Commercial Glider - Made Easy!" book and am currently working my way through the Glider Pilot's handbook.  Then, I'll use the commercial glider prep book that has actual questions in it to prep.

It's not like a lot of this stuff isn't good to know, but that doesn't mean it's not boring.  The Glider Flying Handbook is a good example.  It explains the differences between different types of hypoxia but the results are the same - euphoria, feeling that everything is fine, drowsiness, possible headache, blue lips, tingling fingers, unconsciousness, possible death either from hypoxia or accident.  Now, whether I need to know the medical differences between the various forms of hypoxia is a different matter.  Since the point is for me to know how to A) avoid it; B) Or barring that, recognize it by descending and using oxygen or both, then while I suppose it is good background, the practical aspect is what I need to know.

Anyhow, minor rants.  I'll study it, take it, hopefully pass it, and I'll be all ready for the oral portion of the flight test, so the only thing to do is get it behind me.

On a very encouraging note, I've been teamed up with Ron Ogden as my instructor to prepare for the commercial flight test and that's a good thing.  Ron is a top notch instructor and I'm looking forward to learning some good stuff from him and being an even more proficient pilot than I am.  He would like to try and get me ready for the test by June.  I'll see how I'm doing by early April and try to set a date with the local examiner so I have a hard deadline to work against.

Buff and wax of #6 ASK-21 this winter

Next week, we buff and wax the Duo Discus, our cross country trainer and our first safety meeting takes place.  We'll go over the electronic scheduling system I've worked on over the winter and will hopefully implement going into mid-summer.

In any case, the new flying season is coming and I'm looking forward to improving my skills again this year!  If things go very well, I'll also look at adding some cross country experience so I can get checked out in the single seat Discus -the last club glider that I'm not yet checked out in.