I began working on my pilot’s license in June, 2010. At first I was completely overwhelmed. After every lesson, I needed a nap to recuperate. Still, the allure of the freedom of flight, and the challenge of learning something new, kept me going. As a form of motivation, I made a collage of the places I want to fly when I get my license. They include: Santa Barbara, Catalina, and Mammoth.

Slowly, things have been becoming more automatic and less overwhelming. My instructor, Ronnie Greathouse, is a wonderful guy, which makes the process more fun, and less pressured. I love the school I attend, Coast Flight Training. Everyone is really professional, service-oriented and kind. Attending Coast feels like being part of a big family, and I have made special friends through the process.

After about 75 hours of practice, I did my first solo at Brown Field. Ronnie and I flew there, we practiced some landings, and then he got out and I did three landings by myself. It was a thrill!

My First Solo, September 8, 2010

The theory portions of my study have involved learning about weather, the mechanics of the plane, emergency procedures, radio communication, basic principles of aerodynamics, the biomedical effects of flying on humans, and much more.

Since my initial solo, I have done a cross-country solo, meaning that I left my home airport and flew at least 50 miles to another airport, landed, and then came back. For that I went to Chino (CNO). In the course of my training I have landed at many different airports including Torrance, French Valley, Palomar, Ramona, Oceanside, Las Vegas McCarran, and others accross the U.S. when I flew to an airshow in Wisconsin.

Recently my brother finished his Private Pilot Licence and will begin doing his instrument rating. He is also training in Cirrus Aircraft at Coast, and it’s been such fun to share the experience with him. He’s a superior pilot and grasps the information easily, so he has generously tutored and coached me along the way.

My next steps are to take a 2-stop cross country trip, to review, practice and prepare, and then to schedule my oral and practical exams with the FAA (I’ve already taken the written exam).

I’ve loved the rain and clouds this past week; but I’ve missed being able to get up in the air!

I decided somewhat last-minute to fly to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for a big airshow called EAA AirVenture. It’s a huge event where people fly-in, and some even camp under their plane’s wings. It was like a big road-trip, but in a plane.

Above is the plane we took – A Cirrus SR22 – Tail Number N405CD

Above: One of the views as we flew Northeast

Chris Krone (CFI from my school, Coast Flight Training) was my instructor for the trip


A beautiful sunset as we wound-down our outbound trip

We spent a full-day walking the show, looking at new and vintage aircraft, and watching an acrobatic airshow. (Above Chris Krone and Jon Nevin, who met us in Wisconsin)

St. Paul was one of the stops on our way home.

When we landed in South Dakota we took a courtesy car just 30 min away to see Mt. Rushmore. Then as we flew out we did circles overhead for an areal view.

Above: Jon Nevin, Lisa Liguori, Chris Krone – Mt. Rushmore – July 30, 2010

My dear friend (and honorary little brother), Jon Nevin (who is an instrument rated, private pilot) took a turn flying. He did lovely “Turns Around A Point” around Mt. Rushmore so we could view it from above

We stayed overnight in Casper, Wyoming where we tried fried “Bulls Balls” at dinner. Above: Jon Nevin enjoying a tasty bite

The last day of the trip we over-flew Lake Powell where the view was spectacular.

From Lake Powell we went to Las Vegas and then flew home to San Diego.

A trip summary in Tweets:
8:10 PM Jul 27th  – Back from New Hampshire and planning my ten hour flight in a Cirrus tomorrow to Oshkosh for a pilot’s convention/air show
12:30 PM Jul 28th – Just landed at Four Corners (kfmn)- near the intersection of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico.
2:17 PM Jul 28th – Fuel gauge was reading wrong so we touched down at KALS
5:06 PM Jul 28th – Just landed in Nebraska (12K)
8:50 PM Jul 28th – Made it! Just landed in Appleton, Wisconsin (KATB)- my first unassisted landing to end the trip
9:45 PM Jul 28th – Random fact- the Radisson at which we are staying is where all of the visiting teams stay when they play Greenbay
7:59 AM Jul 29th – Last night we tried mac and cheese pizza and today I tried (but was denied) taking a photo in a cheese head hat at the hotel gift shop.
8:15 AM Jul 29th – Heading to the Appleton to fly across the North toward Mt. Rushmore 
10:24 AM Jul 30th – Just landed in St. Paul. Going for lunch at a recommended deli in a courtesy car
3:23 PM Jul 30th – Just landed in Rapid City, South Dakota (KRAP)
6:05 PM Jul 30th – Jon Nevin is flying this leg in the pilot seat- leaving South Dakota for Casper, Wyoming. 
7:59 PM Jul 30th – Into Casper, WY for the night. 
9:04 PM Jul 30th – Trying bull fries– smooshed cow b****s fried and served w/ cocktail sauce
6:54 AM Jul 31st - Back to the plane- destined for Steamboat Springs.
7:09 AM Jul 31st  - Scratch that. . . setting out for Grand Junction
10:17 AM Jul 31st  – Just landed in Grand Junction, grabbing a crew car and out to lunch. Bounced my landing but i did land unassisted. 
1:06 PM Jul 31st  - Just over-flew Lake Powell at 6500 and came into U96 airport in Utah– Gorgeous!
3:35 PM Jul 31st – Nevin flew us from Utah to Vegas (VGT) with great views of Lake Powell again as we were outbound
4:08 PM Jul 31st  - So hot in Vegas we had to try a hot start and the batteries went dead. Waiting for a mechanic now. It’s 102F on the thermometer, but it …
6:36 PM Jul 31st – Back home, sweet home, to Montgomery (MYF)