Playing Catch Up...

Hello all...

I am back in Florida for a couple of days to hang out at the cozy cone before Bethany and I take off to Seattle for Christmas! Its been a while since my last post because honestly, it has been a mind numbing pace that we have been working at. Were getting it all done though, which is great! I have begun to make some pretty good friends on the new program and finding my way just fine and thankfully. Its always hard joining a program mid-stride, trying to play catch up, all the while having nobody that you are already friends with to hang out with and take your mind off the stressful day. By the end of the trip though, there were a couple of people I really enjoyed hanging out with andwe managed to have some fun.

On Saturday the 18 of Dec, I got my first chance to fly in a test aircraft. I got to fly on this humongous 747 and be an active part of the days test events up in the sky, sometimes at 43,000 ft .85 mach. It was really fun and a definite thrill to be up there where not many people are allowed. The engine performed as expected and after a lengthy 7 hours, we were back on the ground. I got to also be in the cockpit for takeoff and landing and let me tell you, there is nothing like it at all in this world. I dont even know how to describe it to someone who hasnt done it. It felt like we were trying to land a ten story building on a runway. It was one of those experiences I will never forget for as long as I live.

We had another flight on Sunday which went well too and by Monday afternoon we wrapped up paperwork and all said goodbye to each other from Waco, TX. I attached a couple of pictures of the engines while up in the air, the cockpit, and a couple of fun pictures from a couple of nights out. I figured the pictures were a little more entertaining than me sitting here rambling on!

Like I said, I got back to Florida last night and I am glad to be back for a couple of days! Bethany and I are going to pack up tomorrow and hit the road again to Seattle for a much needed Christmas break. I cant wait to spend some time with her and her family after missing her so much these last couple of weeks! I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! And if I dont post again, Ill see you next year!!! Heres a couple videos of takeoff and landing in a Boeing 747......