There's still hope

Finally, the verdict is out. After 3 weeks of torturous waiting, the result of my review is out. I am given 5 more hours to prove my worth. Praise God firstly, becoz I know He listens to prayers and understands my heart fully. In fact, today, I watched the documentary on the flying operations of UA on 777 and I thought I will miss all these experiences if I were not given another chance.

I suppose the trial this time had taught me to appreciate having given the opportunity to fly. I haven't flown for 3 weeks and there were times when I pondered how nice if I could fly again. I suppose my very next flight, I will not take it for granted and would treasure every moment of the flight.

On a boarder overview about this trial, I suppose God wants me to learn to fully trust in Him and His timing. Surely there's a reason why my progress had not been smooth. Perhaps in going thru such trial, I will learn how to persevere to a greater degree. I will understand that flying is not merely about having fun and is not to be taken lightly. I shall put in extra effort during my training. Prob also, right now I am more appreciative of my employer who had shown me grace by giving me a second chance. So in future, I will do my job well and help contribute to the well being of my employer.

Putting all these trials behind with valuable lessons learnt, its time for me to move on. Just as what the bible says, there's a time for everything. Now's the time for me to pick up where I left off in flying. With God's grace, I will make it through, for God, for my wife and family, for my late mother in law, for my caregroups both here and back in Singapore, for the heros of 116, Seng Chye, James and Ashvin especially whom unfortunately had to leave us, for my employer who gave me a second chance, and for all those who have faith in me and supported me all these times...

Another hero of 116

It was 25 Nov 2006. It was a joyous occassion to celebrate our course 116's one year anniversary. Wow... it has been a year and I had hardly noticed. Time seemed to be passing really slowly maybe becoz of the fact that I was not progressing well with my flying. Anyway, we had bbq at mill point and enjoyed wonderful playing of frisebe and volleyball.

On the other hand, it was a solemn affair to bid farewell to Ashvin, another 116 hero who parted us the next day. He was brillant in everything he did, he was physically fit, smart and did very well in the ATPL exams. Friends liked mingling around with him. In fact he was our course leader and I have the privilege to be his roommate. It was really shocking such a talent like him got to go.

Anyway... I'll like to wish him all the best as he embarks on his new career... I am sure in time, he will find true passion with his new career. So to Ashvin, if you are reading this, to me you will always be remembered as a fine hero from 116, take care till we meet again.

Black and white skin

Wow, it has been a week and my skin still has the black and white feature. Thanks to the red bull air race where I cycled down to the venue to witness the event. So just to give you an idea how strong the sun is here in australia and the effects... Thinking back, didn't know the tan will last that long. I should have used such effect to tatoo some pattern onto my skin.. like the checker flag.. haha

The Bible: idiot's guide edition

Guess this might come as a surprise, being a christian all my life, I haven't really fully read the bible completely. Maybe due to the unexciting stories that will bore anyone to sleep.. esp the books of the prophet... or maybe its just me, can't keep awake when it comes to reading. But just a few days back I went to the library and caught sight of this book: Idiot's guide to Bible. First thought that came to mind: it is written for those who are not sincere with the christian faith but just want some head knowledge about the Bible. Curiousity got the better of me and I decided to flip some pages to check my assumption was valid.

Turned out that I was fascinated by its content. I think I might be the someone who needs more head knoledge about the bible. So I borrowed it. This book puts the bible in a more interesting perspective and is easier to read... at least I don't fall asleep. It was definitely not a substitute for the bible but good for supplimental reading. Ironically, after reading this book, I was more compelled to read the bible...

Guess I am still an idiot when it comes to reading the Bible..

Redbull air race: Perth

This was probably one of the exciting days, if not the only exciting day for me in perth. The reason being: redbull airrace, the formula one in the sky. I only knew about this redbul airrace recently. Though the airrace was fairly a new concept, I was all excited about it and looking forward for the race.

Guess you must be surprise why there are not pictures or videos of the airrace shown on my blog... reason being: the silly old steven forgotten to put in the camera batt which was left in the recharger. He only knew it halfway thru the journey while cycling to the venue.

About the race, it was cool. The first time I ever witnessed the aircraft flew so close and so fast... what was even more impressive was the tight turns the aircraft maneuvered to make the circuit patterns flying throught the 'air gates'. The aircraft could be closely observed as it zoom past the crowd and it was sensational. The action definitely brought more thrill than those seen in the airshow, brought airshow entertainment to a higher dimension.

Though I didn't capture the experience on photo of the race day, but the least I could do is to put up so photo that I took on friday during the practice day... the airgates, the aircraft hanger and many more... enjoy..

Crosswind landing on a 380

Above is a video of A380 landing on iceland with a crosswind gusting at about 40kts... Just look at the crabbing the gigantic craft got to perform in order to counter the cross wind.. magnificant landing...

Redbull aircraft video

As promised on my earlier post, here is the video... Sorry the video might turn out blur at some part.. I recorded it with my nikon digicam.. guess only good at taking photo's and not videos.. Anyway, hope you guys will enjoy..

Cheers

Red Bull aircraft preview

Yesterday I had the opportunity to see some redbull aircraft in action... Good thing 'youtube' is back online and available so I can post some video clips of the stunts performed... but for now.. just enjoy the picture. Was thrilled just by seeing how the aerobatics maneuvers were executed. Told my wife I wanted to become a stunt pilot, her replied to that was 'tolong tolong'

When the youtube is available for upload, will put my recorded clip for you guys to see... but for now, just enjoy the picture.

Flash back to the happy times

This was me close to 8 months back. Just look at my face giving an radiant smile, I was never happier coz that was the most important day of my life: the day I got married. That day seemed to be like I was in heaven, worries free, stress free, just pure joy and euphoria. Though not all the programme went well.. like I fumbled with my marriage vow and the dance wasn't all that good, but all that never deterred me from being joyful. I believe next time in heaven, I will experience the same happiness as on my wedding day, if not happier... Thank God for letting me have that sort of feeling down here on earth...

Email to Daniel after my first hour with SI

Below is a excerpt of my email to my ex colleague telling him of my flight progress after my first hour with SI. During that time, my spirit was high, motivation was up becoz I had a good 1st hour with my SI. Though I didn't make my solo with him for the subsequent flight, I thought it was good to put down my thoughts here back then.. so here it goes...

"Thanks for your encouragement.. Yeah... I was once
discouraged... thinking to myself why my progress is
not smooth at all.. firstly, I got a instructor who is
not good at teaching and doesn't clear his student for
solo that easily. I had a change of instructor and the
new instructor no doubt is better at teaching and
correcting mistake, he was temperamental. I cleared my
first solo under him but had problems with my second.

Now I am under review with a senior instructor and I
had my first flight with him today... not too bad and
I think he is much better instructor than my previous
two.. Some ray of hope I sensed... hopefully I will be
able to clear my solo.

Anyway... on the hingsight, thinking about all these
things that had happened.. I can only say that God is
teaching me to trust in Him and have patience... I
also see the importance of the serious aspect of
flying. Its not a play thing.. not like driving my
mini doing all the funny things.. Probably something
God wanted me to understand before I move on to my
next phase of training...

I suppose at the rate I am going, I will prob be the
last from my course to finish but I am ok.. if that's
how God wants me to go thru in order for me to be a
good pilot, I will gladly take it..."

James

This class photo was taken to commemorate the departure of James. Though he is no longer with us, his spirit of never giving up shall always remain in our thoughts. Still rem during lumut days, he had the fighting spirit and made it up the rocks after many tries. I would have given up climbing if I was in his shoes...

To my friend James, all the best in whatever that is to come next.. and rem.. the best is yet to be..

John Forrest Adventure

Happened on the 11 Nov. 20 plus of us took on the adventure of walking the heritage trail in John Forrest National Park. What was thought to be an easy trail turned out to be a challenging one. At one point we almost lost our way and the dark was nearing. We had to 'cross' streams and climb steep 'mountain' in order to get back to where we came from. By the time we reached the car park, it was twillight.

We reward ourselves with a sumptous dinner at Little Caesar restaurant which served great pizza.. and we celebrated Victor's birthday... First time tried the dessert pizzas.. really cool.

Tennis tournament

No no, its not the real tennis tournament I have won but the arcade version found in the website: www.arcadecabin.com/play/tennis_ace.html. During my free time.. (which is almost all the time), I have been playing arcade on my mac.. This particular tennis_ace game is quite interesting.. it consist of playing against 3 opponent, the first is the easiest... the second a little bit tougher but the third is like virtually unbeatable...

I have been playing all night continuously but can't find a way pass her. Finally yesterday was the breakthrough... I finally managed to out rally her. The last ball was a wide return and I just needed to watch the ball bounce beyond the line to know I have finally overcome her power...

It was the first time I saw the gold cup so I better take a photo of it.. its not easy to come by you know.. Cheers to my improved tennis skill..

Red Bull aircraft

Today I have the privilege to view the red bull aircraft used for the air race which will be happening here in perth on the 18th Nov. Notice that the structure of the aircraft was tubular covered with fabric in order to have the aircraft as light. The wings were made of carbon fibre material.. those of the F1 cars... This aircraft can go up to a maximum of 230 kts.. that's closing to half the speed of sound...wow..

Hear from the engineers assembling the aircraft, these machine can take up a load of 25G...cool.. and the stunt pilot probably can pull up to 12G during the race.. How cool are these race pilots..

Meanwhile.. I think I will be satisfied being a spectacle wathcing the amazing race on the 18th...

Best flight ever

Today finally came the flight that I am waiting for so anxiously: my review flight that is. This flight was special as it determines whether I stay or I leave, make it or break it. Before the flight, I was asking God what was instored for me and down came this verse: Romans 15:13, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Having being an engineer, I am better at interpreting equations.. hence: trusting God + filled with Holy Spirit = Hope, and give rise to Joy and Peace.

Hence with that verse, I had the peace in my heart. I must say God is almighty. I had the most enjoyable, fun, without stress, steady and smooth flight throughout my flying duration. BZX was the aircraft I flew in and I did my best to land the aircraft smoothly. Never had I landed so smoothly 6 times in a row. Performed my flapless and glide approach well. God provided me with such good weather and I did my best with no thoughts of 'what if' after the flight.

With this, I can truely see that God is in control of this situation I am in and I fully trust something good is going to come out of it and no matter what the outcome is, God has got a great plan ahead for me. At this point, there's still lots of uncertainty, but what I am certain is that great and promising plan lies ahead of me.