The dream to fly came true!
This aviation blog was initially, from 2011 through 2016, simply a journey log to record my way into some cockpits of the world. My spirit has always been to fly aircraft in the more exciting world of General Aviation – in my view, less automation and more actual flying. So, this blog tells my story – from zero flight hours to flying and on floats and in clouds at night. I love to go back to the basics of flight. I am an old school guy who likes to read charts and fly by compass and time.
This website has been changing direction since, and is slowly transforming into a GA-related news website. We’ll see where it goes. Most probably my writing will always lean towards aviation regulation, as this has become my expertise – I am this aviation regulation nerd you never thought would exist.
I would be happy to see comments from time to time. I happily answer your questions – feel free to ask!
2015-
Location: Switzerland
Worked on: European Enroute IR and some multi-engine training
2014 – 2015
Location: Centennial, Colorado
Worked on: Instrument rating, Commercial Pilot Certificate
May 2013 – July 2014
Location: Chur, Switzerland
Worked on: Time building, High Performance/Variable Prop
May 2012 – May 2013
Location: Switzerland
Worked on: Conversion FAA – EASA
October 2011
Location: Switzerland
Worked on: Validation FAA – EASA
September 2011
Location: Pitt Meadows (CAJ8), Vancouver BC, Canada
Worked on: Seaplane Time, 50hr Course
August 2011
Location: Kenmore Air (S60), Seattle WA, USA
Worked on: Seaplane Rating
June 2011
Location: Paine Field (KPAE), Seattle WA, USA
Worked on: Private Pilot Certificate
myclimbrate 
Hi Flo!
Have you considered a blog post summarizing your expenditures for the various courses and modules you did? I’m a fellow Swiss aspiring pilot, and I’m considering going the FAA-then-EASA route as well. It would be interesting to see how much the “finished” licenses cost you all in all. Would love to hear from you.
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Ciao Patrick 🙂
My PPL in Seattle cost me $7500 and took me two months (while a German guy did it within two weeks but that was just crazy). I will write a blog post about all costs as soon as I’m in Denver. For your information, I am a dual citizen and don’t know a lot about that security stuff… 😉 happy landings and thanks for your comment!
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Hey Patrick,
quick update on the IR costs. I purchased a 10hr block for the simulator for $550. Instructor costs $55/h. Only 10 simulator hours count towards the IR, after that I need 30 hours in the real plane. Unlike with EASA, it is possible to share hours with another student if both are a required crew member. This is the case when one pilot is under the hood. This means I can fly about 20 hours for half price, $60/h. So I suppose my IR will be extremely cheap. I track all my expenses religiously and will tell you when I am finished. Cheers 🙂 PS: Made a quick pessimistic calculation and the total will be around $5500 including everything, even books, ground school and iPad apps.
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Hi Florian, did you visit Terni LIAA last July on Cessna Skylark? Nice to find you there and… here as well! Cheers, Alex the spotter (Aerodata.it)
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Yes this was me and my family, travelling with the Antique Airplane Association of Switzerland (a-a-a.ch).
I think it’s great that you are spotting small planes, to me they are much more interesting!
We finished now our Giro d’Italia. We saw beautiful places like Stromboli, Capri and miles of sand. 🙂
Thanks for your comment! Ciao!
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I’ll get H-MC on Aerodata shortly and a small box about A-A-A trip on JP4 Italian magazine soon.
All the best and see you again in our Country
Alex
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Hello Florian,
I have enjoyed reading your posts on your blog, especially while doing my PPL which I have now just completed it in the south of Spain!
I am interested in knowing more into what entails the make over of acessna 175 to modernize and make it a more performant airplane. It would be great if we could exchange by email!
Thanks and regards,
Cedric
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