Newb report: Exhilarating! And nerve-racking. :)

[Geoff]

So I finally worked up the courage to try PE, and I'm glad I did. By way of introduction, I'm not a RL pilot; I just sim, although I have been a passenger in GA aircraft a few times.

Anyway, I followed the site's suggestion and started at Oceano County field. I started with a radio check, then a pattern or two just to calm my nerves and to see what the drones are like. The drones alone are worth the price of admission! It's great to have real traffic for a change, instead of X-Plane's crazy aircraft taxiing on railroad tracks. Then I flew the beginner route from Oceano to San Luis Obispo, and this went pretty well. The controller was professional and patient, as I imagine my radio calls sounded a bit nervous.

I landed safely and taxied to parking, then filed a VFR flight plan to head back. (I wanted to see my flight on peaware.) All went well until X-Plane crashed at the start of my takeoff roll! I wasn't sure how to explain why I reappeared at the ramp a few minutes later; the ground controller seemed satisfied with my explanation about "technical difficulties," lol. Anyway, my second go went fine, and I flew VFR back to Oceano, landing safely again. The only glitch was that I bothered the controller with a request to switch frequencies so I could monitor CTAF at Oceano, which apparently I don't need to do when cleared out of class-delta airspace. But again the controller was patient about it.

Now I'm sitting on the ramp at Oceano watching the pretty drones land and take off in the sunset and gathering dusk. The most relaxing moments of the day.

Thanks to Keith and everyone for creating such a professional and fascinating service.

[lwilliams]

It's always great to hear people's first experience on PE. Myself, and many others, have felt the same way. Your perspective puts a smile on my face reminding me of my first time on PE (which seems a very long time ago).

If I can offer advice, I would recommend going through the pilot ratings as they are good for rookie and experienced pilots. Almost everyone has different things that they want from PilotEdge and this will be "amped up" as you get exposed to more scenarios. Wait until you attend an online event such as a fly-in, it'll blow your mind. We're overdue for one of those.

Good luck and also enjoy the community! I look forward to seeing you in the skies.

[pilot7369]

Yes welcome on board!!! Pilotedge a great service you'll come to love. I second the opinion about taking the ratings. They really help to give yout some good experience in a well organized way. Good Luck!

[Geoff]

Yep, I plan to do the ratings. I've already done many practice patterns around KSNA while flying offline, and I've practiced the V-2 flight a couple times. I haven't practiced the Bravo transition yet.

Actually, a question about that. Can I use a flight plan to tell the controller(s) that I'd like to take a rating test? Or do I just announce it to ground when asking for taxi? Or to tower when about to take off?

[Keith Smith]

Welcome to PE, that was a great write up. Here's everything you need to know about how to take a test: http://training.pilotedge.net/page/takingTests

[Geoff]

Thanks, Keith.

[Kerbo]

Welcome aboard! I'm new here as well so you're not the only nervous guy online.

[Geoff]

Glad to hear it, Kerbo! lol

[trigger_fsx]

If I can offer advice, I would recommend going through the pilot ratings as they are good for rookie and experienced pilots.

And watch the workshops >>> http://www.pilotedge.net/workshops

They are pure gold!