May 4, 2005
Hello to all the journal readers. The time has come for me to
say goodbye. I have had such an enjoyable school year filled with
a little of everything. When I look back on what I have accomplished,
I am proud and content, but then I look forward and know that
there is much more to come in this game of life.
I would like to start off by saying that I have finally become
a licensed Private Pilot. I cannot tell you how happy I was the
day I finally received my license. It has been a long road to
get to that point, but I did it! So flying for this year is done;
I will come back next year to start and finish my Multi-Engine
rating.
Academically, I have one final left to take today. It is for
my Aircraft Engines & Turbines class. I have not received as good
grades as I thought I would, but they will suffice. Unfortunately,
not all my finals have turned out that well, so it was no surprise
I got some of the grades I did.
I will finish this year with 49 credits though, just about 10
shy of being in junior standing. I will take six credits back
home and will be on track for a graduation in spring of 2007.
I will probably look into internships and co-ops though, so my
graduation in 2007 is still a big question mark. All that will
be figured out and decided as my time here at Riddle goes by.
For the Summer, I will be lounging back in California and will
enjoy time with my family, girlfriend, and friends. I look forward
to hitting the waves on the beaches, going Jet Skiing in the lakes,
and visiting some nice places like Yosemite (I love to camp) and
Catalina Island (a nice place to just get away). It’s going to
be nice to have a car again, as well as a nice big bed and a whole
house to just kick-back in. I’m looking forward to having fun,
mixed in with some school and some work.
Lastly, next year, I will come back and be taking mostly core
classes which are needed for the Aeronautical Science degree.
I am living in McKay once again. I chose McKay, obviously, not
for its appearance, but for the space that you get. It was the
cheapest option for me that provided me space and convenience.
I can still wake up 15 minutes before class and be on time every
now and then. Many of my friends have made arrangements to live
off campus, so I figure I’ll be on and off campus depending on
which day of the week it is.
Well, some final (and very random) words to all of you journal
readers. Enjoy your college life wherever you go. I had a different
experience than most of my other friends because I was doing different
things than they were. I remember getting a call on a Friday night
from a friend of mine who asked whether I was partying or just
kicking back that night. I responded by saying that I had a two-hour
cross-country to plan and was in need of sleep due to a 7 AM flight
the next day (yes, you fly 7 days a week here).
Well, sometimes, I made sacrifices in order to make ends meet
- as some would say. New things popped up all the time: money
became an issue, time became an issue, scheduling my life, my
weekends, my days, my nights all became an issue. I now had to
buy all my own stuff (never, ever forget toilet paper!), I had
to remember to wash my clothes before I run out of undergarments
(sometimes the last clean pair of boxers I have are the ones I
wear while I’m washing clothes), to eat correctly because no one
stopped me from eating anything (Propellers' burgers and Caesar
Salad are great!), even waking up became an issue (set two alarms,
the first one will never work…trust me).
Don’t forget to set your alarm, no one will wake you up. Office
hours aren’t there for your professor, they are there for you,
so make use of them (especially if you missed the class because
you slept through it). Make use of all your resources, many are
always made available (tutoring is always free!).
Lastly, enjoy college. It is a time of life where you should
be having fun and enjoying your time. If you ever don’t feel right
where you are at or just feel like things aren’t working out,
step back and take a look at your life, sometimes that is all
we need.
Enjoy the college life and good luck to all of you. Whether
you are going on for another year in high school or going on to
college, follow your dreams and never lose sight of your goals.
If you are coming to Embry-Riddle next year, feel free to stop
me if you see me to say hello. It would be nice to see who exactly
read my journals and what you guys really thought.
Well, I have to get going. Got a final today, then a flight,
then the summer! Have a great summer everybody!
Sergio M.
April 24, 2005
Hello again to all my journal readers. As the year comes down to an end,
I find myself having the same thing I did in all the end of my previous
school years, a bad case of laziness and procrastination. This is the
worst time to have such a thing, but I hope to get out of it for a week
or so, so I can do well on my finals. I have one full week of classes,
then about a half-week of finals and I am officially done with my first
year of college.
For those of you who have not finalized your choice for college, I do
want to say one thing. I waited until May 1 to submit my deposit to Embry-Riddle.
I had a hard time choosing whether or not I really wanted to fly for my
career. It's a hard choice for many, but most, if not all, look back on
that decision with no regrets. This also goes to all you engineer majors,
ATC majors, engineering physics majors, space physics majors, etc. Just
remember that some people will make the wrong choice and be forced to
transfer schools. But remember that you want to be happy knowing you tried
instead of remorseful and regretful that you never attempted. I am not
vouching for Riddle here, I am saying in general. I was in your spot last
year and it wasn't easy, but I am happy with the choice I made. Good Luck
to all of you who are still deciding on where to go and wherever your
plans take you, good luck in the future!
On another note, life around here has been laid-back lately. The weather
has been much better with the temperature getting warmer and the rain
leaving, it makes for some great flying weather. Speaking of which, I
think I am finally going to get my Private Pilot License this week, if
I pass the check ride! It's kind of weird to be thinking that it is already
late April and I still have not been able to attain the license. I originally
planned to have it before Spring Break, but some delays changed that,
then when I came back, I finished flying, turned in my paperwork, and
waited for my check ride. Well, I was told that I had missed a certain
flight which was required so I promptly made it up. I then completed the
paperwork, but someone at the flight department forgot to tell my instructor
that my paperwork was completed, so I waited even longer for my final
oral. Since two weeks had passed from my last maneuvers flight, I, just
today, went flying again and practiced those maneuvers which I need to
know for my check ride. I was told today that I WILL be scheduled for
my check ride sometime this week, so I am keeping my fingers crossed so
that I can get the dang thing scheduled and, hopefully, passed.
This weekend we had a concert here sponsored by Embry-Riddle which was
pretty cool. I am not a big fan of the bands that played, but I am not
going to complain. I got in for free and enjoyed my time there. One lesson
was learned though: standing next to the speaker doesn't necessarily enhance
the concert experience. Well, I am just kidding, I knew what I was doing
by standing near a speaker, but I didn't realize how long it would take
me to get rid of that ringing and hissing in my ear (I am still fighting
it as I write this journal). It was fun nonetheless. The bands that played
were 'Riddlin' Kids, 'American Hi-Fi,' and 'Bowling For Soup.' When I
go back to California this summer, I will be going to the Warped Tour
and I am looking forward to that one. Music has always been one of my
main interests. Most people are surprised when I tell them the type of
music I like. It ranges from Rock to Rap to Acoustic to Classical. If
it's good music, I'll listen to it!
Well, putting my music rant to an end, I just want to thank all those
of you who have complimented me for my journals. I can't say how good
it makes me feel to know that at least a few people, if not many, are
actually enjoying what I write. Thank you once again for your attention,
comments, suggestions, and support. I will be writing one last journal
entry around this time next week, and will have a recap of the whole year
for you all. I would just like to ask that if you are reading this and
would like me to include anything in particular, post a message on the
message board and I'll make sure to include it. Anything from Aeronautical
Science, flying, even campus and dorm life. If there is anything I may
help or assist you with, let me know. Until next time!
Sergio
April 14, 2005
Hello again to all my journal readers. It has been quite interesting
receiving so many e-mails from many of you who are interested in learning
more about Riddle's flight program. This is why this journal will be very
oriented towards the flight program here. Life is still the same here,
just turned 19 this last weekend, I am about four weeks away from finishing
off my first year of college, and I am doing well in general. I went down
to Tampa for Airfest 2005 and had a great time; unfortunately, choosing
not to wear sun block proved to be bad choice. Life here has been laid-back
lately, but it has been nice to get some time to relax.
We will soon be registering for Fall 2005 classes and I have set my schedule
to be much like this semester's schedule in order to continue a bit of
the academic success I have been able to attain. Next year, I will be
taking Meteorology II, Technical Report Writing, Aircraft Systems and
Components, Flight Physiology, Aircraft Performance, and the Multi-Engine
Flight course. A looks to be a very full schedule, but quite interesting
also in that I will be taking many Aeronautical Science courses. I am
also going to be taking 2 general education courses back home. It was
quite a deal, 6 credits for $170. As a California resident, I got quite
a discount on my tuition back home. Next year looks to be very promising;
I am looking forward to it.
Aeronautical Science here at Riddle is unlike your average flight program.
You will be introduced to the basics of flight, from Newton's Laws and
how they relate to flight, to Bernoulli's Principle and how it directly
relates to flight. You will start off by taking AS 132, also known as
Basic Aeronautics I. In this class, I built my knowledge of Aeronautics
in general and was then taught the specifics of Private Pilot flight.
Many aspects were covered ranging from Performance problems, Weight & Balance
problems, Maneuvers, Emergencies, Cross-Country flight, etc. It basically
prepares you to fly for the rest of your life by teaching you basic principles
that apply to most, if not all, airplanes in everyday flight.
For the rest of your stay here, you will take AS 133, AS 232, and AS
272 which take you from your Private Pilot certification all the way to
your commercial certification. All these courses are ground-instruction
courses and they go together with your FA courses which are your actual
flight labs. Around this basic knowledge, you will also be introduced
to classes ranging from Aerodynamics, to Aircraft Engines & Turbines,
all the way to Domestic and International Navigation and Crew Resource
Management. The Aeronautical Science program has been tailored in a way
that the airlines have asked it to be. Though all that is required of
Aeronautical Science students is a "Commercial Multi-Engine Instrument" certificate,
many go on to complete their CFI and CFII and even become flight instructors
here at the school; this becomes a great option for those students who
are interested in building flight time.
In your last year here, you will be put in a Canadair Regional Jet simulator
course which teaches you the ins and outs of airline/regional carriers.
By the time you graduate Riddle, you will have attained a broad, yet very
well prepared curriculum that enables you to become knowledgeable enough
to fly for an FBO and in many cases, the major airlines. It takes time
to get to a major, especially in this day and age, and most use regionals
as a stepping stone or as a way of getting their foot in the door. If
you love to fly, you will attain your dream of becoming whatever you want
to be if you want it enough. Flying at Embry-Riddle is expensive, but
many will tell you that flying here is an experience of its own in that
you are provided with many resources and much assistance in your flight
course. I have never had any problems with flying here nor on the academic
side of my education here neither, but flying here will prove to be expensive
to most. I recommend looking into private external scholarships as well
as grants and loans to provide money for your stay here at Riddle. It
has become a problem for me in that I will be unable to attain my Multi-Engine
rating before the summer as I wanted to, but I will come back in the fall
with money in pocket so that I can finish it off.
Overall, it has been a fun and rewarding experience to fly, one that
has been enjoyable since the first day. If you have any specific questions
about the flight program here at Riddle, the Aeronautical Science department,
or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in general, feel free to post
a message on the message board. I will answer as soon as possible and
make sure that your question gets answered. Thanks for your time and will
write again soon.
Sergio
March 31, 2005
Hello to all you journal readers. I am writing this journal
after quite an eventful day that took me from Los Angeles to
Daytona Beach in a span of 12 hours (a mixture of cancelled and
delayed flights). Spring Break was a well deserved break for
many of us and as I previously stated, I went against what most
would have done -- stayed here -- and opted to go home
instead for Spring Break. I was given the opportunity to see
my family and friends. After being away from home for a while,
it was a welcome sight for sore eyes.
Well, as I write this journal, I find myself stuck in a situation
which most of us hate to be in. I have a lot of homework and
would rather pretend that such a thing doesn’t exist. Lucky for
us, we have about 5 full weeks of school remaining until we all
are given the opportunity to go home for the summer.
I did not have the time to finish flying and get my private
before I left to go back home, but with 5 weeks remaining, I
have more than enough time to complete my last 2 flights. Once
I complete the last two flights, I will then go up for my Oral
and Checkride. I have been studying for that oral and somehow
many details are still slipping my mind at times.
When I went home a friend of mine who still happens to
be in high school asked me how college truly is. Well, as I told
her and will tell all of you, it is all about knowing how to
read, understand, and comprehend books of different subject matter.
One thing that has always been a weakness of mine is my inability
to comprehend what it is I read. I will find myself sitting there
asking myself what it is that I have just finished reading. To
my dismay, I seldom remember what it is I read even after just
browsing over it.
I strongly recommend for those of you going to any college next
year to really learn how to read well. I wish someone could have
stressed how important reading truly is in a college education.
Don’t get me wrong, I still pass my classes with a weakness in
reading, but I tend to learn well from lectures and notes, so
I am still able to learn what is taught.
Spring Break back home was fun but most of you are probably interested
in what Daytona Beach has to offer. From what I have seen and heard,
the beaches have had some great turnouts and there are events all
along the beach that allow for spring breakers to relax and have
some fun. Hopefully other journal writers can offer a perspective
as to how it was last week.
Well, off I go to finish homework and get ready to restart classes ( I already
missed a day). Keep the questions coming on the message board. I, as well as
the other journal writers, will be more than willing to offer you our assistance.
March 17, 2005
Hello again all you journal readers. It's been a long time coming, but one
more week remains until all of us go off to different locations for spring
break. Some people I know are going to remain here in Daytona and welcome their
friends, while others like me, will be returning home to meet up with old friends
and loved ones. I look forward to spending a lot of time with my family, girlfriend,
and friends.
School here is the same as usual. I am somewhat pleased with how this semester
has been going for me thus far. My professors are excellent, my classes are
nicely planned out, and my flying has not interfered with my academics. I will
soon be planning out my classes for the upcoming Fall 2005 semester. I am hoping
to go home and attain 6 credits for my general education requirements so that
when I come back for the fall semester, I could be in junior standing. What
has been keeping me from going crazy this semester is that I have not yet had
one big project as I did last semester. Maybe I have, I just didn't notice
it or didn't think it was that big. I am really enjoying the Aeronautical Science
courses because I know that for once, I am learning about something I will
most likely be using in real-life. I know that when I was in high school, I
asked myself when in life I would be applying what I had learned in that class
to a real-life scenario. Well, luckily, I am doing something where I don't
have to ask that question anymore. I also decided to stay and live on campus
because of the lack of a car. I would definitely love to have my own apartment
or share one with a friend, but without a car, I am not sure how I would get
to school for a 6 AM flight, 8AM class, etc. I am still talking to my parents
about a car, but I'm almost certain that the final answer will be a no.
As Daytona's Speedweeks ended, Bike Week began. It was a crazy week with many
Bikes all across Daytona. It was quite noisy, compared to the quiet Daytona
that I was used to, but it was a welcome sign. I remember seeing many different
types of Motorcycles from Harley's to Honda's. It was also very interesting
to watch some of the bikers with some amazing looking bikes. Some of them were
designed to look like a car, of course a smaller version of one, while others
were made to look like they came out of the 50s. Motorcycles have never interested
me much, but some of the ones that I saw around were pretty nice.
Spring Break! Well, Daytona has seen a fluctuation of people come in for the
upcoming spring break season. I have noticed many people not only in the area,
but even on campus. Since we are located here in Daytona, many friends come
to visit those who attend Riddle. I will hopefully be able to check out all
the events before the spring break season here in Daytona is over.
Well, if you have any questions/comments/suggestions regarding anything I
can assist you with, leave a message on the message board. Until next time,
laters!
March 3, 2005
Hello again. It has come to my attention that many people are beginning to
think and make their final decisions as to where they will be going to college.
I have received many e-mails asking many questions and I am actually having
problems staying caught up. Keep on sending them, but if there is a delay,
be patient, I will reply as soon as possible.
Well, not much has changed since my last time writing a journal. The weather
here in the Daytona area has really deteriorated and has led to my flight activities
being cancelled for about the last week and a half. I did pass my Private Pilot
written exam this last Friday! I missed a perfect 100% score by one question.
I was laughing at the one I had gotten wrong because it was one that I was
very familiar with. It was a V speed question, which for most people would
have been easy, but I guess I just got confused. Oh well, I passed and the
studying for weeks was well worth it. About four more flights remain until
I can take my check ride. So hopefully, by my next journal, I will have my
Private Pilot license!
As for Academics and other stuff, everything is still going well. After the
Daytona 500, it got quiet around here. It was kind of crazy to see so much
going on so close by Riddle. It was fun to watch the 500, I saw it on TV. My
favorite driver won the Daytona 500, Jeff Gordon! I really don't follow NASCAR
that much, but I do know most of the drivers and their cars. Gordon has been
my favorite since I started watching NASCAR. It's fun to see the high speed
crashes, especially from the "Dash Cams." Spring Break should be
coming in soon; that will be quite interesting.
Well, I know many of you are in the midst of making your decision as to where
to go to college, if I can assist you in any way, feel free to leave a message
on the message board.
Sergio
February 17, 2005
Well, as luck may have it, I have, since my last journal, mustered up enough
money in my effort to complete my Private Pilot License. Though I now know
I will not be able to start my Multi-Engine Rating course, I will at least
finish off flying to get my Private License. Flight has been going pretty well
around here lately; minus the long wait for an airplane and a few issues with
proper procedures, I feel confident that I will be able to pass my test soon.
I just went on 3 back-to-back cross country flights: one to just north of Jacksonville,
one down into Central Florida, and lastly, one to Melbourne, Florida. All of
my flights have been quite fun lately because it isn't filled with the bickering
of an instructor by your side, nor the review of proper procedures for a certain
maneuver. I just fly to a destination, arrive there safely, and find my way
home. It has been fun, and I can honestly say that flying is truly my passion.
I love to fly and know that when I one day make it my career, I will truly
enjoy flying as a job and for fun.
On the other hand, we got 'school.' School has been laid back this semester
for me because of my convenient schedule. I was smart in avoiding early classes
and I loaded up my Tuesdays and Thursdays with most of my classes (4 of the
6). This allows me some free time on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for doing
some personal chores. From trying to fix my laptop which I think might have
spyware (who doesn't nowadays), to catching up on some reading. So for all
of you incoming freshmen, you won't have a choice as to what you receive 'schedule
wise', but you will have a chance to make your own schedule once your second
semester rolls around. Make sure to notice what it is that works for you and
in which classes you are most awake. Surprisingly, I haven't felt that sleepy
in most of my classes this semester. First, I am not waking up at 4-5 AM to
go flying at 6-7 AM. Also, I don't start my earliest class all week until 11:15
AM. It has been beneficial to both my grades and me, so make sure you make
wise decisions when it comes to scheduling, it really does make a difference.
As for other business, it has been quite busy around Daytona lately. With
the 'Speed-weeks' now leading into the main event, the Daytona 500, more and
more people are flooding into the city (even the airspace is full). The traffic
I saw this weekend after the 'Bud Shootout' reminded me of traffic back home.
It was funny to see it here because, for once, I wasn't a part of it. Traffic
in L.A. is as bad as most say it is, trust me, it could be 2 PM or 2 AM, but
if you are on the freeways, there is no difference. Traffic is a daily part
of life. It's a good day when you only encounter traffic on two of the three
freeways you get on. Anyways, unfortunately, I haven't been able to get to
any of the races. I was there during a few practice sessions, but haven't seen
an official race yet. I wish I had a car; I could go out and about as I pleased.
Unfortunately, car equals need for money, and right now, even without the car,
I am in need of money.
Well, as all the racing events down at the speedway wind down to an end, Spring
Break is next to hit Daytona. That is bound to be an experience. I think my
next journal won't have much about it, but the one after should. Well, I'll
catch all of you later in my next journal. For any of you that may have questions
about the school or specifically flight, go ahead and add a message on our
message board. I'll reply ASAP. Til next time, Laters!
Sergio M.
February 3, 2005
Hello to all the journal readers out there. I would like to thank all those
that have personally e-mailed me to ask questions or make suggestions; your
interest and your help are appreciated. It's past my halfway point here at
Riddle and as I wind my way down to May 5, the day we all go home for the summer,
I truly have to say that my experience writing these journals has been a motivational,
but more importantly, educational one.
Well, school has been the usual since I came back in mid-January. There were
a few renovations done here and there to add some life to certain parts of
campus and overall everything did look a bit nicer. A new project is about
to get underway to revamp the whole ìWest Lawnî as it is called here. The ìWest
Lawnî could probably be related to any other school's quad area if some of
you are familiar with that concept. It is used for graduation exercises as
well as other large events. Well, they are going to clean up a bit, redesign
it, add a new walkway and water fountain. All these improvement are welcome
improvements to the campus. For those of you that are planning to attend ERAU
in Fall 2005 here at Daytona Beach will get the opportunity to see quite a
few renovations finally completed. Hopefully, all goes well with the improvements
and that it is beneficial to all whom attend and work at Embry-Riddle.
Classes have been the same as they were before. So far, I have come to enjoy
my schedule this semester as it allows for more free time. I am actually a
big music and film enthusiast so I have been able to catch up on listening
to some new CD's as well as watching a few movies I had not had the opportunity
to see in theatres. The free time is welcome, but it also leads to laziness
and procrastinationÖthe usual. Well, hopefully I don't fall into that habit
once again. I'm pretty sure that most of you could agree that when school is
back in session and we are starting off a new semester, we make this self-promise
to not procrastinate and to give it our all; unfortunately, not always, if
at all, does this promise stay unbroken. In most of my classes though, I am
receiving back work I had turned in with exceptional grades on them, so for
now, I'm still safe. I decided that I was going to take most of my Aeronautical
Science degree program classes here, while I went home in the summer to finish
off most of my general education classes with a community college back home.
Doing this will not only save me money, but also time. Right now, I am on track
to graduate May of 2007 and I am in my second semester here but am already
in sophomore standing. Some of you may ask why exactly I want to graduate early,
well, one word, money. As it goes actually, as some of you may know, I was
planning to attain my Private Pilot License as well as my multi-engine rating
by the time this school year was over. Unfortunately, I have run low on cash
and have been forced to not only slow down my flight pace, but also to eliminate
the opportunity to get my multi-engine rating before this semester ends. For
those of you coming here, save money, and make sure you are prepared to apply
for loans. Unless you or your family is in a very comfortable financial state,
loans will be necessary and planning, financially, is necessary.
These next few weeks are going to prove to be quite interesting. Daytona is
preparing to host Speedweeks 2005. With about 3-4 races in 3 weeks, it is going
to be quite hectic around here (500,000 people are expected to come in during
that time). The Superbowl will also be held up in Jacksonville, Florida this
year and we got an FIF (Flight Information File) stating we were prohibited
from flying anywhere near the TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) up near Jacksonville.
For now we have to fly south, which is also a bit hectic because we have to
deal, if necessary, with Orlando Class B airspace. I hope I am not caught doing
anything wrong because with all that is going on around here, something seems
bound to go wrong. Spring Break is also coming up on everybody, ours here is
March 21-25. From what I have heard, Spring Break also gets quite hectic here
in Daytona with a bunch of ìSpring Breakersî coming to town. It will be quite
a sight to see some of the quiet and usually calm streets of Daytona get filled
with college students from all over the USA.
Well, until next time, later! Sergio M.
January 20, 2005
Well, Hello everybody. After a well deserved three and a half week break,
most of us here at Riddle are back for our Spring 2005 semester. After a few
days of classes, my schedule of classes this semester seems to be a lot easier
and more interesting than that which I had last semester. This semester I am
taking Aeronautics II, which finishes off my Private Pilot and Multi-Engine
ground labs, Physics II, Aerodynamics, Aircraft Engines & Turbines, Speech,
and a Physics Lab class. Since I scheduled most of my classes for Tuesdays
and Thursdays, I should have more time to just relax and do more than just
schoolwork all the time.
Going back home to Southern California during winter break was such a relief.
Opposing many beliefs, Florida is incomparable to California; I mean, don't
get me wrong, they are similar in some respects, but the overall winner has
to be California. Though it poured rain as many of you saw for the last week
and a half of my stay, I still managed to have fun. I spent a lot of time with
my girlfriend while I was back home so I was happy to see her. I also spent
a lot of time with family members as well as friends. Christmas with the family
was a blast as was New Year's with my girlfriend. We went to the Rose Parade
on New Year's Day and that was something new to me. I also got to go on a VIP
Tour of the Warner Bros. Studios in Hollywood. It was fun to see how some of
my favorite movies and shows are created within "sound stages" and "backlots." Other
highlights of my return home were going to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim,
CA and visiting both the Disneyland and California Adventures theme parks,
went to the beach, to the movies quite a few times, as well as other small
things here and there. Overall, I had a fun time and I can't wait to go back
home in the summer.
As for flight here, I soloed and did my first cross-country during my finals
week here in Daytona in mid-December. I have accrued over 30 hours now and
am currently preparing to finish off my private pilot license in about 15-20
more flight hours. I have my first night flight soon and will also have a solo
cross-country coming up in a few weeks. Hopefully I can finish by mid-February.
Well, off I go to finish off homework for a few of my classes. Until next
time, see ya later!
Sergio
December 9, 2004
Hey everybody. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving break. Though I
spent my Thanksgiving break at Riddle, it was quite boring since no one was
here, I did get lots of work accomplished as well as some flying. I have acquired
over 20 flight hours here and am 2 flights away from my solo.
Flying has been fun so far. Daytona is a great place to fly because I have
had the opportunity to fly along the beach, up the coast, in the fields, over
lakes, and just over some great scenery. Flying is one of those professions
where you know, by some instinctive feeling, that this is the job and profession
for you. Luckily, my flying hasn't been filled with many problems or delays,
I have been lucky to go through my flying quite rapidly.
As the semester is slowly winding towards an end, as is my total amount of
work. I have had to do so many research papers and group projects that were
quite overwhelming, but luckily, all but one are completed. I was looking through
our message board and came up with a few answers for some frequently asked
questions.
Weather: The weather in Daytona is quite moderate. Temperatures here have
been quite warm lately with cool, but not necessarily cold nights. Honestly,
the only day I have worn a sweater in the day was last Saturday. The first
and only day I actually felt like I needed to wear a sweater. It is very rainy
no matter what season, but the rain here goes by quickly. In the summer it
is very hot and humid, so bring shorts and t-shirts because they are necessary
and vital.
AE and Flight Training: I know someone who is doing that right now, so it
is a possibility. It would actually be a plus because not only do you understand
systems from an engineering level, but also from a pilot's perspectives. I'll
let you in on a little secret, you can actually get your ratings and certifications,
all of them, off campus and get credit for a minor in flight if you take the
only required ground courses here. I think there is only one or two of them,
so if you can take those here, go home and fly in the summer, being in AE and
having a minor in Flight would be viable and an option.
Bike on Campus: It isn't necessary to have a car while on campus here at Riddle,
but since the surrounding areas have a lot to offer (Orlando, Jacksonville,
Miami), I would recommend a car. I don't think you would want to ride your
bike to Miami. You could hitch a ride with a group of friends while you're
here, but remember, driver chooses the destination, and if his thought of fun
is Orlando, while yours is Miami, you're going to be missing your car.
Flight: It is expensive. Bring lots of money, don't spend it, put into the
flight account you will have when you have your Eagle Card and be prepared
to be paying close to $400 at times for flights.
That covered some of the latest topics that have been popping up in the message
board lately. As for some random stuff, while you are here look into the "Touch
N Go" movie showings every Thursday. It is nice to have a movie to watch
every Thursday that hasn't even been released on DVD. For example, this Thursday,
TNG will be showing "Collateral." I also learned that "Firehouse
Subs" makes some good subs. If you're from the West Coast, there is nothing
here that compares to In N Out Burgers. No matter how much you may hate home-cooked
food at times, you'll miss it when you have to eat away from home for months
at a time. The morning flight block, 5:30-10:30AM can cause you to miss classes
in the morning, not because it overlaps, just because you end up coming back
to your dorm and sleeping. If you are one who needs his or her sleep, I recommend
you fly in the evening hours.
Lastly, there is a guy who lives about 4 rooms down in the dorms here who
was telling me about why he looked at these journals while he was in high school.
As he said, he just wanted to know that he wasn't going to a school where no
one resembled him in any way. Well, I hope I haven't scared any of you from
coming here, trust me, I don't resemble many of the people here. I don't know
if it is a good thing or a bad thing, but if any of you have any specific questions,
post them on the message board and you can get opinions other than mine.
Well, have a good one everybody, Later!
November 25, 2004
Hello to all the journal readers out there. Well, I guess you can say my journal
hasn't been the most exciting lately, if ever, but the truth is that, more
often than not, I tend to devote more time to school and studies rather than
fun. I'll try to remember all that I did because I'll be honest, there is a
lot of stuff that happens around here that I just forget to talk about; but
on with the journal, exciting, boring, or what not, I'll try to tend to your
interests as best I can.
For the boring school stuff first, it continues to take its toll. I'm not
doing too well in the same classes I was struggling in before and it might
be lack of interest or something, but I just can't find the way to raise my
grade. We got a few more weeks, three and a half to be exact, so I'm going
into overdrive to try and finish up on a strong note. I've had five research
papers to do and two group projects, so the professors around here really know
how to keep us busy. I'll be honest, I never did like group projects because
it puts you at the helm of others, if I could say, it leaves you to either
follow or lead. Honestly, group projects are something I always hated because
those who were willing to work actually did, while those who never did anything
were given the same grade as the rest of the group due to it being a 'group'
project. I guess that probably didn't make much sense, but yeah, point is,
I hate group projects.
On another note, I am happy that there are only about three and a half weeks
left. Slowly but surely, I will get to go back home to California, hang out
with friends, family, and others. I will not be going back home for Thanksgiving
due to a lack of money. Believe me, lack of money is something I've experienced
more than ever here at Riddle. If I was to make a recommendation, it would
be to buy all airline tickets early. I actually got a good deal to fly back
before next semester: One way ticket from Los Angeles to Daytona Beach for
$120. I don't know about you guys, but that to me was a hell of a deal. The
longer you are at Riddle, the more frugal you will get. I remember when I would
be willing to pay the $300 for a nice flight in a 767 from Los Angeles to Orlando.
Well, those days are quickly fading away, now I am forced to look for cheaper
things as I realize money 'doesn't grow on trees.' There will be a tuition
increase for Riddle next year, as most of the US colleges are doing, but from
what I saw it wasn't going to be too large. We already pay a lot to begin with
so most were not happy with the change. I'll be honest with you in saying that
much that is either incurred upon us here and even certain rules and regulations,
such as fines for certain things that one does, I don't really agree with.
I think some of the stuff that goes on around here is unnecessary, but I'm
here for an education and that is pretty much all I'm doing here.
Flight time has been increasing for me. I will be finishing up within the
next few weeks with my first part of the Private Pilot course, and in doing
so, I will be pushing my schedule and wallet to the limit. I haven't had too
many problems with flying, minus my horrible crosswind landings, but everything
else has been a piece of cake. I look forward to getting my Private Pilot License
when I return in the spring. I will then go into the multi-engine course and
get my multi-engine rating.
I haven't been to many parties while I've been here. I was never too much
of a party guy to begin with, but most of the stuff that goes on around here,
'party-wise,' I tend not to attend. I have been out by and to the beach, which
is fairly fun, but since I don't have a car, I feel deprived. Back home I had
a car and a car makes life much simpler. I could actually go anywhere at anytime
without worrying about others. Now I have to tag along and go along with others,
believe me, at times it makes it much harder to even go to the store for something
you need. If you have a car, try to bring it, parking isn't the greatest here,
but you'll be thankful you have a car. You'll be able to get away when you
need to. Like I've said before, I look forward to heading to Orlando, Jacksonville,
etc. when I can. We also fly on the weekends here, so at times it's impossible
to go somewhere because we have to go flying. With life going on around you,
sometimes it is hard to go out, have fun, even relax, but I'll have that all
back again once December 17 rolls around (day I go back home).
Well, as I bring this journal to an end and if you are still reading, have
a happy Thanksgiving and what not. Someone did write in the forums that we
needed to talk about parties more and the college life. Well, as for me, I
am getting my you know what kicked in a few of my classes, if you were in my
spot, would you go out and party? I know some people would answer yes without
hesitation, but I'm on the other side of that one. Unfortunately, this has
been my worst semester academically since I could ever remember. The last thing
on my mind is partying. Sorry for not being able to share that with you, but
I am sure other journal writers could give you some aspect on that. If anyone
has any other types of questions or concerns, feel free to write in the forums.
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 11, 2004
Well, first of all, let me start off by explaining to you that
this week I may not be the best source for help, especially if you came to
Embry-Riddle's open house on November 6 or to any of the homecoming events
throughout this last weekend, or if you are looking for any information about
the events. I went back home to Southern California this weekend and had a
ton of fun. For those of you that came to Riddle to visit, I hope you liked
your experience here and hope that it has answered most of the many questions
that surround us when we are trying to choose a school.
First of all, let me begin by saying that my classes are really starting to
dish out the work now. I got quite a few papers to write, some of which I intend
to start soon this week and others that I'll be forced to start soon enough
due to lack of time. My grades in most of my classes are acceptable, but I
am hoping that within the next few weeks my grades will show a significant
jump. I guess if I was to offer any advice to incoming students that are new
to college, it would be to learn how to read and comprehend. Comprehension
will be tested over and over again, and for some classes, reading a book is
all the homework you will receive, so read and remember!
Lastly, for activities, I've been doing the usual stuff, which is just hanging
out and going to places here and there. I guess I can say I haven't been anywhere
too exciting. I do want to go down to Orlando and Miami soon though, definitely
before the spring break rush, to visit and see these places. Life here so far
has been filled with surprises. You never truly know what you are going to
see throughout the course of a day, but I'm sure, after time, that one becomes
accustomed to seeing many of the "weird" things I've seen. Biketoberfest
was in Daytona Beach a few weeks ago and man was that crazy. I even heard the
attendance wasn't as high as other years, but it didn't seem like it. With
bikers everywhere, the roads were congested, it was quite hectic, but it was
fun seeing many bikes and motorcycles I had never even known existed.
Daytona has been quite an experience for me. It is definitely different, rather
different, from California style and culture. Food, music, and culture differs
greatly from one coast to the other, but I have no complaints. It's been great
here at Riddle so far. I will be flying twice this upcoming week and I got
a SIM (Simulator) tomorrow morning at 6 AM. For all of you high school students
who are preparing to make your choice for college, go with what you feel suits
you best. Don't let anything hold you back from pursuing what it is you've
always wanted to do. Weigh the pros and cons of each of the schools you are
looking for and choose the one that is the most beneficial. Trust me, you'll
find yourself finding more pros for the one you truly want to attend. Most
of all, good luck on making your choice and hope that your choice for college
is the right one for you.
October 28, 2004
Hello to all my journal readers, we here at Riddle are over halfway done with
our semester and classes are really going into overdrive. Many classes of mine
such as my management class, my success skills class, and my English class
are having me write either a short paper or an actual research paper. In other
classes such as Meteorology and Aeronautics I have taken a few tests already.
Overall, I have been working almost non-stop to try and complete all the assignments
I am assigned as well as try to stay up to par in my flight class. I have taken
a few flights since my last journal entry and am still working between simulators,
flights, and orals to try and get my private license. I will not have my license
by the end of the semester because of all the delays from hurricanes, improper
paperwork, as well as some instructor conflicts, but I do expect to have it
early next semester. My main goal is to go home back to California summer of
2005 with my Private Pilot License and Multi-Engine rating. As for my academic
classes, as you know, they are very busy, but my Aeronautics class has proven
to be my favorite. For pilots who truly have a passion for flying, it becomes
a very interesting class and one that I have personally found to be easy to
study for. From learning how to use a flight computer to attaining the knowledge
to plan a cross-country flight, the class has been my favorite. My toughest
class right now has to be Meteorology. I am not sure whether it is the time
(afternoon) or just that I am not interested in the subject, but I have a hard
time recalling the information. Because of this, I did not perform well on
my first exam, but it served as a wake up call and now I am focusing more on
that class than any of my others.
I've met quite a few people here at Riddle, though few are from California,
it has been a great experience thus far. Most of the people I hang out with
are here at my dormitory which is McKay Hall. Because we are a dormitory that
was built like a motel, we really don't get exposed to many people from our
floor (no hallways or common areas), but I have met a few people around here
that are funny and fun to hang out with. I've also met a few international
students from countries such as Sri Lanka, India, as well as Honduras. When
you walk around campus, you notice that there is a very large international
population here at Riddle. It proves to be a benefit because from seeing more
cultures, one has the habit of becoming more open to many different activities.
So far, as half a semester has gone by, I have had a great experience here
at Riddle and I am looking forward to a few more years here.
I will be going home back to California the day of my high school's homecoming
and stay there the weekend and that makes me happy because I get to see friends,
family, and others I have not seen in a while. Though Riddle is having its
homecoming the same weekend, I figure I'll be here for the next three years
to see it; I also decided on going home because I am not going home for Thanksgiving.
Well, to end this journal, I'd like to make a request to any readers who read
my journal or any others, to give us any questions that we may be able to answer.
Sometimes I tend to forget some subjects off my journal, so remind me or any
other journal writer what is you as a reader would like to know more about.
Post all requests on the WebBoard. We'll try to answer them as complete as
possible. Well, until next time, Later!
October 14, 2004
Finally
back in school for about three weeks and only one day canceled (Hurricane
Jeanne). I guess it sounds awkward that I am relieved that school is back
in session, but it‚s due to the fact that we already have one Saturday
school day scheduled in December. Though it is only one Saturday, it is still
a drag because it is right before finals week. So I guess being back in school
without cancellations because of hurricanes relieves all of us here at Embry-Riddle
from having to go to school on Saturday.
Classes here at Riddle have finally begun to take shape as well.
In the weeks during the hurricanes, we were unable to really settle down into
our classes and really find out how it was going to be within them. Luckily,
our add/drop dates were extended and we still had a few days when classes
resumed to decide whether we wanted to stay in a class or not. Luckily,
my schedule was set correctly. Though I am taking six classes this semester,
I feel that it has not been difficult to keep up with work. I have all
my class work, homework, appointments with advisors, club meetings, and
other events scheduled so that I may able to handle all of them accordingly.
It has been a lot of reading here in college, so be prepared to read more
than you probably ever have in your entire life. (unless your hobby is
reading) Besides reading, be prepared to write papers on topics that you
will have to create yourself. For some reason, professors like to leave
papers as open topic papers, provided they relate to the course. Reading
and writing will prove to be the two principal skills that one will need
when entering college; Embry-Riddle is no exception. So be prepared and
if you can take Advanced Placement English Language and Literature, you
will eliminate six of the required nine communication credits.
On the extracurricular
side of Embry-Riddle, a club and activities fair was held about two weeks
ago in which students here were exposed to the many extracurricular activities
that are found on campus. There are a substantial number of clubs and organizations
on campus to feed the student‚s interests and needs. Clubs such as the Skydiving
club, Surf Club, Modelers club, etc. and organizations such as the Eagles
Flight Team, ERAU College Democrats, as well as others were on display. I personally
decided to join the Flight Team because I discovered that it was an organization
that refined piloting skills, advanced basic piloting concepts, and also
flew in national competitions. I was also interested in a few clubs, but will
look further into them at a later date.
As for my flying activities so far I
finally had the opportunity to fly on Saturday October 9. It was a two-hour
flight that took me around north-central Florida up and down the coast.
It was a fun and educational flight. I took off from Daytona Beach International
Airport, flew to a practice area north of Daytona Beach, flew back in to
a nearby airport in Deland, then took off again back to Daytona Beach and
landed safely. While in the practice area, since I had one hour previous to
this flight, my instructor and I practiced basic maneuvers and had the opportunity
to experience what certain pilot inputs do to an airplane, such as pitching
up and down, etc. Overall, it was fun, and I know that as I log more flights,
my experience here will only improve.
On another note, Daytona Beach has been
a great place to come and live. The town is dormant at times and seems to
be a ghost town at times, but on the weekends it is lively beachside and mainland.
The beach here is nice and warm, unlike west coast beaches, and the beachside
resorts, restaurants, entertainment areas, and stores, always provide an
alternative to the non-water loving people. From places like Starbucks, and
Johnny Rockets, to entertainment like bike-riding and even movie theatres,
the beachside has it all. I have had fun the few times I have visited, and
look forward to heading back more often.
Not having a car, at times, can be
tough. There are days where it is just too hot to try and walk around the
area and even around campus, other days are filled with rain, so if you can,
bring a car or prepare to be riding with friends or on a bus. Orlando and its
resorts are about 45 minutes away with Jacksonville up the coast. So no matter
what you like, it is probably somewhere around here. It has been a fun experience
so far here at Embry-Riddle, but if you have any specific questions about
anything here at Riddle, feel free to post it on our webboard at http://64.55.105.211/erau_ug/.
Until next time, later!
September 30, 2004
My name is Sergio and I am one of the journal writers for the
2004-2005 school year here at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona
Beach campus. Let me start off by telling you a bit about myself then I will
talk about my experience thus far here at Riddle.
I am from Pico Rivera, California which is a mid-sized city that lies 15 minutes
east of Los Angeles. I have always liked airplanes, have enjoyed flying to
many places, and loved aviation; these reasons are what brought me here to
Embry-Riddle. I am a freshman here at Embry-Riddle and I am studying Aeronautical
Science. For those of you still not sure, the Aeronautical Science program
is kind of like a dual program, you receive both a university curriculum (English,
humanities, etc.) as well as actual flight training. Most, if not all, aeronautical
science graduates go on to become professional pilots after graduation. My
goal is to one day become an airline pilot.
That's a background on me and why I am here, now my experience, which I admit,
has been quite hectic.
From the moment I arrived here, people were welcoming and very helpful in
assisting others and me to his or her respective dormitory. I got lucky and
I am staying in McKay Hall which was built sort of as a motel, it sure looks
like one. The dorms here are nice and are furnished with everything to cover
your basic needs. Check-in was easy and the campus is small enough that no
walk is longer than 15 minutes long. After a half-week of orientation events
and a good weekend, we started school; this is where it got quite hectic.
I have a 17 unit course load which translates into 6 classes with 1 flight
course. If I am to advise anything to high school students, it would be to
take as many Advanced Placement mathematical, physics, and English courses
as possible. Personally, I am not one for general education classes, so I finished
my entire math and half my required physics credits for the Aeronautical Science
program in high school. Anyways, classes were great for 3 days, but then Hurricane
Frances crept towards Florida. We were evacuated at which time I relocated
to Halifax Medical Center, a hospital across the street, and volunteered until
the hurricane passed. It was quite an experience. At times, other volunteers
and I worked for about 30-50 hours without any sleep. It was something I never
experienced, not to mention, my first hurricane. Soon after returning to campus,
we received word that we would get evacuated for Hurricane Ivan. I decided
to fly back home into LAX and stayed there for a week. I returned to campus
on September 19 and just completed my first week of school. Now, Hurricane
Jeanne is on its way. I have to get going in preparation for that.
As for flight here, I haven't flown due to all the hurricanes, but I know
I will be flying soon. I have no hours or experience, so I am waiting how it
turns out.
If you have any questions feel free to place a message on the WebBoard at
http://64.55.105.211/erau_ug/. Well, until next time, later! -Sergio
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Name: Sergio 