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So I was bored one night after finishing some homework. I decided to check out some of the google programs that they had available.  So I started to play around with their blogging program.  I created a blog revolving around aviation. I've only posted a few times on it so far, but I thought I would share my blog so here is the link.

  http://keepinemflying.blogspot.com/

Tags: Aviation Blogger Google

 I would like to start this off with a Happy New Year to everyone.  I hope everyone had a fun and safe New Year celebration.  Mine was nice, I stayed at home with my wife and my dog.  As each new year has arrived I have felt a sense of a new beginning.  Except this year it felt the same and that its just another day. I believe that feeling came from the fact that I'm in the middle of taking online classes, and working on upgrade training. Plus, I'm in the process of moving to Japan for reassignment.  Even when we celebrated christmas it felt different, but I think the reason was because we still had our decorations boxed up ready for moving.  Though I also had a mid-term that was due the day after christmas.  I'm really tired of taking classes, but I keep reminding myself I need this degree.  I'll just be glad when I travel back home because then I'll be finishing those classes, and I'll have some time to work on a Ford Tri-Motor build.  Each time I've gone home I've taken time to go over and assist in the build.  Last time I was home we were cutting the skin sections and installing the window pieces. It is times like now that I wish I wasn't leaving for Japan so I would have more time to test for my A&P because then while I'm home I could work on it more then just on Mondays when the one A&P guy is available. Oh well I will get mine sometime soon, hopefully.  It's too bad I can't get it while I'm oveseas, but I guess I can wait a few years to do it. It will just give me that much more time to prepare I guess.

     Again I hope everyone has a Happy New Year, and Keep 'em Flying.

     These past couple weeks have been rather full. I am currently enrolled in a leadership/management course. It is called Airman Leadership School (ALS), for anyone who does not know.

     Its a little over a month long and they are putting in a lot of information. Mainly the course is to prepare us for the next rank and becoming lower management. In one of my classes we were talking about how lucky we are to have the course.

     The instructor brought up the fact that out in the civilian world you don't get the training like this. Is that true? I mean I know some businesses send their employee's to seminars or conferences. Does anyone actually put them through a management course or is it up to the individual?

   I was just very interested to find out if what my instructor had brought up was completely true or if things have changed. Because I know with Silver State Helicopters alot of the training is covered through the company, but you pay them back through your work. Then again I know that is for the initial pilot training.

Ok, so things have been going alright at work. Though again like usual we are running into another issue with a shift war. It started a couple weeks back. Actually it probably started a little longer then a couple weeks ago, but its gotten more intense. At the moment I work night shift or we call swing shift. It seems that we have been doing more and more of the maintenance. We have our day shift who claims to try to work, but runs into all types of snags during the day. Then we have our mid shift or graveyard shift. Those guys roll in we give them a turnover and think things will get done. Surprisingly we come in at almost the exact same place we left it.

I have also been slightly distracted from working on the floor. Last month our promotion results came out and I made it. So now I will be putting on E-5 (Staff Sergeant). I am excited to get all of my upgrade training done. I also recently recieved word that I will be reassigned to Japan. So I'm looking forward to going at the end of February. I can't wait to leave because then I'll just have to get used to being back in Japan for the second time, and I won't care about shift wars. Ah well that was nice to get off my chest. Now I must get my things ready to go to work Monday...woo.......hoo. I hope this week goes by fast.

I posted this in a forum, but thought I might as well post a blog. At the moment I'm stationed in Arizona taking classes as a few of you already know. I also know that some general maintenance between a fighter jet and a civilian aircraft isn't all that different. Though I have about zero experience on civilian aircraft besides small sheetmetal work I've done on a Ford Tri-motor. So if there is anyone in the Phoenix area or who knows anyone in the area who is an A&P who wouldn't mind having a volunteer, please let me know, thanks.

    So I've updated my profile Hobbies area. I figured I would mention a little more about myself, and had listed how I have volunteered some time working on a Ford Tri-Motor. The most recent time I had volunteered working on the build we had started cutting the skin pieces; which was definitely a learning experience. Luckily this time I was there I had my bag with a few books in it and one happen to be the maintenance handbook. Right before cutting one of the guys brought out a couple sets of cutters and no one knew that the color of the handle indicated the direction of the cut. Shortly after showing everyone my handbook and all the info inside one of the guys had suggested that after I obtain my A&P and eventually get out of the military that I should look into starting a small shop at the airport.

    For a while I've been thinking about the possibilities of being able to open a shop there even though its a small regional airport. Then my thoughts get away from me and come up with some crazy plans. I know I need more experience and need to learn from those who have come before me. Plus, the size of the airport keeps me questioning the idea. The airport is the Erie,Ottawa County Regional Airport. It is located in Ohio about 45mins East of Toledo, and about two hours West of Cleveland. The airport has been slowly growing, and gets an ok flow of business jets. They actually have some new hangars going up and plans for a third runway that will be bigger for some larger aircraft. I know that when I do get out I plan on hopefully getting hired by a company for more experience and knowledge before I decide to venture into attempting to set up maybe a part-time shop at the airport. I've always thought towards the future and sometimes way to far. The area around the airport is nice especially in the summer, but is pretty dead in the winter. I guess my question is would this be a good idea or am I just totally thinking way to far ahead?

     So I joined the military about five years ago. Well it will be five in August, but whose counting? All I wanted to do was be around aircraft either flying or working on them. When I was 16 I didn't want my driver's license, I wanted to build a plane and fly. Since I've been in, my goal has been to get my degree and obtain my A&P certifications. While taking the classes and working I realized that I needed to find some way to get more involved on the civilian side of things to get more experience, and knowledge. I recently recieved my Aviation Maintenance mag and read the article about this site, and right away I knew I had to join. I hope to meet some great people and share our experiences.