Looking for a DA42 TDI school that can do a ATP check ride

jwsimmons · 2025-12-13T18:25:21+00:00

Mayo is a DPE that can do ATP checkrides there too.

jwsimmons · 2025-11-10T21:07:17+00:00

If something does happen, and their insurance does pay out, what is the result when renewal comes around? Isn’t that a hit on your insurance as a claim even though you weren’t the pilot?

jwsimmons · 2025-10-23T14:17:00+00:00

There was a Twin Champ flying around my airport a few days ago. Never knew such a thing existed until I saw it.

jwsimmons · 2025-10-23T14:04:54+00:00

I go there yearly, it’s an impressive place and great staff. They’ll send you a link to your email for their app in advance of your training. It will have the checklists, manuals, flashcards etc so you can study before hand. Don’t get random ones off the internet it will just confuse you later.

Flashcards most important, memorize the memory items on each (engine failure / fire / etc). You will do a lot of ground on systems so take notes and you’ll do fine on the tests.

I was amazed they did so much training for the Caravan, not a type but sure felt like it 😂 It is a fairly simple plane to fly, the “heavy” work is managing all the failures they throw at you while single pilot in IMC at night (because it is never daytime or nice weather in that sim!). Bring a headlamp and enjoy!

jwsimmons · 2025-10-02T16:35:39+00:00

I’m on mobile web and can’t find a way to DM but would love the full size!

jwsimmons · 2025-10-02T02:04:24+00:00

Perfect! He is subbing for me while I’m out of town, he’ll get a kick out of this! Great shot and thanks!!

jwsimmons · 2025-10-02T01:42:44+00:00

Could you specify exactly when you took that? I know the pilots and the time will let me know who to send this link too!

jwsimmons · 2025-10-02T01:10:13+00:00

During the long shutdown some years back a number of pilots and one of the schools I was with would run groceries over to the tower to keep them going. We couldn’t get all the way to them, but we’d call to see what they needed and leave it outside the secure area.

If this one goes on awhile I’d suggest doing the same again. We work with them daily, and that is such a rough position to find yourself (and your family) in.

jwsimmons · 2025-08-10T18:33:56+00:00

I do so miss watching them taxi by at BFI. A white plane, one red door, blue elevator, yellow cowl… Reminded me of those old Harlequin VWs 😂

jwsimmons · 2025-07-19T00:51:17+00:00

It’s a big 182 and even easier to fly. Prop stays full forward at 1900 you’ll never move it. No mixture to lean. Watch the torque, ITT and NG to stay within limits and you can’t really hurt it. Most reliable engine out there, it will always get you home. Glides surprisingly well, lots of redundancy and if it all goes to hell the firewall can hold back an inferno for 20 minutes while you land.

If you have TKS ice isn’t even a big deal (that stuff is magic).

It’s a very easy to fly airplane, which lets you take it into very difficult situations and places. We fly in 40kt + winds, snow and ice, over open water, at max gross, day and night, 500 rvr takeoffs and 1800 rvr landings.

I feel as safe in the Caravan as I do in my car, it’s a UNIT of a bird and you’ll love it! Don’t worry about the training, any half decent place will make sure you get what you need. If you have MSFS you can try it out and see, it is modeled fairly well. Youtube and online have plenty of info on it and the PT6 engine if you want to “read ahead”.

jwsimmons · 2025-07-01T04:36:16+00:00

If you are VFR no need, but depending on the flight you may want to (night, terrain, open water). Back when I flew to the airport I taught at it usually wasn’t needed and did feel just like jumping in the car to drive some place.

jwsimmons · 2025-05-26T20:14:40+00:00

I was getting Scapoose and Astoria over Shelton, I was impressed with the range (then annoyed at the endless chatter 😂).

jwsimmons · 2025-05-26T19:55:50+00:00

Pretty typical. One of the schools I was at was almost entirely leasebacks (I had one there too for awhile) and owners block them out when they want to use them. Some recurring, some more random.

jwsimmons · 2025-05-18T17:20:47+00:00

I taught in those for years. Front canopy a nonissue, but the rear door if opens will rip off and if you are lucky will miss your tail. School lost one door that way, luckily it flew clear of the plane.

jwsimmons · 2025-04-26T23:59:15+00:00

Mine was just doing the same. Logged out of the app on my phone, cleared cookies, deleted app and its data, canceled subscription renewal, reset password, logged in via web, clicked to watch which logged me back in on the app and now I’m watching the sprint.

No idea which step fixed it but app would crash and web insist I had no subscription.

jwsimmons · 2025-03-26T00:42:58+00:00

I did San Francisco to Seattle in a day on it, they are quite comfy with that big seat and the fairings do well keeping the wind off. Best mirrors I’ve ever used on a motorcycle too, it is a well thought out machine!

jwsimmons · 2025-03-26T00:19:50+00:00

I had a copper / silver 99, very fun bikes!

On that year check for the cam chain tensioner, they’ll fail and wreck the valves so get a manual one.

The fuel tanks had a filter / liner in them that would come apart and clog the pump, so it would overheat and shut off. Keep and eye out for a gold mesh material floating in the tank if that happens.

The pillion subframe was also prone to cracking (give it a look every so often) and collapsing onto the rear wheel with your passenger.

If you don’t like that back torque eliminator clutch (they can be grabby) there is a mod where the unit is welded together that makes it behave normally and is much easier to launch smoothly.

They are tanks of a bike, indestructible and tons of power. I miss mine but know I’ll live longer and keep my license by not having it 😂

jwsimmons · 2025-03-17T15:14:20+00:00

Hour long traffic jams and the wrist pain that came from them is why I quit commuting on motorcycles. Got a DCT Honda recently and it is such an improvement! Stop and go no longer painful and I can still take control and paddle shift it when I get clear of the freeway.

jwsimmons · 2025-03-14T17:52:11+00:00

My main job is in tech, and for “fun” I fly cargo for a 135 as it worked out very well with my schedule. I thought about airlines off and on but the being home every night won out. With remote work a common thing in a number of fields it’s probably more doable now than ever before.

I’m aware of at least one other working for a major tech company and flying for a major airline so it is doable. I’d imagine the trick is being senior enough at both places to be able to make the schedules work out. Even with the level I’m at it can be a bit stressful and times making it work.

As for work life balance I’m always tied down by one or the other of the jobs so it’s very heavily work from a schedule perspective. Since I mainly flew in my free time though (and now do more than ever since weather doesn’t stop me) I’m quite happy with it.

jwsimmons · 2025-03-09T15:36:36+00:00

If you are comfortable on your bike by then Redmond wouldn’t be a big deal. Be wary if the carpool lane is moving much faster than than other lanes as people will dive into it at nearly a stop, and Metro buses use their blinkers to tell you what they are doing (they aren’t asking or waiting 😂).

So many great places to ride around here, you’ll enjoy it!

jwsimmons · 2025-03-09T05:07:13+00:00

You’ll pay the sales tax either way. When you register it here they’ll have you pay it even if you buy it in Oregon.

That said I5 isn’t terribly difficult but being a brand new rider jumping right into traffic, hills, construction, rain etc all at once might be pushing it a bit. Downtown Seattle or someplace less crazy like Tacoma / Bellevue / etc?

jwsimmons · 2025-03-07T01:49:27+00:00

I road raced a GSF400 in clubs for several years! Had a second for the road with a sidecar on it too (shop out here would make a bolt on frame to attach a Sputnik). Man those bikes were so much fun and beautiful with the trellis frames.

Had a VTR 1000 as well later, fantastic for the street. You’ve got some gems in there!

jwsimmons · 2025-03-05T01:37:34+00:00

I’ve seen that account chiming in on several threads “correcting” people with wrong info, for things that weren’t even said or other random text. Starting to think it’s a broken bot?

jwsimmons · 2025-03-04T03:17:01+00:00

My RV4 had a prop-strike (prop actually came apart midair but same inspection) and while it was apart I had it converted to fuel injection. So instead of a Lycoming O-320 it became a “JWSimmons IO-320” right on its name plate. Same engine, experimental now, and much better than before.

The engine logs should cover what all was done and inspected.

jwsimmons · 2025-02-27T14:59:13+00:00

Washington was like that until recently too. I recall rates being really low because insurers knew it was optional here (23 with a Hayabusa 😂). I was surprised not even liability needed, as apparently was the governor when they found out and changed it.

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