P2 checkride complete...

The P2 checkride…. if you aren't familiar with any aviation terms, a check-ride is an exam designed to check an aviator's proficiency in an aircraft.  The exam consists of an oral examination where they ask you a bunch of questions, and then you go fly and demonstrate to the examiner/check-pilot that you can actual fly the helicopter and perform a specific set of maneuvers while acting as the pilot in command.  It's not too bad, but for some it can be a bit stressful.  

My usual "stick-buddy" and I would not be together on this flight.  Instead I got paired up with another guy who actually already had his commercial rotary wing license instructor rating.  I was actually kind of curious to see how I would compare against a guy that already had his license.  We wound up getting the same grade.  Go figure.  In the end, the grade doesn't really matter because I'm not competing for an airframe.  Texas has already "slotted" me to fly Blackhawks.  I'm really looking forward to being 15 minutes away from the facility back home… hopefully I'll get the opportunity to transition to another airframe (fixed or rotory) and as of now, I think I would enjoy the chance to become and instructor pilot one day.  That may change,.. but it seems rewarding being able to take someone off the street, strap them in a helicopter, and turn them into a pilot.  

Now it's on to instruments for the next two months.  Then BWS (basic warfighting skills) and then finally on to the Blackhawk course.  I can't wait.