Thanks for the kind comments. The hood tip is a good one and I’ll probably start trying that out. Seems like a good way to get hood time without those lengthy half hour hood sessions which can get mighty boring.

Thanks for the link to The Flying Scotsman. It is definitely nice when those at the top of the ladder give the rest of us a glimpse, good or bad, so we know what we’re fighting for!

I like your blog as well, its fun being along for the ride.

When I did my CPL, I didn’t worry too much about the XC time, as a lot of the exercises and even the fun “time-building” trips would include some XC. By the time I was done, I had well over the required amount. The one thing that got me though, was instrument time. One of the veteran instructors at my school told me that he always tries to get his CPL students to include a hood in their bag whenever they go dual. You never know when you find an extra .2 or .3 on the way back from the practice area. By the time you’re done, it’ll all add up and save you some money!

Good luck!