July 2010 was a very special month for me. For the first time ever, I flew to and at my home island!

Our flight took us from Cascais to Madeira Island and then Santa Maria, the first discovered island of the Azores Archipelago. The total flown distance to Santa Maria was 1.000 nautical miles ( 1.850 kilometres / 1.150 miles).

(Route from Cascais to Madeira, Santa Maria and Sao Miguel)

Before departing for the Azores we still had some aerial work to complete at Madeira and therefore stayed on the island for a week.

(Flying at Madeira Island)

July 14th was the day scheduled for the departure to the Azores. The routing I chose from Madeira to Santa Maria was via IRKID 35N020W ETROX VSM at Flight Level 100 and with an expected True Air Speed of 180 knots. Anticipating some headwinds I planed for a 03h15m flight.

With the weather at Madeira being a bit cloudy, I briefed the IRKID 5N Standard Instrument Departure. The take-off from runway 05 was uneventful and shortly after airborne we were out of the clouds and able to request to proceed visual and direct to the first point in our route.

After a couple of hours over the North Atlantic issuing position reports, it was with great excitement that we first contacted Santa Maria Radar who said they had us identified on their radar screen.

(Flying from Madeira to Santa Maria Island at 10.000 ft (3.000 meters))

Again expecting some clouds on the approach path to Santa Maria, I briefed my co-pilot for the VOR approach to runway 36, but as we were just about to start overflying the Island I could see land and flew left for a visual approach and another uneventful landing. Landing at the Azores for the first time is a feeling I will forever treasure.

(Breaking left for a visual approach to runway 36 at Santa Maria)

(“Playing” / avoiding the clouds on a the approach)

(Final runway 36 at Santa Maria)

It was just the time needed to refuel, fill up the paperwork and we were again airborne, this time proceeding to my home island, Sao Miguel. With a Visual Flight Rules Flight Plan direct to overhead the airport at S. Miguel, it took us only 25 minutes to reach our destination. But then came the news neither me or the people on the ground waiting for my lading were expecting: the weather was good enough to make some aerial work and we wouldn’t be landing right away. It was even possible we had to go back to Santa Maria for some more fuel before finally completing our work day at Sao Miguel! Without any other option, I asked ATC if I could transmit a message on the approach frequency. He said yes and I was able to inform my friends on the ground with their Air-Band scanners I was going to take a bit longer!… The controller even asked if I wanted him to call anyone! I was definitely home and really enjoying my welcoming.

(The first view of Ponta Delgada airport, in Sao Miguel island)

(A first glimpse of Sete Cidades, my favourite location at São Miguel Island)

After thirty minutes of overflying S.Miguel island, the clouds appeared again and we proceeded for landing. Runway 30 was in use with 12 knots crosswinds from the mountains. Just as I had been anticipating, the landing at my home airport wasn’t the smoothest, but oh well…

After parking, two of my friends were on the apron waiting for me! A quick tour of the plane and we were all on our way to the control tower to meet the controllers and explain them what our work was all about.

The weather in the Azores is known for being very unstable but always, even during the best summer days, with the presence of some clouds, but then, all of a sudden, the weather got completely clear and we went running back to the airplane for some more flying.

(Flying over Sao Miguel island at 10.000 ft during the aerial work session)

(A clearer view of Sete Cidades lagoons from 10.000 ft)

(My home town and Ponta Delgada airport)

(Sao Miguel island)

At 6.30 PM we ran out of good lighting and we flew once again to Santa Maria to refuel.

In the Azores islands, we only had to work at Sao Miguel and Terceira islands, but due to the lack of AVGAS at Sao Miguel, extra fuel flights were required to operate normally.

(Final runway 18 at Santa Maria)

(Short final runway 18 at Santa Maria)

Refuelling at Santa Maria was done and just 20 minutes after landing we were back on the air, this time flying under Instrument Flight Rules direct to Ponta Delgada NDB. At 4.500 ft, with the island in-sight, I asked for a visual approach to runway 12. With the sunset behind us, and after a long day of flying, I landed for the second time at S.Miguel as pilot of an aircraft and was finally able to go home to my loved ones.

(Right downwind runway 12 at Ponta Delgada)

(On base leg for runway 12)

(The surprise of the day! Some of my friends waving at the threshold of runway 12 at Ponta Delgada! Thanks guys!)

Thank you for reading.

If you saw my last post on Positive / Climb you could probably feel my sadness for having to return home and not being able to fly anymore, but guess what? I never left! Life sometimes treats your like crap, but you should always look on the bright side of life. Success is inevitable.

Just as I was about to leave for the Azores, I was offered the amazing opportunity to fly left seat on one of my dream aircraft, a Cessna 402 Businessliner! It was with great happiness that I realized someone noticed my passion and dedication to aviation and tough I deserved a chance to actually become a commercial pilot.

Since I had already purchased the ticket to the Azores, I went home for a week to say hello to my family and friends. As soon as I returned, I flew the required adaptation flight and I was on my way.

I’ve been on the job for the past three months and it’s been a lot of fun. From the people I’ve met, to the responsibility required, the airplane and the places where I’ve flown, it’s all coming together to make this one of the most exciting experiences of my life!

In just a couple of days I will fly home… As pilot! For the second time ever, I will fly over the North Atlantic Ocean in the Cessna 402B on what is expected to be a 6 hour flight to the Azores islands. How great is that!!!?

Thanks for reading and come back soon!

At 9 Am on the day after my final exam, I started the next part of the course. The Multi-crew Co-operation certificate is necessary for pilots to be able to work as a safe and efficient team in multi-pilot aircrafts. The MCC is made up of twenty-five hours of theoretical classes and five simulator “flights”, each lasting three hours. It took me and Vítor Pelado roughly one moth to complete with quite a bit of fun (and terror!) during the simulator rides. These past couple of weeks I also did a SEP (Single Engine Piston) exam and an Aviation English exam. To my great sorrow, the lack of this exam has cost me what could have been my first flying job…

Now the time has come. Two years and fourteen days after arriving to mainland Portugal, I will return home to the Azores islands… It’s been a lot of fun learning to fly. Today, just as when I was a child, I know that the thing I most want in life is to be up in the sky!

In the Azores there are no leisure aircraft availble for me to fly in, so I will come back to mainland Portugal as often as I possible can. Unfortunately flights are expensive and with each flight hour costing in excess of 100 Euros, I don’t think this will happen as often as I wish…

I’ve sent my résumé to many different countries. From Botswana to Nepal but things aren’t easy for low-hour pilots. Well, such is life! And talking about life…

“Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you’re chewing on life’s gristle
Don’t grumble, give a whistle
And this’ll help things turn out for the best…

And…always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the light side of life…”

Thanks for reading.