Pilot Training Update.

I now have logged over 13 hours of instruction toward my Private Pilot Rating. My instructor tells me I am ready to Solo as soon as I get my class 3 medical certificate from FAA. I have done a couple of "mock solo" flights where my instructor stays quiet and doesn't touch anything on a take-off and landing cycle. I am sure it will be much more scary when he is not there......

Having had open heart surgery in 2017, FAA has certain criteria for pilots applying for a medical certificate after heart surgery. The FAA flight surgeon requires that the applicant take a "Bruce Protocol Stress Test" prior to taking the physical examination for the medical certificate. This test evidently consists of a short time on a treadmill that is designed to produce a maximum target heart rate. That rate is calculated as 220 less your age. In my case that is a rate of 155. The test consists of a series of 3 minute stages starting a 1.7 mph at an incline of 10% and increasing each 3 minutes until the target rate is achieved. The catch is, that FAA requires the applicant to achieve at lease the first 3 stages of the protocol. The second stage is 2.4 mph at 12% incline and the third stage is 3.2 mph at 14% incline. My wife's treadmill only goes up to 10% and 3.2 mph is almost a jog. I am practicing as much as I can to make sure I can at least make the minimum. This test is covered by Medicare, but I can't imagine the would pay for it again if I can't make the 9 minute minimum.

Anyhow, I am still flying every couple of weeks as weather and budget permits to keep proficient and keep learning. Wish me Luck!