noob introduction

[Keith Smith]

Hi all,

Just wanted to introduce myself, though I feel I know a few of you already. My name is Keith Smith, I'm a recently ticketed private pilot from San Carlos. I fly X-plane with California Airlines, usually as CAX2600, or as N763SP or N188MF. I've been known to break a few windows as AF2600 with a B1-B and SR-71, too.

I utilized VATSIM when I resumed my flight training recently, it really helped. At the time, I made the decision that I would join ZOA the minute I got my license.

I'm looking forward to staffing the area and giving back a little somethin' somethin' :)

[Scott Fritz]

Welcome to the controlling side of ZOA Keith. If you become half as good at controlling as you are at flying then we are really lucky to have you on staff.

[Keith Smith]

Scott, that's very kind. You musn't have read James' story about me dumping the SR-71 into the bay after running out of gas ;)

I'm very excited to be here and looking forward to doing some controlling!

[Sachin]

Welcome to ZOA Keith.. I do remember those callsigns flying in the ZOA sky it is a pleasure to have you on board.

[Rob Law]

Hi Keith,

Once again welcome to ZOA. You might remember me from your flight this afternoon, I was the mumble mouth controller trying to get the a/c on the ground at OAK to transport over to the rwy.

Looking forward to seeing you on the other side of the scopes.

Rob L

[feathers]

Keith! You made it! Welcome aboard... as you've probably seen and plenty of our staffers have said, this is a good place to be and everyone is more than willing to help you out.

Lookin' forward to seein' you on both sides of the radar now. ^_~

James

[Doug Pullen]

Welcome Kieth, I know you will enjoy this side of the scope.

[Dan Sprouse]

Welcome Aboard Keith, It is great to have you as a part of the Crew. I look forward to many hours with you behind the scope. I have had many great controlling experiences with you flying the SR-71 in our airspace.

If you have any questions or just want to say hello please feel free to contact any of the staff here or on the scope.

[Keith Smith]

Rob,

I certainly do remember you from this afternoon. How could I forget? We had everyone quoting lines from "Airplane" for crying out loud!

I look forward to receiving the test so I can get started.

Thanks to everyone who puts up with my silly requests to do low approaches at Mach 2 and Mach 3. I've tried that at ZLA (when it's very quiet) and have had mixed results. I've never been turned down by ZOA :)

Keith

[Keith Smith]

Now that I've bored everyone to death debating the finer points of airspace and wind reports in other threads, are there any takers to train me on how to actually staff a tower? ;)

[Stephen Zedalis]

Keith,

Speaking from another newbies perspective. All I had to do is pass the Basic and SOP exams, get my initials and log onto one of the towers (KSJC). Both times I tried this in the early evening on weeknights, there was noone logged on as controllers. Within 30 minutes of my logging on, I had more instructors than I could deal with all trying to chat with me. Both nights it was roughly 3 instructors to little ol' me. So I think one solution to keeping the center manned with controllers is to have more students logon. (grin)

You can always ask someone to mentor you and work out times that are mutually agreeable. (This may be preferable as the training might be one on one, I found the 3:1 approach distracting)

Welcome aboard, glad to know I'm not the only "fresh meat" on the scopes.

Stephen

[Keith Smith]

Hi Stephen,

Thanks for writing, that's an interesting experience you had! I'll keep that in mind if I see instructors pouncing on me. I'm awaiting the arrival of my initials as we speak. I believe they're in the works.

Stephen, I think I may have flown into SJC on your first and second night on the scope. I flew SQL to SJC to do some pattern work on 29.

You did a fantastic job! I think Scott was helping you out at the time.

[Stephen Zedalis]

Yep, that was probably me. Don't get me wrong. The quality of instruction is fantastic and the instructors are courteous and extremely helpful. (I transferred from another center to ZOA primarily for the quality of instruction. My brother is an instructor in ZAU and past Chief of another center, and recommended ZOA as one of the best to learn in)

Looks like you built up a great reputation as a pilot among the controllers.