We arrived in orlando on thurs night, pretty much on time. Then eventually got thru all the q's, picked up a car and went to find hotel. Some food a quick scope out of the area to find the FAA office we had to go to on friday morning and sleep happened.....

Friday Morning we were due in the FAA office at 9 o'clock. Fill in a questionaire, prove we were who we say we were and away we went allowed to fly in the states. From here we went to a pilot store to find a few supplies, namely charts of america before starting our 3 hour drive down to palm beach. One other stop along the way was to go talk to a different school where we wanted to talk about a night rating. But while we were there we found a company called warbird adventures. They had 2 old navy trainiers - t6 texans - sitting outside which were available for hire. It didnt take too much arm twisting before we were both in each aircraft with big rotary engines coughing into life.

In a 30 min flight, we would be taken up in old warbirds doing acrobatics, formation flying, along with some tail dragger experience which we could log. It ticked a load of boxes of things we wanted to do if possible while here all in one flight so i promise it was worth it. As we strapped our parachutes on and they explained how to bail out if needed some nerves began to set in, but once the engines started and taxing began the quickly dissapeared. Loops, barrel rolls, wing overs and more............soooooo much fun

Eventually made it down to Lantana - just south of West Palm Beach where we're renting the plane at about 8. At this stage we found hotels and food before going to scope out the airfield.

Lantana Park airfield is amazing!! - for such a small airport by standards over here - its far bigger then anything in ireland and maybe england - with soooo many aircraft jus sitting there. Also everything is so relaxed here too. The terminal building is something outta the forties with a big veranda wrapped around it, seats all there for relaxing on and old school music being played out. I think the two of us have fallen in love with it - and if it would fit in the suitcases - it would be on the plane back with us.

Check rides went fine on Saturday - Filled in a load of paperwork before Bryon, our instructor took us out to the local training area for an hour or so and back to the airport for a few circuits. He was very happy with both of us, told us we were well trained and commented on how we both seemed to have slight difficulties with the same things - guess the NFC havent done so badly with us :)

Today was a rest day - beach for a while and a general cruise round the area seeing the different sides of American life. Also been playing for Day one of the trip which starts 2moro. We reckon were heading for Tallahasee by 2moro nite