Five years later

Five years ago today I had my first flight lesson, in the form of my discovery flight. Today another year has passed, and a lot has happened! On this day, five years after I started flying, I want to look back at some of the highlights during the last year.

In addition to taking the whole family to a bunch of museums in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden, we also completed our fourth flight with a baby onboard — this time with two of them. Maybe next time we should go on a longer trip?

I’ve achieved most of the goals I set for myself, except for those related to TMG and FI(S). Unfortunately, LN-GJP was grounded in April 2024 and has remained on the ground since.

“Luftsportsuka” for the second time

The first week of July 2024, I was stationed at Starmoen, where I participated in Air Sports Week as an employee for the first time. I also took part in my very first navigation competition. The result wasn’t great, but I participated!

Outside of the competition, there was a lot of electric flying.

I also took part in Sola Flying Club’s intro day in September, as an instructor — of course. It was my first time back in LN-MTX since my skill test in 2021.

Serious studying

A year ago, I stressed that I had to finish CPL theory in the fall. And luckily I did.

It took me a couple of attempts to pass the last subject, Principles of Flight. There was a lot of studying during the fall, and a lot of frustration over bad exam questions. But I made it through, and after a delayed summer vacation, I finally completed the project I’ve been working on for years.

Sneaking in a little bit of aviation while on vacation with the family

I squeezed in some flying during our delayed summer vacation, visiting museums like Denmark’s Aviation Museum, Aeronauticum, and Avidrome.

Also managed a couple of flights, from Herning in Denmark and two from Teuge, Netherlands. One in a Pipistrel Velis Electro at the E-Flight Academy, and another in a regular Cessna 172.

Winter is not off-season

Flying is a year-round activity for me. There’s plenty happening in the winter, both in the air and on the ground. I attended the GA conference again, this time as an employee. At last year’s conference, I had just applied for the job I now hold.

HOG got a new paint job, proving you really can put make-up on an old pig.

During the fall, I also changed competent authority to the Swedish Transport Agency. I wrote a guide on that: Slik skifter du sertifikatmyndighet

Night instruction

The new year started off well, and I added night instruction endorsement to my certificate. Before the daylight started returning, I got two students through the night endorsement course. We spent quite a few hours flying in the dark, and we all agreed those evenings at the end of winter were amazing.

I also vented some frustration about all those trying to cash in on accidents and scary headlines, which I don’t appreciate. I think we gain more by being good role models, instead of starting the speculations even before rescue crews are done at the scene.

Halfway to 1000

In March, I hit a milestone when I passed 500 hours. For a hobby pilot like me, that’s a big deal — and it’s easy to calculate that I’ve averaged over 100 hours per year since I started. That’s way more than the couple handful of hours I thought I’d fly per yer when I started in 2020…

I also traveled to AERO in Friedrichshafen again this year. Sadly, it seemed like there’s a bit of stagnation in the development of zero-emission aircraft in our segment. Some big manufacturers had electric prototypes last year but were notably absent this year.

More instruction

This year, I’ve really gotten into instructing. I completed my FI refresher and spent a full day flying during Haugaland Flying Club’s open day.

I also sent my first solo student on their own flight—both scary and amazing. Another pilot is flying on my certificate, but they do so because I gave them the tools to succeed. That’s pretty significant.

There has been lots of variety in the instruction I’ve done, and it is just as rewarding as I had hoped!

Keeping the tradition alive

As always, my annual May 17th flight happened again this year, this time in formation with LN-HOG — in glorious spring weather.

May was a busy month. In addition to instructing, I had a full week of electric flying — first at Sola, then back home on Karmøy.

To wrap it all up, I flew my first electric navigation flight — from Karmøy to Sørstokken.

Luftsportsuka 2025

In mid-June, I participated in “Luftsportsuka” for the third time. Not as exciting as previous years, but I still got a few hours in the electric aircraft. Also went up in a (tethered) hot air balloon, experienced how fast Drammen Flying Club’s tow plane climbs, and got a backseat ride in a little yellow Cub — which made me seriously consider a tailwheel checkout…

Thank you for the support

I can’t continue without thanking my wife for all her support. I’ve been flying a lot, both day and night, and traveled a lot all by my self. I would not have been able to do everything I do without the support I get at home. So, thank you!

Thank you also to all of you that read my blog, and especially those of you that take the time to comment and tell me when you meet me!

To know that someone is actually reading this, and even find some value in it, makes it worth all the time I spend on it!

The year behind us

I have been in the air as much as I have been able to, which has turned out to be a lot more than I thought. I have a very understanding, patient and supportive family - they are the reason I’m able to do all of this.

I love taking pictures, and try to record most of my flights with one or several of my GoPros mounted in random places.

This video is a short summary of the year behind us (remember to watch in 4k):

The year ahead

The goal, as usual, is to keep flying as much as possible — preferably with students. I also hope to get in a number of (motor)glider flights again as soon as our aircraft is operational. Hopefully at the latest sometime the coming winter.

For several years now, I’ve been saying that it’s time to cross the national border as pilot in command — and it truly is!

Otherwise, I hope to get as many aircraft and airfields as possible into the logbook.

Some statistics

Between June 22nd, 2024 and June 21st, 2025 I’ve managed to fly a total of 111 hours (4 hours and 5 minutes more than during the previous period), the majority of them as pilot in command. In the same period I’ve logged 393 landings (44 more than during the previous period).

I’ve visited a total of 6 airports, and flown a total of 9 aircraft (LN-ELB, LN-HOG, LN-BIH, LN-BEH, LN-MTX, LN-BAK, SE-ITZ, F-HGBD, PH-PVG) during the last year. 46% of the flight hours has been in LN-HOG, which makes it the aircraft I’ve spent the most time in during this period.

Details and tracks from most of my flights can be found in Flightbook

• PPL
• SPL
• Yearly summary