I notice my last post was on Dec. 30 (flight#4) and much has happened since then. This week I completed flight #7 so I have some catching up to do. I'll try to briefly summarize the past three weeks.
Flight #5 (Jan.12)
After almost two weeks out of the airplane I noticed how quickly one loses the meager skills already learned. Today's flight introduced ground reference maneuvers such as S-turns and turns around a point. These are done at about 1,000ft AGL (above ground level) and since altitude is safety, these require careful concentration. We also went to Brookneal and completed 4 take-offs and landings. One one of the landings, Carl suddenly told me to go to full power and take off again without stopping. At the time he told me this, I was struggling to keep the airplane centered on the runway. The distraction of trying to raise flaps, steer the plane and monitor airspeed introduced me to the feeling of being "behind the airplane." This term is used to describe a pilot who is not in complete control. This dangerous condition can escalate and ultimately lead to an accident if not recognized and corrected. I explained later that in the future, I would make sure to disregard an action that I was uncomfortable with, unless it was an emergency. I guess it is good experience to know how this feels in order to recognize it again. Overall, it was a good 1.5hrs of flying with good lessons learned. The S-turns and turns around a point are tough and will require much more practice.
Flight #6 (Jan.13, 2009)
After a two-week layoff I was fortunate to have back-to-back days to fly. Today was a beautiful day with smooth air and a great chance to review things that have been introduced over the first 5 lessons. The introduction of new skills and the time required to master them takes time and in flying, time=money. To make the most of each leasson, Carl introduces each new concept and then gives me a chance to practice a couple of times before moving on to the next maneuver. This means that before you are ready to take your check ride, you will have lots of practice sessions. For now, trying to maintain altitude, manage power, bank, and heading, all while being manipulated by the wind is almost impossible. I see lots of practice in my future. We completed 4 landings and take-offs at Brookneal and they weren't too terrible.
Flight#7 (Jan.19)The weather today was iffy with lots of low clouds obscuring the mountains all around Lynchburg. Surprisingly, we seemed to be in a bowl of decent weather. We decided to fly a few miles south to LYH to practice radio transmissions and landings at a towered airport. The pattern was busy as well as the ground. There were 3 Blackhawk helicopters taking off, a Dash-8, and a business jet, all mixing in with the three planes practicing in the pattern. It was good to see how everything worked smoothly to keep us out of each other's way. After 6 landings and take-offs I was feeling pretty good. The landings weren't necessarily good or smooth, but we were no longer dropping hard out of the sky. Carl's encouragement had my confidence soaring. He asked if I wanted to do one more before heading home and I stupidly said yes. Airplanes have this knack of knowing just when to destroy any scrap of confidence you have managed to muster. The seventh landing was actually several landing in one. It seemed like we bounced several times and in the midst of this messy arrival, Carl said to increase power and "fly it back onto the ground." We finally managed to keep it settled and I could almost hear the Piper mocking my previously confident comments. Our arrival back at W24 went well and I was thankful to end lesson#7 on a reasonably decent note. Lots to learn.
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