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Lesson 30: Checkride - And then I farted on the DE...
08/09/2007 Filed in: Flying
Thursday - 08/09/07
No, not really. But I'm flattered that you've come to expect as much from me.
I managed to sleep fairly well last night, but while lying half asleep in bed at 5am my mind briefly flickered to the checkride and that was that. I'm up.
Deep breath. Today's the day. Read More...
No, not really. But I'm flattered that you've come to expect as much from me.
I managed to sleep fairly well last night, but while lying half asleep in bed at 5am my mind briefly flickered to the checkride and that was that. I'm up.
Deep breath. Today's the day. Read More...
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Lesson 29: Mocked by CFI1
08/08/2007 Filed in: Flying
Wednesday - 08/08/07
Mock checkride today with CFI1. For once, the visibility is good. The weather here is still north of 100 daily, so I'm glad we're starting at 7am today.
CFI1 and I discuss the plan a bit, which is to head towards Shelbyville (KSYI), hopefully locating my checkpoints along the way, practice maneuvers again, and then head back for landings. A main focus of mine for today is to not screw up the approach to Smyrna from the south today. I've yet to get that right, and it's beginning to get on my nerves. Read More...
Mock checkride today with CFI1. For once, the visibility is good. The weather here is still north of 100 daily, so I'm glad we're starting at 7am today.
CFI1 and I discuss the plan a bit, which is to head towards Shelbyville (KSYI), hopefully locating my checkpoints along the way, practice maneuvers again, and then head back for landings. A main focus of mine for today is to not screw up the approach to Smyrna from the south today. I've yet to get that right, and it's beginning to get on my nerves. Read More...
Last solo practice as a student pilot - I hope
08/07/2007 Filed in: Flying
Tuesday - 08/07/07
Solo practice today. I'm determined to head south again today and find my way back to Smyrna without the tower hand-holding required on the past couple of southerly excursions.
Heading out is uneventful, and as I approach Shelbyville (KSYI), I veer west and work on turns around a point, S-turns, and steep turns. All are passably good by the time I finish, but at one point I cleared the area only to see that I've strayed too close to the KSYI field and I've got a real good look at an airplane on final approach that I wish I had seen earlier. Read More...
Solo practice today. I'm determined to head south again today and find my way back to Smyrna without the tower hand-holding required on the past couple of southerly excursions.
Heading out is uneventful, and as I approach Shelbyville (KSYI), I veer west and work on turns around a point, S-turns, and steep turns. All are passably good by the time I finish, but at one point I cleared the area only to see that I've strayed too close to the KSYI field and I've got a real good look at an airplane on final approach that I wish I had seen earlier. Read More...
Lesson 28: You spin me right round, baby, right round, like a record baby...
08/06/2007 Filed in: Flying
Monday - 08/06/07
Three days to checkride. 2 days, 16 hours, and 30 minutes to be more precise. Not that I've counted.
If all comes to pass as planned, today is my last flight with CFI3 as a student pilot. He's got his work cut out for him today, though. It is in his charge to imbue in me some semblance of skill on short field landings. If you've been keeping up, you're well aware that this is a daunting task, but he assures me he's up to it.
Because it's 103F on the ramp today, I do the preflight and then come back in for some water and air conditioning. CFI3 has just come in from another flight and appears to be in even less of a hurry to climb in our winged sauna than I.
Read More...
Three days to checkride. 2 days, 16 hours, and 30 minutes to be more precise. Not that I've counted.
If all comes to pass as planned, today is my last flight with CFI3 as a student pilot. He's got his work cut out for him today, though. It is in his charge to imbue in me some semblance of skill on short field landings. If you've been keeping up, you're well aware that this is a daunting task, but he assures me he's up to it.
Because it's 103F on the ramp today, I do the preflight and then come back in for some water and air conditioning. CFI3 has just come in from another flight and appears to be in even less of a hurry to climb in our winged sauna than I.
Read More...
Solo checkride practice - experience requirements met
08/03/2007 Filed in: Flying
Friday - 08/03/07
Solo checkride practice today.
I'm gonna head back south again today and find all of the fields to which Mr. DE may divert me. I don't like to be surprised, and I have this horrible recurring dream where he pulls power, I setup for landing in a questionable field, and 500 ft above the ground he points to the grass strip immediately next to us.
Today's mission: find all the marked grass strips and practice some maneuvers and landings back at Smyrna.
Read More...
Solo checkride practice today.
I'm gonna head back south again today and find all of the fields to which Mr. DE may divert me. I don't like to be surprised, and I have this horrible recurring dream where he pulls power, I setup for landing in a questionable field, and 500 ft above the ground he points to the grass strip immediately next to us.
Today's mission: find all the marked grass strips and practice some maneuvers and landings back at Smyrna.
Read More...
Lesson 27: Purple haze, all in my brain
08/02/2007 Filed in: Flying
Thursday - 08/02/07
Four mile vis in haze just aint the same.
Crazy poor visibility here lately. It's 3-5sm every day. The papers even say there's a health advisory for "bad air". Couple that with my penchant for little airplanes and I'm as comfortable as Courtney Love at an all-you-can-eat buffet.
CFI1 is unphased. Without him it's an easy no-go for me, but he's able to convince me that his younger eyes and vastly superior aviation skill will see us through. Ergo, go. Read More...
Four mile vis in haze just aint the same.
Crazy poor visibility here lately. It's 3-5sm every day. The papers even say there's a health advisory for "bad air". Couple that with my penchant for little airplanes and I'm as comfortable as Courtney Love at an all-you-can-eat buffet.
CFI1 is unphased. Without him it's an easy no-go for me, but he's able to convince me that his younger eyes and vastly superior aviation skill will see us through. Ergo, go. Read More...
Lesson 26: C152 - So this what they mean by slow flight
08/01/2007 Filed in: Flying
Wednesday - 08/01/07
I lied.
I obsessed about the checkride all damn weekend. It was bad... my wife would be happily yapping away about some marginally important topic like family, or bills, or food and all I could think about was "Please God, please don't let me screw up next Thursday." I even took the first two days of this week off from flying to study for the oral.
So with the checkride scheduled and barely over a week away, I decided it was time to face my demons. I scheduled an intro to spins in the school's C152 with CFI1. O-M-G. Read More...
I lied.
I obsessed about the checkride all damn weekend. It was bad... my wife would be happily yapping away about some marginally important topic like family, or bills, or food and all I could think about was "Please God, please don't let me screw up next Thursday." I even took the first two days of this week off from flying to study for the oral.
So with the checkride scheduled and barely over a week away, I decided it was time to face my demons. I scheduled an intro to spins in the school's C152 with CFI1. O-M-G. Read More...
Lesson 25: Checkride scheduled - OMG, Panic!
07/27/2007 Filed in: Flying
Friday - 7/27/07
As I'm on my way to the airport, I get an email on my Treo from the scheduling system at the school. It's html mail though, and the Treo handles those correctly about 1 out of 3 times. Oh iPhone, how I want you so.
I call to make sure CFI1 hasn't cancelled our lesson today. I'm assured that he hasn't by another CFI, so I press on.
When I get to the school, I am told the contents of that email.
CFI1: Your checkride is scheduled. It's August 9th. Plan a trip to Huntsville, and the DE's weight is [xyz].
Me: <stunned, terrified silence>
CFI1: Sorry it's two weeks out, I'd rather you take it sooner.
Me: Oh no! Don't be sorry, that's perfectly ok with me! Read More...
As I'm on my way to the airport, I get an email on my Treo from the scheduling system at the school. It's html mail though, and the Treo handles those correctly about 1 out of 3 times. Oh iPhone, how I want you so.
I call to make sure CFI1 hasn't cancelled our lesson today. I'm assured that he hasn't by another CFI, so I press on.
When I get to the school, I am told the contents of that email.
CFI1: Your checkride is scheduled. It's August 9th. Plan a trip to Huntsville, and the DE's weight is [xyz].
Me: <stunned, terrified silence>
CFI1: Sorry it's two weeks out, I'd rather you take it sooner.
Me: Oh no! Don't be sorry, that's perfectly ok with me! Read More...
Lesson 24: Who needs to land short anyway
07/26/2007 Filed in: Flying
Thursday - 7/26/07
Today CFI1 and I get up bright and early and immediately head to the Murfreesboro airport (KMBT). On a day with good visibility, you can spot the runway almost immediately after liftoff, so there's little chance of becoming lost.
I dialup the AWOS and figure out which runway to use. I'll have to overfly the field and do a big 270 turn to the right to enter the 45 for downwind. I'm still a smidge high on the 45, but nothing spectacularly bad.
My landings are all pretty good except that my short field landing can in no way be classified as "short".
Read More...
Today CFI1 and I get up bright and early and immediately head to the Murfreesboro airport (KMBT). On a day with good visibility, you can spot the runway almost immediately after liftoff, so there's little chance of becoming lost.
I dialup the AWOS and figure out which runway to use. I'll have to overfly the field and do a big 270 turn to the right to enter the 45 for downwind. I'm still a smidge high on the 45, but nothing spectacularly bad.
My landings are all pretty good except that my short field landing can in no way be classified as "short".
Read More...
Lesson 23: Logging actual
07/25/2007 Filed in: Flying
Wednesday - 7/25/07
Note to FAA or anyone with the power to fine, penalize, revoke, suspend, annoy, or, in any way, antagonize a student pilot and/or his instructor:
The following writeup contains only the representations of perceived events, on the day in question, of a student pilot of highly questionable recollection. Moreover, the events described herein may be, in whole or part, a complete misrepresentation of the actual events as they occurred for the express purpose of providing entertainment to the reader. It could be fact; it could be fiction. I do not recall. Any attempts to extract information from any involved party will likely only exacerbate the cognitive recall shortcomings described above.
With that out of the way.... howdy yall!
Sorry for the delay, but we're back in action finally. I have a lot of catching up to do with lessons, so you'll have to bear with me as I drudge through writeups of some rather uninteresting lessons. Further, some of them will have to be shortened to simply the highlight reel for the sake of my keyboard's longevity. Read More...
Note to FAA or anyone with the power to fine, penalize, revoke, suspend, annoy, or, in any way, antagonize a student pilot and/or his instructor:
The following writeup contains only the representations of perceived events, on the day in question, of a student pilot of highly questionable recollection. Moreover, the events described herein may be, in whole or part, a complete misrepresentation of the actual events as they occurred for the express purpose of providing entertainment to the reader. It could be fact; it could be fiction. I do not recall. Any attempts to extract information from any involved party will likely only exacerbate the cognitive recall shortcomings described above.
With that out of the way.... howdy yall!
Sorry for the delay, but we're back in action finally. I have a lot of catching up to do with lessons, so you'll have to bear with me as I drudge through writeups of some rather uninteresting lessons. Further, some of them will have to be shortened to simply the highlight reel for the sake of my keyboard's longevity. Read More...
Lesson 22: Because the night belongs to lovers...
07/23/2007 Filed in: Flying
Monday - 07/23/07
If you've been keeping up, you remember my previous night lesson did not go as I hoped. It's no surprise then, I really wasn't looking forward to my night CC flight tonight. I was, however, cautiously optimistic that I could force the suck back into its holding cell.
Moreover, I'm a textbook morning person. At 6am, I feel like I can solve fourth order, non-linear, differential equations in my head. After 6pm I have trouble putting my sandals on the proper feet and remembering to not eat soup with a fork. Most nights I'm dead asleep by 10pm.
The solution? Starbucks! A rarity for me, but I stopped off on the way to MQY and bought a couple of mocha speed-in-a-bottles and two coffee cakes for me and CFI1. I arrive at the FBO and hand over my loot.
Read More...
If you've been keeping up, you remember my previous night lesson did not go as I hoped. It's no surprise then, I really wasn't looking forward to my night CC flight tonight. I was, however, cautiously optimistic that I could force the suck back into its holding cell.
Moreover, I'm a textbook morning person. At 6am, I feel like I can solve fourth order, non-linear, differential equations in my head. After 6pm I have trouble putting my sandals on the proper feet and remembering to not eat soup with a fork. Most nights I'm dead asleep by 10pm.
The solution? Starbucks! A rarity for me, but I stopped off on the way to MQY and bought a couple of mocha speed-in-a-bottles and two coffee cakes for me and CFI1. I arrive at the FBO and hand over my loot.
Read More...
Lesson 21: Long John Silver XC
07/21/2007 Filed in: Flying
Saturday - 07/21/07
Ok, let's check the weather forecast for tomorrow... lemme guess, "Partly cloudy with X% chance of thunderstorms". Wait a second... "Clear" ?? What does that mean?! I'm not buying it.
You can't fool me. I'm being punked. Bob Saget or Pauly Shore or whoever the hell is in charge here, you might as well come on out! I was born at night but it wasn't *last* night.
Well, just in case it's not an elaborate prank coordinated between the NWS and the admins at weatherunderground.com, I called CFI1. Oh, I see now... "Clear" means that the plane is about to enter its 100 hour and I can't fly. Yeah, that's more like it.
Read More...
Ok, let's check the weather forecast for tomorrow... lemme guess, "Partly cloudy with X% chance of thunderstorms". Wait a second... "Clear" ?? What does that mean?! I'm not buying it.
You can't fool me. I'm being punked. Bob Saget or Pauly Shore or whoever the hell is in charge here, you might as well come on out! I was born at night but it wasn't *last* night.
Well, just in case it's not an elaborate prank coordinated between the NWS and the admins at weatherunderground.com, I called CFI1. Oh, I see now... "Clear" means that the plane is about to enter its 100 hour and I can't fly. Yeah, that's more like it.
Read More...
Lesson 20: Hey, who turned out the lights?!
07/19/2007 Filed in: Flying
Thursday - 07/19/07
Hot diggity dog I'm in a good mood as I drive to the school tonight! It's my first night lesson, which is something I've looked forward to for a long time now. Especially after the great evening lesson I had with CFI2 last month...
I'm expecting tonight to be a little more difficult due to the, you know, lack of light. Other than that minor detail, I'm expecting a calm, clear, peaceful learning experience in which I can openly soak up the aviation skills necessary for me to someday qualify for social security and cheap movie tickets.
It is with regret that I inform you, gentle reader, that expectations and reality often diverge alarmingly. Tonight, for example.
Read More...
Hot diggity dog I'm in a good mood as I drive to the school tonight! It's my first night lesson, which is something I've looked forward to for a long time now. Especially after the great evening lesson I had with CFI2 last month...
I'm expecting tonight to be a little more difficult due to the, you know, lack of light. Other than that minor detail, I'm expecting a calm, clear, peaceful learning experience in which I can openly soak up the aviation skills necessary for me to someday qualify for social security and cheap movie tickets.
It is with regret that I inform you, gentle reader, that expectations and reality often diverge alarmingly. Tonight, for example.
Read More...
Lesson 19: Solo CC - I am four
07/18/2007 Filed in: Flying
Tuesday - 07/18/07
I was supposed to solo CC for the first time on Monday. You will all be shocked to learn that was canceled due to weather. Such a rare occurrence, I know. I figure the odds are on par with a male, albino California condor giving birth to live young. The mind boggles.
So I rescheduled that for Tuesday from 9am-12pm. I showed up and reviewed the planning and weather with CFI1 and he sprinkles a little holy water (read: ink) on my logbook and away I go for the preflight.
As I'm checking the airplane for signs that it will suddenly, and without warning, drop out of the sky on me I note some lowish puffy white things in the sky. I go back in to check the weather.
Ceilings around 3500 ft, which is ok, except my trip back is scheduled for 4500 feet. Hrm... I guess that's not going to work, but I've still got plenty of altitude over the plateau at 3500-ish so it's not a deal-breaker. I see CFI2 on the ramp and have him help me reach a decision. We decide it's a go, with the caveat that I may get some 180 practice on the way. Read More...
I was supposed to solo CC for the first time on Monday. You will all be shocked to learn that was canceled due to weather. Such a rare occurrence, I know. I figure the odds are on par with a male, albino California condor giving birth to live young. The mind boggles.
So I rescheduled that for Tuesday from 9am-12pm. I showed up and reviewed the planning and weather with CFI1 and he sprinkles a little holy water (read: ink) on my logbook and away I go for the preflight.
As I'm checking the airplane for signs that it will suddenly, and without warning, drop out of the sky on me I note some lowish puffy white things in the sky. I go back in to check the weather.
Ceilings around 3500 ft, which is ok, except my trip back is scheduled for 4500 feet. Hrm... I guess that's not going to work, but I've still got plenty of altitude over the plateau at 3500-ish so it's not a deal-breaker. I see CFI2 on the ramp and have him help me reach a decision. We decide it's a go, with the caveat that I may get some 180 practice on the way. Read More...
Lesson 18: CFI3 has some serious bad attitudes
07/13/2007 Filed in: Flying
Friday - 07/13/07
If I had noticed the date, I never would have agreed to do instrument work with CFI3 today. Live (barely) and learn, though.
But let's try something a little different this lesson... I'll write this one up from the perspective of CFI3. I'm going to presume a lot about what was in his head based on my experience, none of which may actually be representative of what he was thinking or feeling. The conversations, however, are accurate to the best of my recollection.
And that's the best damn disclaimer you're going to get. Read More...
If I had noticed the date, I never would have agreed to do instrument work with CFI3 today. Live (barely) and learn, though.
But let's try something a little different this lesson... I'll write this one up from the perspective of CFI3. I'm going to presume a lot about what was in his head based on my experience, none of which may actually be representative of what he was thinking or feeling. The conversations, however, are accurate to the best of my recollection.
And that's the best damn disclaimer you're going to get. Read More...
Lesson 17: These words... they taste so delicious!
07/12/2007 Filed in: Flying
Thursday 07/12/07
It was a beautiful plan, really. Tuesday we work on short/soft field stuff in the pattern. Wednesday we do another dual cross country. Thursday (today) I do my first solo cross country....
CFI1: We'll go to Crossville together Wednesday and, unless you screw up majorly, you can do a solo cross country Thursday.
Me: Great, no pressure there.
Best-laid plans of CFI and student pilots... Read More...
It was a beautiful plan, really. Tuesday we work on short/soft field stuff in the pattern. Wednesday we do another dual cross country. Thursday (today) I do my first solo cross country....
CFI1: We'll go to Crossville together Wednesday and, unless you screw up majorly, you can do a solo cross country Thursday.
Me: Great, no pressure there.
Best-laid plans of CFI and student pilots... Read More...
Lesson 16.1: It's not the length, it's the width that matters
07/09/2007 Filed in: Flying
Monday - 07/09/07
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! I get to fly again today after nearly a week off... I'm salivating like Rosie O'donnell at a female body building championship.
Adding to my excitement is that today is my first dual XC, which is something I've looked forward to since I started reading other student pilot blogs. It's just so incredibly cool to me to finally get to *use* the airplane for its intended purpose. What a concept!
Like everything good in life, however, there are tradeoffs. The airport to which we'll be flying has a 3700x50 ft runway. Yeah, that's 50 metric feet. Er, I mean English. Ok, either way, it's frickin small. And surrounded by foothills and trees. There are, however, no trucks, so it has a leg up on Lebanon. Read More...
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! I get to fly again today after nearly a week off... I'm salivating like Rosie O'donnell at a female body building championship.
Adding to my excitement is that today is my first dual XC, which is something I've looked forward to since I started reading other student pilot blogs. It's just so incredibly cool to me to finally get to *use* the airplane for its intended purpose. What a concept!
Like everything good in life, however, there are tradeoffs. The airport to which we'll be flying has a 3700x50 ft runway. Yeah, that's 50 metric feet. Er, I mean English. Ok, either way, it's frickin small. And surrounded by foothills and trees. There are, however, no trucks, so it has a leg up on Lebanon. Read More...
Lesson 15: Rode hard and put up wet
07/02/2007 Filed in: Flying
Monday - 07/02/07
And now, something completely different.
First lesson after solo... what in the world could we work on? I've been doing pattern work so long that I can't really fathom another aspect of learning to fly. CFI1 brings his A game, however, with a lesson plan chock full of aviatory goodness.
He tells me today we're doing soft field takeoffs and asks me what I know about them. I tell him all about keeping the airplane moving, transferring weight to wings asap, etc, and he describes the process more specifically for the DA20.
I'm only mildly concerned when he tells me how quickly and easily the nose pops up during the takeoff roll until he gets to the part about "Be careful not to let the tail strike". Ack! Yeah, no pressure there. I'll just happily focus my rearward x-ray vision, while concentrating on all of the other parts of this takeoff, in order to ensure the tail and runway don't get too cozy.
Read More...
And now, something completely different.
First lesson after solo... what in the world could we work on? I've been doing pattern work so long that I can't really fathom another aspect of learning to fly. CFI1 brings his A game, however, with a lesson plan chock full of aviatory goodness.
He tells me today we're doing soft field takeoffs and asks me what I know about them. I tell him all about keeping the airplane moving, transferring weight to wings asap, etc, and he describes the process more specifically for the DA20.
I'm only mildly concerned when he tells me how quickly and easily the nose pops up during the takeoff roll until he gets to the part about "Be careful not to let the tail strike". Ack! Yeah, no pressure there. I'll just happily focus my rearward x-ray vision, while concentrating on all of the other parts of this takeoff, in order to ensure the tail and runway don't get too cozy.
Read More...
Lesson 14: Gimme a "P"! Gimme an "I"! Gimme a "C"!
06/30/2007 Filed in: Flying
Saturday - 6/30/07
Why in the HELL am I sitting in this airplane by myself? It's like the old joke of the Doctor asking the father to cut the umbilical cord and the father responds: "Isn't there someone more qualified?" I am that father. But, let's start at the beginning...
After my poor showing yesterday, I was pretty sure I'd put off soloing for a good month. With that snake back in the box, I was free to enjoy a few lessons of dual instruction, trying to work back up the non-suckery necessary for solo flight. Either way, works for me.
CFI1 and I start bright and early at about 6:45am. We're going to stay in the pattern today and CFI1's mission is to put me through the paces of "Equipment malfunction". I'm quite sure that's not a reassuring topic description, but whaddya gonna do?
Read More...
Why in the HELL am I sitting in this airplane by myself? It's like the old joke of the Doctor asking the father to cut the umbilical cord and the father responds: "Isn't there someone more qualified?" I am that father. But, let's start at the beginning...
After my poor showing yesterday, I was pretty sure I'd put off soloing for a good month. With that snake back in the box, I was free to enjoy a few lessons of dual instruction, trying to work back up the non-suckery necessary for solo flight. Either way, works for me.
CFI1 and I start bright and early at about 6:45am. We're going to stay in the pattern today and CFI1's mission is to put me through the paces of "Equipment malfunction". I'm quite sure that's not a reassuring topic description, but whaddya gonna do?
Read More...
Lesson 13.2: CFI1's triumphant return
06/29/2007 Filed in: Flying
Friday - 6/29/07
CFI1 are going flying today. Weather is good. Airplane is good, I'm ready to go! Oh yeah, and I got my morning slot again... 7-9am. Woot!
I'm really kind of looking forward to showing CFI1 that, in his absence, I learned a few things about flying an airplane. Radios, takeoff, and climbout are all good so we head to the practice area to cover those pesky ground reference maneuvers that we skipped in earlier lessons.
Read More...
CFI1 are going flying today. Weather is good. Airplane is good, I'm ready to go! Oh yeah, and I got my morning slot again... 7-9am. Woot!
I'm really kind of looking forward to showing CFI1 that, in his absence, I learned a few things about flying an airplane. Radios, takeoff, and climbout are all good so we head to the practice area to cover those pesky ground reference maneuvers that we skipped in earlier lessons.
Read More...
Lesson 13.1: My first Mx cancel
06/28/2007 Filed in: Flying
Thursday - 6/28/07
I finally get to fly with CFI1 again today! Uh, or not. When I get in the airplane, it starts right up but then the RPM gauge is all jacked up. It reads around 2000 rpm with just a tickle of throttle and the lowest it will go is 1500 rpm. And the other plane is booked.
That's two lessons in a row scrapped, and I've now done 4 preflights and gotten 1 flight for my trouble. Harrrruumph!
I finally get to fly with CFI1 again today! Uh, or not. When I get in the airplane, it starts right up but then the RPM gauge is all jacked up. It reads around 2000 rpm with just a tickle of throttle and the lowest it will go is 1500 rpm. And the other plane is booked.
That's two lessons in a row scrapped, and I've now done 4 preflights and gotten 1 flight for my trouble. Harrrruumph!
Lesson 13.0: My first Wx cancel
06/27/2007 Filed in: Flying
Wednesday - 6/27/07
I get to the school early and start the preflight. CFI2 shows me his new Lightspeed in-ear headset and promises to let me try it out. Cool.
We do a few minutes of ground to prepare for some ground reference maneuvers we're about to practice (somehow they got missed in earlier lessons). As we are doing that, the weather gods decide that I've had entirely too much good fortune with weather and they conspire against me.
It becomes a rather obvious no-go so we don't. Bummer.
I get to the school early and start the preflight. CFI2 shows me his new Lightspeed in-ear headset and promises to let me try it out. Cool.
We do a few minutes of ground to prepare for some ground reference maneuvers we're about to practice (somehow they got missed in earlier lessons). As we are doing that, the weather gods decide that I've had entirely too much good fortune with weather and they conspire against me.
It becomes a rather obvious no-go so we don't. Bummer.
Lesson 12: I meant, we are over the "Dam"
06/26/2007 Filed in: Flying
Tuesday - 6/26/07
I flew with CFI3 today starting about noon. I will have to remember that midday flying is substantially less fun than morning or evening. That said, it's still better than not flying, and it was the only time available today so I snagged it.
I start the preflight while CFI3 chokes down a subway sammich, and everything is going swimmingly. He's at the plane just as I finish up, we get in, and I regretfully pull down the canopy, aka "dome of boiling death".
So as my skin begins to lose its elasticity and slip from my bones, I try to start the airplane. Nada. We figure maybe it's flooded and so I try that procedure. Still no good. CFI3, his own brain juices boiling over at this point in our self-inflicted greenhouse, gives it several tries and still no start. Read More...
I flew with CFI3 today starting about noon. I will have to remember that midday flying is substantially less fun than morning or evening. That said, it's still better than not flying, and it was the only time available today so I snagged it.
I start the preflight while CFI3 chokes down a subway sammich, and everything is going swimmingly. He's at the plane just as I finish up, we get in, and I regretfully pull down the canopy, aka "dome of boiling death".
So as my skin begins to lose its elasticity and slip from my bones, I try to start the airplane. Nada. We figure maybe it's flooded and so I try that procedure. Still no good. CFI3, his own brain juices boiling over at this point in our self-inflicted greenhouse, gives it several tries and still no start. Read More...
Lesson 11: So this is how it feels to not suck
06/25/2007 Filed in: Flying
Monday - 6/25/07
My lesson tonight is with CFI2 from 6-8pm. Having only flown in the morning and once in the scorching heat of midday, I'm rather looking forward to this lesson. Turns out it was worth the forward look.
The weather at 6pm was a lovely temperature and the air very smooth. This is great... it's like flying in the morning but without all that morningness about it. Hell, I can stay up as late as I want and get here by 6pm. Man, this is the life, I tell ya.
CFI2 is in an unusually good mood. Probably because he recognizes how fun it is going to be to fly with me. There really is no other reasonable explanation. I feel honored. Read More...
My lesson tonight is with CFI2 from 6-8pm. Having only flown in the morning and once in the scorching heat of midday, I'm rather looking forward to this lesson. Turns out it was worth the forward look.
The weather at 6pm was a lovely temperature and the air very smooth. This is great... it's like flying in the morning but without all that morningness about it. Hell, I can stay up as late as I want and get here by 6pm. Man, this is the life, I tell ya.
CFI2 is in an unusually good mood. Probably because he recognizes how fun it is going to be to fly with me. There really is no other reasonable explanation. I feel honored. Read More...
Lesson 10: More right rudder - banana
06/24/2007 Filed in: Flying
Saturday - 6/24/07
My lesson today starts at 8:00am. The airport is 45 minutes from my house (I know, I know). I woke up at 6:55 am. This gives me about 15 minutes in which to get dressed, let the dogs out, eat, gather my stuff, check the weather, eat breakfast and get on the road in time to not be late.
I somehow manage all that, but I'm feeling out of my element already and I don't like it. Especially since it's my first flight with CFI3, something to which I've been looking forward.
I do actually make it just in time and I'm told that CFI3 is running a few minutes late and to go ahead and start the preflight. Good news, as it will allow me to collect myself momentarily. Yay! Read More...
My lesson today starts at 8:00am. The airport is 45 minutes from my house (I know, I know). I woke up at 6:55 am. This gives me about 15 minutes in which to get dressed, let the dogs out, eat, gather my stuff, check the weather, eat breakfast and get on the road in time to not be late.
I somehow manage all that, but I'm feeling out of my element already and I don't like it. Especially since it's my first flight with CFI3, something to which I've been looking forward.
I do actually make it just in time and I'm told that CFI3 is running a few minutes late and to go ahead and start the preflight. Good news, as it will allow me to collect myself momentarily. Yay! Read More...
Lesson 9: Clunk and go
06/21/2007 Filed in: Flying
Friday - 6/22/07
Today marks my first flight around the mid-day timeframe. For those not in the know on Tennessee weather in June around noon, it's hot. And humid. Like, drink the air humid, more often than not. This is one of the reasons I like to fly in the early morning, but 10am-12pm was the only slot open today, so them's the breaks!
Preflight, runup, etc are all pretty uneventful, and CFI2 seems to be in a good mood today, so I make a mental note not to ruin that by crashing.
Read More...
Today marks my first flight around the mid-day timeframe. For those not in the know on Tennessee weather in June around noon, it's hot. And humid. Like, drink the air humid, more often than not. This is one of the reasons I like to fly in the early morning, but 10am-12pm was the only slot open today, so them's the breaks!
Preflight, runup, etc are all pretty uneventful, and CFI2 seems to be in a good mood today, so I make a mental note not to ruin that by crashing.
Read More...
Lesson 8: New CFI, new mental breakthroughs
06/20/2007 Filed in: Flying
Wednesday - 6/20/07
Had my first lesson yesterday with CFI2. Showed up bright and early at the school and we got started right away. Preflight is fine, get in, radio ground (all I forgot this time was to cold call him first, I can live with that) and taxi over for the runup.
After runup, pull up to hold short line and tell tower we're ready. Now, every other time, without exception, tower gives us an immediate clearance to take off. This time, he says "hold short". Fair enough, "holding short" back atcha.
Me: <after a couple of minutes waiting> You're bad luck. This is the first time this has happened.
CFI2: <silence> Read More...
Had my first lesson yesterday with CFI2. Showed up bright and early at the school and we got started right away. Preflight is fine, get in, radio ground (all I forgot this time was to cold call him first, I can live with that) and taxi over for the runup.
After runup, pull up to hold short line and tell tower we're ready. Now, every other time, without exception, tower gives us an immediate clearance to take off. This time, he says "hold short". Fair enough, "holding short" back atcha.
Me: <after a couple of minutes waiting> You're bad luck. This is the first time this has happened.
CFI2: <silence> Read More...
Lesson 7: Distraction management and you
06/19/2007 Filed in: Flying
Tuesday - 06/19/07
Another non-obvious decision for 'go/no-go'. In fact, this one is even closer. 3000 ft broken, visibility 8, but radar is showing ugly stuff on its way. No call or text from CFI, plus I know we're doing pattern work only today, so I head out for the airport. When I get there...
Me: You'd better be on the lookout today...
CFI: Why's that?
Me: I got insurance yesterday.
CFI: Oh man... Read More...
Another non-obvious decision for 'go/no-go'. In fact, this one is even closer. 3000 ft broken, visibility 8, but radar is showing ugly stuff on its way. No call or text from CFI, plus I know we're doing pattern work only today, so I head out for the airport. When I get there...
Me: You'd better be on the lookout today...
CFI: Why's that?
Me: I got insurance yesterday.
CFI: Oh man... Read More...
Lesson 6: Forward slips are just not natural
06/18/2007 Filed in: Flying
Monday - 06/18/07
Some faceless slot stealer took my usual 7am lesson slot with my CFI leaving me the 9am-11am slot. Are there no moral standards anymore? Is there no justice? Is there no regard whatsoever for common decency? I ponder these as I wonder whether it was the same guy from whom I stole said spot during last week's lessons.
Also, I checked the weather before leaving the house. Today it's overcast, and it's the first non-obvious go today for me. I note the ceilings and visibility are still reasonable, but I did see my first 'CB' in the METAR, which is a little disconcerting. It'll certainly get your attention, anyway. Luckily, it's all very isolated stuff and CFI says we're a go. Read More...
Some faceless slot stealer took my usual 7am lesson slot with my CFI leaving me the 9am-11am slot. Are there no moral standards anymore? Is there no justice? Is there no regard whatsoever for common decency? I ponder these as I wonder whether it was the same guy from whom I stole said spot during last week's lessons.
Also, I checked the weather before leaving the house. Today it's overcast, and it's the first non-obvious go today for me. I note the ceilings and visibility are still reasonable, but I did see my first 'CB' in the METAR, which is a little disconcerting. It'll certainly get your attention, anyway. Luckily, it's all very isolated stuff and CFI says we're a go. Read More...
Lesson 5: Floaters, stiffies, and bouncers, oh my!
06/15/2007 Filed in: Flying
Friday - 06/15/07
Man I can't believe the weather has been so kind. I check it again at 6am today and it's perfect. Visibility is a little lower, but still an obvious "go" day.
Get to the airport and review the coming lesson, then preflight. During the preflight, I notice the discharge handle for the fire extinguisher sticking up. Not sure if CFI is having a go at me, I mention that there's no pin. He looks genuinely surprised, which I haven't yet decided is good or bad. There's no pin in the extinguisher, so if it came loose during flight, we get a cockpit full of white, flame-retarding chemicals. We make a note of it and continue, and I mention it to the folks at the desk later.
Next, I'm cleared and ready for takeoff.
Here we are again. Just you and me, Mr. Runway. Now, if you promise not to move around on me, I will offer my eternal gratitude. So, we're on the same page, right? Ok, good. Flaps and full power. Read More...
Man I can't believe the weather has been so kind. I check it again at 6am today and it's perfect. Visibility is a little lower, but still an obvious "go" day.
Get to the airport and review the coming lesson, then preflight. During the preflight, I notice the discharge handle for the fire extinguisher sticking up. Not sure if CFI is having a go at me, I mention that there's no pin. He looks genuinely surprised, which I haven't yet decided is good or bad. There's no pin in the extinguisher, so if it came loose during flight, we get a cockpit full of white, flame-retarding chemicals. We make a note of it and continue, and I mention it to the folks at the desk later.
Next, I'm cleared and ready for takeoff.
Here we are again. Just you and me, Mr. Runway. Now, if you promise not to move around on me, I will offer my eternal gratitude. So, we're on the same page, right? Ok, good. Flaps and full power. Read More...
Lesson 4: "Why did he do that soon soon?!?"
06/14/2007 Filed in: Flying
Thursday - 06/14/07
Bright and early again today at 7am I begin the preflight. I'm sort of expecting CFI to not screw with me again on this, but I'm wary nonetheless. Cagey bastard. (I mean that in the nicest way possible)
Preflight is uneventful until I notice the left tire is low. Not really low, but a little low. We decide to air it up a bit and we check the others tires in the process, giving them all a bit of airy goodness. In retrospect, I am glad we did... more on that later.
Up to the point of takeoff now, staring down a long, very wide runway, about to takeoff for the second time. I remember all too vividly the left drift from yesterday. Read More...
Bright and early again today at 7am I begin the preflight. I'm sort of expecting CFI to not screw with me again on this, but I'm wary nonetheless. Cagey bastard. (I mean that in the nicest way possible)
Preflight is uneventful until I notice the left tire is low. Not really low, but a little low. We decide to air it up a bit and we check the others tires in the process, giving them all a bit of airy goodness. In retrospect, I am glad we did... more on that later.
Up to the point of takeoff now, staring down a long, very wide runway, about to takeoff for the second time. I remember all too vividly the left drift from yesterday. Read More...
Lesson 3: Preflight tilt
06/13/2007 Filed in: Flying
Wednesday - 06/13/07
On the way to the airport today, I'm determined not to forget anything during preflight. I'm similarly determined to preflight the plane, without mistakes, without the aid of CFI. Alright, let's get down to business.
Gear, wings, ailerons, flaps, fuselage, tail, rudder, elevators, etc etc etc etc. All look good. Man, this is a snap! Let's hop in.
Inside the airplane, running through the list... ok, switches, breakers, ignition, fuel valve, etc etc. So far so good. <insert sound of record player scratching violently record here>
CFI: Ok, when we've done things several times before, sometimes we get a little sloppy and overlook some stuff.
Me: <thinking to myself: "Ah shit...">
CFI: I actually pulled one of these breakers on you.
Me: <in disbelief and beginning to well up a bit>
CFI: And this fuel valve isn't pushed ALL the way in past the stopper.
Me: <furiously fighting back a waterfall of tears and shame> Ok, damn. Read More...
On the way to the airport today, I'm determined not to forget anything during preflight. I'm similarly determined to preflight the plane, without mistakes, without the aid of CFI. Alright, let's get down to business.
Gear, wings, ailerons, flaps, fuselage, tail, rudder, elevators, etc etc etc etc. All look good. Man, this is a snap! Let's hop in.
Inside the airplane, running through the list... ok, switches, breakers, ignition, fuel valve, etc etc. So far so good. <insert sound of record player scratching violently record here>
CFI: Ok, when we've done things several times before, sometimes we get a little sloppy and overlook some stuff.
Me: <thinking to myself: "Ah shit...">
CFI: I actually pulled one of these breakers on you.
Me: <in disbelief and beginning to well up a bit>
CFI: And this fuel valve isn't pushed ALL the way in past the stopper.
Me: <furiously fighting back a waterfall of tears and shame> Ok, damn. Read More...
Lesson 2: Oh, you mean plummeting leaf
06/12/2007 Filed in: Flying
Tuesday - 06/12/07
I get a good night's sleep and cram down some cheerios and head for the airport. I get there at 6:55am and, hey, CFI is inside waiting for me. This is looking up from yesterday already.
We discuss the previous day a bit, and then go over the power off stalls we're about to do. I've read a lot about them, so I'm ready for it. I think. Yeah, I am. I wonder if it'll be worse than the book says. I know I'm ready. How can I NOT be ready? Altitude is your friend. It's not like the airplane just falls out of the sky, right? Right?! Breathe... breathe...
I do most of the preflight, and I forget a few things and have to ask again. Then we're in and ready to go.
CFI: Ok, now call the tower and tell them we are ...
Me: Ho! Me?
CFI: Yeah, just tell them [insert sound of Charlie Brown's teacher, except I'm terrified, not bored like Charlie]
Me: Ok, so Smyrna ground... ?
CFI: <nods>
Me: Tail number, wings ramp ... ?
CFI: <nods>
Me: Uh, what do we want again?
CFI: East bound departure. Read More...
I get a good night's sleep and cram down some cheerios and head for the airport. I get there at 6:55am and, hey, CFI is inside waiting for me. This is looking up from yesterday already.
We discuss the previous day a bit, and then go over the power off stalls we're about to do. I've read a lot about them, so I'm ready for it. I think. Yeah, I am. I wonder if it'll be worse than the book says. I know I'm ready. How can I NOT be ready? Altitude is your friend. It's not like the airplane just falls out of the sky, right? Right?! Breathe... breathe...
I do most of the preflight, and I forget a few things and have to ask again. Then we're in and ready to go.
CFI: Ok, now call the tower and tell them we are ...
Me: Ho! Me?
CFI: Yeah, just tell them [insert sound of Charlie Brown's teacher, except I'm terrified, not bored like Charlie]
Me: Ok, so Smyrna ground... ?
CFI: <nods>
Me: Tail number, wings ramp ... ?
CFI: <nods>
Me: Uh, what do we want again?
CFI: East bound departure. Read More...
Lesson 1: Suck what?!
06/11/2007 Filed in: Flying
Monday - 06/11/2007
First, let's learn to preflight a plane. Fair 'nuff. We train in a Diamond DA-20, so look at this, look at that, caress this properly, suck on this, inspect th... wait, a minute! Did you just say suck on that hole in the wing?!
CFI: Yeah, we do that to check the stall warning.
Me: <stunned silence>
CFI: Sometimes you'll get some extra protein if there's a bug in there.
Me: <looking for the exit>
CFI: You can put your shirt over it.
Me: (hesitantly) Ok. Read More...
First, let's learn to preflight a plane. Fair 'nuff. We train in a Diamond DA-20, so look at this, look at that, caress this properly, suck on this, inspect th... wait, a minute! Did you just say suck on that hole in the wing?!
CFI: Yeah, we do that to check the stall warning.
Me: <stunned silence>
CFI: Sometimes you'll get some extra protein if there's a bug in there.
Me: <looking for the exit>
CFI: You can put your shirt over it.
Me: (hesitantly) Ok. Read More...
Week one flying lessons prologue
06/11/2007 Filed in: Flying
Okie dokie. Let me say right up front, this will
likely be a mammoth post. I'm going to detail my
lessons for the week, one for each day from Mon-Fri.
Be aware this is as much for me as it is for you guys, but I still hope you can either enjoy it or take away a nugget or two that you find helpful.
The cliffnotes version is:
1. Instructor is still alive, thus student mission not yet accomplished
2. I can now takeoff in a plane.
3. I can now stall a plane (usually on purpose) with and w/o power
4. I can perform steep turns (just 45 so far) that hold altitude within about... oh... 300 ft.
5. I can make turns around a point when there is little wind aloft.
6. I can now land a plane. Badly. When I'm not bouncing 10 ft in the air.
Read More...
Be aware this is as much for me as it is for you guys, but I still hope you can either enjoy it or take away a nugget or two that you find helpful.
The cliffnotes version is:
1. Instructor is still alive, thus student mission not yet accomplished
2. I can now takeoff in a plane.
3. I can now stall a plane (usually on purpose) with and w/o power
4. I can perform steep turns (just 45 so far) that hold altitude within about... oh... 300 ft.
5. I can make turns around a point when there is little wind aloft.
6. I can now land a plane. Badly. When I'm not bouncing 10 ft in the air.
Read More...