Flight 17

January 13, 2011

My CFI (instructor) and I flew together today to review maneuvers. We started off doing a soft field takeoff, then headed out to our practice area. He first taught me how to do steep turns. This was something I apparently was supposed to learn before soloing, but didn't. It's alright, mistakes happen. Matt showed one to me, then let me do it. The first time you do a steep turn (at least for me), it kind-of messes with you. It made me a little dizzy. You basically do a 360 degree turn while banking (turning) the airplane at a 45 degree angle. Once you complete one turn, you immediately go into a turn in the opposite direction. After getting used to it a little, it becomes somewhat fun!

After the steep turns, we reviewed "S-turns", power on stalls, power off stalls, then simulated an engine failure. The "S-turns" went well. It was somewhat unproductive simply because we didn't have any wind to work with, but it was still a review I needed. The power on stall was also a little different than I originally learned. Matt had me go much steeper with my pitch attitude (airplane nose up), than my last instructor. Stalls always make a little nervous, because if you don't react immediately and correctly, the airplane will go into a spin, which is not something you want to happen. The simulated engine failure was nothing special. We found a private grass runway to use, but didn't land.

At this point, we were over Jerseyville, IL., so he told me that I needed to navigate us back to the airport. Once we arrived, we came in and did a short field landing. The was interesting because he told me that I had to land within a very short, specific part of the runway. I was surprised that I was able to do it! Afterward, he told me to stop in the middle of the runway, then do a short field takeoff. So I applied full power, but also full brakes, then immediately released the brakes and took off. We flew back around then finished the day with a soft field landing.

My next couple lessons will be doing some solo practice of maneuvers. I will also meet with Matt next week and do some ground school to prepare me for the Oral Exam. I am also almost finished with my online ground school. Once I complete that, I will need to go take the computerized Knowledge Exam at a testing center. Believe me, I am nervous!

Flight Log to Date
Hours flown: 22.3