April 21, 2011
I went flying with Matt this afternoon. I almost canceled because my sinuses have been acting up off and on for the last day or two. Once I got to the airport I was feeling alright, so I decided to fly. It was a more advanced lesson than I was expecting, but you'll never hear me complain. The winds were blowing around 16 knots, so it was my first time dealing with a lot of wind in the Cessna. I figured you wouldn't be able to feel the wind as much in the heavier plane, and I was right. You could feel it, but not like you do in the tiny Sportstar.
We did a soft field takeoff from Runway 9. I was barely at 900ft when Matt handed me the foggles. It was already time to practice simulated instrument flying. He told me to keep climbing but make a 180 degree turn to the west. He then started teaching me how to navigate using a VOR (short for VHF omnidirectional radio range). A VOR is a type of radio navigation system for aircraft. When we discussed this process on the ground, it didn't seem too complicated, but in the air it seemed to get a little overwhelming. For the most part I did alright, but I think I started over-thinking it which caused me to get a little confused.
After a half hour of instrument training, we worked on slow flight. Once we were near the airport, Matt pulled the power back to idle to simulate an engine failure. I told him the best place for landing would be the airport. I decided to land on Runway 9. We then did a normal takeoff, flew the pattern around and did another landing. It was kind of rough, in part because I still can't figure out how high I am in relation to the runway during the flaring process. Right after landing, he retracted the flaps and turned the carb heat off, then had me apply full power to takeoff. Matt took the controls while I moved my seat forward so I can see out the front better, hoping it would help me judge my distances better. We came around to land and it was already set up to be better than the last. After a nice landing, we called it a day.
Our next lesson will be a local night flight. I'm very much excited for this. Unfortunately I have to wait a week due to both our work schedules being odd. I'm sure it will be well worth the wait.
On another note: My job at the airport is going really well. I'm enjoying the job and learning a lot. Next week will be my first to work dispatch alone. I think I'm ready =)
Flight Log to Date
Hours flown: 46.5
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Private Pilot
April 13, 2011
I officially started working towards my Private Pilot certificate today. Matt recommended that I learn in a Cessna 152. He started the lesson off by walking me through the pre-flight inspection and explaining the cockpit. The winds were light so we used what we call "the no wind runway" which is Runway 18. The takeoff is different than the Sportstar because it's a heavier, bigger plane, so it takes longer to get off the ground.
We headed out north to the practice area and started off just doing some turns and power adjustments to get used to the feel of the plane. He then had me do steep turns to the degree that I was most comfortable with. I did much better controlling the Cessna than I did when I was learning the Remos.
After doing turns, he told me to put on the foggles, which are large glasses that you can only see from a small portion of the bottom of the lens. It blocks out everything else so that you cannot see outside the airplane, forcing you to only look at the instruments. We do this type of training so that in case you get yourself into a situation (like getting into clouds where you can't see), you can safely get yourself out. He then told me different sets of instructions, such as keep this altitude but make a turn to the left to a heading of 120 while maintaining coordination and speed. We worked on the simulated instrument procedures for 15-20 minutes then quit. Going into today's lesson, I was most nervous about doing that. However, I ended up doing great and I really enjoyed the challenge.
On our way back to the airport, he wanted me to hear what the stall warning horn sounded like. We basically did a power-off stall until the horn came on, then went back to normal cruise. We ended up doing three landings. None were perfect, but they were good for a first day in a new airplane. The two biggest differences are that you come in to land at a higher speed, and when you flare the plane right before touchdown, you basically can't see the runway. In my light sport airplanes, you could always see it over the nose.
I had a fantastic time flying today. I think the Cessna is my new favorite airplane to fly. It's comfortable, easy to control and it's very forgiving. I would love to do a cross country in it someday. Until then, I really look forward to my next lesson with Matt.
I officially started working towards my Private Pilot certificate today. Matt recommended that I learn in a Cessna 152. He started the lesson off by walking me through the pre-flight inspection and explaining the cockpit. The winds were light so we used what we call "the no wind runway" which is Runway 18. The takeoff is different than the Sportstar because it's a heavier, bigger plane, so it takes longer to get off the ground.
We headed out north to the practice area and started off just doing some turns and power adjustments to get used to the feel of the plane. He then had me do steep turns to the degree that I was most comfortable with. I did much better controlling the Cessna than I did when I was learning the Remos.
After doing turns, he told me to put on the foggles, which are large glasses that you can only see from a small portion of the bottom of the lens. It blocks out everything else so that you cannot see outside the airplane, forcing you to only look at the instruments. We do this type of training so that in case you get yourself into a situation (like getting into clouds where you can't see), you can safely get yourself out. He then told me different sets of instructions, such as keep this altitude but make a turn to the left to a heading of 120 while maintaining coordination and speed. We worked on the simulated instrument procedures for 15-20 minutes then quit. Going into today's lesson, I was most nervous about doing that. However, I ended up doing great and I really enjoyed the challenge.
On our way back to the airport, he wanted me to hear what the stall warning horn sounded like. We basically did a power-off stall until the horn came on, then went back to normal cruise. We ended up doing three landings. None were perfect, but they were good for a first day in a new airplane. The two biggest differences are that you come in to land at a higher speed, and when you flare the plane right before touchdown, you basically can't see the runway. In my light sport airplanes, you could always see it over the nose.
I had a fantastic time flying today. I think the Cessna is my new favorite airplane to fly. It's comfortable, easy to control and it's very forgiving. I would love to do a cross country in it someday. Until then, I really look forward to my next lesson with Matt.
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| Cessna 152 |
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Remos Checkout
April 7, 2011
Matt and I took the Remos out for the second time today. We needed to focus on landings more than anything else, so we stayed in the pattern to start. I was surprised with how much I remembered from my first lesson. The first landing went really good, then the second one was also pretty good. The third one got even better, and apparently another pilot watched my landing because he got on the radio and told me, "nice landing." That was pretty awesome, I've never had another pilot compliment me like that before. Matt then said if I could land the Remos like that one more time without any help, he could give me the signoff. So we went up again, flew the pattern, and came back and I successfully landed the plane. He was satisfied, so he asked if there was anything else that I wanted to work on since we still had an hour with the plane.
I decided to do a soft field takeoff, followed by flying us out of the pattern to the practice area. I wanted to do steep turns, so we got set up and I began my turn to the left, followed by one to the right. I don't think I did too bad. I then said I wanted to do a power on stall; that went well. Afterward, Matt asked if I wanted to do a power off stall. I told him no because I was still a little afraid of it since the last one we did felt pretty crazy. But being the good instructor that he is, he made me do one anyways, then another. I officially feel better now.
That was enough maneuvers for one day, so I asked Matt if we could do some crosswind landings. The first landing he complimented me by saying it was a "textbook landing." It always feels so great when someone you look up to says something like that to you. We did two more crosswind landings, then called it a day.
Matt officially signed off for me to fly the Remos anytime I'd like now. I no longer need to go with an instructor, plus I can take passengers in it if I want. Pretty exciting!
Matt and I took the Remos out for the second time today. We needed to focus on landings more than anything else, so we stayed in the pattern to start. I was surprised with how much I remembered from my first lesson. The first landing went really good, then the second one was also pretty good. The third one got even better, and apparently another pilot watched my landing because he got on the radio and told me, "nice landing." That was pretty awesome, I've never had another pilot compliment me like that before. Matt then said if I could land the Remos like that one more time without any help, he could give me the signoff. So we went up again, flew the pattern, and came back and I successfully landed the plane. He was satisfied, so he asked if there was anything else that I wanted to work on since we still had an hour with the plane.
I decided to do a soft field takeoff, followed by flying us out of the pattern to the practice area. I wanted to do steep turns, so we got set up and I began my turn to the left, followed by one to the right. I don't think I did too bad. I then said I wanted to do a power on stall; that went well. Afterward, Matt asked if I wanted to do a power off stall. I told him no because I was still a little afraid of it since the last one we did felt pretty crazy. But being the good instructor that he is, he made me do one anyways, then another. I officially feel better now.
That was enough maneuvers for one day, so I asked Matt if we could do some crosswind landings. The first landing he complimented me by saying it was a "textbook landing." It always feels so great when someone you look up to says something like that to you. We did two more crosswind landings, then called it a day.
Matt officially signed off for me to fly the Remos anytime I'd like now. I no longer need to go with an instructor, plus I can take passengers in it if I want. Pretty exciting!
 |
| 2007 Remos GX |
Friday, April 1, 2011
Flying my Dad
April 1, 2011
I took my Dad up for the first time this morning. We weren't sure if we were going to be able to fly because the winds were supposed to pick up during the day and the haze was pretty thick. I checked the weather before leaving home, and decided we would be ok. I knew I was comfortable with winds, if they stayed under 20 knots (23mph), and I knew the winds were coming directly from the west, which meant I shouldn't have any crosswinds. If there were crosswinds with that strong of wind, I would not have flown. Once we were ready to take off, the weather report stated that the winds were at 11 knots from the west.
He loved the takeoff. We climbed up to 1600ft and had planned on taking Dad over the river to the practice area. I wasn't sure how much he was going to enjoy flying in a small airplane, especially if it was windy. As we were getting closer to the river, I noticed just how thick the haze was, and also knew the clouds weren't exactly high. I decided that due to the haze, clouds and winds, that it would be best to just hang out around the airport and show him takeoffs and landings.
He seemed to really enjoy the takeoffs, and thought the landings were pretty cool. After a while, the winds picked up to 13 knots with gusts to 18 knots, and the pressure and clouds were also dropping. It wasn't the ideal time to fly a new passenger, so I decided to call it quits after 40 minutes. There will be plenty more opportunities to take him up.
I can't tell you just how much fun I have flying with passengers. It's so interesting to see what different people like and don't like. I love explaining what I'm doing with the plane and why I'm doing it. It is a huge confidence booster! I've also noticed that if they know what to expect, and know that I'm confident in my abilities, then they relax much quicker and have a better time. I hadn't really considered becoming a CFI (instructor) before now. But as time goes on, I think I'd do great teaching others to fly. Now all I need is another couple hundred hours :)
Flight Log to Date
Hours flown: 42.9
I took my Dad up for the first time this morning. We weren't sure if we were going to be able to fly because the winds were supposed to pick up during the day and the haze was pretty thick. I checked the weather before leaving home, and decided we would be ok. I knew I was comfortable with winds, if they stayed under 20 knots (23mph), and I knew the winds were coming directly from the west, which meant I shouldn't have any crosswinds. If there were crosswinds with that strong of wind, I would not have flown. Once we were ready to take off, the weather report stated that the winds were at 11 knots from the west.
He loved the takeoff. We climbed up to 1600ft and had planned on taking Dad over the river to the practice area. I wasn't sure how much he was going to enjoy flying in a small airplane, especially if it was windy. As we were getting closer to the river, I noticed just how thick the haze was, and also knew the clouds weren't exactly high. I decided that due to the haze, clouds and winds, that it would be best to just hang out around the airport and show him takeoffs and landings.
He seemed to really enjoy the takeoffs, and thought the landings were pretty cool. After a while, the winds picked up to 13 knots with gusts to 18 knots, and the pressure and clouds were also dropping. It wasn't the ideal time to fly a new passenger, so I decided to call it quits after 40 minutes. There will be plenty more opportunities to take him up.
I can't tell you just how much fun I have flying with passengers. It's so interesting to see what different people like and don't like. I love explaining what I'm doing with the plane and why I'm doing it. It is a huge confidence booster! I've also noticed that if they know what to expect, and know that I'm confident in my abilities, then they relax much quicker and have a better time. I hadn't really considered becoming a CFI (instructor) before now. But as time goes on, I think I'd do great teaching others to fly. Now all I need is another couple hundred hours :)
Flight Log to Date
Hours flown: 42.9
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