Stage Check---PASSED!!!

So after my flight yesterday, I was told that I would have at least one more flight and then my stage check. For those who aren't aware, the stage check is a pseudo "checkride" to make sure you are progressing normally. It is a check of normal take-offs and landings, stalls, slow flight, all the ground reference maneuvers (turns around a point and s-turns across a road), radio procedures, pattern procedures and a emergency procedure or two. Anyway, it is quite a bit of stuff, but I figured since I'd have one more flight to practice, I didn't sweat it too much. OK, with that said, here's what happened: Stage check was today. It started with about an hour of oral questions on all sorts of crap...I didn't realize how much I have already learned. So, after that, we go on and do the flight portion of the check. It was a little different because my CFI didn't say a word (about airplane stuff, anyway) he let me do all the planning, the maneuvers, and the entire profile (including finding another airport and then coming back). The only thing he did was "fail" my engine for the simulated emergency with simulated emergency landing. Other than that, it was like he wasn't there. I think I did OK, and I passed. The only thing I need to work on is the crosswind landings. They weren't bad, just not the nicest landings. OK, so I get to move on. The next couple of lessons will be on short field landings and takeoffs and soft field landings and takeoffs as well as some crosswind landing practice. If that goes OK, then I will be signed of for solo flight within 25nm of the airport then onto the cross-country and night stuff. It actually looks like I am on track to finish up hopefully mid-July. I originally hoping that I would be done around the end of June, but my instructor feels the need to take a vacation at the end of June...what nerve!!! OK, I am not flying again until next Tuesday, so have a good weekend!!!

Oh yes, and for those curious. I have logged 21.2 hours, 67 landings and spent $3,316.00 so far.