So as you can see, I hadn't flown in quite a while. I could ramble on for pages about why, but it boils down to scheduling issues. Basically, my instructor was busy doing other things and I was having a tough time getting my night cross country scheduled. Also, the school had a rule that I couldn't solo unless he was physically at the school which also created scheduling issues. The school is really catering to international students, and the "pay-as-you-go" students get the short end of the stick.
OK, so here's what has happened. I have wanted to get an airplane for a really long time and after lots of contemplation and using Microsoft Excel for WAY too many hours (building rent vs own spreadsheets) I decided to buy an airplane. Most people think that I am crazy, and maybe I am, but you know what? I don't care!!! The numbers really paint the picture that for the flying I want to do (1000+ hours in 5 years) it is much cheaper to own. Now, ask me again if I have to sink an incredibly large amount of money for something that tears up!!!
OK, so I was waiting for the plane to get here (was down South) before I started flying again. My intention was/is do all the training in the plane so I KNOW what I will be using for my checkride. I even had an instructor lined up, but Murphy's law was in effect and he now has a medical issue that will keep him grounded for a couple of months. Well, he recommended a guy who might be able to help me out. He did "warn" me that he doesn't really "plan" anything and he thought that wasn't the best thing. I am of the mindset that it is my training, and I would like to do it "kinda" the way I want to do it as long as I am learning something....so he seems like the kind of instructor I want/need. I met him and he is a younger guy, but very laid back. I thought that he would fit the bill, and I scheduled the first few lessons.
Fast forward to yesterday...FIRST FLIGHT IN MY AIRPLANE!!!!
So, it was a little different preflighting my own airplane. Very surreal feeling, really. Anyway, we taxied out and took off. The plane is awfully quiet and the first thing I noticed was that flying it was VERY easy. I always felt like I was "fighting" the Cessnas and it was annoying. This plane flew VERY easy...it was kinda weird. So why fly out and so some maneuvers. Again, they were all very simple. So, we come back and I do the first landing and it was a 9 out a 10!!! In my opinion, the best landing I have had. I asked the instructor if he helped out some and he said, "Nope, it was all you." Go figure...I thought it was a fluke. We flew a couple more patterns and those landings were just as good. What a great first flight.
Alright, today we went back up and flew to a new field and did some power-off 180s (engine out landings), some stalls and slow flight. The crosswinds came around to try and "throw me off" and create issues, but no way man! The first landing was a bit off of centerline, so on the next one, I did a "practice approach" where I flew about 10 feet off the ground to get a good feel of the crosswinds on the plane. That worked out well and the next couple of landings were spot on. Crosswinds? Not even an issue! We then did a short field take off and that too went well. We wrapped up there and cruised back to the field and do a couple more power off landings and called it a day. The highlight was getting the solo endorsement to go fly my new toy...very cool in my opinion. After all the issues with the Cessna, I thought it would take a few more lessons, but in only 2.3 hours I am legal to fly it all alone. We have scheduled my night cross country for next Friday...which is what was holding me up with the last instructor. He told me that I *appear* to be ready for my checkride, so as it stands, I will go fly the next few days enjoying my new acquisition before my cross country. I have also taken 3 days off the last week of July for "checkride" practice. Hopefully, I will take my checkride the first part of August...but we know how that works!
Well, you are now up to speed on my progress. Hopefully, there will more entries in a relatively short period of time. OK, time for bed...
No comments:
Post a Comment