Bambi got hired to the airlines. I can't tell you how happy I was for her. It delayed my training another month and a half though. Today was my first time back in the air since October 29th.
Two important things happened during my last two flights with her that bear noting. On the first flight, we go to take off and I can't remember the rotation speed (the take-off speed of the airplane). She remained quiet and wouldn't tell me what it was (as I was barreling down the runway and a little freaked out). Much to my surprise, when I started to get freaked out, the plane just took off by itself. Shocked the hell out of me. These little airplanes do want to fly and if they end up going fast enough, they will just take off on their own. It was kind of a sign to me not to get so nervous. One point that has been reiterated to me over and over is that: These planes WANT to fly. And fly they will.
On the second flight, I was working on radios. I was getting frustrated. Bambi kept taking over for me if I got tongue-tied or nervous. I wasn't going to learn that way. So we decided that if I needed help, I'd elbow her and she'd repeat what they said in my ear and I'd say it along with her. We're going along and I try to say it as fast as I can so I don't forget what they said (sometimes the tower comes back with lots of instructions at light speed) and Bambi laughs at me because it sounds like I'm holding my breath as I repeat back what they said (which I probably am). I'm beyond frustrated at this point (as I was a lot towards the end with her - just some of the comments she'd say to me in the air, like "Take a chill pill". Nope, not joking).
So we're in the air, coming back to the airport. The tower has now switched our runway three times, so there's lots of back and forth and lots of confusing/contradicting instructions. Bambi was helping me because she said it was even confusing for her. I messed up on one of them, repeating the instructions out of order (which isn't really a big deal, as long as you show you understood what the tower told you and as long as you get your point across). My frustrations rose. I felt so lost and discouraged. The tower comes back with yet another runway change. But before I can answer, a confident female's voice comes across the airwaves, repeating back the tower's last communication. Solid, unrushed, in-command.
"Runway Three-Four, Two Delta Charlie."
It wasn't Bambi's voice, but I had no idea where it came from. I turn my head slowly to my right with a questioning look to Bambi to ask her where it came from and whose voice was that. The look on her face mirrored my own - "Where the hell did that come from?" and she even asked it. It was then I realized that the voice was mine. Something inside of me came alive at that moment and reflexively responded on it's own. Done without thought. Naturally. She was as shocked as I was. But said it was a good start and indicated that I was starting to get the radios down.
So I've got it in me. I always have. I just need to work on the confidence to harness that and not let it come as quite a shock the next time.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
9.7 Hours - Stalling
I never did write about my last flight. We went up to practice stalls and commit them to memory. I had spent over a week memorizing the procedures on paper and now had the change to execute the procedure in the air. Let me tell you that memorizing something line by line and then having to translate it to motor skills is a lot more difficult than it sounds. I think it involves learning the procedure originally with one side of your brain and having to transfer it to the other, which speaks a totally different language. They didn't become second nature by the end of practice (which is where they need to be), but I was firing them off quite quickly.
I was quite pleased with myself. I was becoming more confident in the plane and learning to connect with it more. That was September 18th. The next three flights were canceled, due to mechanical issues, weather and weather. Then my instructor took off a week to get married and go on her honeymoon. I tried to schedule time with her for when she got back, but she said to worry about that when she got back.
The weeks stretched on without a word from her. I had my practice pre-solo tests I was working on and I studied whenever and wherever I could. No word.
I saw that the school had set up a tent at an air show a couple of weeks ago. I talked with them and asked if she was back because I hadn't heard from her. They said she was and would contact me soon. Nothing.
Finally, a week ago, I get an email from her and we set up something for this past weekend (the only time she had for the remainder of this month). Saw her yesterday and she apologized - said she's been busy with post-wedding stuff and the school had another Groupon out, so they were flooded with people coming in to use them. I was a little taken a back - new business is good, sure, but shouldn't they provide service to their current customers and give them preference over the Groupons?
I took a deep breath and didn't let it upset me. After all, I'm not flying for her - I'm in it for me, for that plane, for the feeling of soaring through the air. It's been 5 weeks since I last flew and I feel like I'm missing apart of me without it.
So we get in the plane and take off. The weather was perfect flying weather and the sky was a perfect, clear blue. We got up in the air and I got the feeling that this is what I was born to do. I smiled, remembering my first couple of flights where I was really scared but now I was completely at home. It's as if my soul forever remains in the sky and I'm reunited with it when I physically go up there. I completely feel alive in the sky and unlike in everyday life, I am completely in the present. We all go through the motions of everyday - worrying about the future or thinking about the past. There's NONE of that up there in the sky. There can't be - I need my full concentration when I'm up there. At that moment, nothing else matters.
The wind was mostly calm, but there were a few times a big gust of wind blew us to the side. I rode on the back of it, feeling it as it glided over the wings. I had the perfect partnership with it - comfortable enough with it to go along with it, but in enough control of the plane that I didn't let it take control. Like a tigress carries her cubs - not loose enough to let them get away, but not tight enough that it will hurt them. The delicate balance of nature. Even though I am operating a machine, when I am up in the sky, it is like I am apart of nature... as much as she will let me be anyways.
We practiced ascents, descents, and turns. God, how I love turns. The graceful, coordinated movement and getting the chance to see the beauty of the landscape below. Bambi wanted to turn around at this point, but I balked. Ascents, descents, and turns, really?? You've got to be kidding me. At least practice some stalls or something. So we got in one power on and one power off stall. They were a little rusty, but considering that I was just getting the hang of them the last time we flew, it was okay. I'm frustrated that we seem to be... stalled, for the lack of a better term. I don't seem to be moving forward at all. She was upset that the lesson took about an hour and a half.
Bambi would also make comments in the plane that made me think, "Did she really say that?". For instance, one time, she said I was off a little to the right and needed to correct it. I started to shift a little to the left when one of the huge wind gusts came up and REALLY turned us left - almost vertical. "I didn't mean that much", she snapped. She had some other zingers up there that I really felt like she was talking down to me like a child. First going MIA for 5 weeks and then talking down to me? Not cool. I don't pay someone that much money to talk to me like that. Not to mention that everyone at that school seems to have problems answering emails and returning phone calls. Another time, we're on the ground and she takes over taxiing and saying that she's going to park the plane. I mastered this a few sessions ago. So she takes over and says "Taxiing", pauses and says it again, pauses and says it again and yet once again. I have no idea what she's doing. Then she yells that I need to listen to her because if she's talking and saying something over 4 times, then she means what she says and isn't just talking. I wasn't ignoring her - I just didn't know what she meant by "Taxiing". Turns out, we needed our lights on because we were taxiing. Maybe I was having a slow day, but I didn't get that by someone repeating "Taxiing" in my ear like a parrot.
I'm really considering going to another school, where my partner from the FlightSafety seminar taught. He and I got along really well. I want an instructor who is as excited by flying as I am. I plan to be one of the 20% that make it all the way through. I'm not letting a snotty-nosed girl kill my enthusiasm.
I was quite pleased with myself. I was becoming more confident in the plane and learning to connect with it more. That was September 18th. The next three flights were canceled, due to mechanical issues, weather and weather. Then my instructor took off a week to get married and go on her honeymoon. I tried to schedule time with her for when she got back, but she said to worry about that when she got back.
The weeks stretched on without a word from her. I had my practice pre-solo tests I was working on and I studied whenever and wherever I could. No word.
I saw that the school had set up a tent at an air show a couple of weeks ago. I talked with them and asked if she was back because I hadn't heard from her. They said she was and would contact me soon. Nothing.
Finally, a week ago, I get an email from her and we set up something for this past weekend (the only time she had for the remainder of this month). Saw her yesterday and she apologized - said she's been busy with post-wedding stuff and the school had another Groupon out, so they were flooded with people coming in to use them. I was a little taken a back - new business is good, sure, but shouldn't they provide service to their current customers and give them preference over the Groupons?
I took a deep breath and didn't let it upset me. After all, I'm not flying for her - I'm in it for me, for that plane, for the feeling of soaring through the air. It's been 5 weeks since I last flew and I feel like I'm missing apart of me without it.
So we get in the plane and take off. The weather was perfect flying weather and the sky was a perfect, clear blue. We got up in the air and I got the feeling that this is what I was born to do. I smiled, remembering my first couple of flights where I was really scared but now I was completely at home. It's as if my soul forever remains in the sky and I'm reunited with it when I physically go up there. I completely feel alive in the sky and unlike in everyday life, I am completely in the present. We all go through the motions of everyday - worrying about the future or thinking about the past. There's NONE of that up there in the sky. There can't be - I need my full concentration when I'm up there. At that moment, nothing else matters.
The wind was mostly calm, but there were a few times a big gust of wind blew us to the side. I rode on the back of it, feeling it as it glided over the wings. I had the perfect partnership with it - comfortable enough with it to go along with it, but in enough control of the plane that I didn't let it take control. Like a tigress carries her cubs - not loose enough to let them get away, but not tight enough that it will hurt them. The delicate balance of nature. Even though I am operating a machine, when I am up in the sky, it is like I am apart of nature... as much as she will let me be anyways.
We practiced ascents, descents, and turns. God, how I love turns. The graceful, coordinated movement and getting the chance to see the beauty of the landscape below. Bambi wanted to turn around at this point, but I balked. Ascents, descents, and turns, really?? You've got to be kidding me. At least practice some stalls or something. So we got in one power on and one power off stall. They were a little rusty, but considering that I was just getting the hang of them the last time we flew, it was okay. I'm frustrated that we seem to be... stalled, for the lack of a better term. I don't seem to be moving forward at all. She was upset that the lesson took about an hour and a half.
Bambi would also make comments in the plane that made me think, "Did she really say that?". For instance, one time, she said I was off a little to the right and needed to correct it. I started to shift a little to the left when one of the huge wind gusts came up and REALLY turned us left - almost vertical. "I didn't mean that much", she snapped. She had some other zingers up there that I really felt like she was talking down to me like a child. First going MIA for 5 weeks and then talking down to me? Not cool. I don't pay someone that much money to talk to me like that. Not to mention that everyone at that school seems to have problems answering emails and returning phone calls. Another time, we're on the ground and she takes over taxiing and saying that she's going to park the plane. I mastered this a few sessions ago. So she takes over and says "Taxiing", pauses and says it again, pauses and says it again and yet once again. I have no idea what she's doing. Then she yells that I need to listen to her because if she's talking and saying something over 4 times, then she means what she says and isn't just talking. I wasn't ignoring her - I just didn't know what she meant by "Taxiing". Turns out, we needed our lights on because we were taxiing. Maybe I was having a slow day, but I didn't get that by someone repeating "Taxiing" in my ear like a parrot.
I'm really considering going to another school, where my partner from the FlightSafety seminar taught. He and I got along really well. I want an instructor who is as excited by flying as I am. I plan to be one of the 20% that make it all the way through. I'm not letting a snotty-nosed girl kill my enthusiasm.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Flightsafety Day!!
(picture courtesy of Aero Atlanta Club)
I got the chance of a lifestime and spent my Saturday, playing around in these down at Hartsfield. 5 simulators in all - 3 Larjets (31, 45 and 60), Citation II and an Embraer. Lear 60 (pictured) was my favorite.
This was such a big deal for me. Not only because the average person doesn't get to do this, but after the Atl Aero Club announced they were going here, they said only at least Private Pilot's Licence holders could go. I was crushed and thought I'd have to wait until next year. Then a thought creeped into my brain: perhaps there could be no harm in asking if they would let me attend.Worst they could say was "no" (and possibly, "can't you read?") and I'd be no worse off than I already was. I wrote to one of the main people in the group on facebook. Told her that I was very excited about, but was only a student pilot - would there possibly be a chance that I could go too? My request was answered with a resounding "Yes!! Please sign up!". I was esctatic and over the moon.
The big day finally came and with butterflies in my stomach, I set out an hour ahead of time. Good thing too - there were no signs, so I ended up taking a detour around the back of Hartsfield. It didn't bother me as I was there way ahead of time and I had never seen the back of Hartsfield before. Saw the hangers for Delta and Airtran and gawked at the big, beautiful planes as I drove past. This is the first time I've seen those planes through my new aerophile eyes and they were absolutely breathtaking. I think I've always liked to watch commercial planes take off and land, but nothing like this.
Finally, I found the right building and decided to review a bit before heading inside, as I was still early. (Have to study every chance I get) With 10 minutes to go, I couldn't wait any longer and walked inside. I told myself that today was about having fun and there was no need to be nervous. We had to check-in at the front desk. They gave me a name badge and told me where to go. I smiled at everyone I met and wiggled my toes inside my shoes with happiness. I finally found where we were suppose to go and walked inside - and everything stopped. My confidence plummeted after walking into the room (not to mention, they had fallen quiet and were staring at me) because they were not only all at least private pilots, but they were all older that me, too - and all guys. I know that's aviation for you, but I had expected at least one or two other females there.
My inclination was to sit quietly in the back of the room, but they called me up front to get my name and give me my team assignment. Then I saw a familiar face - the owner of the pilot shop I frequent was there. Good, one familiar face. We started chatting and then he introduced me to people he knew. Then I got assigned to my partner.
"Hey man, how did you manage to get assigned with the only girl in the room?", came a shout from another pilot, across the room to my flight buddy.
"I don't know", he replied. "I just walked into the room and managed to hit the lottery".
Gee thanks, guys. I AM right here, you know... The pilot shop owner turned to me and said "You knew this was going to be a rough crowd, right?". But the tension broke after I was able to crack a few jokes. It actually was in my favor to stick out like that; everyone wanted to talk with me and get to know me. It's funny - I remember wanting nothing more to blend in when I was a kid and hated being different. Now I absolutely loved it and embraced it with vigor! And there was no need to be nervous, as all of these guys were more than willing to help me.
I had no idea what any of the planes were that we were going to fly. Turns out that we flew all of them, so it really didn't matter. My partner looked up the planes on his IPad to show me what they looked like. We got our assigned times and headed out. They had 3 rooms FULL of simulators! It was just absolutely amazing. My eyes went wide watching them come to life and move around. Finally it was our turn. I felt my heart nearly beating out of my chest and had to remind myself silently that I was there to have fun and not be nervous.
We entered the Lear 60 and there were so many instruments! Many more than in my little Diamond. I offered the captain's seat to my partner and he said "oh no, that's YOUR seat". It's okay, I can do this, I can do this. We also had an instructor sitting behind both of us, letting us know what to do. Even though all of the other guys were at least private pilot's (and most were instructors), they had never flown anything like this before. So at least we were all beginners in that aspect. And that made me feel better.
So we "took off" and flew the pattern around the airport. My partner handled the flaps and some other stuff that was the co-pilot's job. We approached final and I went in for the landing. It bounced a bit, but was pretty good (and even got a High-5 from my partner). Hey, this isn't so bad...
I finished and he took a turn. Amazing to see just how two little round the pattern runs took 30 minutes. It went by so fast! Everything in a plane goes by fast...
We finished and were on our way to the next sim. The door opened and I literally bounced out. The team behind us said "Wow, look at that smile!". I was beaming ear-to-ear. Nothing in the world lights my soul on fire like aviation. I seriously had no idea I was smiling until they pointed it out. I felt the joy inside but had no idea that it stretched all the way to my face.
We had a small break due to a scheduling mix-up. My partner was hungry and wanted some lunch. I wasn't that hungry (it was only 11) and had cookies instead. Another pilot said, "I like her lunch. Think I'll have what she's having". And another had cookies too because he was waiting for someone else to take a cookie first. Cookies became my thing for the day. Later, they were cleaning up and had one cookie left - the guy said he knew how much I liked them and gave it to me.
The next one was the Citation II; the only Class C simulator we flew and FAA certified. Yeah, it was a pretty big deal. So big, in fact, that the Citation II instructor was able to log 1 hour of instrument flight sim time in my log book. Sweet.
The Citation was a little harder. The controls were a little bit heavier, as this was a bigger airplane. Still did okay though. (Crashed once though- Shhhh!) Still smiling when I came out of the sim though. The instructor remarked to someone later that he wished all of his students could be like me. I laughed, thinking that was pilot sarcasm - "Seriously? But I crashed your plane...". And it was pointed out to me that I only had 7 hours of flight time in a plane. I barely knew how to operate that one and here I am, in a professional sim, flying a much more complicated airplane, which had different controls than my plane, and for the very first time. It was okay to crash - even the other guys with their private pilot license's crash on sims.
The Embraer was next and I did not like that one at all. The controls were very, very heavy - so heavy, that I'm still kind of feeling it in my arms. Arg, gotta build some muscle in these wimpy little aviatrix arms!
The Lear 31 was the last one we flew in for the day. The instructor for that plane could add weather effects and blow smoke into the cabin. Very, very neat. My co-pilot flew with a heavy fog coming down for landing. They changed it to clear skies for me, but I wished I had tried the heavy fog one. Afterall, it's a sim - no harm done. This sim and the one before it had a flight navigator, so you didn't even have to look out the window. You had a screen in front of you and one arrow represented you the airplane and the other arrow represented where you needed to go. When you needed to turn, you just followed the arrow and tried to keep them lined up. Very, very cool. I even asked if those were real because I had never seen one before - we sure don't have those in Diamonds! (And by the way, I got laughed at for that question, but all in good fun.)
Some people left early. I (and my partner) couldn't understand why people would leave early - we'd stay there and play all day if we could. It was hard work too; left there feeling very exhausted, but happy. I feel so honored to have been able to go! Thank you so much Atlanta Aero Club and Flightsafety! Not only did I have the chance of a lifetime, I also met great people, had an absolute blast and learned a lot, too.
"Hey man, how did you manage to get assigned with the only girl in the room?", came a shout from another pilot, across the room to my flight buddy.
"I don't know", he replied. "I just walked into the room and managed to hit the lottery".
Gee thanks, guys. I AM right here, you know... The pilot shop owner turned to me and said "You knew this was going to be a rough crowd, right?". But the tension broke after I was able to crack a few jokes. It actually was in my favor to stick out like that; everyone wanted to talk with me and get to know me. It's funny - I remember wanting nothing more to blend in when I was a kid and hated being different. Now I absolutely loved it and embraced it with vigor! And there was no need to be nervous, as all of these guys were more than willing to help me.
I had no idea what any of the planes were that we were going to fly. Turns out that we flew all of them, so it really didn't matter. My partner looked up the planes on his IPad to show me what they looked like. We got our assigned times and headed out. They had 3 rooms FULL of simulators! It was just absolutely amazing. My eyes went wide watching them come to life and move around. Finally it was our turn. I felt my heart nearly beating out of my chest and had to remind myself silently that I was there to have fun and not be nervous.
We entered the Lear 60 and there were so many instruments! Many more than in my little Diamond. I offered the captain's seat to my partner and he said "oh no, that's YOUR seat". It's okay, I can do this, I can do this. We also had an instructor sitting behind both of us, letting us know what to do. Even though all of the other guys were at least private pilot's (and most were instructors), they had never flown anything like this before. So at least we were all beginners in that aspect. And that made me feel better.
So we "took off" and flew the pattern around the airport. My partner handled the flaps and some other stuff that was the co-pilot's job. We approached final and I went in for the landing. It bounced a bit, but was pretty good (and even got a High-5 from my partner). Hey, this isn't so bad...
I finished and he took a turn. Amazing to see just how two little round the pattern runs took 30 minutes. It went by so fast! Everything in a plane goes by fast...
We finished and were on our way to the next sim. The door opened and I literally bounced out. The team behind us said "Wow, look at that smile!". I was beaming ear-to-ear. Nothing in the world lights my soul on fire like aviation. I seriously had no idea I was smiling until they pointed it out. I felt the joy inside but had no idea that it stretched all the way to my face.
We had a small break due to a scheduling mix-up. My partner was hungry and wanted some lunch. I wasn't that hungry (it was only 11) and had cookies instead. Another pilot said, "I like her lunch. Think I'll have what she's having". And another had cookies too because he was waiting for someone else to take a cookie first. Cookies became my thing for the day. Later, they were cleaning up and had one cookie left - the guy said he knew how much I liked them and gave it to me.
The next one was the Citation II; the only Class C simulator we flew and FAA certified. Yeah, it was a pretty big deal. So big, in fact, that the Citation II instructor was able to log 1 hour of instrument flight sim time in my log book. Sweet.
The Citation was a little harder. The controls were a little bit heavier, as this was a bigger airplane. Still did okay though. (Crashed once though- Shhhh!) Still smiling when I came out of the sim though. The instructor remarked to someone later that he wished all of his students could be like me. I laughed, thinking that was pilot sarcasm - "Seriously? But I crashed your plane...". And it was pointed out to me that I only had 7 hours of flight time in a plane. I barely knew how to operate that one and here I am, in a professional sim, flying a much more complicated airplane, which had different controls than my plane, and for the very first time. It was okay to crash - even the other guys with their private pilot license's crash on sims.
The Embraer was next and I did not like that one at all. The controls were very, very heavy - so heavy, that I'm still kind of feeling it in my arms. Arg, gotta build some muscle in these wimpy little aviatrix arms!
The Lear 31 was the last one we flew in for the day. The instructor for that plane could add weather effects and blow smoke into the cabin. Very, very neat. My co-pilot flew with a heavy fog coming down for landing. They changed it to clear skies for me, but I wished I had tried the heavy fog one. Afterall, it's a sim - no harm done. This sim and the one before it had a flight navigator, so you didn't even have to look out the window. You had a screen in front of you and one arrow represented you the airplane and the other arrow represented where you needed to go. When you needed to turn, you just followed the arrow and tried to keep them lined up. Very, very cool. I even asked if those were real because I had never seen one before - we sure don't have those in Diamonds! (And by the way, I got laughed at for that question, but all in good fun.)
Some people left early. I (and my partner) couldn't understand why people would leave early - we'd stay there and play all day if we could. It was hard work too; left there feeling very exhausted, but happy. I feel so honored to have been able to go! Thank you so much Atlanta Aero Club and Flightsafety! Not only did I have the chance of a lifetime, I also met great people, had an absolute blast and learned a lot, too.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
No Go
Got my Private Pilot Test Prep book. Tried studying at night when I usually read a little before bed, but kept falling asleep and would have to read the same thing multiple times. It's okay when it's a fiction book, but not when it's serious studying.
So I've been studying a little bit after dinner and on my lunch break at work. The book isn't monstrous or anything, but I was quickly overwhelmed in the first few pages. I wonder how I'm going to cram all of this into my head... I made a joke on facebook about maybe this is why pilots all have nicknames/call signs - they've been studying so hard and forgot their own names in the process. :P
Managed to schedule a last minute flight in last night. It's quite a feat to fly out of work, get my stuff together, take care of the animals, shove a sandwich in my mouth and speed over to the airport. The weather was fine - saw one cumulonimbus overhead as I drove there, but didn't think it would be a problem.
Arrived at the school, flight bag in hand and "Love at First Flight" t-shirt on. Saw the guy in charge of the center and waved hello. Saw my very first instructor, "Baloo", and was totally excited to see him! He asked how everything was going and I started babbling nonstop about everything. Told him about how the seat cushion was helping me to see and about my perfect landing. He congratulated me. The owner said, "Get out!" from the other room. I poked my head in and grinned, he dropped the joking tone and pointed to the door, "I mean it, get out". Joking, I'm sure... but I don't like him very much. I admitted to Baloo that I tried to get another perfect landing during my touch & gos and didn't make it after that first time. He had really good advice- "That's the problem - you tried. Did you try for a perfect landing the first time? Just let it happen". And the guy in charge piped up from the other room -"Feel the Force, Luke!". I shouted back, "Thanks, Obi-Wan!". (Ha-maybe I should call him "Obi-Wan")
Although couldn't talk long - the daylight was fading and we needed to take off. I got my stuff, waved g'bye and headed out to do the pre-flight before Bambi came out there. Felt kinda good to strut out of there to do the pre-flight in front of my very first instructor. Kind of a "look at me now" moment. Very cool.
I greeted my Delta Charlie with enthusiasm. Talked with her all through the pre-flight, running my hands over her wings. Bambi took awhile to come out of there, so I had plenty of time. She warned me that Del had been having oil pressure problems yesterday but didn't seem to today. We hop in the plane. I handle the radios (omg- I handled the radios!!!) and started to taxi. Bambi was taken aback by the taxiing - we were on the line 99% of the time. Got down to the little area where we did the run up before take off. You have to do a little maneuver to get the plane turned around. Kind of turning on a point. You up the power and stomp hard on the brake where you want the plane to go. Although turning isn't hard - it's just stopping because otherwise that plane will keep going. She turned like a Russian Ballerina. Bambi was astounded and even exclaimed, "VERY GOOD! WOW!".
It was short lived, however. The oil pressure dropped (dropped, as in plummeted) and the oil temperature rose. A serious red flag. It could be that the gauges were just messing up, but it could also be that the engine would seize up in the air if we attempted to take off. I was disappointed, but we turned around and came back. Better to be on the ground, wishing you were in the air than in the air, wishing you were on the ground. Poor little Del, hope she's okay.
But that puts my next flight on Sunday. It's okay - I'm disappointed, but by Sunday, I'll be able to memorize slow flight, power-on & power-off stalls and the emergency take off procedures. Got slow flight down already. Stalls are very similar in how they start out, so shouldn't be too bad. And hopefully, my Del will be ready to go on Sunday.
So I've been studying a little bit after dinner and on my lunch break at work. The book isn't monstrous or anything, but I was quickly overwhelmed in the first few pages. I wonder how I'm going to cram all of this into my head... I made a joke on facebook about maybe this is why pilots all have nicknames/call signs - they've been studying so hard and forgot their own names in the process. :P
Managed to schedule a last minute flight in last night. It's quite a feat to fly out of work, get my stuff together, take care of the animals, shove a sandwich in my mouth and speed over to the airport. The weather was fine - saw one cumulonimbus overhead as I drove there, but didn't think it would be a problem.
Arrived at the school, flight bag in hand and "Love at First Flight" t-shirt on. Saw the guy in charge of the center and waved hello. Saw my very first instructor, "Baloo", and was totally excited to see him! He asked how everything was going and I started babbling nonstop about everything. Told him about how the seat cushion was helping me to see and about my perfect landing. He congratulated me. The owner said, "Get out!" from the other room. I poked my head in and grinned, he dropped the joking tone and pointed to the door, "I mean it, get out". Joking, I'm sure... but I don't like him very much. I admitted to Baloo that I tried to get another perfect landing during my touch & gos and didn't make it after that first time. He had really good advice- "That's the problem - you tried. Did you try for a perfect landing the first time? Just let it happen". And the guy in charge piped up from the other room -"Feel the Force, Luke!". I shouted back, "Thanks, Obi-Wan!". (Ha-maybe I should call him "Obi-Wan")
Although couldn't talk long - the daylight was fading and we needed to take off. I got my stuff, waved g'bye and headed out to do the pre-flight before Bambi came out there. Felt kinda good to strut out of there to do the pre-flight in front of my very first instructor. Kind of a "look at me now" moment. Very cool.
I greeted my Delta Charlie with enthusiasm. Talked with her all through the pre-flight, running my hands over her wings. Bambi took awhile to come out of there, so I had plenty of time. She warned me that Del had been having oil pressure problems yesterday but didn't seem to today. We hop in the plane. I handle the radios (omg- I handled the radios!!!) and started to taxi. Bambi was taken aback by the taxiing - we were on the line 99% of the time. Got down to the little area where we did the run up before take off. You have to do a little maneuver to get the plane turned around. Kind of turning on a point. You up the power and stomp hard on the brake where you want the plane to go. Although turning isn't hard - it's just stopping because otherwise that plane will keep going. She turned like a Russian Ballerina. Bambi was astounded and even exclaimed, "VERY GOOD! WOW!".
It was short lived, however. The oil pressure dropped (dropped, as in plummeted) and the oil temperature rose. A serious red flag. It could be that the gauges were just messing up, but it could also be that the engine would seize up in the air if we attempted to take off. I was disappointed, but we turned around and came back. Better to be on the ground, wishing you were in the air than in the air, wishing you were on the ground. Poor little Del, hope she's okay.
But that puts my next flight on Sunday. It's okay - I'm disappointed, but by Sunday, I'll be able to memorize slow flight, power-on & power-off stalls and the emergency take off procedures. Got slow flight down already. Stalls are very similar in how they start out, so shouldn't be too bad. And hopefully, my Del will be ready to go on Sunday.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Ground School
First official day of ground school. Was excited this morning, but was also very, very jealous looking up at the clear, blue sky, wishing I was up there instead. Bambi said that if maybe we got through everything, then maybe we could do some pattern work.
Mostly we worked on the weight and balance sheet and how to fill one out. The plane has a center of gravity and the weight of it after adding fuel, people, bags, etc affects that. The weight and balance sheet just makes sure we don't go over maximum weight.
Then we went over the principles of flight... Wasn't as excited about all of this. I learned about this before my intro flight. Went over gravity, lift, thrust and drag. Covered Angle of Attack (AoA) and how that comes into play with stalls. We finished 20 minutes ahead of time, but not enough for a flight. Pooh. :( Oh well, good news is that we managed to squeeze in one for tomorrow. Hope the weather cooperates.
She dragged out her HUGE CFI book so we could look at diagrams and stuff. I'm not kidding when I say this book was a monster. Looked like one of the antique family Bibles or something... She had to make it for her CFI training. Then she looks at me and asks if I've ever considered being a CFI. I laughed and admitted that I hadn't at first, but am warming to the idea. Mostly how I could get paid for flying and could give the gift of flight to someone else. It's still a long ways away, in any case.
In other news, she thinks I'll be ready to solo and take my written exam the first week of October. Bought myself a test prep book and the plan is to do a section per day and practice the online quizzes (which I've already been doing and have been getting pretty good at!)
I went to an itty-bitty air show over the weekend. Helicopters only, but hey, I take what I can get... :)
Ran into an organization I've been looking at for a little while. Finally got to talk to someone in person about it. If I volunteer, I get to fly in their planes, learn new skills and use my piloting skills to help people. Whatever you want to learn, they are willing to teach you if you are willing to help out. You can help out with their PR and promotions or help out with the young kids, teaching them about aviation or you can learn first-aid skills and help out in the case of an emergency. I've been trying to think of a way to combine aviation and medical stuffs. I just may have found it. Oh yeah, and I get to wear a nifty 'lil flight suit, too.
Mostly we worked on the weight and balance sheet and how to fill one out. The plane has a center of gravity and the weight of it after adding fuel, people, bags, etc affects that. The weight and balance sheet just makes sure we don't go over maximum weight.
Then we went over the principles of flight... Wasn't as excited about all of this. I learned about this before my intro flight. Went over gravity, lift, thrust and drag. Covered Angle of Attack (AoA) and how that comes into play with stalls. We finished 20 minutes ahead of time, but not enough for a flight. Pooh. :( Oh well, good news is that we managed to squeeze in one for tomorrow. Hope the weather cooperates.
She dragged out her HUGE CFI book so we could look at diagrams and stuff. I'm not kidding when I say this book was a monster. Looked like one of the antique family Bibles or something... She had to make it for her CFI training. Then she looks at me and asks if I've ever considered being a CFI. I laughed and admitted that I hadn't at first, but am warming to the idea. Mostly how I could get paid for flying and could give the gift of flight to someone else. It's still a long ways away, in any case.
In other news, she thinks I'll be ready to solo and take my written exam the first week of October. Bought myself a test prep book and the plan is to do a section per day and practice the online quizzes (which I've already been doing and have been getting pretty good at!)
I went to an itty-bitty air show over the weekend. Helicopters only, but hey, I take what I can get... :)
Ran into an organization I've been looking at for a little while. Finally got to talk to someone in person about it. If I volunteer, I get to fly in their planes, learn new skills and use my piloting skills to help people. Whatever you want to learn, they are willing to teach you if you are willing to help out. You can help out with their PR and promotions or help out with the young kids, teaching them about aviation or you can learn first-aid skills and help out in the case of an emergency. I've been trying to think of a way to combine aviation and medical stuffs. I just may have found it. Oh yeah, and I get to wear a nifty 'lil flight suit, too.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Touch & Go's
I flew again on Sunday. My instructor and I don't have much time in the next few weeks, so we scheduled two flights this weekend. She warned me not to get too excited because there was a hurricane coming through and most likely the lesson would be canceled.
I woke up Sunday morning and sure enough, 100% cloud cover. Regardless, I hung around the house and got ready just in case. 11am rolled around. No phone call. She promised me she'd call an hour before hand if it was going to be canceled. I waited until 11:15 - nothing. Looked outside again - still 100% cloud cover. But they looked kind of high, so maybe that's why. I checked my phone, made sure it was charged and turned it off/on. No phone call, no messages. I got my stuff together and got into the car, certain that my phone would ring any minute. Never did.
I got down to the airport and checked-in. Asked the guy behind the desk if we were still flying today and he said we were, as the radar said it was clear outside. My instructor arrived and also asked. We all checked again and it looked liked all systems were go.
My instructor said that maybe we'd change our plans for today and just hang around the airport. She didn't trust the radar and would hate to be faraway from the airport in case something happened. Instead, we'd spend the day doing touch & go's. My heart leaped - those are my favorite! Actually, I've only ever done one real one and it was assisted. But I've done them many, many times in my dreams. Thought they looked like fun ever since I saw Maverick do one in Top Gun when I was younger. I remember before all this craziness started and my pilot friends told me that I'd need to practice touch & go's until I was blue in the face. They thought they were boring; I've always found them fun.
Did the pre-flight again. I was in the same plane I've been in the last four flights. Not ashamed to say that I love this little plane. Her call sign ends in "Delta Charlie". I've been calling her "Del" and then it transformed into "Delphinus" (latin for dolphin). There's just something about her... She's my instructor's favorite plane, too.
(And speaking of names, I'm going to start to refer to my CFI as "Bambi". More personable and easier than "my CFI" or "my instructor" all the time.)
So we taxi down the runway. No radios this time. Bambi says I need to concentrate on just the touch & go's. She does the first one. I look for landmarks to tell me when to turn and if I'm where I need to be in the air. We land and go up again - my controls this time. Bambi still had her hands on the controls though, walking me through things. There were a million things going on up there - more so than usual. A normal flight, you take off and still have to do things, but not as quickly. A touch & go is different. You go up, do a lap in a square around the airport, land, repeat. It's very quick... or at least it seems that way. We only had enough time to do 5 touch & go's in an hour.
We turn final. I see that runway, as I lick my lips nervously. Wonder if I can score another perfect landing? No such luck - we bounce. I frown - Bambi says it was a good landing. No way... nothing like last time. This one was like my first landing. She laughs and tells me not to be such a perfectionist. It was a good landing, just not "mythologically perfect" like my landing the day before.
We push the throttle all the way forward, pull back on the stick and we're in the air again. 500ft - change the flaps to cruise. Turn left, line plane up with skyline of Atlanta, look out left window, make sure we are parallel with the runway, look for triangular building, turn left again, turn final left once over the triangular building, lower to 1500 rpm, watch out for tall green pole, lower flaps, aim for runway, cut power to idle, pull back, let stick go a little to lower nose, roll down runway, push throttle forward again, pull back on the stick and we're off again. Very exciting - can't see how a person can say this is boring!
I started to feel more comfortable with it. Take off and landings always made me a little nervous before. We were certainly beating that out of me today! The wind was a little strong, so it tossed us about during some of the turns. Besides, some of the turns need to be sharper than normal because these are so quick. It was a little nerve-wracking to see the ground like that. We'd go into a turn and I'd see only ground out of the window on my left. The visual made me have a tendancy to try and correct it. You may think of me as crazy but it was during one of the turns when I first heard/felt the plane "talk". We'd go into the turn, I'd see the ground coming, try to correct it and that's when I "heard" it... "Trust me". Really felt it more... Another turn, another pulling back and once again, "trust me". So I did and just went with it. Bambi even remarked afterwards that she felt a change in me and really saw how I was learning to trust the plane more.
I didn't tell my instructor, but I told my mom. She said it was probably just as well that I didn't tell the instructor. We joked about me being a "plane whisperer" or something. haha
After 5 touch & go's, we landed. Had two good landings and two that came down hard. Bambi said it was okay, as I was still learning. And she was right - something did change in me. Everyone thought I was loved airplanes before, but nothing compares to this! Usually after a good flight, I'd get a natural high and I'd just feel so elevated. After a bit, it would wear off and I'd slowly come back down. It's now Thursday and I haven't come back down yet. I don't think I'm going to come back down, nor do I want to ever. I feel it coursing through my veins and wonder why I didn't find out about my love for aviation sooner. It feels like it's always been there, but just waiting for the right time to let me discover it. Couldn't imagine my life without it.
As the song says, "I think I fell in love with the 8th World Wonder...". ;)
I woke up Sunday morning and sure enough, 100% cloud cover. Regardless, I hung around the house and got ready just in case. 11am rolled around. No phone call. She promised me she'd call an hour before hand if it was going to be canceled. I waited until 11:15 - nothing. Looked outside again - still 100% cloud cover. But they looked kind of high, so maybe that's why. I checked my phone, made sure it was charged and turned it off/on. No phone call, no messages. I got my stuff together and got into the car, certain that my phone would ring any minute. Never did.
I got down to the airport and checked-in. Asked the guy behind the desk if we were still flying today and he said we were, as the radar said it was clear outside. My instructor arrived and also asked. We all checked again and it looked liked all systems were go.
My instructor said that maybe we'd change our plans for today and just hang around the airport. She didn't trust the radar and would hate to be faraway from the airport in case something happened. Instead, we'd spend the day doing touch & go's. My heart leaped - those are my favorite! Actually, I've only ever done one real one and it was assisted. But I've done them many, many times in my dreams. Thought they looked like fun ever since I saw Maverick do one in Top Gun when I was younger. I remember before all this craziness started and my pilot friends told me that I'd need to practice touch & go's until I was blue in the face. They thought they were boring; I've always found them fun.
Did the pre-flight again. I was in the same plane I've been in the last four flights. Not ashamed to say that I love this little plane. Her call sign ends in "Delta Charlie". I've been calling her "Del" and then it transformed into "Delphinus" (latin for dolphin). There's just something about her... She's my instructor's favorite plane, too.
(And speaking of names, I'm going to start to refer to my CFI as "Bambi". More personable and easier than "my CFI" or "my instructor" all the time.)
So we taxi down the runway. No radios this time. Bambi says I need to concentrate on just the touch & go's. She does the first one. I look for landmarks to tell me when to turn and if I'm where I need to be in the air. We land and go up again - my controls this time. Bambi still had her hands on the controls though, walking me through things. There were a million things going on up there - more so than usual. A normal flight, you take off and still have to do things, but not as quickly. A touch & go is different. You go up, do a lap in a square around the airport, land, repeat. It's very quick... or at least it seems that way. We only had enough time to do 5 touch & go's in an hour.
We turn final. I see that runway, as I lick my lips nervously. Wonder if I can score another perfect landing? No such luck - we bounce. I frown - Bambi says it was a good landing. No way... nothing like last time. This one was like my first landing. She laughs and tells me not to be such a perfectionist. It was a good landing, just not "mythologically perfect" like my landing the day before.
We push the throttle all the way forward, pull back on the stick and we're in the air again. 500ft - change the flaps to cruise. Turn left, line plane up with skyline of Atlanta, look out left window, make sure we are parallel with the runway, look for triangular building, turn left again, turn final left once over the triangular building, lower to 1500 rpm, watch out for tall green pole, lower flaps, aim for runway, cut power to idle, pull back, let stick go a little to lower nose, roll down runway, push throttle forward again, pull back on the stick and we're off again. Very exciting - can't see how a person can say this is boring!
I started to feel more comfortable with it. Take off and landings always made me a little nervous before. We were certainly beating that out of me today! The wind was a little strong, so it tossed us about during some of the turns. Besides, some of the turns need to be sharper than normal because these are so quick. It was a little nerve-wracking to see the ground like that. We'd go into a turn and I'd see only ground out of the window on my left. The visual made me have a tendancy to try and correct it. You may think of me as crazy but it was during one of the turns when I first heard/felt the plane "talk". We'd go into the turn, I'd see the ground coming, try to correct it and that's when I "heard" it... "Trust me". Really felt it more... Another turn, another pulling back and once again, "trust me". So I did and just went with it. Bambi even remarked afterwards that she felt a change in me and really saw how I was learning to trust the plane more.
I didn't tell my instructor, but I told my mom. She said it was probably just as well that I didn't tell the instructor. We joked about me being a "plane whisperer" or something. haha
After 5 touch & go's, we landed. Had two good landings and two that came down hard. Bambi said it was okay, as I was still learning. And she was right - something did change in me. Everyone thought I was loved airplanes before, but nothing compares to this! Usually after a good flight, I'd get a natural high and I'd just feel so elevated. After a bit, it would wear off and I'd slowly come back down. It's now Thursday and I haven't come back down yet. I don't think I'm going to come back down, nor do I want to ever. I feel it coursing through my veins and wonder why I didn't find out about my love for aviation sooner. It feels like it's always been there, but just waiting for the right time to let me discover it. Couldn't imagine my life without it.
As the song says, "I think I fell in love with the 8th World Wonder...". ;)
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The One with the Perfect Landing
For once, the weather was in my favor - no afternoon t-storms on Saturday afternoon. I headed down to the airport early like I always do. I was positive, I was excited.
My CFI was sitting at the desk when I entered. She told me she had a few things to finish up inside, but I could go ahead and start with the pre-flight.
No way. Pre-flight by myself ? With no supervision? Really?
It's okay - I've got this one. I've done this before and I can do it again. Besides, gives me more one-on-one time with the plane. She's one I've flown in twice before. It'll be okay. I've got this one.
I'm not even exaggerating that I nearly skipped out to the ramp. More responsibility makes me happy. I took great pride in going over the plane and checking everything. To experienced pilots, doing this part on your own may not be a big deal, but it is and was to me. I was finishing up when my CFI walked out. She checked the fuel and oil levels and off we went. She discussed about me being on the radios this time. I listened to her going up and was going to try it on the way back. She said she'd coach me a little on the way back too, so nothing to worry about. (Just wish they didn't talk so dang fast!)
She let me take off this time, too. I took a deep breath - putting out of mind my bad takeoff and thinking about the first time instead. Thinking about how magical it was to leave the ground and everything behind. Just watching it drop away as the plane soars away. Airspeed alive and we were airborne. Hit some hot pockets going up and while we were in the air, so we were tossed around quite a bit. Still not used to that. She was telling me that I just need to let go and go with the flow when that happens. Unless it tosses us into a 90 degree bank or something, I don't need to do anything or try and correct it - the plane will correct itself.
We worked on stalls and slow flight again. Getting better. Still need to commit those to memory. Silly to think I was ever scared of stalls. Hopefully the landing on a field and the checkride won't be as bad as they look from here either.
Was beautiful up there. REALLY clear visability. Saw a few rain showers off in the distance, which was pretty cool. They were kind of like a thinly stretched ball of cotton off in the distance. Very neat to see.
So we turn around to head home. We're about 30 miles out. She says we need to call into the Tower at about 15 miles away from the airport, so we have some time to practice.
"Peachtree Tower, 352 Delta Charlie, approach, 15 miles out".
Easy enough, right? I hit the button and go for it. "Perfect", says my CFI. We wait... and wait some more. Nothing. She tells me to try again. I go again; tower responds. The guy tells me to go to a certain runway. My CFI nods and tells me to repeat back what I just heard. Easier said than done. WTF did he just? So I repeat back what I heard... and in the wrong order. My CFI bursts out laughing beside me. She said it was okay - I got my point across and that's all that matters. Well, the tower calls twice more in rapid succession - changing our runway each time (wind keeps changing). She takes over because it's just too fast and there's too much information.
"Wanna try landing?"
Bring it on. I can do this. Okay, aim for the landing strip, gradually cut power, pull back a little, hold and gently let go. She exclaims, "wow, good job!". Even I know that was a good landing. We landed so smoothly that you had no idea you were on the ground. No bumps, no bounces. Unheard of to land like that on someone's second try. The plane just floated down the runway and alighted on the runway like a drop of rain on a leaf. Very smooth, graceful. She said she doesn't even get landings like that all the time. They are very, very difficult to do and even the most experienced pilot doesn't get them all the time. Like the Holy Grail of landings.
We taxiied back. I said g'bye to my plane and seriously, flounced out of there. I called my mom from the car and told her about it. I got such an adrenaline high from it and haven't come back down since. This definitely takes the cake for the best flight yet.
(P.S. The "s" word came up -"solo". We're getting closer and I'm excited!)
My CFI was sitting at the desk when I entered. She told me she had a few things to finish up inside, but I could go ahead and start with the pre-flight.
No way. Pre-flight by myself ? With no supervision? Really?
It's okay - I've got this one. I've done this before and I can do it again. Besides, gives me more one-on-one time with the plane. She's one I've flown in twice before. It'll be okay. I've got this one.
I'm not even exaggerating that I nearly skipped out to the ramp. More responsibility makes me happy. I took great pride in going over the plane and checking everything. To experienced pilots, doing this part on your own may not be a big deal, but it is and was to me. I was finishing up when my CFI walked out. She checked the fuel and oil levels and off we went. She discussed about me being on the radios this time. I listened to her going up and was going to try it on the way back. She said she'd coach me a little on the way back too, so nothing to worry about. (Just wish they didn't talk so dang fast!)
She let me take off this time, too. I took a deep breath - putting out of mind my bad takeoff and thinking about the first time instead. Thinking about how magical it was to leave the ground and everything behind. Just watching it drop away as the plane soars away. Airspeed alive and we were airborne. Hit some hot pockets going up and while we were in the air, so we were tossed around quite a bit. Still not used to that. She was telling me that I just need to let go and go with the flow when that happens. Unless it tosses us into a 90 degree bank or something, I don't need to do anything or try and correct it - the plane will correct itself.
We worked on stalls and slow flight again. Getting better. Still need to commit those to memory. Silly to think I was ever scared of stalls. Hopefully the landing on a field and the checkride won't be as bad as they look from here either.
Was beautiful up there. REALLY clear visability. Saw a few rain showers off in the distance, which was pretty cool. They were kind of like a thinly stretched ball of cotton off in the distance. Very neat to see.
So we turn around to head home. We're about 30 miles out. She says we need to call into the Tower at about 15 miles away from the airport, so we have some time to practice.
"Peachtree Tower, 352 Delta Charlie, approach, 15 miles out".
Easy enough, right? I hit the button and go for it. "Perfect", says my CFI. We wait... and wait some more. Nothing. She tells me to try again. I go again; tower responds. The guy tells me to go to a certain runway. My CFI nods and tells me to repeat back what I just heard. Easier said than done. WTF did he just? So I repeat back what I heard... and in the wrong order. My CFI bursts out laughing beside me. She said it was okay - I got my point across and that's all that matters. Well, the tower calls twice more in rapid succession - changing our runway each time (wind keeps changing). She takes over because it's just too fast and there's too much information.
"Wanna try landing?"
Bring it on. I can do this. Okay, aim for the landing strip, gradually cut power, pull back a little, hold and gently let go. She exclaims, "wow, good job!". Even I know that was a good landing. We landed so smoothly that you had no idea you were on the ground. No bumps, no bounces. Unheard of to land like that on someone's second try. The plane just floated down the runway and alighted on the runway like a drop of rain on a leaf. Very smooth, graceful. She said she doesn't even get landings like that all the time. They are very, very difficult to do and even the most experienced pilot doesn't get them all the time. Like the Holy Grail of landings.
We taxiied back. I said g'bye to my plane and seriously, flounced out of there. I called my mom from the car and told her about it. I got such an adrenaline high from it and haven't come back down since. This definitely takes the cake for the best flight yet.
(P.S. The "s" word came up -"solo". We're getting closer and I'm excited!)
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