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December 07, 2004
an hour update since I've been lax
I've been lazy so I'm updating my online hour totals for all to see.
total time: 13.7
dual received: 12
solo: 1.7
minimum left for PPL: 26.3
Now what I need to do is get that written knowledge test out of the way.
Posted by Chris Mitchell at 11:29 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 05, 2004
Groundschool:Navigation
Bad weather, but lots to learn. We stay in for an hour or so of flight planning discussion.
I am pleased to say that now I understand how to use a circular sliderule style flight computer (E6-B). It is amazingly simple, if I can just remember what to point the wheel at for different calculations. I'm not too worried about it, though, since I will also bring in my C2-X digital calculator that has all the flight computer functions on it. I am impressed by the compressed genius in the slide rule, but placing the values out by labels on a little lcd screen makes much more sense to me.
Anyway, so, flight navigation planning. There is a lot of stuff to do, but it is very systematic. We planned a short flight (very short!) to College Station (CLL) from IWS based on a phonecall to the flight briefer at 1-800-WX-BRIEF. A lot of information very fast from him, but I got all the key stuff in the right place. Harvey showed me how to put things in, where they go, and what to calculate from them. We whipped out the plotter and sectional and drew a direct path between the airports, picking out visual waypoints about every 10 NM. I'll actually be a lot happier when I become proficient in cross checking VOR radials because making a waypoint like "Hockley" or "Waller off the left wingtip" seems a little loose to me, but with appropriately calculated headings with correction for winds aloft at our altitude, the checkpoints are really just that - points where you check how you're doing in your path.
Using the plane's manual, we could calculate the total fuel used in the takeoff and climb, and on each leg, based on the temperature and cruising altitude. All very well organized and common sense. It was EXTREMELY helpful, though, to have Harvey walk me through this simple plan. I definitely feel like I'll be alright in planning my cross countries.
I've got, as always, a lot to learn with this. I'll be using the GPS simultaneously as a cross-check, since I am supposed to use all the resources I have anyway. Sure, I'd love to be able to fly anywhere with just a stopwatch and the heading indicator/compass, but come on. It is nearly 2005 and you can get a full color handheld airnav GPS for 700$. Anything to reduce pilot workload sounds great to me.
Won't be back until Wednesday.
Posted by Chris Mitchell at 11:11 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 04, 2004
2nd Solo - and neat benefit
I complete my second (and really my third, by time extension) supervised solo flights.
we were going to do maneuvers at altitude today, but Harvey thought it would be more efficient to just send me back out to complete my observed solo pattern work (with the CFI in the office on the radio the whole time). So, we went around 3 times and I felt kind of off, but nevertheless I obviously wasn't damaging myself nor the airplane, just floating a bit, so he sent me off to go around.
I went around for 1.2 hours doing 7 circuits with no go-arounds. A few of the landings were better, a few were worse. I did have a pretty severe ballooning once that almost stalled out on the top but I recovered. I should have added some power so I could maintain my flare attitude and lose some speed. Of all the control flipping I was doing, the throttle should have come on in that one. But anyway, not a bad day. I'm definitely feeling confident behind the yoke alone, now. In the worst case, as long as there is not a terrible crosswind (and when I finally landed the weekend weather started up and it was about 9 knots from the east) I can land just fine. As I was making those last landings with crosswind (whereas before it was fairly dead wind ALL WEEK... calm and variable) there was definitely moisture in the air that was visible at pattern altitude (1100' AGL). Neat.
So what is the benefit? Well, since I finished the supervised solo I can schedule the plane to do pattern practice time on my own. I am not allowed to leave the pattern, but this is definitely another big step!
Posted by Chris Mitchell at 11:21 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 03, 2004
First Solo
Well, I obviously made it back.
Well, today I did it! I knew this was coming after the pattern/landing work yesterday and the hours I've got, but still it was something I will never forget. Like most other people I've heard from, this is how it went for me with a few details:
I got to the airport around 1pm and did pre-flight. Harvey and I went out and I knew we'd be doing more pattern work. Harvey ran through the pre-takeoff checklist at the speed of light and taxi'd us out to the taxiway and gave me the controls. We were going to go around 3 times.
Ok, I take off and I go around. The first landing is actually pretty good. Then I go around again, mediocre landing but not terrible. So when I take off the 3rd time, Harvey pulls his headset and wraps it up and sits there. I know I have to go on my own this time and he is a safety feature I will soon be losing. I made it down alright and he instructs me to taxi to the front of the ramp.
He signs my student certificate and endorses my logbook for solo flight at IWS in C172. He pops open the door, tells me to get back in one piece and have a good time. So off I go for three rounds.
Well, actually the first circle was quite good and a smooth landing (relatively). The second I came in too high and fast, so I elected to go around. Then I did two more full stops and came in to parking, tied the plane down, and entered the building.
Well, West Houston doesnt like to destroy shirts (though I had been careful to wear what I could spare after my wife made me clean out my clothes) but I did get a cool certificate. I know I have a long way to go, but I am pretty pleased with soloing after one week.
I called my grandma and told her I had flown the plane by myself and she said "but your instructor was in there with you" and I said no "BY MYSELF" . A lot of people are under the impression that your instructor basically flies the airplane for the first 10 hours and then you get to handle the controls - this is clearly not the reality that student pilots live with. I called my sister and she asked "did you land?"
Well, obviously.
Posted by Chris Mitchell at 02:00 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 02, 2004
Circling Overland
A routine day of takeoff/pattern/landing
Not much special to talk about today. We did about 6 trips around the pattern with me doing the landings. Harvey mentioned getting me soloing soon, especially if I do well on 3 rounds with him tomorrow.
Posted by Chris Mitchell at 02:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack