Flight 8

Flight 8
2009-07-24 09:00
Temp 22C, Wind calm

This flight was all about steep turns and landings (not at the same time). We headed out NE to the training area that we always go to. I was pretty nervous about doing a steep turn, which is at about 45 degrees of bank as opposed to the 20 in a standard rate turn. You do a full 360 in each direction, one after the other, very quickly. Jory did a couple first so I could get a feel for how it looked out the window and such. The first one sent my stomach for a loop. Flying is awesome because it's like a roller coaster whenever you want it to be.

Then I did a couple. Surprisingly, they actually went really really well. I did a couple where I rolled into it slowly, and then a couple where I went into it more quickly. On the 3rd one, I actually felt the bump where you catch your own turbulence because you flew a perfect circle. Needless to say, I was quite proud...

But each flight must end with a landing. On the first one, we came in plenty high so that we could practice a go-around, which went quite well. The second time, we did a touch and go. I will tell you that landing is by far the most difficult part of flying, and I assume any pilot will agree. The problem seems to be that I am making a good approach, but then flaring (pulling up to set the rear wheels down first) either too early, or too much. I still can't completely tell which it is. But the result is that instead of floating above the runway and gently setting down, I'm actually gaining a bit of altitude, then slowing so much (because the throttle is pulled all the way idle at this point) that the plane falls back down and hits the runway too hard.

So basically, instead of that final drop being about 1 ft, it's becoming about 5, and it's quite uncomfortable. Makes it harder to control once it's on the ground, too. So, hopefully there will be a lot more work on that, because I feel like it's really the only thing standing between me and a great first solo in a week's time.

Oh yeah, I only have two more lessons, then I have to do this by myself. Sure wish I could have learned to drive in 4 weeks...

Next flight was supposed to be today, but weather got in the way. Rescheduled for Wednesday at 17:30, so we'll see how that pans out.