Stalls, Slips and Landings, Oh My!

I have two more trainings under my belt. On Thursday I got going a little late. I know that I am getting up to take the lessons at 6am for a reason, but that doesn't mean that it isn't hard to wake up at 4:45am. For anyone that knows me, understands that I really, really want this to be able to commit myself willingly to get up at that hour. After getting started a few minutes later than I had hoped, we flew back out to a practice are just passed Primm, NV over the Mojave desert. We practiced slow flight, turns in slow flight and an introduction to stalls. Just like Tuesday, the weather was perfect and very little wind.

On Friday, making sure that I would get up on time so that I could perform the pre-flight inspection and get going early, I set my alarm earlier. When I woke up, it was 5am, which would put me out there late again, so I jumped out of bed, rushed in the shower and ran downstairs to eat breakfast. I then saw that clock in the kitchen and it was 4:45am! I was really early! Somehow, and unconsciously, I had set the time on my clock 35mins ahead. I took advantage of the time, called the weather briefer and did the preflight inspection. I had time to study the pilot's operating handbook and review some notes before my instructor arrived.

We took off and headed out to the same practice area again, starting out with slow flight and some turns. We then practice both power on and power off stalls. After 15 mins of practicing, my arm was about to fall off from holding the wheel back to cause the airplane to do something that I knew and it knew it wasn't really supposed to be doing. After the stalls, we practice some forward and side slips and then did some S-turns over a road. The wind wasn't blowing at all, so we couldn't practice slips into the wind.

After about 1.25hrs in the practice area, we went to Jean, NV (0L7) and did two full-stop landings. Both went pretty well, but I still have alot to learn. There are quite a few things happening simultaneously that makes it alot to remember the first few times. I am sure with more practice, they will become natural.

Approaching 8:30am, we headed back to Henderson and landed, fueled and parked the plane. It was another great day of flying!

First Lesson

Yesterday (11/18) I went up with Bob Guay for my first "official" lesson. As before, I was so excited to go flying the second my alarm went off at 4:15, I was awake and ready to go. This is really strange for me, since it usually takes over an hour for me to get up after my alarm goes off. I got out there about 10 minutes early, so I started the preflight inspection, using the checklist, and was mostly ready to go when my CFI got there. We call the weather service and spoke to a briefer. The weather was perfect for flying, just light winds and cool temperatures.

I was able to taxi the plane, work the radios a little bit (not the whole time) and take the plane off. We went just south of Jean, NV to a practice area. Bob had me do some turns, slow flight turns, dutch rolls (they should call these Navy rolls because they make you sea sick) and stalls. It was really exciting to actually start practicing maneuvers and be learning. After about 70 mins in the practice area, we headed back to Henderson, entered the traffic pattern and I landed the plane. It wasn't a perfect landing (off to the side of the runway a little bit), but it wasn't hard and I didn't go off the side of the runway.

Overall, it was a great experience and I am very excited to go up again tomorrow. I invite everyone that is reading this that doesn't have a pilot's license to go out and experience flying. It is truly the most

Medical Certificate and Student Pilot License

Last week I went and received my third class medical certificate and student pilot license. I went to Dr. John Dudek. They got me in the day after I called and I was there about 1 hour. The office was very efficient and nice. One thing that I would recommend to anyone else that goes in is to fill out the FAA forms on https://medxpress.faa.gov/ It makes the process much faster and easier. In other words, you wouldn't need to fill out anything in the doctors office. You can visit Dr. Dudek at 2020 Goldring Ave #506, Las Vegas, NV 89106. Phone (702) 382-7055. I decided to go ahead and get the medical done so that I am completely ready to solo when the time comes.

More importantly, tomorrow (11/18/08) is the official day that I start training. Bright an early at 6am I will be at Henderson Airport ready to go flying!