Time: 1 hr 18 mins
Total time: 4.5 hrs
The weather was absolutely perfect today, with 5-10 MPH winds, no clouds in the sky, and it was very, very smooth in the air. Adam and I took the C172 with the G1000 today, which was great. I talked to ATC for every communication today, which was a lot of fun and is quickly becoming one of my favorite parts of flying. We tookoff from runway 16 and headed northwest to the practice area.
After Adam showed me some prominent landmarks, he had me do some slow flight which I found much easier this time. Afterwards, I did a couple power-off stalls and then later a power-on stall. I felt that I executed the maneuvers pretty well and followed his directions pretty well. After some various climbs, turns, descents, and traffic avoidance and some more stalls, we headed back to KPWK for landing.
I flew a good approach and recognized that we were way high coming in on final, and adjusted the power/pitch to get on the proper glidepath. I flew the plane down to the flare which is the farthest I've taken it down since, so I'm getting closer to that first totally on-my-own landing. After landing we taxied back to the hangar and had some fun with cicadas running into the prop and getting killed.
I feel that I did a good job today, and, although it sounds trivial, I think a lot of this was due to my seat being up a little higher. On my previous flight, my seat was down so low I really couldn't see over the nose of the aircraft without stretching, which turned out to really impede my flying. Additionally, I solved the problem I was having with the brakes/rudder pedals. For some reason when I pressed the left brake too much and the plane started to go left, I was hitting the left brake more, thinking that that would correct the left turning. Obviously, this increased the turn and made everything much worse. I figured this out and started correcting with additional pressure on the right brake and soon I found myself making smooth turns and smooth braking after landing.
This was a great flight and again I'm excited for the next flight, scheduled for either Monday morning or Tuesday afternoon.
One more note, I officially picked Adam as my instructor as I feel he is the best instructor I've been with so far and will help me the most in my training. I also ran into Eric at Palwaukee Flyers who actually happened to be reading this blog which was really cool. I totally didn't expect much anyone at all to be reading this, let alone someone at Palwaukee Flyers! I think that's great.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
5th lesson - perfect weather/more slow flight and landings
Time - 1 hr
Total time - 3 hrs
Saturday was a picture-perfect day for flying, which was VERY welcome after the spell of horrible weather we've been having here in Chicago. 5 MPH winds, with not a single cloud in the sky, and about 78 degrees. It was perfect. And because it was perfect, the airport was again completely packed. Everyone with a pilot's license who lived in the area was definitely at the airport that day. You would have to be stupid to do otherwise.
After a preflight I talked to the tower and got clearance to taxi, takeoff, and we were in the air. We flew out northwest and practiced some more slow flight, which I found a little more difficult that time. It was hard to maintain altitude while maintaining airspeed, constantly monitoring the power and pitch attitude of the aircraft. The purpose of practicing the slow flight was to further hone my skills of keeping the aircraft slow during a landing approach, which is the next thing we did.
We headed back towards the airport and got clearance from the tower for a touch-and-go. I setup for the approach and flew it rather well, although I used the PAPI extensively to guide me. I don't yet have that total concrete sense of if I'm too high or too low. We had to do a small crosswind correction, which complicated the landing just a little bit. My instructor handled the rudder, but I handled the yoke fully this time, and got the plane on the ground. Immediately following the touch down, I applied full power and made left traffic to again end up on final for a full-stop this time.
I had a little trouble squaring the plane up for landing on final, but eventually put it down smoothly again with the instructor on the rudders. Although immediately following the landing, I made a little bit of a mess-up. Accidentally pushing the right brake more than the left brake, I sent the plane hurling towards the left grass at about a 40 degree angle. Thankfully, my instructor punched the right rudder and kept us on the pavement, but that was still a little humiliating.
Overall another great day of flying, making a lot of progress. Some comments from my instructor were that I seemed to be very confident in the air, flying maneuvers easily and correctly and that I was great on the radios, which is an area that new pilots usually fall short in (or are scared of). The one criticism that he had that I wholeheartedly agreed with was that I am not the best at manuevering the aircraft on the ground.
Besides that rudder incident I described above, I also did the same exact thing while taxiing to the hold short line, making the plane end up facing sideways, parallel with the runway. I agreed with him quite emphatically, stating that I suck on the rudders! He reassured me though, reminding me that I had only been in the aircraft three times and I really shouldn't be criticizing myself like that yet! I just told him that I want to improve quickly, and he said that flying doesn't come quick to anyone, which I understood.
My flight today also marked the completion of the "Phase II" part of the flying program, which is meant to wash people out. This puts me in the "official" flight training program at Palwaukee Flyers. I received a Cessna pilot's training kit, with CDs and books and manuals and all sorts of good stuff, which I am excited to delve into.
After another great day of flying and some more great weather in the forecast I am very excited for my next lesson on Thursday (6-14).
Total time - 3 hrs
Saturday was a picture-perfect day for flying, which was VERY welcome after the spell of horrible weather we've been having here in Chicago. 5 MPH winds, with not a single cloud in the sky, and about 78 degrees. It was perfect. And because it was perfect, the airport was again completely packed. Everyone with a pilot's license who lived in the area was definitely at the airport that day. You would have to be stupid to do otherwise.
After a preflight I talked to the tower and got clearance to taxi, takeoff, and we were in the air. We flew out northwest and practiced some more slow flight, which I found a little more difficult that time. It was hard to maintain altitude while maintaining airspeed, constantly monitoring the power and pitch attitude of the aircraft. The purpose of practicing the slow flight was to further hone my skills of keeping the aircraft slow during a landing approach, which is the next thing we did.
We headed back towards the airport and got clearance from the tower for a touch-and-go. I setup for the approach and flew it rather well, although I used the PAPI extensively to guide me. I don't yet have that total concrete sense of if I'm too high or too low. We had to do a small crosswind correction, which complicated the landing just a little bit. My instructor handled the rudder, but I handled the yoke fully this time, and got the plane on the ground. Immediately following the touch down, I applied full power and made left traffic to again end up on final for a full-stop this time.
I had a little trouble squaring the plane up for landing on final, but eventually put it down smoothly again with the instructor on the rudders. Although immediately following the landing, I made a little bit of a mess-up. Accidentally pushing the right brake more than the left brake, I sent the plane hurling towards the left grass at about a 40 degree angle. Thankfully, my instructor punched the right rudder and kept us on the pavement, but that was still a little humiliating.
Overall another great day of flying, making a lot of progress. Some comments from my instructor were that I seemed to be very confident in the air, flying maneuvers easily and correctly and that I was great on the radios, which is an area that new pilots usually fall short in (or are scared of). The one criticism that he had that I wholeheartedly agreed with was that I am not the best at manuevering the aircraft on the ground.
Besides that rudder incident I described above, I also did the same exact thing while taxiing to the hold short line, making the plane end up facing sideways, parallel with the runway. I agreed with him quite emphatically, stating that I suck on the rudders! He reassured me though, reminding me that I had only been in the aircraft three times and I really shouldn't be criticizing myself like that yet! I just told him that I want to improve quickly, and he said that flying doesn't come quick to anyone, which I understood.
My flight today also marked the completion of the "Phase II" part of the flying program, which is meant to wash people out. This puts me in the "official" flight training program at Palwaukee Flyers. I received a Cessna pilot's training kit, with CDs and books and manuals and all sorts of good stuff, which I am excited to delve into.
After another great day of flying and some more great weather in the forecast I am very excited for my next lesson on Thursday (6-14).
4th lesson - slow flight/first landings
Time - 1 hr
Total time - 2 hrs
Finally got in a lesson on Friday with almost perfect weather. Skies were completely clear, but there was a strong wind, 15-25 knots to be specific. It felt great to get up in the air again, especially after this disheartening weather.
It was a very busy day at the airport, with constant activity on ATC and jets and props coming in all around us. My instructor and I even heard an ATC controller notify a jet that he had to wait four and a half hours before taking off because he was flying through congested airspace! Definitely the busiest day I've been there.
Today we flew the older Skyhawks with the steam gauges, which was fine with me. After doing the whole preflight myself, we got in the plane and I asked for clearance to taxi. I talked to the tower this whole time, and I'm quickly finding that talking to ATC is one of the most fun activities I have in the airplane (besides flying it of course).
Once in the air, we flew out to the northwest and just did some general climbs, turns, descents, etc. We then practiced some slow flight, and because of the super strong winds that day, we got to the point where we were hardly moving, almost hovering above the ground. It was a very strange feeling, and it must have looked even more strange from the ground. I didn't find the slow flight too hard to maintain, although there were a lot of things to monitor at once (heading, airspeed, altitude, vertical speed, engine RPM...).
We then headed back towards the airport and I flew the approach to landing under careful instruction and flew the Skyhawk to about 15 feet over the runway when we applied full power and went around (this was the intention from the beginning). After going around, we flew left traffic and made another approach for landing. Because of the strong crosswind, we were flying the typical sideslipping "sideways" approach, which I found a little difficult and went against my instinct to keep the plane aligned perfectly with the runway.
"I" then landed the plane, although I didn't really do it myself, the instructor was doing a lot of rudder work and occasionally grabbed the yoke, but it was still quite an experience landing for the first time! A great and informative day of flying.
Total time - 2 hrs
Finally got in a lesson on Friday with almost perfect weather. Skies were completely clear, but there was a strong wind, 15-25 knots to be specific. It felt great to get up in the air again, especially after this disheartening weather.
It was a very busy day at the airport, with constant activity on ATC and jets and props coming in all around us. My instructor and I even heard an ATC controller notify a jet that he had to wait four and a half hours before taking off because he was flying through congested airspace! Definitely the busiest day I've been there.
Today we flew the older Skyhawks with the steam gauges, which was fine with me. After doing the whole preflight myself, we got in the plane and I asked for clearance to taxi. I talked to the tower this whole time, and I'm quickly finding that talking to ATC is one of the most fun activities I have in the airplane (besides flying it of course).
Once in the air, we flew out to the northwest and just did some general climbs, turns, descents, etc. We then practiced some slow flight, and because of the super strong winds that day, we got to the point where we were hardly moving, almost hovering above the ground. It was a very strange feeling, and it must have looked even more strange from the ground. I didn't find the slow flight too hard to maintain, although there were a lot of things to monitor at once (heading, airspeed, altitude, vertical speed, engine RPM...).
We then headed back towards the airport and I flew the approach to landing under careful instruction and flew the Skyhawk to about 15 feet over the runway when we applied full power and went around (this was the intention from the beginning). After going around, we flew left traffic and made another approach for landing. Because of the strong crosswind, we were flying the typical sideslipping "sideways" approach, which I found a little difficult and went against my instinct to keep the plane aligned perfectly with the runway.
"I" then landed the plane, although I didn't really do it myself, the instructor was doing a lot of rudder work and occasionally grabbed the yoke, but it was still quite an experience landing for the first time! A great and informative day of flying.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
3rd lessson - ground only (bad weather)
This is the 3rd out of the last 4 lessons we've scheduled that has gotten rained out, unfortunately. Today, I learned about the four forces that work on the aircraft during flight and some really basic aerodynamics. From studying on the internet and other materials, I pretty much knew all of this before I reported to Palwaukee Flyers yesterday.
I did learn a couple new things, though, like a basic understanding of talking to ATC and the two types of drag (parasitic and induced). The next two flights are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, in a Cessna 172 and a Beech Sundowner respectively.
Both days show somewhat negative weather forecasts. :(
I did learn a couple new things, though, like a basic understanding of talking to ATC and the two types of drag (parasitic and induced). The next two flights are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, in a Cessna 172 and a Beech Sundowner respectively.
Both days show somewhat negative weather forecasts. :(
Saturday, June 2, 2007
2nd lesson - finally in the air
Time: 1 hr
Finally had the first flying lesson today, after it got rained out last Saturday and on Thursday. It was an amazing time. Got there around 3:15 after we thought it was going to be rained out, and after about 15 minutes of interesting preflight checks and inspections Stewart (instructor) and I got in the plane. Started the engine, put on headsets etc. and then I taxied down to Chicago Executive's runway 16.
We got cleared for takeoff and I tookoff the plane. The only thing Stewart did during this time is control the rudder for me during takeoff and talk to the tower a few times. After easily getting up in the air (I really was surprised at how simple it was), we started a turn straight east to head out over the lake. I really noticed how fantastic the G1000 was at this point and how succinctly it presents the information.
We continued over the lake and turned south, following Lake Shore Drive and watching the Chicago skyline. The feeling being up there was just awesome, especially the feeling of actually being in control of the plane. After about 45 minutes of fantastic flying, we turned back and began heading towards the airport again. I talked to the tower to get landing clearance and flew the plane to within about 1000 feet of the runway until Stewart took over and effortlessly landed the 172.
I then taxied back to the hangar and Stewart parked. Got out of the plane, took some pictures, and received my certificate as a student pilot. An awesome flight! Next flights are scheduled for Monday and Saturday. I'm about 100x more excited about becoming a pilot after this first flight.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
1st lesson - ground only (bad weather)
Today we didn't do much that had to do with flying. First, Grant and I went over weather and aviationweather.gov. We went over the various maps and data presented there and learned to interpret it effectively. Afterwards, we checked out the building and hangar which proved to be very nice.
We then went into the hangar and I got to inspect the cockpit of various aircraft, mainly the C172 with and without glass cockpit, and the Beechcraft Sundowner. Both were nice, although I prefer the Cessna. I can't wait to be able to fly these (first flight is planned for Thursday). We looked at the great full-motion simulator they have there as well.
Following our tour of the hangar, we went and talked to the chief pilot who told us all about the whole training experience. We learned about costs, and the various steps in training. I learned that it will be a lot of work but I am up for it. The company has very high standards, but in the long run that will prove to be very good, I'm sure.
We then went into the hangar and I got to inspect the cockpit of various aircraft, mainly the C172 with and without glass cockpit, and the Beechcraft Sundowner. Both were nice, although I prefer the Cessna. I can't wait to be able to fly these (first flight is planned for Thursday). We looked at the great full-motion simulator they have there as well.
Following our tour of the hangar, we went and talked to the chief pilot who told us all about the whole training experience. We learned about costs, and the various steps in training. I learned that it will be a lot of work but I am up for it. The company has very high standards, but in the long run that will prove to be very good, I'm sure.
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