April 10, 2011 - Dual/Solo w Lari
Ahhhh, what a delightful morning! Grey skies and nearly non-existent horizon notwithstanding, the winds were calm, and it was my first time back up with Korkka. It's funny to recall how akward I felt the first many times in the plane with him; the student-teacher relationship has really developed, and in general, I so much more confident now (not that there isn't still a whole shitload of stuff to be learned and skills to be mastered!!!) Anyway, we did a few dual circuits; he demonstrated a short-field take off, which I must read up on and review, and also talked me through a soft field landing procedure, before sending me solo. The best part was we got to fly GGNJ, my favourite plane, and the first one I ever flew.
Unfortunately, time was at a premium, as I was meeting a new friend for church at the other end of town, so I only flew three or four circuits on my own. Ahhh, but it was good, good, GOOD!!! Not too much traffic, wind cooperating, me finally sort of knowing what I was doing; noticing "issues" (ie. altitude on base/final) and correcting for them, and landing without the usual bumps. Couple more days like this could do wonders for my self confidence so that I could finally master X-wind landings!
Funny thing I noticed... I continued to do my downwind checks out loud a-la-Anthony, and even remembered to check oil temp and pressure, which I hadn't been doing consistently before Anthony. So, Korkka's absence was perhaps not such a bad thing, and allowed me to integrate the learning of another instructor into my limited by growing repertoire. :)
If by some miracle things clear up by tomorrow afternoon, I will fly again, otherwise, we'll try again on Thursday late afternoon.
Unfortunately, time was at a premium, as I was meeting a new friend for church at the other end of town, so I only flew three or four circuits on my own. Ahhh, but it was good, good, GOOD!!! Not too much traffic, wind cooperating, me finally sort of knowing what I was doing; noticing "issues" (ie. altitude on base/final) and correcting for them, and landing without the usual bumps. Couple more days like this could do wonders for my self confidence so that I could finally master X-wind landings!
Funny thing I noticed... I continued to do my downwind checks out loud a-la-Anthony, and even remembered to check oil temp and pressure, which I hadn't been doing consistently before Anthony. So, Korkka's absence was perhaps not such a bad thing, and allowed me to integrate the learning of another instructor into my limited by growing repertoire. :)
If by some miracle things clear up by tomorrow afternoon, I will fly again, otherwise, we'll try again on Thursday late afternoon.