Constructive topics of interest related to aviation that do not match the other section descriptions below (as long as it is somewhat related to aviation, flying, learning to fly, sport pilot, light sport aircraft, etc.). Please, advertisements for Viagra will be promptly deleted!"
No, Frank, I didn't make Kitty Hawk. I did the Lancaster gig this year (and of course Sebring), and will do Searing again next month.
The opinions posted are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof H Paul Shuch
PhD CFII DPE LSRM-A/GL/WS/PPC iRMT
AvSport LLC, KLHV [email protected]
AvSport.org
facebook.com/SportFlying
SportPilotExaminer.US
Flew the Piper Sport from Carlsbad, via the coast, past Mt Soledad, Lindberg (bravo), Point Loma; into the Bay route (delta) past North Island, the Naval Air Field, the sub base, the Reagan, and the Midway, downtown SD, Petco; then back northbound, through the Lindberg VFR flyway to Montgomery.
Flew the patch today in hazy conditions. After dealing with yucky weather last week it was nice to *just* have haze, and it was a long weekend so I scheduled lessons all three days. Anyhow, I did six landings today...three were kind of rough, two were pretty good, and I greased one right onto the runway for the first time.
I've been at this a while, I guess....20 (or so) hours in now, but things are finally starting to click and I'm finally feeling really comfortable. The instructor who was to do my first stage check this weekend go sick, so we've rescheduled that for this Thursday. We have to hurry, as he's heading off to train for his new airline job at the end of the week. Then a couple days with someone else (my CFI is out of town next weekend), which, I guess, means I do a couple more days in the pattern. Fortunately, I've waiting so long to get started learning to fly that it won't kill me to take a couple more weeks doing it--either way, I'm still up there, having fun.
Last lesson we took off from the Ultralight strip in Marana Az to shoot T&G's at KAVQ.
Flying the Aerotrek 240, (Eurofox) for those who know it as that. AWOS said calm but that changed and we were confronted with a mild right crosswind.
That element kind of screwed me up as we weren't intending to work on that just yet.
I am consistently late on the flare and I got a little pissed and frustrated.
After several mediocre approaches, we did a full stop and taxied over to the hangers so CFI could pick up a check from someone and along the way got to see the first AF One, Ike's Constellation named Columbine. Hopefully that will be restored and flying soon.
It's just so damn hot, but logistics keep me from getting out there really early. I really need to start packing in the hours, but that may have to wait until October when it might stay under a hundred degrees before noon.
Jack Tyler wrote:How is the Aerotrek holding up as an instructional aircraft? And does your IP have any opinions on how its lighter weight affects training?
Seems to be holding up well. Only once has it been unavailable and that was because he wanted to check out some possible damage from a large hailstorm. Turned out to be Ok. I believe it's usually hangared though. Hasn't mentioned any opinions on the lighter weight other than it has a high power to weight ratio.
I am simply too inexperience to have any real insights.
Jack Tyler wrote:How is the Aerotrek holding up as an instructional aircraft? And does your IP have any opinions on how its lighter weight affects training?
A little more insight on the Aerotrek. I asked the CFI if it was harder to fly than something like a 172 He said "hands down." He said he has Cessna pilots come in and they have a lot of trouble with it.
Don't know if this would be true of all LSA's, I imagine so.
From what I've seen, I believe I would be further along if I was training in a Cessna, but will probably be a better pilot for mastering this thing.
Absolutely true, Jim. In a Cessna, you learn to let the aircraft fly you. In an LSA, you're learning how to fly it.
The opinions posted are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof H Paul Shuch
PhD CFII DPE LSRM-A/GL/WS/PPC iRMT
AvSport LLC, KLHV [email protected]
AvSport.org
facebook.com/SportFlying
SportPilotExaminer.US