I arrived in Florida last Sunday, and do the usual hotel check in and get unpacked. I have dinner that evening with Flockr (from this forum), as he is here at the same time for a Rotax class. He asks if I’m ready for training, I explain that I’m a little nervous to get started, and he says that’s to be expected. We talk planes for two hours, which takes my mind off the next day.
Monday morning I awake, ready to go. Little more nervous than I thought I was going to be. Very excited to start, but wondering what if I don’t like it that much? and what if I am in that age category (now 51) that learns too slowly? Most schools have warned me that the older you are, the longer it takes to sink in. I grab a can of ginger ale to settle my stomach.
I arrive and meet my instructor Jeff Hudson. Laid back, easy going. Long history with light aircraft, flew hang gliders in the 70’s, and instructed in them as well. After the paperwork stuff, we start in on the POH for the Tecnam P92 Echo. We won’t be flying the one on the website, as they are overhauling the engine and selling it. I ask what they are asking for it, and he says $45,000. Not bad, I think. We will be training in the same make and model.
After the POH studying, we go out and we go over the pre-flight routine. Using the laminated cards, I double and triple check everything. I get the step stool and check the fuel. Drain some gas, check again. Inspect, move, check everything. I’m thinking I hope he’s checking my checking, because I’m not an expert on inspecting planes.
He says let’s go up and fly. We get in the plane, and he explains all my flight instruments. All dials except a garmin gps in the middle. We do the pre-start checklist. “Clear Prop!” I make a pathetic attempt to control the plane along the taxiway, weaving along trying to stay on the stupid painted line. Not impressive so far. Instructor doesn’t seem concerned.
We get to the runup area and go through the steps. I ask if the plane will actually sit in place when I rev the engine up to 3800 rpm. He checks the brakes, and then assures me it will. It does. We finish, and he makes another announcement that we will be departing on the runway.
He tells me to just watch the takeoff, which I’m happy to oblige. We cruise up to 1,500 feet, and head south to the lake. It’s close to noon now, and the thermals are a little bumpy but not too bad. We get over the lake, and he has me take the controls. Straight and level flight, gentle turns, rudder use (the ball is sliding all over the place) and climbs and descents. A little over an hour later, we come back down and land.
That wasn’t bad I said. Nervousness is gone, and it didn’t seem too terribly difficult so far. We take a break, review what we did, do some ground school, and he says I’m in pretty good shape in the area we covered (airspace).
Break for lunch.
Back to flying in the afternoon. Went back up and did the same thing as the morning, just little more. A little stronger banking, (shockingly I was too timid), and more rudder work. After about an hour back on the ground. More review, and day’s over. Jeff says I’m doing fine, coming along good. I’m certain he has to say that.
He enters my time in the logbook. I stare and smile at the book. It's really happening.
I survived day one, and called my wife, who’s supportive but nervous. She’s excited to hear from me. Day one is in the books.
