Flying--a Great Way to Start the Day!

Lesson 40
5-8-13
1.0 hours logged
48.3 hours total recorded in logbook

Early the next morning, I was back at the hangar ready for another lesson. Jim had asked if we could fly at 7:00 instead of 8 that day as he had an appointment to get to. I agreed even though it meant I'd have to arrive at the hangar about 6:30. I pushed open the big hangar doors, then pulled the plane out on my own for the first time. It's a sight heavier than a Cub! 

By the time I'd completed my preflight, Jim had arrived and we were ready to go. Like the day before, the wind was calm, the sky clear and the temperature warm. Another beautiful morning for flying! Also like the previous day, we stayed in the pattern the entire time, again doing stop-and-goes.

I did somewhat better that day and felt the handling of the plane begin to feel more settled and routine though I still had to keep a sharp watch on the airspeed and altitude so as not to let one or the other, or both, get away. My landings were getting better too, though I still had a bit of a tendency to flare high and couldn't seem to come down right on the runway centerline.

I guess Jim figured I was ready to start handling the radio in the pattern also so this added a new item to the patternwork mix. I did alright though. Well after 7 takeoffs and landings, we at last came around a final pattern for our final landing of the day. Back at Weeks, Jim told me I'd improved considerably from the day before. My only real snafu was the time I forgot to turn downwind until Jim reminded me to, by which time I was ridiculously far from the airport. Up until this point however, Jim had always been telling me when to make my turns and so I think I'd come to rely on this. I was so absorbed in keeping my speed down that when Jim didn't say anything, I didn't even think about flying the pattern! It was a rather embarrassing mistake but Jim said that once I got back where I was supposed to be, I was in perfect control and did fine and, I might add, I never forgot to turn again.

Since Jim had to get off to his appointment, I told him I could put the plane away by myself. I'd gotten it out alright after all. So Jim left. I cleaned the windshield and just as I was opening the doors to put it back in, a couple guys came over from Weeks and one of them offered to help me. I was much obliged. It is a heavy plane and I still find that towbar a little difficult to handle--but I'm getting better at that too.

With the plane safely stowed and the doors closed once more, I went my way. As Jim said, flying is a great way to start the day! I must agree. I liked flying early like that. the air is still so fresh and smooth. It's great!