Perseverance

Lesson 42
5-14-13
1.0 hours logged
50.3 hours total recorded in logbook

Another flying lesson this morning...

Though we were scheduled to fly at 9:00, we didn't actually get off the ground until much later for several reasons. My preflight inspection revealed that the towbar attach point was broken and the plane is simply too heavy for me to pull out alone without it so I had to wait until Jim arrived to do this. I'd also noticed that an entire row of screws was missing on the nosewheel fairing. By the time we'd tracked down and installed the appropriate replacements with the assistance of one of the mechanics and Weeks, we were quite delayed. Since it was in the interest of a potential safety concern, I couldn't mind too much but nevertheless, I was glad when we were finally able to start up and taxi out. I soon found it was going to prove a day of new learning experiences.

We were assigned Runway 18 for takeoff. I've never yet used this one but it was our only option for, although the wind was fairly insignificant and it really wouldn't have mattered too much which runway we used, all the others were closed because the grass around them was being mowed. A new runway meant new taxi instructions to not only read back but also to remember and follow--somewhat more of a challenge than you might think. 

Having reached the hold-short point of our runway, we went through the pre-takeoff checklist which, of course, includes the engine run-up. Everything was routine until this point but as I turned the key to the right mag position, the engine began to run very rough. Clearly, this was unacceptable for takeoff and I looked questioningly at Jim. His diagnosis was fouled spark plugs from taxiing a somewhat longer distance with the mixture too rich. He showed me how that by increasing RPM and leaning out the mixture as much as possible the situation could be remedied by burning the deposits off the spark plugs. It took a few minutes but at last, the problem was taken care of and we were ready to go.

Waiting to go

Cleared for takeoff and a departure to the south, we headed toward Fond du Lac where Jim had decided we would spend the lesson. Thus began another learning experience. FLD is of course of non-towered airport and so that was one adjustment to make as far as radio communication goes. Then of course, there was the challenge of flying to a new and unfamiliar airport. Finding it was not at all difficult--I've driven past it a hundred times on the highway after all but there's a difference between what you see from the ground versus the air and so yes--having never before flown in there, it was unfamiliar.

The planning for our landings there began the moment we left the OSH Class D airspace. We got the wind info at FLD and found it to be different in both direction and velocity than it had been at OSH. We knew we'd use Runway 27 based on the info we'd gotten so the the next thing was planning how we'd enter our pattern and descend to pattern altititude by which time, believe it or not, we were practically there! From then on, it was back to the old pattern work with the added twist of being at a different airport and using a runway too short for stop-and-goes. It was just as well. The taxi back to the runway threshold after each landing gave me a couple minutes to relax, regroup and prepare for the next time around. I did alright I guess but for some reason found the adjustment to this airport more difficult even than Appleton. Maybe it was the difference in size.

Since it was now mid-morning and the air quite warm, it was also a little bumpy. That always makes things more interesting! Then, after a few, well, shall I say "normal landings?", Jim had me try a few with power off in a simulated engine failure in the pattern. Again, a new experience in this plane and one that changes the normal landing pattern and procedures just when I'd begun to adjust a little. It felt like a lot and I was relieved when Jim told me to take us back to OSH.

Now it was time to go back to the towered airport environment. In short order, we were cleared to land on 18, the same runway on which we'd taken off, and I came in around for the final landing of the day. How was it? I groaned as we touched down with a pronounced jolt. I'd done it again; I'd flared way too high. Not a very encouraging end to an already stressful lesson. I sighed with disappointment as we taxied to the fuel pump. When will I ever get it? Once again, thoughts that it shouldn't be taking this long haunted me and feelings of discouragement again crept into my heart. I was doing so well as of Thursday last week. What happened? Dejectedly, I taxied back to Weeks. Learning to fly, perhaps more difficult than anything else I've ever done in my life has exposed my learning weaknesses and has shown me myself as I truly am. Will I ever gain the confidence and skill I need to become a safe and competent pilot? Can I do this? Can I keep on? I must!

Deep in concentration at FLD