Flight Training
12/28/01
Today I started a new flight school. AFI at Fullerton Airport
(KFUL). I had flown prior at Ray's across the field. I put in about 2
hours in a Grumman AA-1A Trainer and 3.5 in a 172. I liked my instructor
but felt the program was lacking.
AFI, on the other hand, has a well organized program and has been around
a long time. When you walk in you know your at a school that stresses
professionalism and safety. My
new instructor Ken has been great. He has a good
sense of humor and makes me feel comfortable. We
have been flying Cessna N4883J. It's not the
new one, but who needs moving map GPS when your learning what frequency
ground is on anyway.
1/12/02
Well today was Stall training day. I was
apprehensive to say the least. My instructor Ken talked me through it
on the ground, but it didn't really help. Once we were up and over our
practice area, Ken performed a slow speed stall to show me what to expect.
He recovered from the stall almost immediately with very little loss in
altitude. Now it was my turn, flying slow, flying slower, pull back, pull
back more, all the way, Holy shit! The nose dropped like a rock and I
freaked out letting go of the yoke. Ken very gently regained control of
the plane and it was time for me to try again. My second attempt was much
better. I did not let go this time and recovered from the stall myself.
Today was also the first landing I have made without any
help. It wasn't a greaser but, at least I didn't bounce.
1/15/02
Today we went over the ocean in the practice area off Huntington Beach. The
wind was about 8 knots. This was my first takeoff with a noticeable cross
wind. As soon as the plane left the ground we were pointed into the wind but
maintaining a straight ground track. That was a weird feeling. Training consisted
of more stall practice and turns around a point. I don't think I'll ever get
use to stalling. All though the anticipation seems worse than the actual stall.
Also needed some help with the Crosswind landing.
1/19/02
Well today was my first day under the hood. It really wasn't that bad. Everything
starts out ok but, I can see how it can go to pieces really fast. Also, Ken
made me fly at 45 kts and read ATC notice information from the chart. Talk
about concentration. We topped that off with a couple of stalls and it was
time to land.
1/22/02
Toady's training consisted of takeoffs and landings. We headed
over to Long Beach airport to practice cross wind landings. However, when
we got there the wind was blowing almost straight down the runway #25R.
I don't remember how fast it was blowing, but when we landed our ground
speed was slow. It seemed like we were landing in slow motion. This seemed
to be the first day I really had fun. I wasn't so stressed out and everything
was clicking.
1/29/02
Today was a little windy. We flew to Compton Airport. Compton has no
tower and I learned how to give position callouts in the pattern. We worked
on landings and did some hood work on the way back to Fullerton. I had
to laugh, my instructor Ken had me under the hood, circling and calling
Fullerton with position, altitude and landing information while the wind
was blowing us around. I Don't know how you instrument pilots do it....
2/19/02
A few lessons have gone by since my last entry. One
lesson I grounded my plane when I discovered the Airworthiness certification
was missing. At first I though my instructor was testing me. However,
that was not the case. So much for flying that day. As for the other days
they have been full of take offs and landings, stalls, hood work, communicating,
slow flight and some instrument work. Still need work on those landings....
3/6/02
Well just a short update on the training. I have been busy brushing
up on my landings. I also took my pre-solo written the other day. Ken
my instructor hasn't told me how I did yet but I feel pretty good about
it. I feel I'm getting close to my solo. Right now I have a total of 18
hours but still I'm looking to Ken for help on certain things. I would
like to get through a couple of lessons without any help then I will feel
more confident.
3/19/01
Well I did it. I flew solo. Ken and I went up and did three landing
to see if I was up to it. Then it was my turn to go alone. Ken got out
and gave me a few words of encouragement and shut the door. I was all
alone. It didn't really hit me till I was at 700 feet and starting my
crosswind to the right. That's when it became really obvious that the
right seat was empty and it was all up to me. Well, I made it around the
pattern and landed without incident. I felt really good that I had accomplished
this task. Ken had told me I could take it around a few times if I felt
up to it but once was enough for today. Why tempt fate. After getting
the plane tied down Ken and I took some photos.
5/15/02
Almost two months since my last flight training entry. I have
been very busy. Training has been going well. I have soloed twice now
to the LA Habra practice area without incident. I'm starting to feel more
confident in my skills. Last night was my first night flight. It was almost
indescribable how beautiful it was up there. We did some stalls and some
hood work. I was also introduced to unusual attitudes. Just when I was
getting used to stalls here comes some more crazy s _ _ _ _! Lets see,
you pull the plane up and sideways and I'm supposed to do what? Recover?
With the hood on? I can see I still have a way to go. Next Saturday will
be my first cross country. I will cover it in my next update.
7/13/02
Took my private pilot written this morning and got a 97%. Darn,
I missed two questions. Wouldn't ya know it. Some of the questions on the
test read like they wanted to confuse you as much as possible or how about
giving you a heading problem where the answer is 032 or 034. Only 2 degrees
separation are they for real??? Any way, as of now I have logged 39 hours
and I'm getting ready for my stage two check.
12/22/02
I will fill in the missing time when I have
a chance. Saying I have been busy lately would be an under statement. Today
I passed my Private Pilot Check Ride!!! I now have that small piece of treasured
paper that allows me to take to the skys. Many thanks to all who encouraged
me, my family for supporting me, especially my wife who always gave me those
two words of encouragement. Be Carefull! My boss Richard Johnson (link
to company website) for allowing me to skip out of work to complete
this, AFI
(link
to company website) for
providing an enviroment that was conductive to learning and aircraft that
were well maintained and most of all, Ken Stave, who's instruction, stlye
of teaching and friendship helped me to achieve this major goal in my life.
A day, I will remember always!