Earning My Wings (Part 5)
With a new year ahead, it seems a majority of us are reflecting on the past year, and perhaps deciding to make some changes in our lives. Whether the change involves exercising more, quitting a bad habit, or something more life changing, like starting a family or new job, one thing is certain, change can be daunting, and downright scary for some. What does this have to do with my learning to fly, you ask?
My last blog was about waiting - having patience. I was not able to fly because of poor weather conditions, my aircraft being in maintenance, and my plans to spent three wonderful weeks on vacation in my homeland of Australia. This blog is about CHANGE - quite fitting considering it’s the beginning of a new year, and I’m already making some changes in my personal life. What’s one more, right?
So, the Cessna 152 went down for maintenance – an engine overhaul to be exact. This left me without an aircraft to fly. So the questions I have to answer are: do I wait the possible weeks it takes for engine overhaul, or do I change aircraft? I have the option to change from the Cessna 152 to a Diamond Katana (DA20). The aircraft are quite different – one high-winged, the other low-winged. One has a yoke, the other a stick. The different cockpit, and overall feel of the airplane. Honestly, I was really disappointed that I was unable to solo in the 152 before I left for my vacation in Australia; but, I’m now quite excited at the prospect of switching aircraft. Flying a different airplane altogether will be a great challenge. I’ve never really been afraid of change; so (no surprise), I’m making the chage and I’m really excited about it.
However, this means I will have to learn a new Pilot Operating Handbook, DA20 aircraft speeds, instrument panel, how to land with a completely different view of the runway. One thing won’t change:I will still have to rub elbows with Kirk. It’s a tiny trainer!
Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful, it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful, it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident, it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better. So, to those reading this blog, I encourage you to embrace change in your life. Because one thing is certain, change is inevitable.
Great post, and yes, change is inevitable, and so is technology so my suggestion would be the Katana
Flying (to me with my low time experience) is about the activity, not the tool, and the more your are exposed to different tools using the same process, your activity will be so much more enhanced in terms of enjoyment, confidence and safety
After I got all of my hours complete and cross country’s done, I lost my log book….!??!!??! All planes are basically the same, and you will do just fine! Someday, I want to fly a jet and have a float plane:)
Fly as many different kind of aircraft as you can get access to once you have the license in hand, but stick with what you know while you are still learning so the “feel “of flying becomes second nature. Switching from the 152 into the DA-20 will be a fun and easy transition so fly the wings off of it and get that license done…then you can work on the tailwheel rating and have some real fun. : )
Hi Rachel, I cannot add to the wisdom already so well expressed by the previous posters. What a fabulous opportunity to gain wider experience with different aircraft types. The funny thing is, no matter how big or small the aircraft is, the principals of flight and flying them never change. The more different types you fly- the better a flier you will become- good luck to ya!
Thanks so much to all y’all (see, I am becoming a Southerner) for your wonderful advice and comments. I’m certain that no matter which aircraft I fly, I will continue to enjoy this most amazing and fun experience. (And I keep hearing about these taildraggers!!! Seems I’ll just have to fly one someday soon, eh?)
Even if I knew nothing about flying, or had no interest in flying, your post was a true inspiration for life in general! Fortunately, I do love to fly and I enjoy reading about your progress. Welcome back!
Catch me the next time I bring the Stearman over to MQY and i’ll take you around the patch…it will be much warmer before that happens so don’t hold your breathe yet. : )