Plane Conversations

I haven’t written a blog in some time, and that really goes to show I’ve been busily trying to finish up my private pilot.  A few weeks ago I was studying fanatically for my written test.  Not being one who likes to “have my head in the books” (I learn better by doing), I pushed myself to put in the time to study. It paid off, because I easily passed, which was a huge relief to me.  It seemed at the time just before the test that it would be the biggest step in my path to becoming a pilot.  (I understand that would not be the case for everyone, but for me, takings tests is nerve-wrecking and makes me entirely anxious.)  But now that it’s done, I realize it wasn’t the hardest step. 

Now I’m of the opinion that my solo cross country is going to be the big one.  But wait a minute!  Wasn’t my first solo supposed to be the big one?  What I’m getting at here is that I’ve discovered that the path of becoming a pilot has challenges the entire journey – once I got over the hump of my solo, I then had the written test hump.  Now that I’ve done the written test, I’ve got the solo cross-country.  So, I can now see that once I’ve done the solo-cross country, it will then be the check ride and oral that will likely give me a few sleepless nights.  And after that, well, after that I have my license to get out there and REALLY learn how to fly!  I just need to relax and enjoy the feeling of achieving my goals.

So in a few weeks, I’m hoping to be ready for my check ride.  This is what’s left:

              
DUAL NIGHT X-COUNTRY      
          
LOCAL SOLO TIME 4 HOURS 
                  
SOLO 50 MILE X-COUNTRY 
                
SOLO 2 STOP 150 MILE TOTAL X-COUNTRY

CHECK RIDE PREP 3 HOURS

Am I still anxious about any of this?  Yeah, but my past accomplishments help me every day.   There really is no better feeling than that of accomplishment.  It is a motivator and a confidence builder, and with the highs and lows of learning to fly, it is as satisfying as clear blue skies.

 One more noteworthy comment:  having a great instructor helps.  Kirk has been invaluable in my progress.  He has pushed me when I’ve needed to be pushed, been patient when I’ve stumbled on the radio, praised me when I’ve done a great landing, and slapped my hand when I’ve taxied too fast!  Thanks Kirk.  I promise to slow down for my check ride!

www.wingsmqy.com

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure , the process is its own reward. “ Amelia Earhart

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I’ve been flying the Katana DA20 for about 17 hours now, and I finally feel as though I have gotten over the hump of the directional control issues I was having due to the differential braking steering on the airplane.  It hit me one day when I was explaining to a colleague that I was pushing on the right rudder pedal as though I were applying brakes on a car.  I’ve been driving for 19 years, so I obviously know you have to apply the brakes gently.  Not so with rudder pedals on an airplane.  It’s an even pressure, but it is HARD pressure, especially when the rudder becomes more effective with increased speed.

During each and every take-off my instructor Kirk was telling me “right rudder, right rudder!”, with my response of “I am, I am!”.  Well, I was, but it was too gentle pressure.  Thankfully, after a few swirly take-offs, it has now clicked in my head about the amount of right rudder  I need to apply in order to maintain directional control on the runway roll and landing roll out.  (The right rudder is to counteract the left turning tendency in an airplane due to the torque of the engine and a number of other factors).  I’ve also overcome my fear of talking on the radio, unusual attitudes, and power on stalls.  I feel as though I am getting over the humps that always seem to appear on the  road to achieving a goal.   But the end result wouldn’t be so sweet if it were easy, right?  And like everything, the more you do it, the better you become. 

I like this quote by Cardinal Newman – “A man would do nothing, if he waited until he could do it so well that no one would find fault with what he has done.”

So, where am I at now?  After a successful stage check ride with another instructor today, I realized I’m past the hurdles which were nicely set up in front of me, and now ready to tackle my next.  My solo flight.

I’m almost certain that the next blog you read of mine will be of my solo flight.  Stay tuned. 

In the meantime, here’s a video of me flying the pattern and landing at MQY (Smyrna, TN) with my instructor Kirk. 

Want to learn to fly?  Wings of Eagles (MQY)  and Wings of Eagles, JWN

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