Thursday, March 19, 2015

SOLO!!!!

Today as I drove to the airport I knew that today was going to be the day for my solo in the Piper Cherokee Warrior.

It has been over four years since I was on track to finish my license. Today's lesson is my fifth lesson in years, plus the fact that I did not take lessons in the Piper Warrior until a couple of weeks ago. I flew yesterday however the weather was pretty bumpy and I had around a 15 not cross wind, along with my lesson a few days prior with the same weather conditions. So, I was becoming pretty comfortable with crosswind landings however landings with light winds was completely different experience for me.

My first three trips around the pattern were still sloppy by my standards, but appeared to be well within guidelines as far as my instructor was concerned. Keep in mind that last week when I received an 88% on my written exam I was not very happy. On the third landing I decided that I was going to make a full stop and kick her out of the plane. Okay, it really did not happen like that.




Sunday, March 15, 2015

Getting Up is not Easy

Here we go again. More delays due to weather and also due to family illness.
I was able to go flying with my new instructor, but unfortunately we could only do a few landings due to a family illness that cropped up just as I was putting the key into the ignition to start up the airplane. According to her my takeoffs and landings went well. A few days later we scheduled for a two hour flight, and the day was ideal for working on crosswind landings. The crosswind component was 15 to 17 knots. Unfortunately, the circuit breaker for the stall warning buzzer kept popping out so that flight was canceled. Of course after leaving the airport an hour and a half later I received a call in the problem was resolved.

Today since my regular, new instructor was not available I went up with another. The winds were very similar so it was a good day for me to get some practice. For the most part the three landings went well. The ceiling was fairly low but we were able to get in a little air work with some steep turns, slow flight, and a few other miscellaneous exercises.

Both instructors said that I talk out loud explaining what I am doing, and why which they stated they both liked to hear from me so that they knew what my thought process was.

Who knows, maybe within the next few flights I may find myself all alone, in a Piper Warrior. I sure hope so.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Written Exam ... DONE :( I Suck

Well, I took my written exam today and I must say, I am VERY disappointed in my score.

All day today, I scanned, but did not get deep into the guts of where I felt weak, and I went to the airport confident that I could do it.

What I studied today was NOT on the exam, except for one question.

What a let down and I was embarrassed at my final.

ONLY an 88%. 

 

Monday, March 9, 2015

Written Exam ... BOOKED

In two days I am scheduled to take my written exam at Burke Lakefront (KBKL) at 2:00pm.

I will probably take 1 or 2 practice exams on the Gleim website prior to then.  

While in Nashville last week I tried to study some, and focused on the weather mostly.

Would have gone flying today but allergy pills were making me a touch loopy, plus, I was sneezing up a storm.  

I get to meet my new CFI, Michelle, on Thursday.