Lessons 4 & 5.

Well, first off, i got my 3rd class medical certificate! I was really stressing myself out over nothing. Basically, they had me fill out a questionaire about my medical and criminal history, which luckily both are pretty clean. The Nurse had me pee in a cup and checked my blood pressure, which luckily wasn't too high. Then, the doctor came in and checked my breathing and heart. That's all there is too it. Piece of cake!

I've had two more lessons since my last post. I see a pattern developing, where i'll have a lesson where everything goes great, followed by one where i completely suck. I think that might be the way its supposed to be. I feel like i learn a bunch of new stuff on one lesson, and suck at it, and then polish my technique on the next. Not a bad way to do it, actually.

So, i'm continuing to get better, but i'm not quite sure where i'm at, compared to other students. I think i'm doing reasonably well. My radio work is improving, as is my taxiing. I taxied completely on my own the last lesson, and did a really good job of staying on the yellow line. I've gotten really comfortable with take offs. I feel like my turns still need some work, and i really need to work on holding my altitude in the turns. I also don't feel like i'm entirely proficient at slow flight. But its all good... i can feel myself improving with each flight, and i'm sure it'll click at some point.

This last lesson was mostly touch and goes. We flew from SDL to Glendale airport (KGEU) and did 3 there, and then did one more touch and go at SDL and then a full stop. I did a good portion of the flying in the pattern, and on the landings. I'm most definitely NOT proficient at landing yet, but i'm starting to get the jist of it.

Oh, and i did decide to switch to the 172P, and i'm very happy i did. Here's some pics of N66018, my new steed:



So, that's it for now.. another one this Saturday!

Total Time: 7.8 hrs

Total Spent: $1320

Lesson 3

This one made me feel better. I arrived early again, so i preflighted the Cessna 152 by myself again. One problem though, the flaps wouldn't go down. After quadruple checking everything, and finding Miguel and confirming with him, we concluded that, yup, they're broke. Although one can easily fly without flaps, we decided to switch to their Cessna 172P. They were even nice enough to only charge me the Cessna 152 rate ($84 vs. $110).

I did a little more of the taxiing this time, which is something i really need to get more comfortable with. It feels like trying to steer an elephant on roller skates. The brakes are really touchy too, and i need to use them a little more gingerly. I again did the radio calls, which i'm getting better at, but still screw up on occasion. My takeoffs are getting better, they're actually one of the easiest parts of flying. Line it up with the centerline, keep it straight, rotate at 60kts and you're airborne.. not much to it.

The Cessna 172P performs much better than the 152. After the last flight i was already questioning whether to continue in the 152 because of its poor performance in the heat, and now i'm pretty sure i"m gonna use the 172P from here on out.

So, once we were up there, we did much of the same stuff we did on the last flight. Power on and power off stalls, tight turns, medium turns, slow flight, and a few touch and goes. I don't know if it's the good night of sleep, the practice, the more powerful plane, or a combination of all 3, but i seemed to do much better at all of it today. He still has to correct me quite a bit, but that's to be expected i guess. After the flight, he even commented that i did really well today.

As far as book work goes, i'm using the official FAA book Airplane Flying Handbook, and i'm up to chapter 7 so far. I've also been thinking about the written test, i need to consult with Miguel and see when he thinks i should have it done by. He mentioned the FAA medical today too. I'm way more apprehensive about it than i probably should be. I think my blood pressure is a little high, and it goes through the roof whenever i'm about to get it checked. It's called "white coat syndrome". Oh well, gotta get it over with, so i'll probably do it soon.

Next lesson is scheduled for Sunday.

Total Time: 4.8 hrs

Total Spent: $730