"It's always better to be down on the ground wishing you were up in the air than up in the air wishing you were down on the ground." - ANON
Sunday was yet another gorgeous day. I'm still pinching myself that we're have temps in the 70s during March. While the weather looked perfect looks can be deceiving. Take-offs and landings were the plan for Sunday; we never did leave the pattern. After all of the pre-flighting and checklists were complete we started our taxi to three four. We were about half way to the end of the runway when I told Shane something felt off. I had my flying shoes on yet I was still struggling with that rudder pressure. We went to the end of the runway, went through our checklist, and prepared to take-off. Once I was ready to roll I added full power, but couldn't keep the airplane rolling straight down the runway. I pulled the power back, stopped the airplane, and got frustrated. Shane patiently listened and then we prepared to try again. I gave it full power while really working to keep the airplane straight. Once we were up in the air I told Shane that the issue had to be something related to the rudder. Shane reached around and found my seat wasn't all the way up. Yipee, for an easy fix! As soon as he was able to get my seat up it was a night and day difference in rudder control.
During the flying we experienced some very choppy turbulence. Shane explained the reason for the turbulence was a transition from a patch of warm air to a patch of cool air. The turbulence felt like jumping in an elevator as it goes down. The turbulence was kind of exhilarating in a wacky sort of way. The unstable air made for some interesting landings as well. The warm air would force the airplane back up so we compensated by putting a higher degree of flaps on. The normal landings that we've done previously have required thirty degrees of flaps, but the landings during this lesson required forty degrees of flaps. The first couple landings I attempted I turned for final a little too early. And when combined with the warm air we didn't descend at an optimal rate. There was an easy fix and we turned for final a little later.
The landings were more demanding than some of the previous ones I've done, but I learned more. I had a first hand experience in how weather conditions can effect flying, and the proper procedures needed to correct for them. I also learned the importance of check and double check before leaving the ground. I think I'll tell Shane that seat placement should be on the check list between doors/windows locked and seat belt fastened.
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