Girl Flies Iowa: July 2012

"More than anything else the sensation is one of perfect peace mingled with an excitement that strains every nerve to the utmost, if you can conceive of such a combination."
~Wilbur Wright

I think this quote pretty much sums up how I feel about flying. It makes me feel better knowing that the Great Father of Flight and I are on the same page. Flying, hmmm. I've been going up about once a week, sometimes twice. The primary instructor change has gone pretty smoothly, and I'm adjusting to a different teaching style. It's much more disciplined and regimented these days, because my goals for flying have changed. That being said I really miss flying with my Shane. I'm hoping we can make some time very soon to go up together, just for fun.

I'm still waiting for my second solo, and haven't been able to do so again because of the weather. My CFI and I were talking the other day, and he said he didn't think he'd ever flown with me on a calm day. He was right! It seems as if every scheduled lesson lately the temperature is 100 plus degrees complete with a crosswind. The very first time I flew with him was at the end of the May, and that was when I had my first crosswind experience. I know all this wind experience will make me a better pilot, but it's exhausting when extreme heat is added in. I would dare say that I've lost a pound or more just sweating during flying lessons. I hate sweating/being hot and have ~~very~~ ~~seriously~~ considered putting my flying lessons on hold until fall. The airplane I'm training in isn't air conditioned. There is a ventilation system that works great at cooling the airplane down when you are at higher altitudes, but it doesn't cool the airplane much during pattern flying. I've been hanging in there, but don't know how much longer I can endure in the flying sauna. I'm pretty confident in the fact that my brain doesn't function at full capacity when it's over 90 degrees. That's my excuse at least for the mistakes I make during my lessons. Don't worry I make sure to ~~remind~~ err whine to my CFI of the less than desirable conditions. It's probably good I'm not flying with Shane right now, because he'd probably have beat me over the head already.

My lesson on Saturday was scheduled for five which is normally a pretty calm part of the day. I wasn't totally surprised when I got out to the airport and Shane and CFI told me that it had been calm all day, but the winds just started to pick up. Really, What the World? If I believed in karma and bad luck, I would've turned around and left. It seemed as if the stars weren't aligning for a reason. My recent flying experiences have helped me to I've pick up the "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" train of thought. I headed out to the airplane for my pre-flight. Once the pre-flight was complete I ran inside to wash the yuck off my hands. I don't think I've ever completed a pre-flight that didn't require me to wash my hands afterwards. My clean hands and I headed back to the airplane where CFI was waiting. I worked through the check list and listened to the automated weather twice. I had spaced off listening for the altimeter information the first time. Shortly after, we began our taxi to one six. One six isn't my preferred end of the runway, but I guess it's good practice to be conquering crosswinds on the more challenging (for me) end of the runway.

Once the run-up was finished, I made my radio call that I was departing one six. I got all lined up and prepared for take-off. I could feel the pull of the crosswind as soon as I had the airplane in the air. My first take-off probably wasn't one of my better ones, but at least I knew what I needed to do for the next go around. Once I was in the air, I needed a reminder or two about using more right rudder. I think I naturally gravitate to putting more pressure on the left rudder, because I'm left handed. During the lesson I'm sure I heard "more right rudder" at least a handful of times. I was even correcting for it at one point when I heard those dreaded words slip out of my CFI's mouth. Grrr, at least he's on top of his game.

I did a few less than desirable landings that involved some help from my CFI. I needed to compensate for the winds by adding in corrections with the right rudder as well as the ailerons. It took me more landings then I care to admit before I got two good safe landings. I would've been content to quit after one good one, but CFI thought we should try for one more. Luckily, I didn't disappoint. My last landing was pretty sweet. He told me at the end of the lesson he was ready to cut me loose to try a few on my own, but I was wiped. I'd had a long week and looked forward to relaxing with my boys instead. I figured I'd give it a fighting chance the next week, weather permitting of course. One more small step towards my pilot's license. The more time I invest the more motivated I am to see it through to completion. Here's to calm winds for next time!

"A pictures is worth a thousand words"

Frederick R.Barnard

I'm flying with one of Shane's CFI's about once a week nowadays. Shane and I'll will still do the cross country and night flying. We decided it would be best for the weekly stuff to happen with an instructor other than him. Due to the weather I haven't been able to solo again, but I'm crossing my fingers that we get a calm day soon! The tricky part is getting a calm day that works with my schedule. Iowa weather can be soo frustrating! I thought I'd share some pictures of what I've been up to lately.
FYI- The instructor was flying while I was shooting!

Getting ready to take-off

and we're up

This is where I make my radio call "Pella Traffic 27Gulf is downwind for one six Pella"

It's about here that I pull my my carb heat on, reduce my speed, and put 10 degrees of flaps on. I know this because the wing tip is directly across from the runway. The picture below shows this a bit better.