Rob's Private Pilot Training Experience

31 hours plane time x $117 = $3,627
31 hours fuel surcharge x $2 = $62
31 hours instructor time x $35 = $1,085
10 hours ground school x $35 = $350
Pilot Kit + admin/test fees = $1,000
---
Total so far: $6,124

Estimated remaining (14 hours): $2,128

Estimated Grand Total (45 hrs.): $8,252

I'm in 141 program, but I already have 31 hours and still have solo short cross, chief instructor check, solo long cross, 2 local solo practice, final chief check, FAA check. So I imagine all of that will be around 14 hours.

 

Lesson 23
Date: June 6th, 2007
Hours: 2.0
Total Hours To Date: 32.9
Summary: First solo cross country

Previous Lessons Summary
6/4/07: Lesson 22 - Dual night cross country (2.1 hrs)
5/31/07: Lesson 21 - Night practice (1.5 hrs)
5/30/07: Lesson 20 - Dual cross country (2.2 hrs)
5/21/07: Lesson 19 - Wind, soft field, & short field extra practice (0.8 hrs)
5/18/07: Lesson 18 - IR VOR Nav, Chief Instructor progress check
5/16/07: Lesson 17 - VOR Nav, IR stalls, IR unusual attitude recovery, autopilot (1.2 hrs)
5/14/07: Lesson 16 - short and soft field take offs and landings (1.1 hrs)
5/12/07: Lesson 15 - Local solo, practice, Alliance & NW touch & go’s (1.1 hrs)
5/9/07: Lesson 14 - Dual practice landings at NW, then local solo (1.3 hrs)
5/7/07: Lesson 13 - Touch & go’s at Northwest Regional (0.7 hrs)
5/2/07: Lesson 12 - Chief Instructor checkout for local solo (1.2 hrs)
4/30/07: Lesson 11 - First Solo!!! (1.7 hrs)
4/25/07: Lesson 10b - completed check review, 7 touch & go's in 60 degree 15 kts wind (1.2 hrs)
4/23/07: Lesson 10a - G1000, check review, 4 touch & go's (1.4 hrs)
4/21/07: Lesson 9 - emergency procedures, ATC pattern drills, 4 touch & go's (1.4 hrs)
4/18/07: Lesson 8 - foggles, 45 degree turns, forward slips, 3 touch & go's (1.2 hrs)
4/16/07: Lesson 7 - practice slow flight/stalls, 8 touch & go’s w/ATC (1.6 hrs)
4/14/07: Lesson 6 - instrument w/foggles, s-turns, slips, crosswind (1.6 hrs)
4/11/07: Lesson 5 - rectangle, circle, crosswind (1.3 hrs)
4/4/07: Lesson 4 - Radio, stalls, ATC taxiing/com (1.3 hrs)
4/2/07: Lesson 3 - Takeoffs, radio, ground effect control, pattern/approaches (1.3 hrs)
3/31/07: Lesson 2 - Flight maneuvers & go arounds (1.1 hrs)
3/28/07: Lesson 1 – taxiing & basic flight maneuvers (1.0 hrs)
2/27/07: Discovery Flight – fly around & touch-go (0.5 hrs)

Monday was a ‘D’ grade at night, today was a ‘B’ solo! Maybe it helped instructor wasn’t there to bring up every mistake and so some mistakes maybe I was ignorant to. Regardless, it was a great flight on a somewhat challenging day. South winds 17 kts. with 25 kt. gusts. Only good news with that is the wind was mostly down the runways at Northwest and Clark. Most everything just normal, so I won’t bore with the same old details. Had a good transition through Alliance Class D and kept out of B. Flight plan was Northwest (52F) over Weatherford (WEA) to Stephenville (SEP) at 4,500. Did best yet staying ahead of airplane and updating segment and clock times. Up to Weatherford biggest problem was losing my pen! I freaked out that instructor would see nothing completed on plan! Well, I looked the best I could and decided easiest was just getting another pen out of bag in rear seat. Made me laugh. Well, maybe the biggest mistake of entire trip came next. I had forgotten to activate the flight plan! Quickly called up, made sure I told them I was an idiot student pilot and they got it opened.

Came into Clark from East for 45 to downwind. Good approach, Clark radio very busy with planes from all the local airports. Still got my calls in, sister plane from Marcair was IFR approach and called out 2 miles, but I thought I was #1 or they were going around for pattern. They never got back on radio, I turned base and they were right there on final! Didn't freak me out, figured there was still enough spacing. Well, they decided to 360 and let me be #1. Winds and turbulence were throwing me every which way and airspeed was jumping like mad between 55 and 80. Used a bunch of power on and off. Not pretty, but got it down and maybe a mistake putting nose down too quick, but might have been OK with such a strong wind.

Didn’t plan to eat supper, just shut her down and walked around a little closing out the flight plan and opening a new one. Trip home was at 5,500. Ground speed was showing 140-145 knots. Played with autopilot for a little, but after altitude hit heading instead of nav and plane wanted to turn way off course. Found out later my mistake, but quickly turned autopilot off and just hand flew. Dropped down below Class B, called for transition through Alliance, and entered pattern for Northwest. Still the same 16 kt w/25 gust winds. Downwind went by really quick, made a mistake of going too far for such strong winds, so had a long final. Man was the plane getting tossed around, a little low and plane was sinking over the hilly pasture before 17, so had to use 50% power and starting to think about a go-around. Well, somehow the sight picture got perfect and good speed, pulled back to 20% power and really made a very very nice landing with my instructor standing outside Marcair. Of course with the ground speed had it stopped well before the pumps. Instructor said it was a pro landing, I know it is still mostly luck, but my skill % is increasing a tad. Maybe 1% now.

Vacation starts tomorrow morning. Won’t be any flying for awhile, but time to study for the written! …if I don’t drink too much beer and wine in Montreal.

 

Lesson 24
Date: June 13th, 2007
Hours: 1.3
Total Hours To Date: 34.2
Summary: Chief instructor progress/x-county

Previous Lessons Summary
6/6/07: Lesson 23 - First solo cross country (2.0 hrs)
6/4/07: Lesson 22 - Dual night cross country (2.1 hrs)
5/31/07: Lesson 21 - Night practice (1.5 hrs)
5/30/07: Lesson 20 - Dual cross country (2.2 hrs)
5/21/07: Lesson 19 - Wind, soft field, & short field extra practice (0.8 hrs)
5/18/07: Lesson 18 - IR VOR Nav, Chief Instructor progress check
5/16/07: Lesson 17 - VOR Nav, IR stalls, IR unusual attitude recovery, autopilot (1.2 hrs)
5/14/07: Lesson 16 - short and soft field take offs and landings (1.1 hrs)
5/12/07: Lesson 15 - Local solo, practice, Alliance & NW touch & go’s (1.1 hrs)
5/9/07: Lesson 14 - Dual practice landings at NW, then local solo (1.3 hrs)
5/7/07: Lesson 13 - Touch & go’s at Northwest Regional (0.7 hrs)
5/2/07: Lesson 12 - Chief Instructor checkout for local solo (1.2 hrs)
4/30/07: Lesson 11 - First Solo!!! (1.7 hrs)
4/25/07: Lesson 10b - completed check review, 7 touch & go's in 60 degree 15 kts wind (1.2 hrs)
4/23/07: Lesson 10a - G1000, check review, 4 touch & go's (1.4 hrs)
4/21/07: Lesson 9 - emergency procedures, ATC pattern drills, 4 touch & go's (1.4 hrs)
4/18/07: Lesson 8 - foggles, 45 degree turns, forward slips, 3 touch & go's (1.2 hrs)
4/16/07: Lesson 7 - practice slow flight/stalls, 8 touch & go’s w/ATC (1.6 hrs)
4/14/07: Lesson 6 - instrument w/foggles, s-turns, slips, crosswind (1.6 hrs)
4/11/07: Lesson 5 - rectangle, circle, crosswind (1.3 hrs)
4/4/07: Lesson 4 - Radio, stalls, ATC taxiing/com (1.3 hrs)
4/2/07: Lesson 3 - Takeoffs, radio, ground effect control, pattern/approaches (1.3 hrs)
3/31/07: Lesson 2 - Flight maneuvers & go arounds (1.1 hrs)
3/28/07: Lesson 1 – taxiing & basic flight maneuvers (1.0 hrs)
2/27/07: Discovery Flight – fly around & touch-go (0.5 hrs)

Today just a progress check with Assistant Chief Instructor. Did flight plan from Northwest to Wichita Falls. Didn’t go entire way, just needed to prove I can do the plan and get us by the first few check points. Diverted past Decatur to Bridgeport for my first touch & go there. Had completed most of everything for progress check, so I asked to practice stalls some. Went well and instructor demonstrated some uncoordinated stalls to lessen some of the fear I have with stalls. We didn’t get too close to a spin, but we threw that nose down and got some sideward movement. Last one he did showed how a Skyhawk will recover on its own if you just let go of the controls. We lost about 500 feet and speed was building fast as my head got real heavy, but sure enough it straightened out and nose started coming up. Headed back to Northwest, did simulated engine out by Propwash and got it into ground effect, but didn’t touch, so I guess I can’t add it to my airport list. Made a good crosswind landing into Northwest and day done.

I feel behind on studying for the exam. Haven’t made it through all of the Glim book yet. Will try the Cessna practice test Friday to see where I’m at and goal is to cram this weekend and take written Monday. School doesn’t want students taking written until they can get 90% on practice, I doubt I can do that this Friday with no studying.

 

Took the written today and really disappointed. I know I shouldn't worry about a 87%, but I got a 85% on the testing centers practice Friday and I studied another 4-6 hours this weekend. I had my heart set on getting a 90% for some reason and through the weekend I was consistently scoring 90% and better on the Gleim and Cessna practice exams. I figured taking my time, 1:10 taking exam today vs. :35-45 for practice exams would also help. There were several questions I had never seen before in my practice exams or study books. There were only 61 questions total, so I know only 1 was bogus. Can't wait to review with check pilot which ones I missed. Suspect I blew the 2 ADF questions, which I've struggled with on the practice exams. Even with studying just ADF specifically it didn't sink in, especially since none of the planes I use even have ADF. Kinda ridiculous that FAA is asking 2 ADF questions out of 60 when ADF is going out, especially considering not a single VOR or GPS question was asked!

Not sure if I missed it, but one question new to me is how you should depart a non-controlled airport. Answers were left pattern, any way, or use any FAA specified. I know you can depart anyway you really want, but figured that FAA specified in the airport directory would trump. Now I think about it, the airport directory really only specifies traffic patterns, maybe that doesn't apply at all to departures, I guess after takeoff you go which ever way you want.

I know ridiculous, but this really does have me down. Every pilot remembers what they scored on their first Private Pilot written. Everyone I ever talk to around the flight school has scored at least 90. Man, maybe I just got unlucky with the questions they pulled from the bank, 87 has got to be the worse I could score. Heck, they only give you 3 answers, that guarantees 33% even on the ones you don't know!

OK, time to put this behind and start planning on long XC and check ride.

 

Lesson 25
Date: June 20th, 2007
Hours: 2.9
Total Hours To Date: 37.1
Summary: Long cross country

Previous Lessons Summary
6/13/07: Lesson 24 - Chief instructor progress/x-county (1.3 hrs)
6/6/07: Lesson 23 - First solo cross country (2.0 hrs)
6/4/07: Lesson 22 - Dual night cross country (2.1 hrs)
5/31/07: Lesson 21 - Night practice (1.5 hrs)
5/30/07: Lesson 20 - Dual cross country (2.2 hrs)
5/21/07: Lesson 19 - Wind, soft field, & short field extra practice (0.8 hrs)
5/18/07: Lesson 18 - IR VOR Nav, Chief Instructor progress check
5/16/07: Lesson 17 - VOR Nav, IR stalls, IR unusual attitude recovery, autopilot (1.2 hrs)
5/14/07: Lesson 16 - short and soft field take offs and landings (1.1 hrs)
5/12/07: Lesson 15 - Local solo, practice, Alliance & NW touch & go’s (1.1 hrs)
5/9/07: Lesson 14 - Dual practice landings at NW, then local solo (1.3 hrs)
5/7/07: Lesson 13 - Touch & go’s at Northwest Regional (0.7 hrs)
5/2/07: Lesson 12 - Chief Instructor checkout for local solo (1.2 hrs)
4/30/07: Lesson 11 - First Solo!!! (1.7 hrs)
4/25/07: Lesson 10b - completed check review, 7 touch & go's in 60 degree 15 kts wind (1.2 hrs)
4/23/07: Lesson 10a - G1000, check review, 4 touch & go's (1.4 hrs)
4/21/07: Lesson 9 - emergency procedures, ATC pattern drills, 4 touch & go's (1.4 hrs)
4/18/07: Lesson 8 - foggles, 45 degree turns, forward slips, 3 touch & go's (1.2 hrs)
4/16/07: Lesson 7 - practice slow flight/stalls, 8 touch & go’s w/ATC (1.6 hrs)
4/14/07: Lesson 6 - instrument w/foggles, s-turns, slips, crosswind (1.6 hrs)
4/11/07: Lesson 5 - rectangle, circle, crosswind (1.3 hrs)
4/4/07: Lesson 4 - Radio, stalls, ATC taxiing/com (1.3 hrs)
4/2/07: Lesson 3 - Takeoffs, radio, ground effect control, pattern/approaches (1.3 hrs)
3/31/07: Lesson 2 - Flight maneuvers & go arounds (1.1 hrs)
3/28/07: Lesson 1 – taxiing & basic flight maneuvers (1.0 hrs)
2/27/07: Discovery Flight – fly around & touch-go (0.5 hrs)

What a day, turned out to be a good one, but definitely a challenge. Actually, most of the challenge was on the ground, the flying stuff wasn’t bad.

Wife has been in Canada on business since Saturday morning, so I’ve been gaining an appreciation for single mom’s taking care of our 7 month old. Sleep and spare time are hard to come by. Mia usually sleeps all night, but is starting to teeth and was up every couple hours last night. I still managed to get sleep in-between. Woke up and surprised to see overcast and storms. Called WX and the lady laughed at me when I asked about VFR flight to Olney. She might have had data an hour old, because I was looking at radar and the heavy storms were past and everything to the Northwest of Northwest was dissipating. So I held off doing my final wind calcs and loaded up Mia for daycare. By the time I got to Northwest at 8:30 am there was no rain, but still mostly overcast. A few local flights tried to get up, but came back with 700 AGL reports.

I hung around, made sure plane was preflighted and waited. Finally about 10:00 looked like there were breaks in the 1000 AGL layer and clear skys were coming in from Wichita Falls. Decided by the time I filled up with gas and got airborne everything would be better and if not, just simply come back and call it the day. Took off right before 11 and was able to fly 1000-1500 AGL past Justin and Propwash before some openings to hit my 6,500 MSL planned alt.

Flight to Olney had no issues, marked off my checkpoints and my estimates were close. Wasn’t sure how I would deal with Olney and 6 runway choices and potential traffic. Not sure if the best, but my only guidance on wind was the Graham AWOS. They were saying 04006, so that made 40 the easy choice. Did an upwind to check windsock and airport. Just simple no flap landing, with wind right down the runway it was one of my better ones lately. Nice long stall horn and easy setdown. Unfortunately the best landing of the day was this first one.

Taxied up in front of the pilot lounge there. Had hardly any cell signal at all. Took about 10 minutes to get through to close flight plan and then check-in with Marcair. Went into lounge for a minute, then back out to 40 for takeoff.

Easy flight straight to Kickapoo, flew right over a couple ponds I duck hunt in the winter. Man, 50 minute flight vs. 2 hour drive and I drive 75-80 mph! Tried and tried to get Sheppards Approach for flight following, but although I could hear some traffic, they never took time for me. Finally gave up on it. Coming from South easily saw the private runway SW of the lake, but didn’t spot Kickapoo until 7 miles out. Went over city a little and then back for 45 to downwind for 35. I looked and looked, but couldn’t find the wind sock! Later the FBO told me storm last night took it down. Good approach, but landing only about a 5-6 on scale of 10. I think I flared a little too early, then had to correct, and that threw the rest off.

Parked out in front of FBO, went inside, talked to desk person and then called Marcair and wife to check-in. Called up WX and got updated weather and filed a new plan.

Took off 35 and headed east, still some scattered clouds around and had to stay about 3,000-3,500 MSL. Determined to get Center on and get more confident with Flight Following. At least got Sheppard Departure to call me back. Still problems though, a weak signal and by the time we were getting it worked out he handed me off to Ft. Worth Center. I called Ft. Worth Center 3-4 times and could hear traffic, but could never get anyone for me. Man, this just makes me more frustrated with Center communication, most the time you can’t get them on and I have so little practice when they do come on, I fumble a few things. Need to get that down.

Finally able to get through broken clouds and up to my planned 5,500. Uneventful flight, started working down below Class B. Flew from 45 to upwind for 17 at Northwest and looked like some cross/variable winds. I even wondered for a minute if 35 wouldn’t be better. My plan is to use the upcoming solo practices to get my flap landings down, but for some reason today decided on 20 degree landing although I haven’t been landing with flaps. Approach and speed looked good, I flared too late though and bounced a little in the air. I could of stuck with it and been OK, but I put power in and went around. Heck with the flaps until more practice, did just fine for a no wind landing. Wish all of the landings would have been like the first one of the day.

Well, next 4 flights are all about practice and preparing for checkride. Really need to work on flap landings along with soft and short field stuff. The rest I feel pretty good about.

Pictures are…

Pic 1 - N985GE at Olney.

Pic 2 - 2 ponds North of the road I duck hunt by Olney. 2 hour drive in car going 80 mph, only 50 minute flight.

Pic 3 - Wichita Falls with Kickapoo in distance.

Pic 4 - N985GE at Kickapoo.

Pic 5 - Bowie lake and climbing to 5,500 above scattered clouds.

Pic 6 - Level at 5,500 in cruise mode with auto-pilot.

Pic 7 - Looking back to the West over shoulder to Decatur, you can barely make out airport.

Pic 8 - Looking to South at Propwash and Alliance.
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Lesson 26
Date: June 21st, 2007
Hours: 1.0
Total Hours To Date: 38.1
Summary: Solo practice

Previous Lessons Summary
6/20/07: Lesson 25 - Long cross country (2.9 hrs)
6/13/07: Lesson 24 - Chief instructor progress/x-county (1.3 hrs)
6/6/07: Lesson 23 - First solo cross country (2.0 hrs)
6/4/07: Lesson 22 - Dual night cross country (2.1 hrs)
5/31/07: Lesson 21 - Night practice (1.5 hrs)
5/30/07: Lesson 20 - Dual cross country (2.2 hrs)
5/21/07: Lesson 19 - Wind, soft field, & short field extra practice (0.8 hrs)
5/18/07: Lesson 18 - IR VOR Nav, Chief Instructor progress check
5/16/07: Lesson 17 - VOR Nav, IR stalls, IR unusual attitude recovery, autopilot (1.2 hrs)
5/14/07: Lesson 16 - short and soft field take offs and landings (1.1 hrs)
5/12/07: Lesson 15 - Local solo, practice, Alliance & NW touch & go’s (1.1 hrs)
5/9/07: Lesson 14 - Dual practice landings at NW, then local solo (1.3 hrs)
5/7/07: Lesson 13 - Touch & go’s at Northwest Regional (0.7 hrs)
5/2/07: Lesson 12 - Chief Instructor checkout for local solo (1.2 hrs)
4/30/07: Lesson 11 - First Solo!!! (1.7 hrs)
4/25/07: Lesson 10b - completed check review, 7 touch & go's in 60 degree 15 kts wind (1.2 hrs)
4/23/07: Lesson 10a - G1000, check review, 4 touch & go's (1.4 hrs)
4/21/07: Lesson 9 - emergency procedures, ATC pattern drills, 4 touch & go's (1.4 hrs)
4/18/07: Lesson 8 - foggles, 45 degree turns, forward slips, 3 touch & go's (1.2 hrs)
4/16/07: Lesson 7 - practice slow flight/stalls, 8 touch & go’s w/ATC (1.6 hrs)
4/14/07: Lesson 6 - instrument w/foggles, s-turns, slips, crosswind (1.6 hrs)
4/11/07: Lesson 5 - rectangle, circle, crosswind (1.3 hrs)
4/4/07: Lesson 4 - Radio, stalls, ATC taxiing/com (1.3 hrs)
4/2/07: Lesson 3 - Takeoffs, radio, ground effect control, pattern/approaches (1.3 hrs)
3/31/07: Lesson 2 - Flight maneuvers & go arounds (1.1 hrs)
3/28/07: Lesson 1 – taxiing & basic flight maneuvers (1.0 hrs)
2/27/07: Discovery Flight – fly around & touch-go (0.5 hrs)

Quick flight. Out to practice area. Did 2 S-turns, 2 point turns, steep turns, and then went to Alliance for touch/stop & go’s.

My S-turns are really good on the downwind half, for some reason I’m not getting back perpendicular on upwind side at end of S turn. Maybe I was overcorrecting the upwind side and actually not turning steep enough.

Nice little 40-50 degree cross wind, so good for practice. Did a couple no flap landings first to warm up. Then did a 10 degree (instructor told me later 10 degree landings are hard because it just makes the plane float more, suggestion was to do no flaps or 20/30 degree). Then did a couple stop & go’s with 20 degrees kinda practicing short and then soft field. Those I took off doing the short and soft field technique. They were OK, but still some mistakes I need to work on next few lessons.

 

Lesson 27
Date: June 22nd, 2007
Hours: 1.3
Total Hours To Date: 39.4
Summary: Final instructor check before chief check

Previous Lessons Summary
6/21/07: Lesson 26 - Solo practice (1.0 hrs)
6/20/07: Lesson 25 - Long cross country (2.9 hrs)
6/13/07: Lesson 24 - Chief instructor progress/x-county (1.3 hrs)
6/6/07: Lesson 23 - First solo cross country (2.0 hrs)
6/4/07: Lesson 22 - Dual night cross country (2.1 hrs)
5/31/07: Lesson 21 - Night practice (1.5 hrs)
5/30/07: Lesson 20 - Dual cross country (2.2 hrs)
5/21/07: Lesson 19 - Wind, soft field, & short field extra practice (0.8 hrs)
5/18/07: Lesson 18 - IR VOR Nav, Chief Instructor progress check
5/16/07: Lesson 17 - VOR Nav, IR stalls, IR unusual attitude recovery, autopilot (1.2 hrs)
5/14/07: Lesson 16 - short and soft field take offs and landings (1.1 hrs)
5/12/07: Lesson 15 - Local solo, practice, Alliance & NW touch & go’s (1.1 hrs)
5/9/07: Lesson 14 - Dual practice landings at NW, then local solo (1.3 hrs)
5/7/07: Lesson 13 - Touch & go’s at Northwest Regional (0.7 hrs)
5/2/07: Lesson 12 - Chief Instructor checkout for local solo (1.2 hrs)
4/30/07: Lesson 11 - First Solo!!! (1.7 hrs)
4/25/07: Lesson 10b - completed check review, 7 touch & go's in 60 degree 15 kts wind (1.2 hrs)
4/23/07: Lesson 10a - G1000, check review, 4 touch & go's (1.4 hrs)
4/21/07: Lesson 9 - emergency procedures, ATC pattern drills, 4 touch & go's (1.4 hrs)
4/18/07: Lesson 8 - foggles, 45 degree turns, forward slips, 3 touch & go's (1.2 hrs)
4/16/07: Lesson 7 - practice slow flight/stalls, 8 touch & go’s w/ATC (1.6 hrs)
4/14/07: Lesson 6 - instrument w/foggles, s-turns, slips, crosswind (1.6 hrs)
4/11/07: Lesson 5 - rectangle, circle, crosswind (1.3 hrs)
4/4/07: Lesson 4 - Radio, stalls, ATC taxiing/com (1.3 hrs)
4/2/07: Lesson 3 - Takeoffs, radio, ground effect control, pattern/approaches (1.3 hrs)
3/31/07: Lesson 2 - Flight maneuvers & go arounds (1.1 hrs)
3/28/07: Lesson 1 – taxiing & basic flight maneuvers (1.0 hrs)
2/27/07: Discovery Flight – fly around & touch-go (0.5 hrs)

Today will be marked as one of the more value adding lessons, but also one of the more frustrating. Goal for lesson is final instructor check before he hands me off to chief to see if ready for checkride. Don't have to be perfect yet, but supposed to leave lesson knowing how to do everything right so in my final solo practice I polish everything off. Well, instructor wants to fly with me one more time. We ran out of time to do reference maneuvers and we only got to do one soft and short field series. We covered a long list of things, but areas I still need work are steep turns, soft field, short field, and radio communication. Steep turns I was actually getting too much bank at 60 degrees and until you roll out a little, very hard to keep precise on attitude and speed at 60 degrees. Only did one each of soft and short field series, but don't have those down solid yet. Short field he said I actually landed short of the point. Also not holding the nose off well for both short and soft. The short and soft takeoffs are good. Radio communication I think I've been good at, today with Denton I didn't call until right at 5 nm, which he dinged me on, I also didn't call my position well. He also dinged me at Denton for ending the com with 'Denton' like I would at non-controlled. Right now all those things sound like dumb mistakes, but up in the plane flustered and overloaded they're easy to make.

The #1 challenge with lesson today was this is instructor I've never flown with (both of my main instructors out of town) and I'm also trying to make up instrument hours, so almost everything except the take offs, landings, and steep turns were with foggles. Pre-flight took longer as instructor and I discussed everything and got familiar. We had a hard deadline to be back by 10am, so I think with 30 minutes we could have done everything OK. The radio call to Denton was still under the foggles, so I just had a ton going on and I fumbled a few things.

Back to Northwest for no flap landing, he says engine failure at the numbers. I made downwind too long and had to add power about 1000 short of runway as we were low. I was thinking in my mind going for a nice power off landing, he tells me on the engine out drill, treat it like the engine is really out. Cut the base corners and come in tighter than normally would.

So plan is to fly with him again and work out the kinks, then I can get my final solo practice in.

Going back to my frustrations, each instructor I've been with besides the time lost for them to get current with me, they all do things just a little differently. I learned about 3 new things today and I'm done with ground school and about ready to take the check ride! That's somewhat scary. Especially the older instructors like to do things their own way, but for the student that's both bad and good. Consistency would make things go smoother, but consistently learning bad habits and not learning alternatives is bad too.

 

Lesson 28
Date: June 23rd, 2007
Hours: 2.5 (1.3 solo)
Total Hours To Date: 41.9
Summary: Dual cont., then solo practice

Previous Lessons Summary
6/22/07: Lesson 27 - Final instructor check before chief check (1.3 hrs.)
6/21/07: Lesson 26 - Solo practice (1.0 hrs)
6/20/07: Lesson 25 - Long cross country (2.9 hrs)
6/13/07: Lesson 24 - Chief instructor progress/x-county (1.3 hrs)
6/6/07: Lesson 23 - First solo cross country (2.0 hrs)
6/4/07: Lesson 22 - Dual night cross country (2.1 hrs)
5/31/07: Lesson 21 - Night practice (1.5 hrs)
5/30/07: Lesson 20 - Dual cross country (2.2 hrs)
5/21/07: Lesson 19 - Wind, soft field, & short field extra practice (0.8 hrs)
5/18/07: Lesson 18 - IR VOR Nav, Chief Instructor progress check
5/16/07: Lesson 17 - VOR Nav, IR stalls, IR unusual attitude recovery, autopilot (1.2 hrs)
5/14/07: Lesson 16 - short and soft field take offs and landings (1.1 hrs)
5/12/07: Lesson 15 - Local solo, practice, Alliance & NW touch & go’s (1.1 hrs)
5/9/07: Lesson 14 - Dual practice landings at NW, then local solo (1.3 hrs)
5/7/07: Lesson 13 - Touch & go’s at Northwest Regional (0.7 hrs)
5/2/07: Lesson 12 - Chief Instructor checkout for local solo (1.2 hrs)
4/30/07: Lesson 11 - First Solo!!! (1.7 hrs)
4/25/07: Lesson 10b - completed check review, 7 touch & go's in 60 degree 15 kts wind (1.2 hrs)
4/23/07: Lesson 10a - G1000, check review, 4 touch & go's (1.4 hrs)
4/21/07: Lesson 9 - emergency procedures, ATC pattern drills, 4 touch & go's (1.4 hrs)
4/18/07: Lesson 8 - foggles, 45 degree turns, forward slips, 3 touch & go's (1.2 hrs)
4/16/07: Lesson 7 - practice slow flight/stalls, 8 touch & go’s w/ATC (1.6 hrs)
4/14/07: Lesson 6 - instrument w/foggles, s-turns, slips, crosswind (1.6 hrs)
4/11/07: Lesson 5 - rectangle, circle, crosswind (1.3 hrs)
4/4/07: Lesson 4 - Radio, stalls, ATC taxiing/com (1.3 hrs)
4/2/07: Lesson 3 - Takeoffs, radio, ground effect control, pattern/approaches (1.3 hrs)
3/31/07: Lesson 2 - Flight maneuvers & go arounds (1.1 hrs)
3/28/07: Lesson 1 – taxiing & basic flight maneuvers (1.0 hrs)
2/27/07: Discovery Flight – fly around & touch-go (0.5 hrs)

First thing in morning went back up with yesterday’s instructor to finish things off and get more practice. Of course he was more comfortable with me as 2nd flight with him, so we didn’t waste as much time. Good practice, things went well. Went to Denton for a short field combo and then a soft field. Did a straight in for Northwest, which is a first for me there, I’ve done them at Alliance before.

Dropped instructor off, took a quick break, and filled the plane up before going back out solo. Did stalls, steep turns, s-turns, and point turns. Everything went well, but point turns weren’t to my liking. I ended up doing about 8 and not sure they got much better. Might have been lack of wind or my guess of wind direction was a little off. Didn’t seem like the downwind starts were blowing me out much, so my downwind segment was flatter than I would think in a point turn. Will FAA be OK with a 7.5 degree turn in a point turn?

I’m approved now for Chief Instructor. Will spend next several days reviewing for the oral and maneuvers. I feel like a safe pilot OK to carry passengers, so I guess that’s good considering I need to convince the FAA of that. However, I really do feel like I have a ways to go before perfecting everything. Hopefully I am within the tolerances though.

 

Lesson 29
Date: June 29th, 2007
Hours: 1.2
Total Hours To Date: 43.1
Summary: solo practice

Previous Lessons Summary
6/23/07: Lesson 28 - Dual cont., then solo practice (2.5 hrs)
6/22/07: Lesson 27 - Final instructor check before chief check (1.3 hrs.)
6/21/07: Lesson 26 - Solo practice (1.0 hrs)
6/20/07: Lesson 25 - Long cross country (2.9 hrs)
6/13/07: Lesson 24 - Chief instructor progress/x-county (1.3 hrs)
6/6/07: Lesson 23 - First solo cross country (2.0 hrs)
6/4/07: Lesson 22 - Dual night cross country (2.1 hrs)
5/31/07: Lesson 21 - Night practice (1.5 hrs)
5/30/07: Lesson 20 - Dual cross country (2.2 hrs)
5/21/07: Lesson 19 - Wind, soft field, & short field extra practice (0.8 hrs)
5/18/07: Lesson 18 - IR VOR Nav, Chief Instructor progress check
5/16/07: Lesson 17 - VOR Nav, IR stalls, IR unusual attitude recovery, autopilot (1.2 hrs)
5/14/07: Lesson 16 - short and soft field take offs and landings (1.1 hrs)
5/12/07: Lesson 15 - Local solo, practice, Alliance & NW touch & go’s (1.1 hrs)
5/9/07: Lesson 14 - Dual practice landings at NW, then local solo (1.3 hrs)
5/7/07: Lesson 13 - Touch & go’s at Northwest Regional (0.7 hrs)
5/2/07: Lesson 12 - Chief Instructor checkout for local solo (1.2 hrs)
4/30/07: Lesson 11 - First Solo!!! (1.7 hrs)
4/25/07: Lesson 10b - completed check review, 7 touch & go's in 60 degree 15 kts wind (1.2 hrs)
4/23/07: Lesson 10a - G1000, check review, 4 touch & go's (1.4 hrs)
4/21/07: Lesson 9 - emergency procedures, ATC pattern drills, 4 touch & go's (1.4 hrs)
4/18/07: Lesson 8 - foggles, 45 degree turns, forward slips, 3 touch & go's (1.2 hrs)
4/16/07: Lesson 7 - practice slow flight/stalls, 8 touch & go’s w/ATC (1.6 hrs)
4/14/07: Lesson 6 - instrument w/foggles, s-turns, slips, crosswind (1.6 hrs)
4/11/07: Lesson 5 - rectangle, circle, crosswind (1.3 hrs)
4/4/07: Lesson 4 - Radio, stalls, ATC taxiing/com (1.3 hrs)
4/2/07: Lesson 3 - Takeoffs, radio, ground effect control, pattern/approaches (1.3 hrs)
3/31/07: Lesson 2 - Flight maneuvers & go arounds (1.1 hrs)
3/28/07: Lesson 1 – taxiing & basic flight maneuvers (1.0 hrs)
2/27/07: Discovery Flight – fly around & touch-go (0.5 hrs)

No big deal, just wanted to get out and practice as I can't fly this weekend and 3 flights earlier in the week were canceled because of the weather. I wasn't required to do this flight as I'm ready for the Chief check, but every little practice helps.

I told Chief last week my point turns weren't perfect. He gave me a tip that I tried today and it really does work. I was doing good point turns today both left and right. The tip is to have point hit the gas foot peg on the wing strut (about 1/3 up wing strut) when you start the turn. Early in the point turn downwind is the steepest of course, as you turn visually put that point up at the top of the strut and behind. Now as you are flying the point, you want to keep the point directly behind the strut visually. If it gets in front, then take some bank out, if behind too much, then add some bank. I know this tip works for the 172 S and might not be much good for other planes, but this is a good tool for me to get down and then someday hopefully I can do them this nice without a trick.

Did slow flight, power on & off stalls, S-turns, and of course the point turns. Then headed to Denton, controlled in for 4 nm final with no flaps on first, full stop short field combo on 2nd, and soft field combo on 3rd. Then headed back to Northwest. Still trying to perfect the 30 degree flap landings. I thought I was higher than actual and bounced up, so just went around. Next one did a short field with 20 degrees of flaps and I floated first flare, but still got down and stopped before the pumps. Of course the 20 nm wind on the nose helped.

Gone fishing this weekend, hopefully weather is better next week so I can wrap this step up.

 

Lesson 30
Date: July 9th, 2007
Hours: 1.8
Total Hours To Date: 44.9
Summary: Chief Instructor Final

Previous Lessons Summary
6/29/07: Lesson 29 – solo practice (1.2 hrs)
6/23/07: Lesson 28 - Dual cont., then solo practice (2.5 hrs)
6/22/07: Lesson 27 - Final instructor check before chief check (1.3 hrs.)
6/21/07: Lesson 26 - Solo practice (1.0 hrs)
6/20/07: Lesson 25 - Long cross country (2.9 hrs)
6/13/07: Lesson 24 - Chief instructor progress/x-county (1.3 hrs)
6/6/07: Lesson 23 - First solo cross country (2.0 hrs)
6/4/07: Lesson 22 - Dual night cross country (2.1 hrs)
5/31/07: Lesson 21 - Night practice (1.5 hrs)
5/30/07: Lesson 20 - Dual cross country (2.2 hrs)
5/21/07: Lesson 19 - Wind, soft field, & short field extra practice (0.8 hrs)
5/18/07: Lesson 18 - IR VOR Nav, Chief Instructor progress check
5/16/07: Lesson 17 - VOR Nav, IR stalls, IR unusual attitude recovery, autopilot (1.2 hrs)
5/14/07: Lesson 16 - short and soft field take offs and landings (1.1 hrs)
5/12/07: Lesson 15 - Local solo, practice, Alliance & NW touch & go’s (1.1 hrs)
5/9/07: Lesson 14 - Dual practice landings at NW, then local solo (1.3 hrs)
5/7/07: Lesson 13 - Touch & go’s at Northwest Regional (0.7 hrs)
5/2/07: Lesson 12 - Chief Instructor checkout for local solo (1.2 hrs)
4/30/07: Lesson 11 - First Solo!!! (1.7 hrs)
4/25/07: Lesson 10b - completed check review, 7 touch & go's in 60 degree 15 kts wind (1.2 hrs)
4/23/07: Lesson 10a - G1000, check review, 4 touch & go's (1.4 hrs)
4/21/07: Lesson 9 - emergency procedures, ATC pattern drills, 4 touch & go's (1.4 hrs)
4/18/07: Lesson 8 - foggles, 45 degree turns, forward slips, 3 touch & go's (1.2 hrs)
4/16/07: Lesson 7 - practice slow flight/stalls, 8 touch & go’s w/ATC (1.6 hrs)
4/14/07: Lesson 6 - instrument w/foggles, s-turns, slips, crosswind (1.6 hrs)
4/11/07: Lesson 5 - rectangle, circle, crosswind (1.3 hrs)
4/4/07: Lesson 4 - Radio, stalls, ATC taxiing/com (1.3 hrs)
4/2/07: Lesson 3 - Takeoffs, radio, ground effect control, pattern/approaches (1.3 hrs)
3/31/07: Lesson 2 - Flight maneuvers & go arounds (1.1 hrs)
3/28/07: Lesson 1 – taxiing & basic flight maneuvers (1.0 hrs)
2/27/07: Discovery Flight – fly around & touch-go (0.5 hrs)

Wow, a flight that hasn’t been canceled because of the rain! Man, watching the radar and satellite all day long! It was iffy all day long. Still very cloudy, but able to get up 4500 and do everything we needed.

Basically, this was a simulated check ride. We had done the oral practice last week when the flight got canceled. I had kinda misunderstood the Chief that we weren’t going to do cross country stuff. I thought he said that he knew my cross country skills and planning, but turns out today that’s what he hit me hardest on! I had a flight plan, but didn’t do all the final wind, time, and gas calcs. He didn’t want that, but as we departed I kept expecting him to have me break off, but we kept going and going! Because I didn’t think we were really doing a cross country practice and would break off at any time, I would verbalize what I would do if the xc was real, but then he got on me in debrief because I wasn’t actually doing stuff! So there was a miscommunication, the good news is I know my cross country skills and planning are good and I won’t have any issues. The great news is all the flight maneuvers that I was nervous about he said I did good.

We did some extra practice on power on stalls and steep turns as I was far from perfect. Steep turns I was slowing down more than 10 kts and still had a problem of going TOO steep. The extra practice was good and I think I can nail it.

So Chief has signed me off. FAA check ride is Thursday morning! Not sure if I will solo practice tomorrow or Wednesday. Think I’m ready, but I can always do more landings!

 

Lesson 31
Date: July 12th, 2007
Hours: 1.2
Total Hours To Date: 46.1
Summary: FAA Designated Examiner Check

Previous Lessons Summary
7/9/07: Lesson 30 - Chief Instructor Final (1.8 hrs)
6/29/07: Lesson 29 – solo practice (1.2 hrs)
6/23/07: Lesson 28 - Dual cont., then solo practice (2.5 hrs)
6/22/07: Lesson 27 - Final instructor check before chief check (1.3 hrs.)
6/21/07: Lesson 26 - Solo practice (1.0 hrs)
6/20/07: Lesson 25 - Long cross country (2.9 hrs)
6/13/07: Lesson 24 - Chief instructor progress/x-county (1.3 hrs)
6/6/07: Lesson 23 - First solo cross country (2.0 hrs)
6/4/07: Lesson 22 - Dual night cross country (2.1 hrs)
5/31/07: Lesson 21 - Night practice (1.5 hrs)
5/30/07: Lesson 20 - Dual cross country (2.2 hrs)
5/21/07: Lesson 19 - Wind, soft field, & short field extra practice (0.8 hrs)
5/18/07: Lesson 18 - IR VOR Nav, Chief Instructor progress check
5/16/07: Lesson 17 - VOR Nav, IR stalls, IR unusual attitude recovery, autopilot (1.2 hrs)
5/14/07: Lesson 16 - short and soft field take offs and landings (1.1 hrs)
5/12/07: Lesson 15 - Local solo, practice, Alliance & NW touch & go’s (1.1 hrs)
5/9/07: Lesson 14 - Dual practice landings at NW, then local solo (1.3 hrs)
5/7/07: Lesson 13 - Touch & go’s at Northwest Regional (0.7 hrs)
5/2/07: Lesson 12 - Chief Instructor checkout for local solo (1.2 hrs)
4/30/07: Lesson 11 - First Solo!!! (1.7 hrs)
4/25/07: Lesson 10b - completed check review, 7 touch & go's in 60 degree 15 kts wind (1.2 hrs)
4/23/07: Lesson 10a - G1000, check review, 4 touch & go's (1.4 hrs)
4/21/07: Lesson 9 - emergency procedures, ATC pattern drills, 4 touch & go's (1.4 hrs)
4/18/07: Lesson 8 - foggles, 45 degree turns, forward slips, 3 touch & go's (1.2 hrs)
4/16/07: Lesson 7 - practice slow flight/stalls, 8 touch & go’s w/ATC (1.6 hrs)
4/14/07: Lesson 6 - instrument w/foggles, s-turns, slips, crosswind (1.6 hrs)
4/11/07: Lesson 5 - rectangle, circle, crosswind (1.3 hrs)
4/4/07: Lesson 4 - Radio, stalls, ATC taxiing/com (1.3 hrs)
4/2/07: Lesson 3 - Takeoffs, radio, ground effect control, pattern/approaches (1.3 hrs)
3/31/07: Lesson 2 - Flight maneuvers & go arounds (1.1 hrs)
3/28/07: Lesson 1 – taxiing & basic flight maneuvers (1.0 hrs)
2/27/07: Discovery Flight – fly around & touch-go (0.5 hrs)

Wow, I made it. Wasted much nervous energy past day, but I think I held myself together OK. I kept looking over the Gleim Practical Guide and going over everything in my head, there weren't too many holes in the info I thought I needed. Worked a little more on my flight plan to Amarillo Husband last night and set alarm for 6am.

Woke up 6am, radar looked good, sunrise was looking good. Got weather brief within 2 minutes, all looked clear to Amarillo VFR. Now with wind numbers finished up all the flight plan calcs. I kept checkpoints 5-15 nm close, but I knew we weren't going too far and increased to 20-35 for rest of flight, but still the flight plan was huge! I made it challenging on myself with a few different cruise altitudes and I changed the winds up from the forecast along the way.

Goal was to leave house 7:30am, arrive 8 am, and examiner was scheduled 9am. I left 7:45am after finishing up flight plan 100%. Arrived Marcair and preflighted, not much else to do but wait. Bob got there a little before 9am. About 5 minutes later an official looking guy walked in asking for Bob. Turned out it was the FAA doing an examination on the examiner! Oh crap I was thinking, now Bob is really going to bust my balls. Went upstairs and sat down with Bob and FAA guy. Both put me at ease, both were very laid back. I'm the first 141 student out of Marcair, so there was a little extra paperwork for them and we were doing the online submittal to FAA, so a few kinks getting everything set on their end. We started the oral and I found it very fair, just like a discussion as many have said a good oral goes. I was on top of most things, a few things like what sections of FAR is this or that in, well "here, let me look it up for you". I don't have the best memory for that. Went on a good 45 minutes between oral and all the docs he had to see. Said we completed the oral and I did a really good job. Whew!!!

That's all the FAA guy wanted to see, so between them saying bye and a few other instructors trying to line stuff up with Bob we didn't get to the plane for another 20 minutes. Now almost 10:30. We did a quick repreflight and I started to explain passenger briefing, but he said not necessary. Started plane right up, probably double looked at all the checklists. Taxied out while listening to Alliance ATIS mainly for updated wind and altimeter. Set the alt and GPS on way to run-up.

Went through pretakeoff list. Plane was idling too low, so on the idle drop it would sputter. We did that a couple times just to make sure it wouldn't quit. As PIC I decided we were safe as it wouldn't stop completely and we would mentally keep the RPM above idle. I'm use to that with race cars and RC planes.

Did a takeoff briefing outloud, just a normal takeoff. Stay in pattern around and depart Northwest Regional to the Northwest. Made all the radio calls (except didn't simulate FSS to open plan, but he didn't say anything later) and then got my heading. First checkpoint was just N of Propwash and only 40 seconds off, not bad considering takeoff, pattern, and climb are all hard to get right.

Before next checkpoint over by highway and Heritage private airport he called for a diversion to Decatur. We were almost on course already and it was visual, but I still verbally went through getting my position VOR and a new heading, then the easy GPS method. He called for a short field landing. A little rough, not my best landing at all, but we still got stopped in a decent distance. Short field takeoff went well, he verbally said I forgot to take the 10 degree flaps out, but I was actually waiting for 70 knots and we couldn't seem to hit it climbing out UNTIL I took the flaps out. Wow, a big difference in drag.

Came around again for soft field landing, floated a little, then was coming down and didn't get back in the gas in time. Again a little rough, but kept the nose up OK and we taxied off. Went back around to start of airport and did soft field takeoff that went well.

Departed Decatur to SE and while climbing up to 2,500 he had me under foggles and did all of that. Then slow flight, then stalls, and then steep turns. All went well except for bad habit of taking power out before I put back in on stall recovery, don't know why I do this because it is dumb, maybe just that hour of spin training threw me off. First steep turn I got 150' off, but started correcting by end and then other direction I pretty much nailed it, so he was OK.

Practice emergency landing, went well, only had me go down to 800 AGL when I was use to 50-500 AGL with instructors. No big deal, at 800 AGL we did a point turn and it went well, I have really mastered those after that reference tip the chief gave me on the wing strut. He never asked for a S-turn, but I've been doing well on those too.

Told me to head back to Northwest. He asked for me to come in high and do a slip. On base he wanted me to be higher, so had me put more throttle in. Well, I made probably my worst mistake of the check here. I was uncoordinated on the left turn to final! I think all the throttle caught me off the right rudder, especially since we were turning left! No excuse, I need to do much better with coordinating under any circumstance. Showed him a slip and we were still looking high and fast, but I thought we might still make it, he called for a go around, which I think we have to do anyway.

Flew pattern and let me do any landing I wanted. Of course, no flaps, because I average 6-9's on those vs. my 3-7's on flap landings. Not sure if on purpose, but on base started asking me what I did for a living and he talked about his son. Not sure if trying to distract me as I messed up on left to final before, but even with that distraction and radio calls I did turn to final right on the ball. Good approach, a little 20-30 degree cross wind, smooth no flaps on one wheel, then other. Flight was over and he hadn't said you have failed yet!!!

Taxi back in, shut her down, he went off to do paperwork and I got my stuff and plane in order. Handed me my temp license and said congrats, you are a pilot. Wow, has been a busy, hectic, exciting, fun, stressful, expensive, and rewarding 3 months. Quick debrief with Bob and the Chief and that's all folks!

My dad was a pilot in 50-60's, but grounded medical before I was born. He shared some of that flying passion with me growing up and got me rides with friends. I took a couple discovery flights when I was 14-15 years old, but it took another 18 years for me to reach a point in my life where I had the money and time to be safe and current. I think everything worked out alright this way. My dad left this world in 1994, but I'm having his favorite drink, a Scotch on the rocks with him tonight.

Y'all look in the main forum here in an hour as I'm throwing an Open Bar Happy Hour Saturday in Southlake at Trulucks in towncenter 5-7pm. All are welcome to share in the celebration with drinks and appetizers. A huge bar tab will be nothing compared what it costs to fly. My bar tab will close at 7pm, but we'll still be hanging out hitting bars in walking distance at towncenter.

 

Ha, would be nice to land in the front yard. Just got signed off from G1000 and start tailwheel Wednesday, instrument after that.