Going for my first flying lesson on Monday...

It's a Diamond DA40 - arguably one of the best training planes around. It has one of the safest records, is very easy to fly, and very forgiving - all attributes conducive to flight training! I know alot of people train in Cessna 172s but I think if you were to try a Diamond DA40 you'd be amazed. It's really personal preference. You'll either love it or you won't. There's also the matter of "under the wing" versus "over the wing" which offers a very different perspective.
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You can alway search "Diamond DA-40" since he'd already said what it was.

That way you get pics, specs, etc.

FWIW...

 

Wait till you have to start reading a map as well!

 

Sounds like you are a natural at it, great job. The radio thing will come with time and then you will wonder what all the fuss was about

 

The light signal brings back memories of having nothing but red/ green lights by which to land at most airports. Recently the newscasters said that many airport towers will be shut down due to the cuts in funds and it will be very difficult for planes to land. What happened to airport pattern etiquette? Gone,I think.

 

Good job, i love just staying in the pattern. Landings 1-3 you are remembering what you learned last lesson, 4-6 improving, 7-9 getting better #10 getting tired time to call it a day. Good stuff, i have not experienced the landing light yet, maybe i should ask for that.

If my first experience of a non controlled airport last weekend is anything to go by, its non existent, and I'm accustomed to LA drivers and traffic LOL.
I like the controllers at Van Nuys, they keep you marching to the right beat...and all in order .."Bristol fashion" .
Lets see who knows what that means LOL

 

Hear hear. Nothing more annoying than holding short for 15min because some jerk in a 150 called "long final" from three counties away.

 

Good Luck with your solo!!!

Weather looks poor up here (ALB) the next several days, but I remember my solo felt intense, everything was magnified 100x - even though everything went normally. Like others have advised - you get used to it all in due time: pilotage, radios, looking for traffic, pattern entries, etc, etc.

What I found interesting to learn is listening to your 'inner voice' - when you get the gut feeling something isn't quite right. Maybe it's a change in engine sound, maybe it's something ATC said, maybe it's the way the clouds look, an odd instrument reading, or your positional relationship to something outside the windscreen... But learn to pay attention to that voice and check the situation.

I started flying in '91 and for me it made sense to just buy an inexpensive airplane instead of paying hourly to rent one. I bought it prior to solo, got it sorted out to my liking and kept it for 14 years. Not sure how economically feasible it is to buy these days, but for someone with means, I think there are clear advantages to buying - especially after solo. You get to train in your own aircraft, the flexibility to go up any time at a moment's notice, build familiarity and hours, day or night, hone your skills in the aircraft you'll be flying afterwards.

Best of luck!

 

Wise words

 

Have fun and yes flying is an expensive addiction much like exotic cars and sailing are.

 

Good luck on the weather. You will not need it for the flying part.

 

It will come soon, I was soo frustrated that I kept getting days that were too windy to solo, but when it finally got done the feeling was indescribable.

 

Congrats on the first solo! A day you'll never forget....

 

Initially, the radio is a pain in the butt but I promise it gets easier.

WHO you are(N number)
WHAT your Intentions are(Taxi to ... with atis)
WHEN you want to do it(usually now)
WHERE you are and WHERE you want to go(from xxx FBO to RW18 - see WHAT)
HOW you would like to get there if filing a flight plan(KGTU to KSAT direct, direct on a 180heading - flight following etc) It gets more fun for Instrument.

"Ground, N9451T request taxi from Pilots Choice Aviation to RW 18 with Uniform for a VFR flight to KSAT direct, would like to request flight following"

That gives all of the info to the first person you contact. After switching to Tower, you should be able to confirm and pick up ff.

It was the easiest way for many people to remember... it's all about base information and intention - practice before you repeat it to the ATC. Passengers in the plane will just think you are talking to yourself(this is ok for pilots, although try not to answer yourself

And try not to leave info out.... "November 9451 Tango requests taxi from KGTU to KSAT"

That's gonna be a LONG taxi !!!

Great Progress so far, Congrats!

Justin

 

Very cool congrats..

its a blast isn't it ! Keep it up

 

That's Great. If you get done in 40-45 hours, that puts you in the top 3-5% of all students, I think the national average is 75hrs, so well done you.

Don't put pressure on yourself to get done that quick though, My school (and the reason I chose them) told me that I would be finished when I was ready.
I started off real well, then put to much pressure on myself ( at the 20-25hr stage) and started "holding on to tight", and didn't progress to much for a while, I got past that and I have been happy with my level of improvement to date.

As for ground school I have found the internet an invaluable tool, Sportys and King both have on-line course's,( I chose Sportys) and I have used the Gleim books and on line test prep. Also a simple youtube search brings up lots of educational material. But for sure the your best source of information is your instructor.

I really enjoy the navigation and cross country flying, don't worry to much about being overwhelmed, I was at first, but if you do all the planning ahead of time your work load is greatly reduced, by the time you get to that stage, the radio will be second nature and you will wonder what you worried about.

The biggest single thing I can recommend as one student to another, is get a video recorder and hook it up to the com, being able to watch your lesson over again and hear your instructor while you are not busy flying is really good, you would be surprised how much you pick up the "second" time you hear it.
I use a GoPro mounted to the right side glass with the cable connected to the instructors com port.

Sounds like you are doing a great job so far, so keep it up and keep us all in the loop