MY FIRST SOLO!

5/18/10 (10:30AM, Yesterday) -  So, I've gotten behind...waaaaaaay behind on my blogging...BUT THERE'S GOOD NEWS!

After 45+ hours of flight time AND FINALLY my medical certificate...I GOT TO SOLO YESTERDAY!  Nothing quite like it!  I was nervous...not scared...just nervous.  But I did it!  Winds were about 5 - 7 kts blowing from 140...

I performed 2 touch and go's and one full stop...ALL BY MYSELF.

Words can't describe the feeling of accomplishment and joy...

(And yes, I've already done one dual cross country)

Low level wind shear warning...

1030 - They aren't fun.  In fact, my left wrist was hurting and I was sweating through the entire flight from working so hard.

We performed touch and go's at Shreveport Regional due to the wind today.

Side-slip landings.  Rudders equal (straight)...ailerons INTO the wind.

It's hard NOT to be blown off the runway and you SURE don't want to slow down.

All in all...considering...I say I performed well during my "baptism by fire."  I have to remember to PITCH FOR AIRSPEED!

"Better than most..."

1030 - My flight instructor told me "Don't let this go to your head...but you are better than most of my pilots."  I was also told "I wish all of my students were like you; my job would be a whole lot easier."

But, I digress...

More of the same today...touch and go's...go arounds...forward-slip landings...short approaches.  ALL of my landings were unassisted (thank you very much)...AND...I believe I made the best landings of my career thus far.  I stayed on the center line AND made a VERY SMOOTH touchdown.

1400 - Today, more simulated engine failure whilst landing.  Remember Lindsay, 65 knots is your best glide speed in the Cessna 172...then...line up with the runway...full flaps...land....but TAKE YOUR TIME.

Well, my landings are getting even better (they have to get worse before they can get better)...because now that I know how to land properly, I am "fine-tuning" them.

I landed on the center line!  However, I stalled above the runway a few feet due to the "honing of my skills"...but my flight instructor said this is a GOOD THING...fine tuning fine tuning fine tuning.

He said that "he rarely gives compliments" and "to take them from him when I can"...and with that he said I am doing "really well."  So...yay!

More forward-slip landings today...

Landing with no engine

10:30 (Friday, January 8, 2010) - It was only simulated.  And turns out, landing without and engine (engine shut off) was actually fun and easier than I would have imagined.  The gliding sensation felt like...well...gliding.  It was nice.

Still "perfecting" my landings...

Forward Slip Landings...

10:30 (Yesterday) - Forward Slip Landings.  Landing with no flaps.  I "forward slipped" the plane (i.e. - left or right aileron with FULL opposite rudder) to slow the plane down and descend quickly.

Just when I finally got landings nailed...here come the slips. 

Bring it!

P.S. - I am also in the process of taking my pre-solo written exam, and doing fairly well I might ad.  I will let you know when I have completed the assignment.

10:30 - "Great" is how my landings were described today.  Thank you very much.  Not perfect...but I'll take "great!"

I'm almost ready to solo.

However, I learned today that I need to take my "Pre-Solo Exam Written Test."  Thank GOD it's open bookS.  And yes, thank God for pencils.