So I ran the pre-start checklist, started up, listen to the radio - where did those three aircraft come from? - taxi over to an open area, and do the run-up.
And then don't move to the runway, idle for 10 minutes while three aircraft landed, full stop each, and taxied down Alpha. They were an older yellow taildragger (a Piper Cub?), a Cessna 152, and a Cirrus SR20. I had lots of time on my hands to watch. In one sense, it was nice to sit there and let the nervousness drain.
After the last arrival passed I took Alpha, crossed 04, backtracked, took the position, smiled to myself and took a breath, pushed the throttle open, rotate. Airborne very quickly.
A good quick climb, blow through 1000' AGL (amazing what 150 pounds less gross weight means!), get at altitude and stable on the downwind, radio call, pre-landing checklist, throttle back, 80 knots, flaps to take-off, turn base, 65 knots, flaps to landing, trim for 60 knots, turn final, radio call, flare, wait, wait, wait some more, land.
I'd like to say I greased it, but there was a minor bounce. I was dead smack on the centre line with no yaw, and decelerating, within the first 800 feet of the runway.
Remember - you're not finished flying until the last part finishes moving. Don't get elated just yet.
Taxi to Alpha, post-landing checklist, radio calls, cross 04 to the apron, do the run-up.
Radio the flying school, I suspected this was the last flight of the day for this aircraft, confirmed, taxi to the front of the hanger. And "congratulations". I said thanks, please inform David and Juliette they can start breathing again.
Taxi to the front of the hanger, David is there doing the wands thing, guiding me to a full stop.
Throttle idle, electrics off, mixture idle-cutoff, the last part stopped moving, key out, do the paperwork, open the canopy.
The canopy in the Eclipse opens up and back, and when retracted you can stand up.
I stood up. And pumped my fists in the air and yelled "YES".
Pictures, push G-PUP back into the hanger, off to the desk, more paperwork (including the first PIC time in my logbook), pay the bill.
On the whole - it was anti-climatic. I can do this. My instructors prepared me well.
Time: 0.4 (and a good piece of that was spent waiting on the apron).
Landings: 1
Done well:
- Darn near everything
- Do not blow through an assigned altitude, no matter how light the aircraft is. Anticipate, manually fly to the altitude, trim, hold it. This is basic!!!
2 comments:
Congratulations! It's a great feeling.
I had a similar unscheduled lesson with the CFI. A man of few words, he simply asked to be dropped off after a couple of circuits. I was told to go fly a couple more circuits and bring the plane back in one piece.
I almost felt sorry that my regular instructor didn't get to give me a final pep talk.
Congratulations! It was a long time coming (I'm referring to your mini-bio - always wanted to fly - put it off a long time .... ;-)
Good for you!
Enjoy the rest of the course work - it just keeps getting more interesting.
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