Flight 42
06-16-96
1979 C-172N
TEB-N07-TEB
2.0 dual
5 landings
5000 SCT; vis 6 miles/haze; wind 040/4
"Short/soft, steep turns, MCA. ground ref"
Brought my friend B. along today, or rather he brought me- I needed his pickup truck to deliver some shelves I'd built for the school (in exchange for time, of course). A. had visibly flinched at my price, but finally said it was "fair", and liked how they came out.
We're out on the ramp by 8AM, checking out 23Fox. 6FR has been assigned strictly for XC and IFR training, but I won't miss it much, because 23F is very similar.
It's getting hot as we taxi way down to the end of Runway 01. I'm feeling sharp today, but a little distracted, wanting to look good with B. in the back seat. This may be why I accidentally call "Ready for takeoff" while holding short of runway 06!! Well, maybe I'm also unused to taking off to the north at this airport...
No damage done there at any rate, and soon I'm making a good short-field departure from 06, steering immediately towards N07. I feel confident with my pilotage, but somehow decide I'm near N07 when I'm not... too far east, still. The haze isn't helping.
45-degree entry to downwind for 01, and I find myself cutting the downwind close again. Damn!
the base leg is more like a U-turn, but I redeem myself with an acceptable approach and soft-field touchdown.
B., who's never been up in a light single before, seems to be holding up okay, so we taxi for a soft-field departure.
I keep 23F as low as I can after liftoff, and it seems to take a long time to reach Vx... hmmm... oh right, there's an adult in the back seat. The weaker climb performance confirms my theory.
I am unused to using 01, and my pattern shows it. Terrible. But I damn near grease that Cessna on during the subsequent soft-field landing, getting that power in just as the wheels touch. Unfortunately, I again leave the throttle in a moment too long, which mars the performance.
Next two takeoffs are short-field. I'm definitely showing improvement with takeoffs and landings, but my pattern is still weak and sloppy. B is enjoying himself; C. wisely brought an extra headset for him so he will know, to some extent, what's going to happen during the flight.
It's a treat to be sharing this experience with a friend, but it's also a challenge to consider his comfort. the airplane is a little sluggish with the added weight, but no too much so.
First maneuver: steep turns. I'm getting good at this, but I still keep sinking while turning to the right. By the third attempt I realize that just a hair of left rudder seems to help this.[EDIT: later determined to have nothing to do with rudder]
B. will later admit that he felt a bit queasy during the steep turns, "especially when C. took over". Interesting.
I don't mind them, although it bothers me a little when someone else is at the controls (and not just C.)
Next: S-turns... with C. diligently coaching me, I've finally polished up my S-turns: wings level just as we cross the road, parallel with the struts. It's very satisfying, and that old feeling comes back: confidence tempered with total focus, attentiveness inspired by each small achievement.
Got that edge back... don't wanna lose it now...
Next is the turn around a point: C. tells me to descend to 1000 AGL, so I pull power and add carb heat, letting 23F sink while I hold the heading. As we get lower, I see that we are over some very swanky homes- there's a private tennis court... good enough point as any, I figure.
After the first revolution, I think I have the wind sussed, weak as it is. But I'm not quite sure during the second trip around... then a couple more turns does the trick. I do well. The three of us are chatting away throughout this leisurely maneuver, admiring the homes below.
Next I have to practice MCA, and I am surprised to hear C. say he is actually impressed with my progress in that department. the smooth air makes it easy today, but the haze smudging the horizon presents its own challenge.
No stalls today- bummer. But I've made progress, and I feel good.
I find my way back to TEB, and end up too high on final for 01. C. takes over to demonstrate a forward slip- which, of course, I was about to do myself... >:(
His landing is not perfect, and something makes me think I was a factor. I'm trying to not be exasperated by his little quirks- I realize he's a bit green himself, and probably nervous, flying with hamfisted beginners as he does, day in and day out. And he is very thorough, and consistent- those two traits make up for a lot.
This kid's actually whipped me into pretty good shape these last few weeks; if it weren't for all the money I've paid him, I'd say I owed him one.
At last 23F is secured and it's time to go. A good lesson, and fun sharing it.
C. tells me my air work, except for patterns, of course, is now "very, very good."
That's the kind of encouragement I need to hear.
Thoughts:
-Don't be scared to descend on base!
-Don't worry about banking in the pattern, low and slow; do it right, but don't worry!
-Do work on visualizing the whole pattern... especially at Teterboro!
-Do more chair-flying!
Next- Flight 43: stalls, strange winds, and flight school SNAFUs
