Flight Journal: flight 21

[beaky]

Flight 21
08-26-95
1968 C-172K
N07
Local

13,000 sctattered; wind 200/05; 78F

0.9 dual
3 landings

"Ground ref., emerg. proc., normal t.o & lndg, short fierld t.o & lndng"


Beautiful, dry weather. The airshow at Sussex precludes landing there today, so we keep it local, just northeast of N07.

My ground reference maneuvers are okay... that segment ends with me flying circles around a pair of parked cargo trailers. I try three landings at Lincoln Park: a little floating, a little drifting...
We get whacked hard by turbulence as we cross the road on my second approach to 19, but I get back on track and land well, considering. I am convinced, today, that I have made some progress.

After the lesson, J. introduces me to a Piper Cherokee (a 140, I believe). I have heard that these birds are very similar to Cessnas in basic performance, but they don't fly willingly with full tanks and four adults on board. I am nonetheless curious, so I climb inside to check out the "office".
I like this: one sits low in the cabin of a Cherokee, fairly low to the ground as well. It's sort of like a sports car. Without the wing overhead, there's a little more glass to see out of, always a plus in the often-crowded ether.

The low-wing airplane's obvious drawback in this department is that the wing obscurres the view of the ground to the sides. But it also allows an excellent view inside a turn. Hmmmm... what eles is different here... the trim control is a crank, very much like a window crank from an old car, mounted overhead. Interesting. the manual flaps are controlled by a long handle between the front seats. This I like- no motors, etc. to worry about.
J. tells me he did his primary training in a Cherokee, and he likes them. He believes they are easier to land because of the lower stance. I think I may give it a try- but not until after I solo.

Next: Flight 22