Real Landing

[TacitBlue]

Well, I'm up to seven hours now in my flight training. Saturday I made my first real landing! I think I had one of those break through moments where you go "oooh! that's how its done!", but unfortunately that was the last landing of the day at the end of my hour, so I didn't get to try it again. Anyway, I'm really excited because it's starting settle in that this is something that I really can do, you know? It's like now more than ever I know that I am going to be a pilot. I just thought I would share my elation with you all, because you guys would understand.

[C]

Nice one, probably one of the most important moments in a pilot's career...

[beaky]

How sweet it is... congrats.

[MarcoAviator]

Well, I'm up to seven hours now in my flight training. Saturday I made my first real landing! I think I had one of those break through moments where you go "oooh! that's how its done!", but unfortunately that was the last landing of the day at the end of my hour, so I didn't get to try it again. Anyway, I'm really excited because it's starting settle in that this is something that I really can do, you know? It's like now more than ever I know that I am going to be a pilot. I just thought I would share my elation with you all, because you guys would understand.

Be ready to "lose" that moment over and over again in the next 200 hours or so of your career.

Many days, even after you get a TON of additional ratings and well past your private pilot license, and hundreds of hours ... you will have days when the only type of landing you seem to be able to make is one that requires spinal surgery at the end ...

Not to disappoint you .. just to prepare you.

Landing is a fickle endeavour. Landing is an art, not a science ... it has a lot to do with feel and if that day you don't "feel" it ... you will feel the landing gears reaching the stops when you thump on the runway.

Then you have those days where you can't seem to get a landing wrong even if you try ...  ;D

It comes and goes. The bad days and the good days.

Keep at it!  8)

[TacitBlue]

LOL, yeah I figured that. I've been doing take-offs since hour three, and I have good ones and bad ones. I know take-offs aren't as hard as landings, but still the same kind of "art not science" sort of thing. I think I'm prepared for all of the ups and downs that are most deffinately coming my way.

[C]

Landing is an art, not a science...

Landing is a precise science, with a little artistic endeavour in the last few feet...

[Rocket_Bird]

I used to have trouble with my takeoffs a bit too.  Landings even more.  And its right, its a total art.  Some days you can get good landings and some days you can get bad ones.  Once you get the feel for it, its all good.  

Just some hints for the takeoff (and also landing), I always just like to think "Do things smoooootthlly".  Plus on take off, keep both your feet on your rudder pedals, and always keep a little bit of pressure on the right rudder to keep it centered.  I like to call the ole props Right Rudder Machines.  Since you need right rudder to keep it straight, and to get your climb performance.  

[Sytse]

Congratulations on your very first 'succesfull' landing. I'm looking forward to mine.

keep both your feet on your rudder pedals

Ooooh! That's what I've been doing wrong!

[MarcoAviator]

Have you guys ever tried to take off in a taildragger?

I mean a REAL one? (not a simulated one)

I have about 5 hours in an Aeronca Champ and boy oh boy ... winds up that takeoffs are more stressful than landings in taildraggers ... at least they are for me.

[C]

Have you guys ever tried to take off in a taildragger?

I mean a REAL one? (not a simulated one)

I have about 5 hours in an Aeronca Champ and boy oh boy ... winds up that takeoffs are more stressful than landings in taildraggers ... at least they are for me.

I spent about 10 minutes taying a Harvard around (at quite reasonable speeds too). It was an eye opening experience, but I'd be intrigued to get some proper flight time...

[TacitBlue]

I would like to get a tail wheel rating. My instructor is restoring a taildragger to give lessons in. I don't remember what its called, but its basically a Cub clone.

[MarcoAviator]

I would like to get a tail wheel rating. My instructor is restoring a taildragger to give lessons in. I don't remember what its called, but its basically a Cub clone.

So is my instructor ... he's restoring a Champ which (he promises) he will let me fly ... (the Champ I currently fly is 50 miles away ... at Van Sant. Nice grass field but having to drive an hour is not entertaining ...

[TacitBlue]

I already drive about an hour for lessons. It's way cheaper than going to the local airport. I'm sure spend more in gas to get there than I would going to the local airport, but then I wouldn't have the great instructor that I do now.

[Staiduk]

Have you guys ever tried to take off in a taildragger?

I mean a REAL one? (not a simulated one)

I have about 5 hours in an Aeronca Champ and boy oh boy ... winds up that takeoffs are more stressful than landings in taildraggers ... at least they are for me.

Trust me on this - you want a stressful takeoff in a taildragger? Fly tow. There's really no such thing as 'not fun' flying, unless you're one of those poor benighted fools who have to wear a tie to go babysit an aluminum hot dog, but tow sure comes close. I never did it long enough to really become comfortable - that takes years; and according to the more senior pilots; it never becomes routine; dragging a pair of freeloaders up to 2000ft. over and over again.
Worse; if there's a student way back there.
EVEN worse; if there's an Air Cadet back there!

But as for just flying taildraggers; you've got 5 hours - give it time. If you - like most - are used to trikes; it feels a helluva lot different but believe me it gets comfortable real quick. Taxiing a GA 'dragger like the Citabria is more intuitive than steering a Cessna. That means its a bit harder to get used to; but once you do its totally natural. In fact - once you get your rating; I'm willing to bet you find a 172 comparitively cumbersome and awkward!

Cheers!

[Staiduk]

Whoops - forgot the man of the hour!

Great job, Tacit! You've passed another mark on the way to freedom!

Just keep in mind one thing: A lot of students I know (I was one of 'em) hit the 'I Know Everything' wall at around 40 hours. Be warned in advance - don't do it. I don't care if you fly for 10,000 hours - never take any landing for granted. There's a lot of things you can't screw up in aviation; and landing tops the list. You haven't seen yet just how quickly a landing can go bad. There's gonna be a lot of times in your flying career you're going to stop and ask yourself "What the hell just happened?" Every time that happens; it's vitally important you answer that question BEFORE you fly again.

Cheers! And congrats!