Flight 22
09-02-95
1968 C-172K
N07
Local
Sunny; high scattered clouds of every type, not very warm; wind variabe out of the north
0.8 dual
4 landings
"Normal and short t.o & lndgs"
I thought I would solo today, but I'm relieved it doesn't happen, as the wind is very tricky here today.
In fact, J. is not too sure we'll fly at all today, so he sits me down to start working on my presolo written test, while he sits watching the sock out the window. I'm halfway through it when he suddenly gets up and says "Let's go."
Despite the capricious air currents, it's actually not a bad day for flying. J. has me work on a very specific set of parameters for flying the pattern here and I do my best to nail them as we go around working on takeoffs and landings. The main problem seems to be picking up too much speed on the downwind for 01 with the fairly steady northerly breeze, which seems to be slowly gaining strength.
On the first approach, everything looks good on the base leg (even though I'm too hot), and my turn to final is good, but in the last few seconds of the descent, things go all funny. The tall trees near the end of the runway are disturbing the wind as it barrels down the field. The effect, as one might easily guess, is similar to that of waves crashing against rocks or a cliff. None of today's landings are "normal" because of this factor- the wind seems to wait patiently until I start to flare, then starts roiling and shifting...
First landing is... decent. A little floating. Again, yet again, I am uncertain of just the right pitch angle for the flare. What the hell is wrong with me?
#2: We almost go into the hangars on the left because just as I pull back to flare, 475 just wanders off to the left, as if I weren't controlling her at all. Just as I decide to go around, she's right back on the centeline, and the landing continues smoothly and on-center as if nothing had happened. Okay... whatever.
#3: John shoots this one, to investigate as much as to demonstrate. I'm very happy to report that he. too, has to struggle a bit.
#4: Not too shabby, but I touch down in a 3-point attitude, which is a sloppy, dangerous way to land a nosewheel-equipped airplane.
#5: The best of the lot, with only a little drifting and porpoising.
Things To Remember:
If you turn on the landing light during flight, remember to turn it off.
Today's spotty radio reception should be a reminder to call for radio checks- often.
Never give J. an excuse to grab the mic or the controls... not ever. You are supposed to be in charge now, with him merely observing!
Next: Flight 23- FIRST SOLO!!
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