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Saturday, 15 August 2009 00:00 |
Today was my 2nd flying lesson. Once again flying a PA-38 Piper Tomahawk (VH-MHN), we covered straight & level flight. That sound kinda simple right? Take it from me, initially it's not as easy as it sounds, but after following some basic steps, (attitude, power & trim) it all comes together.
After my ground briefing today I was to do my own pre-flight (don't worry, the instructor did one of his own too). He had me go through the pre-start checklist, starting the plane, making the radio call for taxi to the runup, taxiing the plane to the runup area, the runup checklist, running up the aircraft, taxiing to the strip, the radio call for takeoff... and then had me take off!! He did have his hands on the controls (as any sane person would in fear of their own life).
After take off he had me make the radio call & turn toward the training area. He showed me the boundaries of the training area & then demonstrated the different aspects of straight & level flight. After demonstration, he had me setup for straight & level. He would then put plane 'out of wack' & get me to straighten up.
After all of the instruction was completed, he had me turn back towards Toowoomba, make the radio call & then we flew back over Toowoomba.
Once positioned, I made the radio call to join the circuit, then turned base, then final, maintained 70 knots with full flap and lined up on runway 11. My instructor had me fly her all the way in, flare off & then touch down. He had his hands on the controls, but let me bring her down (with some minor adjustments).
So there you go, I've taken off & landed a plane on my second lesson! Taxiing is still taking some getting used to, but then it's only my 2nd flight.
The weather was picture perfect today... picture perfect, but not perfect. You can't see turbulence in a picture & let me tell you there was lots of turbulence!
My next lesson is in 2 weeks where I'll be taught climbing & decending.
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