Homework

Since I cannot practice in an airplane as often as I would like, the next best thing is studying. I started out strong with my reading, but I have tapered off over the past few weeks. Partly due to busyness with kids and life, partly due to information overload without an outlet, but primarily laziness. I think that showed in my last lesson, as I know I wasn't mentally or intellectually prepared.

So Jeff gave me homework. Study the procedures, be aware of my responses to the controls, and be prepared for how the plane will react to various forces. A lot of that does come with practice, but there is also a bunch of theory that the FAA has deemed important for every airman to know. The good news is that this information can all be found in FAA publications. The bad news is, it's a lot, and not always the best organized. I can prepare for the written test at my own pace, but sometimes I feel like I will never reach that point.

So tonight I started testing myself. We have a program that generates sample test questions from any or all of the various topics (aerodynamics, maneuvers, engine, weather, etc). I haven't read up on everything, so I selected a few topics, most of which I'd studied, but I threw in some others to give me an idea of what I don't know. Maybe that wasn't such a great idea, as it was extremely humbling. Especially since some of what I should have known, I missed.

What I really like about this software is that explanations were given for each answer, even the ones I got right. A few answers were correct, but my reasoning behind my answers was incorrect, so it was a really good test not just of my knowledge, but of my understanding. Which is lacking, and that really bothers me. It also really bothers me that Monte has a much better grasp of this than I do, and he knows it.

My goal is to score 100% on my practical test (which can be done!), and I am nowhere near that. I have time, though. I want to learn this well, and have it so ingrained in me that I could pass the test 5, 10, or 15 years down the road if asked. I have always been a great test-taker, but I haven't always retained that knowledge. This is far more important than regurgitating the dates of "important" wars in history. 

So now I know - I need to study more, but also better. This will probably be the hardest and most rewarding thing I ever do, besides parenting. At least with this, I have quantifiable evidence of my progress.

7584U's fate

Jeff's insurance adjustor came out and made a final determination of the fate and value of the plane. Sometimes, they decide to sell the plane "as-is", which would not allow the owner to hold onto any parts. But they decided to fully total it, and Jeff gets to keep whatever he wants and get rid of the rest.

He has told us from the beginning that, if insurance allowed, we could have any part that we wanted. We narrowed it down very quickly to the prop, a seat, or the call number plate from the dash. We eventually decided on the call number, but we weren't sure if Jeff would want that.

So today, I asked. Jeff doesn't want to keep any part of the old plane, which I can understand, but I still feel a little guilty asking for a part. But he offered, and he doesn't want it, so we will soon have the number plate! We have to wait for the insurance paperwork to be completed, and then Dan (the airport mechanic) will cut it out for us.

What will we do with it? I will probably create a shadowbox with Monte's "first solo" t-shirt, the picture of him and Audrey with the plane, and the number plate. I hope it brings the closure we want, while also serving as a reminder of God's grace through all of this.

Loads to Learn

Lesson 5 - 4.7 hours

My last lesson was a lot of fun! I felt pretty comfortable at the controls, on the radio, and I felt rudder pressure. I really felt somewhat capable of handling an airplane. So after a quick review today, we headed back up in the air. And I felt good about it.

Then I actually had to fly. Honestly, I feel like everything I've learned in theory goes right out the window once I am at the controls. But when I look back to my first lesson, I realize that I have internalized some of it. Turns feel very natural now, and planned maneuvers are pretty solid. However, I don't do so well when I am buffeted by updrafts or crosswinds - I tend to over-correct, and then I tense all my muscles. I can't do that! Jeff had to sternly warn me quite a bit today, as I was really tight on the controls.

There's a delicate balance between allowing the plane to fly as its wont to do, and me telling it what I want it to do. I need to make sure it's trimmed properly, which means I need a better understanding of how and when to trim it. I also need to relax my shoulders and allow my fingers and forearm to do the work. But I also need to be firm with the controls. Ach! I really need to figure this out so I don't get yelled at in the cockpit.

Today was interesting, at least. I felt like I decided what to do, where to go, and how to get there. I made a few more radio calls than I usually do, but I am still not fully confident with that. Plus, there's so much going on at once, I don't want to miss the really important steps. So we worked on pattern work, which we'd done last time as well, and I felt much more comfortable with my position relative to the runway. I was aware of the steps needed, but I wasn't always fully prepared to follow through. Keeping my nose up and maintaining airspeed was really hard for me today, and I didn't feel that those had been issues before, but as I progress, I realize how much more I have to learn. Especially when I felt I was making a decent approach on final, and Jeff reprimanded me that we were "headed toward death in the trees." Maintaining focus will probably be the hardest part of this.

While last lesson was really fun, and I felt I did well, I really appreciate this one more. First, I needed the feedback - when I did well, I was commended. It was really nice to hear "Well done" a few times. When I did not do well, I was reminded of correct procedures, instead of Jeff just taking control himself. Not as nice, but still beneficial. Now I have concrete examples of what I messed up on, and can learn from those mistakes. Unfortunately, the best way to correct them is through more practice, and that's not exactly feasible, as I can't afford the recommended 3 flights a week. Or even more than once every two weeks.

So in the meantime, I get to read and study, and mentally go through the procedures until I have them down. Then, maybe, go-time will be just implementing what I already know.

Nitty Gritty

While I thoroughly enjoyed lesson 3, my intro to landings, the farther I got away from it, the more I realized that I didn't know what I was doing. Having lessons so far apart really messes with my mind, and I spend most of that time between doubting my abilities. Monte spends most of this time reassuring me that I am doing well - nobody is a master at 2.4 hours, not even him, the best student ever. Of course, I remind him that he's not in the plane with me, so he has no idea how I am doing. Honestly, I have no idea how I am doing. Jeff (my CFI) comments on how well I am doing with not puking anymore, but as far as actual piloting ability, he's pretty quiet.


So I went for lesson four June 2. Beautiful day - not a cloud in the sky, light east wind, warm but not humid. Spent time going over landing procedures, which was basically review, but that's good. I remembered it from the time before, and repetition only helps cement it. I do get to hear often about this one really great student who just got it right away - he had an excellent feel for the airplane, and instinctively knew what to do, and had consistently great landings from the onset. At which point, I want to yell, "But not that last time!" But I don't, as it doesn't benefit either of us.


Anyway, we finished ground instruction, and headed to the plane. I call her Tammy, but not in front of anybody. Monte says that only overly aggressive drivers/pilots name their vehicles, and that letting Jeff know I've named her projects a negative image. But when I do my preflight exterior inspection, I still whisper to her, using her name.


I am far more comfortable during preflight now. Exterior is quick and easy, so much so that I fear I am missing something. I haven't yet had to check the fuel level, though - Jeff takes care of that. I will need to learn this at some point. Getting inside and going through the checklist is the fun part! I even remembered this time what should be done at start-up, and what needs to wait until the hold short line. Without being told! Woo hoo!


Knowing what I needed to do next really helped me concentrate on taxiing. I have a really hard time with the rudder controls, still, and I need to figure out how to really feel the pressure on my feet. Especially when I need to use the brakes, too. My neighbor let me test out her treadle sewing machine, which really helped me feel a rhythm, and I think that transferred over to my rudder control this time. I was far more comfortable slaloming down the taxiway.


We headed off, using runway 12 this time, due to the east wind. It's a little different, because of course, the scenery is different, but also because I was heading toward the sun. It made things a little harder to see, but it was still OK. Then we pretty much headed north to Greenville. The transition from spring to summer, and the difference in ground temps over different terrain made for an interesting ride. We caught a few thermals, but for the most part, I was able to level off at the desired altitude. I get the concepts of straight and level flight and how to keep a plane in equilibrium. I understand that adjusting the control surfaces will cause the airplane to move a certain way. But I tend to forget that the wind can make those same adjustments and that I need to be prepared to correct that. I do feel that I am getting better at those corrections, but I am still taken off guard when the wind moves me.


As we neared Greenville, I switched frequencies and made the radio call to traffic there. For the most part, I feel pretty comfortable on the radio. But Jeff still makes some of the calls, so I haven't yet had to call when in the middle of 100 other tasks. So I am not yet proficient, but I am at least comfortable. Each call should be Who I am calling, Who I am, What I am doing, and Who I am calling. One thing I mess up consistently is that I forget to close with Who I am calling. So I say my first three things well, release the transmit button, and then, "Oops! [transmit] Greenville." Thankfully, it's not a busy area, and I am not hogging the frequency, but I do need to master this.


So we came in for our landing at Greenville, and I felt really comfortable reducing power, and dropping flaps, and adjusting trim, but still when he told me to. I still can't gauge distances very well to know when I am in a good position to start my procedures, but I least I know my procedures now - last lesson was a lot of him telling me both what to do and when to do it. So we made our final approach and it felt really comfortable. I could feel the flaps' drag and I could feel the rudder, and I felt in control. I have no idea how much he was doing, but I could feel the resistance on my controls, so that's a good sign that I was doing something right. So we had a good landing, and I was expecting to taxi around, but no. Apparently, he was planning a touch and go, so he brought the plane back into takeoff configuration again. I was not prepared for that at all, but once I knew that's what was happening, I was able to think ahead to my next steps.


We headed back into the landing pattern almost immediately, and I started to notice landmarks that I'd missed before. That made my pattern legs easier to follow, which made me more comfortable with my procedures, which made me more comfortable on the radio. I guess that's why pattern work is practiced so much in the early stages of training. Second landing was also good, and I believe this time we taxied around, but headed right back up again. Third landing was a little rough, and we stopped and went into the airport office. My tummy needed a little break, and I needed to walk a bit. I met the office manager, who complimented me on my radio work, so yea! But every time I am complimented on it, I think, "Oh, I have a face for radio." I seriously need to stop viewing every little thing as a negative.


We took off again, more pattern work, and came in for a really great landing, and I was given the choice - taxi around, or touch and go. Touch and go it was, and we were off, heading back to Lowell. Someday, I may learn all the little nuances in the landscape, but I just don't yet. I've told myself it's because we're flying over small towns and I can't distinguish them, but I could barely pick out Grand Rapids. So I think I just need more practice and training to recognize the different land features.


Good landing at Lowell, but even more so, I did a great job keeping her on centerline, which is such an improvement. And taxiing her back to the hangar? I could feel the rudder controls better than ever. I properly used the rudder controls and brakes and throttle through turns, which felt great. I should have taken a picture of how I'd parked her at the hangar - beautiful.


So today was a fairly successful day in my book. 5 landings, good pattern work, great radio, and I finally felt the rudder controls on the ground! Woo hoo!

Priorities

I had lesson 4 scheduled for Friday, May 22. I was so excited, even though it would mean I'd miss the kids' Field Day. I love Field Day, and have never missed one, but come on, this is important to me! And it's supposed to be great weather, and once school is out, I will have fewer opportunities to go. I have not participated in school events for the past 4 months, so it didn't seem like a big deal to finish out the year without joining in the festivities. The kids hadn't expressed a desire for me to be there, and even if they had, they could get over it. I have a life apart from them, after all.

It's amazing the rationalizing one can do when desiring to please only oneself. Sure, obtaining my license is important to me, but raising healthy, confident kids is my primarily responsibility and is ultimately more important. Sure, there will be times when my plans take precedence, but this was not one of those times.

So I missed 4 months of school, and three of those were completely justified - Monte's recovery took priority, and we all knew it. Did the kids like it? No, but they recognized it. The past month actually didn't have a lot of volunteer opportunities, so it was easy to pursue my own desires. So when faced with the decision, it was very easy to choose my way. Besides, teachers needed volunteer forms by the 15th, and I didn't sign up to drive, so there was no obligation to anyone.

After my lesson on Tuesday, I received an email from Quentin's teacher requesting more drivers. I shrugged it off, since I had a lesson scheduled. Monte once again proved himself as a more selfless parent, as he was sincerely disappointed that he couldn't be there. He questioned why I didn't want to be there to watch the kids participate, and I didn't have a good answer, just an excuse.

I didn't sleep well, knowing that I was disappointing the kids and Monte, and I didn't want to cancel my lesson. Not just because I was really looking forward to it, but I didn't want to call Jeff. What if he thought I was scared? What if he agreed that I wasn't good enough? What if he thought I wasn't dedicated to the process? What if he wanted to drop such a flighty student? Why do I care so much what other people think of me? But I did call to reschedule, and have a lesson Tuesday, June 2. Which does not interfere with the field trips on the 3rd and 4th :)

I have given myself a timeline of 18 months to complete this, so what's the rush? I want to be consistent, but I don't need to push everything else aside.

Lesson Three

You have no idea how excited I was to go up again! The previous lesson was so short in an attempt to forestall any sickness, so I didn't feel like I had really learned anything new. So I was really hoping that we'd cover more material during my next one.

I spent the entire weekend checking the weather forecast, and the closer the day, the worse the forecast. I have no idea how to gauge the cloud ceiling, so I really had to trust Jeff on this one. He called to say that winds were picking up, but that it was still OK to fly, if I wanted to. Hahaha, if!

Driving out to the airport was a bit discouraging, as the rain (that was not predicted!) started to fall. As I said, I have no idea how to measure the cloud ceiling, so as the weather worsened, I didn't know what I'd be able to do in the plane. I started to worry that I'd be delayed yet again. What if this was God telling me I wasn't cut out for this? So of course, I called Monte for reassurance, and he was, of course, very encouraging. Have I mentioned how much I love him? As I drew nearer the airport, the sky became progressively clearer, and my worries abated. I was so ready!

When I arrived, we sat down right away and started talking about the maneuvers I'd be doing that day. Again, we'd try to keep it short to keep the pukes at bay, but I'd be learning! It was too windy to practice stalls or slow flight, but Jeff decided that landings would be doable. Landings! I was so excited to learn actual procedures, and not just theory. I had learned some of the basics through my study (traffic pattern and descents), but no specifics on what to do in the pattern or at the runway. As Jeff said, I'll always have to do at least one landing, so I might as well learn it.

We decided to head up to Greenville, and practice landing there. It's a wider runway, with fewer obstacles, plus, it's different scenery. As far as maneuvers, I didn't really learn more or even practice much, but I did use the time to really use my eyes and ears to get a better feel of the plane through turns and level flight. I didn't do as well as I'd hoped I would, but I corrected well (I think). And we made it there! I was actually able to see the runway from a distance and pulled into the downwind leg pretty easily. Then it got interesting.

First off, I had to start thinking about decreasing power, lowering flaps, adjusting trim, and keeping an eye out for traffic. All while keeping the aircraft stable in a glide path, even in descending turns. Oh, and calling each leg over the radio. Thankfully, Jeff took over the calls so I could concentrate on all the little things that would keep us in the air. He kept saying, "As long as the plane is stable in the approach, landing is pretty simple." To which I replied, "Yeah, but getting stable is the not-so-simple part!"  Especially in 13 mph winds.

So all in all, I think I did OK. It was a lot to learn, and I didn't do anything perfectly, but I did get a feel for all the forces on the plane. I hope that with practice, it will all come together and I will do it perfectly! Or at least, proficiently. I just need to make sure I am practicing the right procedures. As my brother-in-law says, practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes habit. And habits are hard to break, so it'd better be right. Looks like I have more studying to do, especially review.

Weather delays

I scheduled my third lesson for Tuesday, 12 days later. I studied a ton, and was so ready to put what I'd learned into practice. So imagine my disappointment when I woke up to winds of 20 mph, with forecasted gusts up to 30 mph. That's doable for a more experienced pilot, but hey, I am not. So we rescheduled for today (Friday), which was supposed to be a beautiful day. Again, my plans were thwarted by impending thunderstorms. So we scheduled for the following week, Tuesday and Friday.

I was already feeling so overwhelmed from the studying, and not being able to do anything with the book knowledge was really starting to get to me. I was feeling so inadequate already, and the weather delays were somehow feeding my insecurities. What if I really couldn't do this? What if I was just making excuses so I wouldn't be tested? What if no else believed I could do this, either? Now I know why beginning students are encouraged to fly often - practice, of course, plus there's also no time for doubts to take hold.

Monte has been a wonderful encouragement to me. He reminds me that he felt overwhelmed at first, and that he also questioned his abilities. He is one of Jeff's best students, but he started out the same as I did. It is nice to know that I am not alone, and he gives me hope that I can do this, too.