Moving Forward

Having already had my first lesson, I felt a little better about my capabilities. But now I was nervous about getting sick again. My sick bags hadn't arrived yet, but I did have my motion sickness bands (so stylish) and some baggies. I came prepared to learn more and fly more.

I was a tad disappointed that the majority of the time was spent in the air. That's fun, but I want to be sure I know what I am doing before I go up. I thought we'd review more of what I need to work on and what we'd be practicing that day. All we really talked about was not staying up as long, and venting the cabin for fresh air. We again worked on turns, climbs, and descents, and they were much better than the week before. Maybe he was just trying to keep it fun for me, and giving me a sick-free ride so that I am no longer apprehensive about it.

I felt more comfortable on the radio than I did the previous week, and didn't even need to pause halfway through! I also was more relaxed on the yoke. And while I thought I'd done fairly well the first lesson, I noticed a marked improvement. Monte had said that he didn't even look out the window his first time up, and I didn't really get that. Until lesson 2 - I realized that I hadn't noticed anything my first time, I was so focused on my controls and gauges and horizon that I couldn't take in anything else. This time, I was able to see the wheat fields, and roads, and schools and other points of interest that Jeff pointed out. We didn't go as far, but I certainly saw more.

This one was over far too quickly. I want to see more, and I want to try more. I go up again May 12, and I am really hoping to discuss and practice stalls. I don't know if I haven't done them yet because of my getting sick or because of Monte. Maybe it's both. But I need to practice them. I don't think I will fully understand or trust the airplane until I know how it responds to critical limits.

Still excited, still studying, still worrying, still going.