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Jonathan · Guest

I just started. I know, yippee for me. I had a couple of intro flights
before I started lessons. I am one of those almost 40 year old guys that
decided to finally get off my rump and do something I wanted to do since I
was in my early 20's. I did a few intro flights over the past few years so I
can get a taste of it.

I had one short lesson about a few weeks ago (.7 hours) with the CFI I was
up with today. My first flight was in a 172. This one was in a 152.

So here is my question. I did not expect to start so early on things like
touch and go's as well as power on and power off stalls. I expected some
structured flying but not like this. Is it normal to start off with teaching
techniques like this with only an hour in my log book? He showed me how to
do each one once. Then I did 3 power off stalls and 2 power on stalls. The
rest were not too bad. We started off with some flying around, following
along different roads and canals, changes in altitudes, flying different
headings, cloud avoidance and a few other things. Then we did the stalls,
flew around a little more and then headed back to the airport. We then did
the touch and go and then back into the pattern for a full stop landing.
Another 1.2 hours under my belt now.

By the way, the stalls were kind of OK once I got over the feeling of
dropping. Although I did almost spin the plane one time when I gave a little
too much right rudder after the stall. Instructor had to help me recover a
little on that one.

N93332 · Guest

"Jonathan" <jonabramson (AT) comcast (DOT) net> wrote

Wizard of Draws · Guest

On 10/14/05 6:49 PM, in article [email]vKydnZmg2ISBq83eRVn-tA (AT) comcast (DOT) com[/email],
"Jonathan" <jonabramson (AT) comcast (DOT) net> wrote:

Dudley Henriques · Guest

Generally, a good CFI will use the first dual flight as a sort of feeling
out process with the student. The book says this flight should be a
familiarization flight, which can go any number of ways.
If the student is REALLY into the flight and having a good time, it's quite
common for a good CFI to divert a bit from the normal routine and show a new
student several things that will pique the student's interest and tend to
weld in the student to the new flying environment.
What I'm getting at here is this.
For the GOOD CFI, the initial flight can go any number of directions. It
serves to give the CFI the level from which all that will follow will be
entered.
It's a "getting to know you" flight.
Don't worry....the instructor should begin to zero in on the basics in the
next flight.
All this being said, you should also be aware that there's a possibility the
instructor is no damn good at all and that he had none of this in mind and
was just jumping from one thing to another because he had no official or
unofficial lesson plan. This is something you as the student will have to
figure out Smile

))
Dudley Henriques
"Jonathan" <jonabramson (AT) comcast (DOT) net> wrote

twvaughan@gmail.com · Guest

Welcome to flight instruction I started when I was 50. The CFI may be
trying to find out if you can deal with adversity and that sinking
feeling. Once you have done enough stalls, you will be almost bored
doing them. Touch and goes are a lot of fun and an essential part of
your safe return to terra firma. If you are pursuing a part 141
certification, your flights will be fairly regimented after the first
couple.

I only wished that I had started at 40!!!

I finished my check ride in August. It is a heck of a lot of fun and it
makes you better at analytical thinking for all things.

Tom

PP-ASEL

Blanche Cohen · Guest

Since you're somewhat taken aback at the lack of structure in the
lessons, a question immediately comes to mind -- is your CFI using
any type of syllabus? If so, do you have a copy? If no syllabus is
being used, why not? Some tasks can be done in any order,
others not.

But as many people here are replying, the first couple lessons are
for you and the CFI to get comfortable with each other.

Jonathan · Guest

There is a syllabus. I will have it in my hands today. It is a small school
with a 152 and a 172 and two instructors. The owner told me that he is
getting ready to bring on a third CFI.

That being said, since the owner was not there yesterday, I was unable to
purchase the kit I need with the books and all nor get a syllabus. He said
he will have one for me when I get there today.

I visited several schools and flew those intro flights until I got
comfortable enough to start plus put money aside for the lessons. I recall
one intro I did, I felt like I was shuttled in and out, took my money and
let me go on my way. I had to question them to ask about lessons. I never
went back there again.

With the place I am going now, I feel that they want to teach me to fly
rather than collect my money for lessons which is one of the main things I
was looking for in a flight school. That and well maintained planes that
don't have the tendency of mechanical failure.

I found this school by talking to some pilot/owners that were about my age
and belonged to the FAC (Florida Aero Club) for a recommendation as well.

Thanx for all the encouragement.

-Jonathan
"Blanche Cohen" <blanche (AT) atlas (DOT) csd.net> wrote

Bob Gardner · Guest

For many students it takes a couple of hours to just get used to the notion
of moving in three dimensions and being up in the air. Trying to communicate
anything substantive to these students is a waste of time, because nothing
the instructor says makes any impression. Other students take to flying
immediately and are receptive...your instructor may have decided that you
fall into the latter group.

For my part, I would not be introducing either stalls or touch-and-goes this
soon because you need to assimilate things like control effects and the four
fundamentals (turns, climbs, descents, and straight-and-level) first. IOW,
you need to understand the relationship between the throttle, the elevator,
and the elevator trim, and you need to feel comfortable with the amount of
control surface response you get at different airspeeds.

Bob Gardner

"Jonathan" <jonabramson (AT) comcast (DOT) net> wrote

ChrisH · Guest

Your instructor might be thinking of your first solo, which could be
anywhere between 10-20 hours. Completing stall recognition and recovery
will make your CFI feel better about getting out of the plane on that
exciting day.

--Chris
N6414W
JFQ

Jonathan · Guest

I was scheduled to go up again yesterday but ceilings were too low. The CFI
and I decided it would not be too much fun having to dodge the clouds while
trying to do manuevers in the 152 so I rescheduled for Tuesday.

I must admit that when he said he was going to show me how to do a power off
stall and then I was going to do it, my heart started racing. I did not
think I was ready for it. Then I also remember that I don't like the feeling
of a roller coaster until I go on it the first time. Then I want to ride it
over and over. Almost looking forward to practicing power off stalls now
that I got over the rollercoaster feeling. Did not realize that the power
off stall would feel so much like going over the first hill of a
rollercoaster. Particullarly if you push the stick somewhat past neutral.

-Jonathan

"Jonathan" <jonabramson (AT) comcast (DOT) net> wrote

Steph · Guest

"Jonathan" <jonabramson (AT) comcast (DOT) net> wrote

Jonathan · Guest

We did a couple of power on stalls on Friday as well. Somehow they did not
seem as scary to me. Maybe it is the ability to hear my heart pounding
during the power off stall.

-Jonathan
"Steph" <steph (AT) vancouvers (DOT) island> wrote

Jonathan · Guest

Went up again today.

Did some turns on a point and s turns. Then a perfect touch in go in 30
degree 13 knot crosswind. Came around for a full stop. Did bounce it once
lightly because I flared it a bit much. Got it under control before it
bounced again and put it down nicely.

Taxi down is coming along better now.

3.1 hours down... ??? to go.

-Jonathan
"Jonathan" <jonabramson (AT) comcast (DOT) net> wrote

Jonathan · Guest

I thought it was time for an update.

I just broke 17 hours today and we go up in the pattern for a few touch and
go's. We go do a full stop at the hanger and the CFI says to me "so how does
it feel today." I said all feels well. I feel real comfortable with the way
things are going.

He then turns to me and says good. He gets out and asks me for my log book.
Endorses me for my solo and tells me to go do two touch and go's and a full
stop. He then reminds me the most important thing is not to get slower than
65 knots on final and go have some fun.

So now I have completed my first solo.Yippee!

All three landings were not 100% perfect. But they were definetly better
than they were a few weeks ago. One I came in to high and had to drop to 30
degree flap on base to get lower. I guess part of being a good pilot is
recognizing mistakes and knowing how to correct them and get everything
under control. Go my shirt tail cut and I am ready for the next part of my
challenge. Thursday I go under the hood for the first time.

It is definetly harder than I thought it would be to fly. But the challenge
is part of what makes it so thrilling. If it was easy, than it would not be
so much fun.

-Jonathan

"Jonathan" <jonabramson (AT) comcast (DOT) net> wrote

Jay Beckman · Guest

"Jonathan" <jonabramson (AT) comcast (DOT) net> wrote