We’re getting there
Looks like I can do it. Yes really. But let’s start from the beginning.
Today’s lesson was preceded by couple of hours intensive mind work. I know, I know, most of you don’t believe in training your brain by thinking about task you have to perform, but it works for me. During last week, every time I had spare moment I was closing my eyes and trying to imagine myself flying the pattern, all steps, all things you have to do to perform perfect landing. Of course in my imagination all the landings were perfect 
Anyway, I think that I spent at least two or three hours on that thing. I also wrote my own version of take off / landing checklist to enforce learning process even more.
This morning I went to the airport, preflew “my” Cherokee and waited for Terry. He had other lesson scheduled just before mine (one one just after – busy Friday) but we started quite promptly. Wind cooperated (180@10kt) but due to density altitude (over 85 degrees F outside) and our runway configuration I had to learn something new today – we were starting our takeoff rolls from the grass part of runway. Nothing really exciting, other than it was just a new experience.
First half of the lesson was consumed by S turns and turns around the point. Looks like I still need a lot of practice in that area but I’m noticing progress every time I do that so we’ll get there before my checkride. One new thing though – Terry asked me to keep the turn around the point much tighter, within quarter mile from the point. It was quite an experience. Due to wind some parts of that maneuver closer resembled steep turns than anything else. I had to divide my attention not only on turning but also on keeping this bird on the same altitude.
Then we headed back to the airport to try the landings. First one… well totally blew – I was way behind the airplane, came high and fast – the only possible decision – go around. Second one – much better, speeds more or less in the ballpark, procedures done correctly. Small problem with power setting at the end resulted in high sink rate and…. agrrrr. Another landing with help.
Back taxied patiently listening to Terry’s comment and off we go again. This time everything went almost perfect. The moment I turned final I started to talk to myself “don’t screw this one, keep it good”. Last notch of flaps, 80mph, bird lined with the runway. “Keep it, keep it… don’t flare to soon” sounded in my brain. couple seconds later two squeaks and small shake announced that we were on the ground! Terry didn’t even touched controls. I was so excited that it took me whole 2 second to figure out what he want’s from me saying “clean the airplane and go!”.
No back taxiing, no time to contemplate. Second try… I kept repeating in mind everything I did trying to repeat it as close as possible to the first one. I was almost there. A little bit to high approach resulted in later than I’d like touchdown but gain – second one done totally by myself! Two landings! Of course it would be to good to stay this way – next one screwed again – to far behind the plane, lost a little bit of the stabilized part from stabilized approach, too soon flare (again) and Terry jumping in to help keep it low and land clean. Well you can’t get too much the first time, can you?
Today I finally believed that I can land in thin beast. Next week – touch and goes again. Hopefully all by myself.
1.1h/0.0h inst : 4 to/ldg logged
16.3h/0.8h inst : 58 to/ldg total
