Another first flight

Today was the very first day after my checkride where I had time (during daylight) to actually try and fly. I was a little excited because it was going to be my first flight as a private pilot (I don’t count the short hop back home from the exam). Additional excitement came from he fact that it was also supposed to be another first – first flight with my wife. That wouldn’t be probably so interesting if she liked it. But she’s scared of flying and she more or less panics over the very least sign of turbulence in the big irons. The thing is that flying small personal airplane comes with such shaky behavior by design. Especially on clear sky autumn day with moderate winds – it’s just a little choppy all the time up there (at least below 5000ft). So you see why I could be a little nervous.

To add even some more to the excitement we were going to fly the Skyhawk. “My” Cherokee was rented out for the whole weekend so I had no choice but to get familiar again with Cessna. I flew it for about 6h back in March and never really got a hold of it (it was more or less in the middle of my training then). So I decided that it would be wise to do some pattern work with it to get myself familiar with it again. I spent 5 minutes on the ground studying POH to get all needed speed, left Iza on the ground and departed. It quickly turned out that it was wise decision indeed. First two approaches were completely botched. Used to Cherokee’s brick like characteristic I was cutting base way to close to the runway and ended way up both times. The next two tries were quite OK. I landed without much trouble. But when I just started to think I got it, fifth approach came way too high again. Doh! After sixth approach I landed and taxied back to pick up Iza.

Here the fun part begins. We took off and I instantly knew she wasn’t very happy. But she hold herself together. We flew south around Kent park, a little bit east to show Iza North Liberty, Coralville and Tiffin from the air. Then we climbed out and headed west for few minutes. It was less shaky up there and I could see Iza was very, very slowly relaxing. After about 20 minutes of flight she had enough so we headed back to Green Castle. Landing was one of the worst I’ve ever done in Skyhawk, fishing for the runway for quite some time, but I managed.

Back on the ground Iza asked me if I’m not disappointed that we didn’t go anywhere because of her. I wasn’t. I knew more or less how it’ll end up, and I have to say I’m very proud of her for the determination to stay up there as long as possible. It was 40 minutes this time, it’ll be much longer next one. I’m sure we’ll be going places in no time.

1.3h/0.0h inst : 4 to/ldg logged
65.5h/3.1h inst : 324 to/ldg total