The 100 Dollar Hamburger flying

If you don’t know this book and website, it’s kinda fun – $100 Hamburger. It has broadened my horizons – there’s a GREAT lunch spot near Quincy Airport. And the good part is you have to walk perhaps 1/4 to 1/2 mile so you get exercise too. (If you call ahead the airport people will help – it’s the tourist info place).

The hamburger is expensive even without paying for the fuel to get there. But is sure is good – ground sirloin.

One of my instructors up here told me in May he had only flown 10 hours all winter. Made me feel better – I’d flown a bit more, but not much – and certainly not soloing – the weather had been bad for flying. And our travel schedule keeps us away a bit.

And of course in May, the 3 planes I can fly solo or get lessons in were all down for maintenance at the same time during the good weather!!!!

 I did fly on two junky wind days.  The last time with Gen Yeager.

 It’s funny. Every time I fly with an instructor, on final, they move around to get comfortable with the sight picture of the runway in case they have to take over.

I did only three take-offs and landings. I figured after 3 landings his stress level might be too high. Really it was my stress level!

I mean it felt as there was no lift, no air, nothing, just drop like a stone, several times on final. I’m sure I exaggerate but…

The first landing, he said power just as I put on power and he finished with “That’s a girl!” and we landed about three times…not hard but…the lift, no lift. What happened was I pulled the power back and the wind also quit so we were sinking fast. I put on power and lifted a bit too much. So uncoordinated. I flew and then slowly pulled the power back but also pulled back the stick a touch too much so we went up. I put a little power on and got us on a good sink rate again, but the wind ducked out, so I had to put on power, and we floated. Eventually I was able to coordinate the wind, the stick and the power and we landed smoothly. I was ready to do a go around each time I put some power on but found it wasn’t necessary.

All this time there were gusts from the south – crosswind gusts – hence the extra bit of power.

Chuck reminded me: “Just fly the airplane. Make it go where you want it to.”

I had to roll out to turn around to take off on 2-5. We’re not allowed to take off on 7 (the owner of the Diamond’s rules).

 My take off was much better. The first one, a bit wobbly on the steering – just a bit, but very unusual for me. (It went into maintenance a couple days later so it was not just me).

On my second approach, I called downwind, I called base and then someone said taking the active on 25 to take off. I was landing on 7.  I called final very distinctly. (They hadn’t yet taken the active). Someone else jumped in to chatter about what they were planning on doing on and on. The other fellow repeated he was taking the active 25. I said more distinctly: DO NOT TAKE 2-5. I AM ON FINAL ON 7.

I was ready for a go-around.

He called in: I guess I won’t be taking the active 25. Holding short.

Did a “was I too distracted or distraught” check – decided no and continued on final.

Again, lotta maneuvering but I got it down fine. Not used to the weight of another person, let alone a gusty crosswind, with junky winds and such extreme variations of downdrafts and updrafts. Nothing dangerous unless you weren’t paying attention.

My next one I was even more coordinated and so as we shut down the airplane, Chuck said: “Your last two landings were good.”

I was stuck (pleasantly) on the thought he said they were good. I was really having to maneuver with the junky winds. I have to be reminded that sometimes it is the wind and not me – that causes the mild turbulence 🙂 Maybe I’m thinking about the turbulence in my head  🙂 Esp. after I land: Like: what was THAT?

I still have not had much experience with a steady crosswind.

General Yeager sometimes says I go by the book – such as when he told me to turn on downwind and I said I needed more downwind time to settle down and set up. He’s got the best outlook. The last landing was yesterday’s news – as soon as he completes something , he forgets it, and concentrates on the present. I’m learning.

Anyway, I love flying with General Yeager.

c. GCYI