Sport Pilot Talk

Allegrorider · Joined: 19 Oct 2010 Posts: 4

Let me start off by saying that I realize this is a long post. I beg your indulgence. I wanted to write this down for my kids to read someday.

At my wifes suggestion,I started my instruction one week after I found out about the Sport pilot license. It was something I had always dreamed of but had written off as "Dreams of my youth"

This past Monday morning before my lesson, Ross, my instructor, asked if I would like to get in some extra time the following day. After checking with my wife and my wallet, both if whom were not as excited as I, I scheduled a flight for Tuesday at 0800. At 7.3 hours of Dual, I figured I needed the time.

He then asked the question I had been dreading for days. “ Have you scheduled your Knowledge test yet?” When I told him I hadn't, he said “ Go up to the office after we get done flying and see if you can schedule it for tomorrow.” Suddenly I could feel a knot forming in my gut. I'd been studying furiously for the past month. It always seemed there was something new to learn, and I wasn't sure I was ready. Ross assured me I was ready. Doubt persisted, but I put it behind me as we headed out to do some work in the pattern.

We did fifteen landings that day. A mix of Normal, Short Field, Soft Field, and a simulated engine out. For the first time, I felt like I was working comfortably ahead of the aircraft. My approaches were stabilized, the stress caused by my mistimed round-outs and flares was no longer taking minutes from my instructors estimated life expectancy. I now had 8.4 hours in the Allegro 2000. Off I went to schedule my test.

Monday night was spent studying. I promised myself I would only run through a few practice tests. I was using the Gleim system CD-ROM. I consistently scored well on the practice tests. I figured I would get a decent nights sleep before my test. Unfortunately, as I work third shift as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse, sleeping at night isn't easy for me. Add my anxiety about the test and you can understand how I suddenly found that sleeping wasn't going to happen. Might as well get some more studying in before morning.

Tuesday morning I arrived at Raleigh Executive and started my preflight. As I was working through my checklist, Ross began peppering me with questions. At first I thought he was preparing me for my knowledge test. I soon noticed a change in the questions. They became more Allegro and local airfield specific. As I finished my preflight, Ross casually told me I had just passed my presolo exam. As we lifted off, all thoughts of tests and my anxiety disappeared. This is why I came here...... to fly.
Eleven landings later, we taxied back to the hanger and I was off to take my test. Ross told me to come back after my test so he could put a copy of my results in my file. I now had 9.5 hours in the Allegro.

Off I went to meet the Airport Manager who set me up at a computer in the terminals Lazergrade testing center. I began my test and discovered I couldn't remember anything I had studied. PANIC!!
A few deep breaths later I got my anxiety under control and worked through the 44 questions. When I pushed that button to finish the last question, I was sure I had failed.

I found the Manager who put his code in to get my results. As I stood there waiting I tried to figure out how I was going to tell my CFI I had failed. As it turns out I passed with a 85%. Not stellar but respectable. I breathed a huge sigh of relief. Back to the hanger I headed.

I received congratulations from Ross, filled out some more paperwork, and told him I would see him Saturday as I had a Dentist appointment in about an hour and a half. As I was leaving Ross says “ While your still here, can I get a picture of you in the plane? To commemorate your achievement.”

I sat in the plane and Ross got a couple of shots. I started to climb out, but Ross said “ Stay there for a minute.” He went back in the hanger and returned with his headset in his hand. Hands it to me and says
“Three trips around the airport. Two touch and goes and a full stop. Come see me when you get back.”
I was flabbergasted and replied “ Are you serious?” He grinned, turned and walked into the hanger without another word.

I wasn't expecting to do it today! I figured from the way our conversations had gone earlier, he was going to have me solo on Saturday. I sat there in that plane for a moment half expecting him to return and tell me he was just kidding. Didn't happen. So, I started my checklists.

Worked my way up to the “engine start”. Cleared the area and turned the key. Oil pressure steady. RPM......Hey, why is the EMS showing me an “ERROR” message? That has never happened before.

Now, I hate to have to admit this but, When I was in the Navy, many moons ago. I worked as an Avionics Technician on H-3 Helicopters. I had been trained and had handled situations like this a hundred times. But all that training flew right out of my head.
Instead of cycling the breaker, I panicked. All I could think was “Great, now I have to go tell Ross that I broke the plane” I shut down and trudged into Ross's office.
To his credit, he didn't even laugh at me. But,if he had I think I might have deserved it.

As I headed back out to the plane I got my nerves under control. Back to the checklists. Everything working as advertised. I love this plane!

As I kicked off the brake, my heart beating a mile a minute, I made my radio call and started to taxi.
My brain is still locked in disbelief. Thank goodness for checklists.. As I taxi to the active, the voice in my head is chanting “ Are you nuts? Are you really gonna do this?” As I lined up for departure I convinced my brain that “ Yes, Yes I am going to do this.”

Power up smoothly, right rudder to maintain center-line. Engine powering up nicely. Rotate at fifty-five.
The Allegro shot off the runway like rocket. VSI read 1100fpm, and I'm at pattern altitude way earlier than usual! The anxiety is almost gone.

Check for traffic, all clear. I make the radio calls with only a slight quaver in my voice. About the time I get halfway through downwind and begin to set up for landing I look over at the empty seat beside me and realize I'm on my own! The anxiety, as it turned out was only taking a little break.

Pull back the power and trimmed for seventy. Checked traffic and runway position. Made the call and turned base. It's amazing how much you remember the little details. Checked extended final for traffic.
Called in and made the turn to final. Winds were calm and the runway was clear of obstruction.

I started my flare a little too high and started to float, but realized it quickly and held a steady attitude while I waited for her to settle. When she decided it was time to land, I eased back on the stick and brought the nose up smoothly and waited her out. I touched down about 100ft longer than I had intended. It wasn't a perfect landing, but it was a safe one. I set up to go again, and was back at pattern altitude quickly.

I had a pretty bad case of Perma-Grin going on and gave myself a moment to whoop and holler.

I wont bore you with the details of my next two trips around the pattern. To me they were every bit as exciting as the first. My next landing was pretty good, my last was right on the numbers. I don't feel I can take the credit for them. I give all the credit to the patient instruction I received from my CFI.

As I taxied up to the hanger, he waited for me to shut down, walked up to the plane shook my hand and said “ I knew you could do it.” He walked me inside and showed me the picture he had already hung on the wall of fame.

I still cant get this danged perma-grin off of my face. Cant' wait to get back up there!

vacantstance · Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Posts: 22 Location: stafford, Va

Wow, man. Congratulations on both accomplishments. They are milestones that you'll probably never forget. Thanks for taking the time to share the full experience. I can't wait to begin my lessons. I will also be realizing a "dream of my youth" in my late 40's and as much as I can't wait for my first solo, I'm looking forward to every experience that prepares me for it.

Trust me, man, you've earned that perma-grin.

Lspilot82 · Joined: 07 Jan 2010 Posts: 7 Location: Lakeland, Fl

All I can say in congratulations man. There isnt anything more exciting and nerve racking then your 1st time.

Allegrorider · Joined: 19 Oct 2010 Posts: 4

Thanks all!

Vacantstance- Can't wait to read your solo story!!

Lspilot82- Man, nerve racking is exactly right! Thank goodness it was such a calm day!

ArionAv8or · Joined: 20 Mar 2010 Posts: 271

CONGRATULATIONS on both, outstanding job.

Pulling a sneaky pete must be a thing instructors like to do, mine did virtually the same thing.

I love reading your story, it brings back so many memories of my solo that mirror your experience. The excitement, nervousness, "am I really going to do this" comment. GREAT JOB and wonderful story, thanks for sharing.

N918KT · Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 9:57 am Post subject:

Congrats Allegrorider!!! A written test and solo all in one day? Pretty cool!!! And at 8.4 hours you soloed before me!!! When I stopped doing flight training months ago, I had 10.6 hours, and I still didn't solo in an airplane yet. Those flight hours are with me being flown in a Evektor Sportstar, Cessna 172SP, Cessna 172P, and a Cessna 150. I figured if I'm planning to get back to flight training someday, it's likely that I will have to relearn how to fly since I've been out of training for a while.