First Lesson 2/24/18!

Sport aviation is growing rapidly. But the new sport pilot / light-sport aircraft rules are still a mystery to many flight schools and instructors. To locate a flight school offering sport pilot training and/or light-sport aircraft rentals, click on the "Flight School And Rental Finder" tab above. This is a great place to share ideas on learning to fly, flight schools, costs and anything else related to training.

Moderator: drseti

Kayelbe
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Feb 23, 2018 1:24 pm

First Lesson 2/24/18!

Post by Kayelbe »

As I mentioned in my intro thread, I've wanted to learn to fly for a long, long time. My coworker and I decided that now was the time for us both to start on our path to a SPL.

We have both scheduled a Discovery Flight tomorrow at Glendale (AZ) Muni Airport (KGEU).

I've done a little research, watched a few dozen online ground school videos, etc. Took a bit of convincing to get the wife on board with this idea, but I think she's almost as excited as I am now!

I'll report back with a post-flight debrief tomorrow with my thoughts on my first flight--hope I can sleep tonight!
User avatar
Half Fast
Posts: 286
Joined: Fri May 06, 2016 7:27 pm
Location: Central Florida

Re: First Lesson 2/24/18!

Post by Half Fast »

Best of luck!
1/2
----------------
I dream of a world where chickens can cross roads without having their motives questioned.
User avatar
Warmi
Posts: 1230
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2016 5:35 pm
Location: Frankfort, IL

Re: First Lesson 2/24/18!

Post by Warmi »

What sort of plane are you going to go up for the discovery flight ?
Flying Sting S4 ( N184WA ) out of Illinois
Kayelbe
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Feb 23, 2018 1:24 pm

Re: First Lesson 2/24/18!

Post by Kayelbe »

Warmi wrote:What sort of plane are you going to go up for the discovery flight ?
SportCruiser
User avatar
drseti
Posts: 7227
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 6:42 pm
Location: Lock Haven PA
Contact:

Re: First Lesson 2/24/18!

Post by drseti »

It's easy to get overwhelmed during an intro lesson, especially if you are the sort of person who's intent on understanding everything that's going on. So, just accept that you won't, relax, look around, and enjoy the ride. Concentrate on looking outside, and getting the feel of the aircraft. Ignore all the pretty knobs, lights, and gauges (there'll be plenty of time for them later), and most of all, have fun!
The opinions posted are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof H Paul Shuch
PhD CFII DPE LSRM-A/GL/WS/PPC iRMT
AvSport LLC, KLHV
[email protected]
AvSport.org
facebook.com/SportFlying
SportPilotExaminer.US
TimTaylor
Posts: 1594
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2017 7:17 pm

Re: First Lesson 2/24/18!

Post by TimTaylor »

It will be great. Have fun.
Retired from flying.
User avatar
foresterpoole
Posts: 307
Joined: Thu Sep 22, 2016 12:28 pm
Location: Alexandria, LA

Re: First Lesson 2/24/18!

Post by foresterpoole »

Awesome, I'm sure you will have a blast!
Ed
RTK
Posts: 115
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2015 10:43 pm

Re: First Lesson 2/24/18!

Post by RTK »

Wow - i'm excited for you! Have fun on this journey!
chicagorandy
Posts: 277
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 2:39 pm

Re: First Lesson 2/24/18!

Post by chicagorandy »

Outstanding! I had my first flight a couple months ago in an Evektor.

As mentioned - TRY to avoid fixating on the dash when you're giventhe controls and look outside - it isn't as easy to do as you might think to keep from staring at all them gizmos..
"Don't believe everything you read on the internet" - Abraham Lincoln
User avatar
Jim Hardin
Posts: 274
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2017 1:33 pm

Re: First Lesson 2/24/18!

Post by Jim Hardin »

Keep your phone handy so your instructor can snap a picture of you & wife in flight!
User avatar
Scooper
Posts: 397
Joined: Sun Jul 08, 2007 12:29 pm
Location: Santa Rosa, CA

Re: First Lesson 2/24/18!

Post by Scooper »

Congratulations on deciding to follow your dream!

Like Jim says, have a camera handy so your instructor can take a photo of you flying the SportCruiser on your intro flight. If you don't, years from now you'll regret not having a picture.
Stan Cooper (K4DRD)
Private Pilot ASEL LSRI
Image
Experimental AMD CH601XLi-B Zodiac LSA N601KE (KSTS)
User avatar
Scooper
Posts: 397
Joined: Sun Jul 08, 2007 12:29 pm
Location: Santa Rosa, CA

Re: First Lesson 2/24/18!

Post by Scooper »

Kayelbe wrote:I'll report back with a post-flight debrief tomorrow with my thoughts on my first flight--hope I can sleep tonight!
So, how did it go? I hope you had a great experience.
Stan Cooper (K4DRD)
Private Pilot ASEL LSRI
Image
Experimental AMD CH601XLi-B Zodiac LSA N601KE (KSTS)
Kayelbe
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Feb 23, 2018 1:24 pm

Re: First Lesson 2/24/18!

Post by Kayelbe »

It went pretty well!

Weather was about as beautiful as could be: about 55degF, no wind, no clouds really.

For those who are familiar with the Phoenix Metro Area:

We departed KGEU runway 1, headed NE over the west valley and across Phoenix. We entered the B airspace at KPHX near Piestewa Peak and turned south, crossing the East VFR transition over Sky Harbor.

Travelling south, we followed I-10 more or less until we passed South Mountain at which point we headed back west. We watched some glider action as we passed over the Estrella Sailport. I got to practice my traffic searching skills there! We turned back to the north while passing through the Rainbow Valley practice area and I think we skirted the edge of the Goodyear (KGYR) airspace as we descended back down to land on runway 1 at KGEU.

The flight was a little bumpier than I thought, and I'll admit I felt a little queasy towards the end. The CFI remarked that it was indeed rougher than normally expected, given the overall weather. I didn't take the stick much--he told me once we got past the Bravo he'd let me, but I guess I waited too long and didn't ask until we were nearly all the way back. Average altitude was about 4500MSL.

We talked quite a bit before and after the flight (and a little during) about what sort of plans I had (SPL vs PPL, etc).

Well, I completely forgot to take any pictures during, but I got a couple after we landed. Here's one:

Image
User avatar
Scooper
Posts: 397
Joined: Sun Jul 08, 2007 12:29 pm
Location: Santa Rosa, CA

Re: First Lesson 2/24/18!

Post by Scooper »

Awesome! 8)
You'll get used to being bounced around a bit.
Stan Cooper (K4DRD)
Private Pilot ASEL LSRI
Image
Experimental AMD CH601XLi-B Zodiac LSA N601KE (KSTS)
User avatar
foresterpoole
Posts: 307
Joined: Thu Sep 22, 2016 12:28 pm
Location: Alexandria, LA

Re: First Lesson 2/24/18!

Post by foresterpoole »

Sounds like you enjoyed it!
Ed
Post Reply