Getting down
Today was my first flight with Richard Mend from a flight school (AV8) at Van Nuys. Richard is a professional CFI – meaning that ALL he does is teach people to fly. I was hoping I would get a bit more structure and support than I had been getting in the past. Turns out I got a WHOLE lot more than I even expected.
I showed up right at 9:00 and met Richard. We talked a bit about exactly what I had done thus far in my training. He explained the way he does things – more or less from a structured syllabus – and then asked if I had checked the weather. I told him I got the ATIS on the way over, but he wanted a full briefing. We called a Flight Service Station (FSS) and asked for a standard briefing from Van Nuys to Camarillo (even though we were just going to stay around Van Nuys). Very educational. He suggested we just do some pattern work to sort of “check each other out”, and I agreed. He watched me preflight the plane, giving me good tips along the way, and then off we went.
Right away I knew things were going to be different. From the hold line, I radioed the tower to let them know we were ready to go, and got “Cessna 2257 Echo, cleared for immediate takeoff on runway 34 left – expedite for incoming jet traffic.” Oh mercy. I got the plane started out onto the runway, and said sheepishly “He wants us to expedite – do you want to take this?”. Richard said “Nope – you should be fine”. I pushed the throttle to the firewall and just kept it on the centerline. 55 kts, rotate, airborne. No sweat! Around the pattern was no biggie – just watch the airspeed, altitude, radio calls, other traffic. Turned base, kicked in flaps, pulled power. Put on my sheep-face again and said “I haven’t done many landings” – to which he replied “You look good right now – just get us down”. Keeping in mind that down could mean in smoldering wreckage, I kept focused on where I wanted to land. Airspeed at 60, watching the numbers, just short of the runway pull all the power, round out, flare, SQUEEK! Beauty! Taxied off, and back for another takeoff.
We did 6 takeoff’s and landings, all to a full stop and taxi back, and Richard never touched the controls ONCE. Even on the two landings that could only be described as BONE JARRING, but that was fine with me. I got to FEEL what causes those. Back to parking, and we debriefed about the flight. A check, a handshake and a scheduled flight tomorrow. Today I feel like a PILOT.
1.6 hours/8.9 total