This morning, I continued in my ongoing efforts to get a Private Pilot's Certificate. I had the Cessna 152 booked from 9am until Noon, and arrived at Riverside Airport at about 8:45. I got the pre-flight inspection completed and was going over the checklists for the maneuvers when Bob returned from his earlier lesson.
We talked for a little while, and decided that we would do a complete maneuvers review, so I could get a fresh endorsement and be allowed to solo, as my previous solo endorsement was about to expire, they last 90 days.
The winds were calm, and the temperature just below 60F. It was a bit hazy, but it was the first really nice Saturday in several months, so the airport was starting to get busy as we were given our clearance to head to the south.
I performed a "soft-field" take off, where we pretend to be operating off of grass or unprepared surface, by lowering a notch of flaps, and holding back on the flight controls to keep more of the weight off of the nose gear. After liftoff at 50 knots, I held the plane low to the ground, in the Ground Effect area, while we built up speed to 67 knots, then started our climb to altitude and raised the flaps.
We were given clearance to climb up to 3,500 feet, and we started working down the maneuvers list. Slow flight, then stalls, steep turns and an emergency descent.
We flew to Okmulgee airport and practiced both short and soft field landings, before heading back north for some ground reference maneuvers, turns-about-a-point, and S-Turns across a road.
By the time we decided to head back to Riverside, it seemed everyone was taking advantage of the weather, so it was very busy. We contacted Tulsa Approach Control when we were about 10 miles south of Riverside, and they told us to fly northwest, and that they would get back with us.
Eventually we were advised of another aircraft in our area, and we were to follow it. A few minutes later we were turned toward the north, then east, then asked to follow a different airplane, before finally being transfered to Riverside Air Traffic Control. After a few more turns at their request, we were given clearance to land number 4 in line behind the Cessna 172 that we were following at that point.
After I landed, we cleared the runway and were given the go-ahead to taxi to our parking area. We got the plane shut down and parked and went back inside. Bob signed my logbook, so I can solo again when I get a chance.
I am still planning the Cross Country solo trip, as the snow cancelled the first attempt.
After todays flight, I am feeling more confident, knocking the rust off of my flying skills feels really good, and it was just nice to be in the air again.
Hopefully the weather will continue to stay nice, and I can get the rest of my training completed quickly.
More to Come!
-Gareth
