More Flying

Still haven't completed the private ticket. Unfortunately my wife thinks God is trying to tell me something. Half of the flying I had schedule I had to cancel because winds were exceeding the cross wind component for the airplane, let alone my experience.

Last time I wrote I still needed to complete:
1.5 simulated instrument (including unusual attitude recover) Done, but more unusual attitude recovery practice wouldn't hurt.
3 landings to full stop at controlled airport Still need to do.
Long cross country Still need to do.
Night cross country Done.

The night cross country was an experience. Not sure if I would want to do this on my own in the immediate future. Flew from Fort-Collins Downtown, 3V5, to Fort Morgan, FMM, just beyond Greeley Colorado you come to empty plains. Very few lights or roads. Almost like flying with the hood only there is a faint horizon line.

Like I said above half of my scheduled flights had winds pretty constant in the mid-teens and gusting into the mid to upper 20s. One day was gusting in to the low 30s.

Now the flying is on hold from an injured knee. Nothing too serious, according to the doctor, just don't climb stairs, walk up hills, or carry anything heavy for two to three weeks. Unfortunately, I live in the mountains (no flat walking areas), live in an unusual home where I have to go up stairs from the driveway to get to the basement. The nothing heavy works, except it means not pushing an airplane back into the hangar. This pushes me out to mid June now before I can continue and is another reason my wife says God is trying to tell me something.

Back to Flying, Finally

Got in just a bit over an hour on the April 15th. But more importantly was able to arrange a temporary schedule change with my employer and finalize flights with my flight instructor. So starting on April 24th I'll be flying every afternoon and hope to take the practical on May 5th. Afternoons in Colorado aren't necessarily the best time to fly, but this early in the Spring should avoid the majority of the thunderstorms that crop up as we get closer to summer.

Still need to complete:
1.5 simulated instrument (including unusual attitude recover)
3 landings to full stop at controlled airport
Long cross country
Night cross country

Of course, continued review of basic flight maneuvers.

Monday April 24th got snowed out. However, I did get in two hours on the 25th review of flight maneuvers, emergency engine out procedures, and lots of landings.

Final Day, NC Trip

After a wonderful evening with friends we got up the next morning for a boat ride across Lake Norman to have breakfast. The water was glass smooth and the weather was a little cool, but just great for the morning ride.

After way too much breakfast we went back to the house, packed up, and headed out to the Charlotte airport. After two uneventful flights we were back in Colorado.