I feel I've accomplished a lot. I'm on my way to being a pilot. The steps I've taken so far are the most important as they were the planning steps. Gathering information, getting my medical, covering costs, signing up for lessons, getting my course materials, finding my way around and finally taking lessons.
If I had something to do different I would have rather taken this course when I did not have so many other things I had to do. WISE took much longer then a regular English class and second semester senior year was busy for me. Studying the flight books, researching, meetings and actual lessons and time at flight school was so much to fit in with trying to get into college, lacrosse and all my other classes. As far as my project I don't think I would have done anything differentially. Learning to fly is deadly serious and cannot be rushed.
I'm proud I'm actually flying. Not many people, kids or adults have gotten as far as I have. Someday I will have my pilot's license and join a club that not many people ever belong to. I'm disappointed I had to spend so much time on research rather then studying at flight school. I felt this took away from my focus rather then adding to it. I could have used the time I spent researching getting closer to my pilots license.
My research was reading articles from magazines. newspapers and watching airplane movies. The focus from my proposal was to learn more about the whole picture of flying. Some was interesting like learning about electric engines and private space fight but none helped me towards my goal of being a pilot. I would rather have researched my flight school books and movies only.Research showed me different types of flying opportunities, different places to get air related jobs and how big the field is.It did not change my focus but did inspire me to look at ROTC seriously. In college I'm going to take Air Force ROTC. I was unsure of this before WISE so I guess that is how research helped me the most. I would not have made that decision without all the reading I did.
Hands On I am flying. I've taken a discovery flight and two lessons.
In my lessons I control the plane with help and completely at times. I clear with the control tower, take off, maneuver and watch landing. Often I am flying the plane alone and in total control. Flying lessons also include pre checks where the pilot looks over the plane and learning about the facility and air field.I spent many days at the East Hill flying club studying and learning.
WISE was good. I did not know it was going to take up so much time. I'm glad I choose to blog as I like it better then journaling. I think it is more fun to read so people will be more interested. I love that I am on my way to being a pilot and don't know how I will continue this - in college or summers, but I know I will continue and someday be a pilot. WISE helped me get started on the path.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Lesson number 2
Yesterday I took my second flying lesson. I was nervous and didn't want to schedule it because I didn't think I was ready for it. Chapter 3 was long and hard to understand with all of the descriptions of aerodynamics. All my worry was for nothing I was ready for it.
When I got to the air field I had to go over a few thing in my book for last minute information I could use in the air than went over maneuvers that I would be doing in the air. After that we got our head sets and headed out the door to the hanger. We walked over to the plane in the hot sun and did a strict check to make sure everything was working properly and that the plane was fly able. After we went through the check list we pushed the plane over to the fueling station to distribute fuel into each wing where the separate gas tanks are. After that we went through our pre flight check list which was checking all the systems in the plane. We contacted the tower and asked for permission to taxi down the runway. So once we got clearance from "Ithaca Ground" I pushed the throttle all the way in to full power and in a matter of seconds we were in the air. We flew right over the lake and had a beautiful view of Ithaca. I loved flying past the high school knowing my friends were in class and I was just flying over them. Once we got into our practice zone I started my maneuvers and did very well with them even though I was still a little nervous about it. After I had finished we started heading out of the practice air space back to the air port. So I called into Ithaca tower which is the control tower for planes in the air and asked permission for landing. Once we were clear for the runway I lined up the plane with the runway and brought the flaps all the way down. At this point I thought that I was going to give the controls over to my instructor, but he just kept giving me instruction as to what I should be doing so I slowed the plane down to about 40 mph and with just a little help from my instructor I put the plane down nice and easy. At this point I felt like a million bucks because that was my first landing. After landing we taxied over to foxtrot which is a direction on where to go. So I headed to that direction and we did the post flight check list then bought the plane back to the hanger.
Flying is now and I believe will always be a part of my life its just when I am up in the air I feel like nothing can hold me back and I am as free as a bird just flying above everything watching the earth move under me as I'm flying by. I don't think there is another feeling like it in the world.
When I got to the air field I had to go over a few thing in my book for last minute information I could use in the air than went over maneuvers that I would be doing in the air. After that we got our head sets and headed out the door to the hanger. We walked over to the plane in the hot sun and did a strict check to make sure everything was working properly and that the plane was fly able. After we went through the check list we pushed the plane over to the fueling station to distribute fuel into each wing where the separate gas tanks are. After that we went through our pre flight check list which was checking all the systems in the plane. We contacted the tower and asked for permission to taxi down the runway. So once we got clearance from "Ithaca Ground" I pushed the throttle all the way in to full power and in a matter of seconds we were in the air. We flew right over the lake and had a beautiful view of Ithaca. I loved flying past the high school knowing my friends were in class and I was just flying over them. Once we got into our practice zone I started my maneuvers and did very well with them even though I was still a little nervous about it. After I had finished we started heading out of the practice air space back to the air port. So I called into Ithaca tower which is the control tower for planes in the air and asked permission for landing. Once we were clear for the runway I lined up the plane with the runway and brought the flaps all the way down. At this point I thought that I was going to give the controls over to my instructor, but he just kept giving me instruction as to what I should be doing so I slowed the plane down to about 40 mph and with just a little help from my instructor I put the plane down nice and easy. At this point I felt like a million bucks because that was my first landing. After landing we taxied over to foxtrot which is a direction on where to go. So I headed to that direction and we did the post flight check list then bought the plane back to the hanger.
Flying is now and I believe will always be a part of my life its just when I am up in the air I feel like nothing can hold me back and I am as free as a bird just flying above everything watching the earth move under me as I'm flying by. I don't think there is another feeling like it in the world.
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