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General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: 68Wooley on April 04, 2009, 05:14:32 PM

Title: First flying lesson today
Post by: 68Wooley on April 04, 2009, 05:14:32 PM
As the title says, had my first flying lesson today and it was a blast. Only down side was that I really, really don't need another expensive hobby.

As we were doing pre-flight checks, the instructor asked me if I'd flown any flight sims and I explained I'd flown most of them, but AH was my regular destination. He said they use AH a lot for explaining aerobatics and general goofing around. Got back to the office and sure enough, there were a pair of computers sitting at the arena selection page. Found that quite amusing.

Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: crazyivan on April 04, 2009, 08:04:30 PM
Cool stuff.. Bet you can't wait till you try a stall. ;) Did you get there gameIDs?
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: narsus on April 04, 2009, 08:11:53 PM
Had a similar experience for my first lesson (Piper Cherokee), instructor asked same question. Flying the plane was easy IMO, I liked the Piper had a forgiving stall and nice flying characteristics. Doing preflight was easy just learning what to do and look for.

The hardest thing for me was radio procedures, and that was mainly due to hearing the control tower over the radio. I have good hearing, but using the schools headset was a challenge to hear anything. So my first buy was a new headset, then no problems.
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: CAP1 on April 04, 2009, 09:24:02 PM
As the title says, had my first flying lesson today and it was a blast. Only down side was that I really, really don't need another expensive hobby.

As we were doing pre-flight checks, the instructor asked me if I'd flown any flight sims and I explained I'd flown most of them, but AH was my regular destination. He said they use AH a lot for explaining aerobatics and general goofing around. Got back to the office and sure enough, there were a pair of computers sitting at the arena selection page. Found that quite amusing.



my cfi never asked me about flight sims.......

i learned in a 172. what did you fly? what did he do with you so far?

expense.......if you have the money to spend on it, don't sweat it. anything that's fun is well worth it..and expensive.


i fly real planes, r/c planes, drag race, and shoot archery. they're all expensive, but who cares. you can;'t relly put a price on a good time.


WTG dude!!
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: CAP1 on April 04, 2009, 09:25:29 PM
Cool stuff.. Bet you can't wait till you try a stall. ;) Did you get there gameIDs?

my first stall(cfi demoing it) scared the poop outta me. now they're fun.  :aok
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: xNOVAx on April 04, 2009, 09:39:45 PM
Awesome Wooley.. I'm just 4 lessons in myself.. Hopefully going again next week but I gotta save up some cash..  :D
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: sntslilhlpr6601 on April 04, 2009, 10:59:20 PM
my first stall(cfi demoing it) scared the poop outta me. now they're fun.  :aok

My first stall in my introductory flight was interesting. I was used to flying the f4u in this game and its stall characteristics are quite a bit different than a 152 (really?). As soon as we stalled I pushed forward on the yoke and caught about 1.5 negative g. Got my instructors attention real quick!
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: Hawker25 on April 04, 2009, 11:08:17 PM
thats awesome wooly congrats on the first step.  Im in CFI class myself right now.
What kind of headset ya using
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: 68valu on April 04, 2009, 11:28:50 PM
Way to go Wooley!!

 :salute
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: 68Wooley on April 05, 2009, 12:27:46 AM
Hi Guys,

Never did get their in-game id's, but my CFI did admit to being a pony-dweeb. Maybe I need to change  :D

Today was just a joyride. We were in an Eclipse which seemed pretty nice to me. They also have 152s, 172s and Citabrias. He suggested the tail dragger might be good to learn on. Its also cheaper so we'll see.

Right now things are on hold pending TSA screening (I'm not a US citizen). I'm told that should take ten days or so then we'll get back to it.

Narsus - got to agree with you. The mechanics of flying I'm sure I'll pick up pretty quick. Its everything else I think will take work - ATC procedures, met, navigation, engine management etc etc. I really struggled to to keep up with the radio communications.

All in all though, I'm in no rush here. I'm a qualified sailing instructor and I've seen what happens when people try to push themselves through certifications too quickly and without the body of experience to truly be safe.

Cheers,
Wooley
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: Serenity on April 05, 2009, 04:54:20 AM
Its everything else I think will take work - ATC procedures, met, navigation, engine management etc etc. I really struggled to to keep up with the radio communications.

I normally fly out of a middle-of-nowhere airfield, with nothing but the most in-formal unicom you have ever heard, so I actually have to practice before I go through Class B to another island. Honestly, it's stressful at first, but just do it. Make sure you announce you're a student pilot (They may well be more understanding) and just do it repeatedly. Half the time out here we cannot understand what in god's name they are asking us for, but you get used to being asked the same thing over and over again, and before you know it, even if they're broken, you can transmit your info and be spot on. Just remember: ALWAYS readback hold-shorts!
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: ridley1 on April 05, 2009, 07:16:34 AM
the first stall?
Wait for your first induced spin. Now that's gnarly.
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: Bruv119 on April 05, 2009, 10:22:38 AM
my present from the g/f this year was to spend 30 minutes in an acrobatic plane.  I've done a few lessons in cessnas and found myself bored. 

No fun if you cant do a loop or shoot at stuff right!

I cant wait to stall it out to see what it feels like for real.  I'll have to buy the film of the experience.
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: CAP1 on April 05, 2009, 01:37:24 PM
the first stall?
Wait for your first induced spin. Now that's gnarly.

they don['t do that anymore
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: 68Wooley on April 05, 2009, 02:05:25 PM
I normally fly out of a middle-of-nowhere airfield, with nothing but the most in-formal unicom you have ever heard...

I'm training with a school at John Wayne Airport, Orange County CA. There's a steady stream of commercial flights in and out, plus its only 40 miles south of LAX, 25 miles south of Long Beach.

I did consider training somewhere quieter, but the argument goes that if you can do it here, you can do it anywhere
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: Serenity on April 05, 2009, 02:16:38 PM
I'm training with a school at John Wayne Airport, Orange County CA. There's a steady stream of commercial flights in and out, plus its only 40 miles south of LAX, 25 miles south of Long Beach.

I did consider training somewhere quieter, but the argument goes that if you can do it here, you can do it anywhere

I have to agree with your decision. It's a lot easier to be doing all of the high-traffic work from the beginning so it is programmed into you, than to have to just jump into it on your own later on.
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: Golfer on April 05, 2009, 02:45:04 PM
they don['t do that anymore


My students did if they wanted a signoff for a practical test.
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: Stoney on April 05, 2009, 03:18:58 PM
...if you can do it here, you can do it anywhere

Absolutely agree.  UNICOM procedures are simple in comparison.  Doing all your training flights, and later on, your solo flights under the SOCAL Approach umbrella will make you a better pilot in the future.  Plus, you're in one of the best places to fly GA with tons of airports and probably the highest density of $50 cheeseburgers in the country.  The Mexican restaurant at Montgomery Field is worth repacking the wheel bearings in my opinion.
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: AKHog on April 05, 2009, 03:40:39 PM
they don['t do that anymore


Sure they do, its just not required for the private (spin sign offs are required for CFI).

I think its an important thing to experience and learn about. If an instructor is afraid or unwilling to show me spins I'd be afraid and unwilling to fly with them. IMHO it should be a part of basic training for the private and shouldn't be looked at as something deadly or scary, they are actually pretty fun.
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: ridley1 on April 05, 2009, 05:22:36 PM
Spins are a necessary part of the training program for private up here in Canada.
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: Serenity on April 05, 2009, 05:42:10 PM
Sure they do, its just not required for the private (spin sign offs are required for CFI).

I think its an important thing to experience and learn about. If an instructor is afraid or unwilling to show me spins I'd be afraid and unwilling to fly with them. IMHO it should be a part of basic training for the private and shouldn't be looked at as something deadly or scary, they are actually pretty fun.

Did spin training before my Glider ticket. Nearly pissed myself the first time. Ever since though, I've been tempted to give it a go. They're really quite fun!
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: CAP1 on April 05, 2009, 05:56:02 PM
My students did if they wanted a signoff for a practical test.

i didn't know that.....my cfi had told me that it was only done when going for your teaching endorsment?
 he had done power on and power off stalls with me. maybe i;ll talk to my current cfi, since i;m going to check out in the clubs pipers, and gt him to do them with me.

<<S>>
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: Casca on April 05, 2009, 07:13:58 PM
Agree with Golfer.  I had my students spin even for a private practical even though it's not required.  Even if a student is throughly prepped for them in theory they can be so disorienting the first time or two that recovery could be a problem for them if they were solo.

They were required for private certification in the 50s and at some point spin proficiency was dropped in favor of spin awareness.
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: Golfer on April 05, 2009, 08:35:09 PM
i didn't know that.....my cfi had told me that it was only done when going for your teaching endorsment?
 he had done power on and power off stalls with me. maybe i;ll talk to my current cfi, since i;m going to check out in the clubs pipers, and gt him to do them with me.

<<S>>

I just gave a guy a BFR in his Yak-52TW (Tail Wheel) in exchange for a checkout.  That's what you need to wring out  :)

It's not required by regulation but I did spins for anyone who wanted an endorsement from me.  Usually ended up doing an hours worth of spins because once you got over the "fear" of the unknown they are fun.  I've known CFIs who were apprehensive about teaching spins more than doing them so an hour or so of talking your way through some usually gave them the confidence they needed as well.  I think more guys have died by not doing spins than by taking them away from the required training syllabus.
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: CAP1 on April 05, 2009, 10:24:08 PM
I just gave a guy a BFR in his Yak-52TW (Tail Wheel) in exchange for a checkout.  That's what you need to wring out  :)

It's not required by regulation but I did spins for anyone who wanted an endorsement from me.  Usually ended up doing an hours worth of spins because once you got over the "fear" of the unknown they are fun.  I've known CFIs who were apprehensive about teaching spins more than doing them so an hour or so of talking your way through some usually gave them the confidence they needed as well.  I think more guys have died by not doing spins than by taking them away from the required training syllabus.

well, as dumb as this is going to sound......i've kind of wanted to learn to do them....just to see what it feels like, but i've been afraid to ask my cfi. the one i fly with now, i know isn't afraid of them, as i do believe my primary cfi was. i also thought you had to go to a school that specialized in "upset" training, i think it's called?

anyway, i'll be talking to bob on tuesday, and i'm going to see if spins are approved in our club pipers.

<<S>>
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: 68Wooley on April 06, 2009, 11:57:32 AM
The school I'm going with state on their literature they make a point of teaching everyone spins. I'll keep a change of underwear on hand for that.

One of the options I've got to figure out pretty soon is what aircraft to train on. The options basically boil down to a Citabria or Diamond DA-20.

The Diamond is definitely more modern etc, but I'm hearing its not a bad idea to learn in a tail dragger. There's obviously a few people with experience in these matter on here so any opinions would be welcomed.

Cheers,
Wooley.



Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: Stoney on April 06, 2009, 12:00:48 PM
The school I'm going with state on their literature they make a point of teaching everyone spins. I'll keep a change of underwear on hand for that.

One of the options I've got to figure out pretty soon is what aircraft to train on. The options basically boil down to a Citabria or Diamond DA-20.

The Diamond is definitely more modern etc, but I'm hearing its not a bad idea to learn in a tail dragger. There's obviously a few people with experience in these matter on here so any opinions would be welcomed.

Cheers,
Wooley.





If I had the opportunity to take my private lessons in a Citabria, I'd be all over it.  Getting a solid foundation in landing in a tail dragger, and the stick and rudder skills required to do so, will make you a better pilot.  My opinion.
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: CAP1 on April 06, 2009, 01:42:27 PM
The school I'm going with state on their literature they make a point of teaching everyone spins. I'll keep a change of underwear on hand for that.

One of the options I've got to figure out pretty soon is what aircraft to train on. The options basically boil down to a Citabria or Diamond DA-20.

The Diamond is definitely more modern etc, but I'm hearing its not a bad idea to learn in a tail dragger. There's obviously a few people with experience in these matter on here so any opinions would be welcomed.

Cheers,
Wooley.





i flew our clubs da20 a coule times.....with a cfi, as i'm not checked out in it. it's an absolutely cool aircraft!
a buddy of mine has a super decathalon. THAT aircraft is fun!!
Title: Re: First flying lesson today
Post by: cpxxx on April 07, 2009, 03:39:56 AM
Quote
The school I'm going with state on their literature they make a point of teaching everyone spins. I'll keep a change of underwear on hand for that.
No need for the change of underwear. It's always more scary in the anticipation than the reality. I quite enjoy spins and after you've done quite a few it's amazing how relaxed the conversation is, as your world goes round and round. If they are teaching spins hopefully most of the time will be spent on how to avoid them.