KEWR 241346Z 33017G21KT

Friday, October 24, 2014 — 9:00AM

Instructor: Tom Kramer

Upon arrival at the airport, a nasty crosswind with high gusts developed. Instead of wasting the day, we did some ground school where we went over weather charts and METARs/TAFs.

N40 and closest airports for weather

Rain Rain Go Away

Wednesday, October 22, 2014 — 10:00AM

Instructor: Tom Kramer

Lesson canceled due to storms in the area.

IM SAFE

Tuesday, October 21, 2014 — 10:00AM

Instructor: Tom Kramer

Lesson was canceled due to a fatigue-induced headache. It's important to remember 'IM SAFE'...

Illness - Is the pilot suffering from any illness or symptom of an illness which might affect them in flight?

Medication - Is the pilot currently taking any drugs (prescription or over-the-counter)?

Stress - Psychological or emotional factors which might affect the pilot's performance.

Alcohol - The pilot might want to consider their alcohol consumption within the last 8 to 24 hours.

Fatigue - Has the pilot had sufficient sleep and rest in the recent past?

Eating - Is the pilot sufficiently nourished?

To the sky...

Sarah

Chasing the Needle

Friday, October 17, 2014 — 9:00AM

Flight Lesson #7

Instructor: Matt Kiener

Before heading out for preflight, we discussed slow flight, leading to stalls, and the importance of keeping the plane coordinated.

Your plane... All of this traffic is making me nervous.

The airport became really busy just as we were taking off, with two choppers air taxing (one on each side) and two planes just landed and taxing, I asked Matt to take off while I worked the radio. Once off the ground, I took over for the climb out. We went above the clouds to 5000' then slowed the plane down and did a few 360’s in each direction.  

Stop chasing the needle!
Since I was still watching the instruments during my turns, Matt held a notebook in front of the instruments, forcing me to keep my head outside, watching what the bank and pitch should look like. According to him, some turns were better than others, none terrible, a couple excellent.

Next, Matt demonstrated a no flap power off stall, which was uneventful as he kept the plane coordinated. I asked Matt to take the plane back in as it was still busy.

To the sky...

Sarah

A Birthday Above the Clouds

Thursday, October 16, 2014 — 10:00AM

Flight Lesson #6

Instructor: Tom Kramer

Happy birthday to me! What better way to spend a birthday than to be flying...

Ground school consisted of a video explaining stalls and stall recovery. Although you would think that pulling back on the yoke may be the answer to recover, it's quite the opposite. At the first indication of a stall, you must decrease the angle of attack by adding forward pressure. Too much forward pressure can cause a dive and hinder recovery. 

Lets see if we can find an opening in these clouds, we may not be able to fly.

When I woke up, it was raining at my house. It was a disappointment knowing that I may not fly on my birthday. Although it was grey skies and windy at the airport, we found a hole in the clouds to climb out of and check the weather above. It was gorgeous! Bright white puffy clouds with the bright sun reflecting off. 

Do you remember the steps to configure the plane for slow flight?

I asked Tom to show me as a review then I did it a few times. I need to work on being more assertive with the controls. My fear is being too aggressive and putting myself into a situation I can't get out of. It's something that I'm working on correcting, with the help of my instructors. After practicing configuring the plane into and out of slow flight, we worked on slow flight turns while maintaining altitude. I have a habit of 'following the needle' and watching the instruments too much. I'll be practicing more during my next lesson.

To the sky...

Sarah

Doing the Crab Walk - I mean, Fly

Tuesday, October 14, 2014 — 10:00AM

Flight Lesson #5

Instructor: Tom Kramer

Ground school covered wingtip vortices and jet wash, and the affect they have on other planes.

We're going to head over to the straight part of Route 202 and work on S-turns.

'Seriously, the winds are at 10 knots and we are going to work on s-turns?' I guess there's no better practice. Tom gave me an example then set me up to take over. I felt like I would be banking either too far or not enough. A few times, I rolled out too soon however I did have a few (close to) perfect turns. It wasn't too hard to take the winds into account. The wind gusts on the other hand, they'd throw me right off course. 

Now lets see how you crab.

Once we completed a few sets of S-turns, we made our way back to N40 via crabbing down Route 202. Using cross controls and rudder, I was able to maintain a pretty straight line. The amount of rudder needed made me realize that I need to sit with a pillow behind me to comfortably reach them. Oh the problems of being short!

To the sky...

Sarah

A Kiss From The Aviation Gods

Thursday, October 09, 2014 — 10:00AM

Flight Lesson #4

Instructor: Matt Kiener

Ground school was a lecture regarding the how and why to compensate for the loss of vertical lift during 45-degree turns. We also discussed the steps taken to enter and exit slow flight configuration and it’s effect on the controls, and how the horizontal component of lift is a major component of turns.

Are you sure we should be taking this plane in the air? I don’t feel good about this.

I had some trouble cranking the engine over. I know it’s something that happens but it hadn’t happened to me yet. Although I was confident the plane was airworthy, it’s a scary feeling. I then questioned every little ‘putt’ and ‘spat’ of the engine until we were airborne.

No traffic in the pattern. Taxiing to the runway for takeoff.

I taxied into position on the runway and had a mini panic session right there; which is completely the wrong time and place to do so. I felt like I was forgetting something even though I’d carefully gone through the run-up checklist and knew what steps were needed for take off. After a little “What the heck are you doing?” from Matt, I took off and climbed until we hit smooth air.

Lets review 45-degree turns. Would you like me to demonstrate first?

No need, I got this. Check for traffic. Clear to the left. Turning left. I know the steps, I know what I need to look for, it’s just a matter of practicing, especially using the throttle to help with altitude instead of more backpressure. I proudly hit my prop wash during turns in each direction. I was told it was a kiss from the aviation gods because I had done well. 

I’m going to introduce you to slow flight, a fundamental component of landing.

Matt configured the plane for slow flight while I read the steps out loud. I took the controls back, flying straight and level while maintaining 60 knots, and practiced some shallow turns. We returned to normal flight and I practiced configuring for slow flight. I’ll need more review but as I was reminded, this was my first introduction to it. 

There’s the bridge and island!

I’m becoming more familiar with the landmarks used to get us back to N40. Even though I’ve been flying out of the airport for years, the use of a GPS has made it so I never had to look.

My next lesson won’t be until Tuesday. I am slightly nervous about having four days off from flying but I know some rest and relaxation is needed.  

To the sky...

Sarah

Three Lessons, Three Days

This past Saturday, I accepted my scholarship at the AOPA Fly-In at KFDK and wasted no time getting into the air.

Sunday, October 5, 2014 – 9:00AM

Flight Lesson #1

Instructor: Matt Kiener

Holy crap. What was I thinking? How can I give this money back? Straight and level flying? How about we just don’t die.

All thoughts running through my head.

I didn’t think going from the right seat to the left would be a difficult transition but what I didn’t realize was the amount of change… A different perspective outside, a different view of the instruments, and you’re now doing tasks with your right hand which was done with your left before.

Heading of 24… Now 25… Oh no, 26… Back to 24… Too far, now we’re on 23.

Flying straight was difficult because I made it that way. Instead of picking a landmark and flying toward it, I was constantly looking at my heading indicator and basically trying to fly IFR. For a new pilot, it doesn’t work as well, which I learned.

My first pre-flight on the 172.

Monday, October 6, 2014 – 9:00AM

Flight Lesson #2

Instructor: Tom Kramer

Deep breath in… I can do this. Today was a much better day than yesterday. More comfortable with the airplane and more comfortable in the sky.

Ground school consisted of videos about airplane systems, more specifically the engine.

Sky Manor traffic. Red and white Skyhawk departing 25 to the west. Sky Manor.

We taxied onto the runway and before you knew it, we were airborne and climbing. There was a bit of rough air until 2,500’ but smooth sailing after that. 

Straight and level, I got it this time. Mr. Mountain, I’m headed toward you!

Pick a landmark and fly toward it. Take note of the area between the horizon and instrument panel. Is it straight? You’re level. Is it getting smaller or has disappeared? You’re climbing. Is it getting larger? You’re descending. All of these helped so I wasn’t looking at the instruments as much. I still have to get used to trimming the airplane so it keeps altitude without back pressure but I flew straight and level which was the task at hand.

Turn us around, pretend you’re headed back home.

We practiced some shallow turns to the left and right. Left and right. Left and right. Over and over again. Tom helped me become more familiar with the area so I can tell when I’m approaching the airport, such as using the Frenchtown Bridge as a landmark, without use of a GPS. It’s amazing how much we relay on technology when we have it available. Until now, I never really had to pay attention to the places under me.

Tuesday, October 07, 2014 – 10:00AM

Flight Lesson #3

Instructor: Tom Kramer

Ground school consisted of crosswind takeoffs and landings due to an eleven knot crosswind with gusts up to nineteen knots on runway 25.

During preflight, it was determined that I officially cannot sump the lower fuel valve by myself since my arms just aren’t long enough. I’m determined to find a way to be able to do this… There has to be a way. Standing 5’2”, I know I’m not the shortest pilot out there.

Centerline. Full aileron. Power. Ease out of rotation. Pull back. Climb.

Was it easy? Definitely not. Was it as hard as I was expecting? Not really. Would I want to perform a crosswind takeoff every time? Negative.

Clear to the left and turning.

Once in the air, we practiced more shallow turns. According to my instructor, better than yesterday and doing well. After a few left and right shallow turns, we proceeded to do 30-degree and 45-degree turns. Let’s just say I could use some more practice. I need to learn to hold more back pressure so I’m not losing altitude but not too much where I’m climbing. It’s all a balancing act which, although I can barely walk a straight line, I’m confident I will get with time.

Let me show you what killed John F. Kennedy, Jr. This is what we call a spiral or graveyard spiral.

A little bit of panic and eyebrow sweat occurred with that lead but I knew I was in good hands. Bank, spiral, descend… Roll out of bank then climb.

For whatever reason, you lost your engine. Now what? Let me show you.

Next we practiced the best glide while simulating an engine failure. Tom trimmed the airplane to bleed off airspeed and slowly descended while looking for a place to land, in our case it was the airport. He had to do one 360 before reaching pattern altitude then entered downwind. After looping it and lining up with the runway, we glided onto 25.

I’m eagerly awaiting my next lesson on Thursday. I've always preferred to be in the air but it’s even better when you’re the pilot. 

To the sky...

Sarah

AOPA Fly-In at KFDK

It was a weekend like no other and one I will definitely never forget.

Lets rewind first...

In August, I was informed of a scholarship through AOPA to complete my flight training and on September 16th, I received a phone call from Kelby from AOPA congratulating me on winning one of their scholarships. Since I'm a girl, it's ok to admit that I cried tears of joy. This was my ticket to see the world. Finances were a huge factor holding me back and now that weight was lifted off of my shoulders.

It was ten days later that I learned my scholarship was The Jimmie Allen Flying Club Scholarship and is given by a woman named Sarah Wilson. I will cherish her forever as she has changed my life.

Friday, October 3, 2014

Unfortunately, the weather wasn't promising so my one flight instructor (Matt) and I drove to Frederick, MD for the weekend festivities. That night we had been invited by Sarah Wilson to a Cirrus event and it was just that, an event. I met so many interesting people and, most importantly, Sarah.

Myself, Sarah Wilson, and her plane 'Buddy'

Red Bull Air Pilot, Mike Goulian and myself

President of AOPA, Mark Baker and myself

Myself, Matt, Peter (Waco), and Stephanie (AOPA)

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Typically when on vacation, you want to sleep in. Not me. I was up bright and early to have the opportunity to taxi Buddy to his spot for the fly-in with Sarah. Those who know me know that my all-time favorite plane is a Stearman so to have the chance to sit in one was a dream; not to mention Charles Lindbergh flew that exact plane.

Wayne Boggs, Air Boss

My parents and fiance made the three-hour drive and joined us later that day to hang out, meet Sarah, and watch the scholarship presentation. I'm so glad they were able to share the experience with me.

Michael, myself, Mom, Dad, Matt,
Sarah, and Buddy

Mark Baker, AOPA President

Kelby (AOPA), myself, and Sarah Wilson

My family

I'd like to thank every one who made this happen...
Matt Kiener, Steve Schapiro, Sarah Wilson, everyone at AOPA, and my family & friends.


To the sky...
Sarah