Up in the Air

So many of you have been asking for updates on my flight lessons.  Thanks for being my little cheerleading team.  Now here you go.

tail-dragger

  1. We spotted this spiffy airplane getting fuel.  The owner (back) had to recruit two firemen (front) to help him push his plane.  We’re not sure who he recruits to help with the polishing job.  Every spot you see that’s silver has to be frequently polished on this plane.
  2. I think I made my first road kill last week: a gopher.  On the runway during takeoff.  With the “nose wheel” (front tire).
  3. Un-airplane related news:  The winner of the hanging ceiling light giveaway – Erin D. – hasn’t claimed her prize.  If I don’t hear from her by Monday, we’re reaching into the metaphorical bag for a new winner.
  4. Back to the sky:  Martin and I are doing “touch and goes” which is where you land the plane, then immediately take off.  
  5. The aforementioned firemen arrived in this.  That’s me and my cowboy hat in front:  fire-fighting-helicopter
  6. When we’re about 20 feet from the ground and about to land, I get beyond nervous.  My palms get all clammy, and I’m afraid of messing up.  (This is not a good landing strategy.)
  7. Remember the motion sickness concerns I had?  Well excellent news.  I haven’t had a single problem being sick.  It’s amazing.  We can be dropping 500 feet a minute in a maneuver, and my stomach is okay.  Turning left and right – no problem as long as I’m the pilot.  However if Martin is trying to demonstrate a practice technique, my stomach kind of cartwheels.  So yes – hope for all us queazy ones as long as we take the wheel!
  8. So who’s ready to go up with me?  Okay, who’s ready to go up with me… as soon as I master landings!?