Today I started back flying working towards the solo flight and private pilot practical test. I meet with my instructor, and went over the homework he gave me, and talked about the flight for the day. As we headed out to the plane, the questions started, and continued as I worked my way around the pre-flight. (I keep thinking, shit this guys is all over me like white on rice, but I'm getting my moneys worth).
We take so long going through a strict pre-flight I'm wondering if we're going to go flying before his next client. Luckily I get through the pre-flight and get the beast started. We head out to 28L, the whole time I'm thinking, he's giving me a lot of control for someone he's never flown with.
After engine checks we lined up and roared down 28L, after a left turn @ 1800 AGL we are headed to the southeast practice area. On the way I get reacquainted with the southern California airspace. Its a beautiful day so its easy to see all the landmarks. Once in the practice area, we find out how rusty my skills were. I couldn't hold a 45 degree bank to save my life, but I was close on the airspeed (due to the shall bank :) , but held the altitude close. Now he tells me my engine is dead, I know the procedures but I looked at him as if he asked me to shoot an ILS approach to London Gatwick from memory! I think the only thing I did correctly was to keep the plane airborne.
He gently reminded me of the correct procedures, we made a turn towards a open field for a "practice emergency landing". We were getting so low I was thinking, I'm landing this thing! Don't hit the fence!! then I heard, lets go. We climb out and head back to Montgomery Field. I have the picture in my mind, where to fly the line, and what the site picture needs to be but I totally forgot about setting up for landing, damn I'm rusty. How about some flaps, GUMP procedures? I get the plane lined up for 28L but we are high, with a little help the altitude comes in. I don't like this runway, never have. But soon we cruise and I mean cruise over the threshold. I look down, damn I need to bled off 10 kts. After floating what seems over half the runway, I get her down and take the left off onto taxiway D.
He takes the controls and taxis back so I can take notes, after a debrief, I didn't do soo bad, but have a huge list of homework. He heads out as I tied down the bird. All told it was .8hrs of flight time!! only 30ish more to go. On the bright side, as I headed out the door I noticed a owner was offering the club the fifth hour free! Sweet! that ends up being $76.00 a hour. I wander over to the pilot supplies shop to pick up the items that got canned for being too old. Can't wait for the flight tomorrow, but I better start studying.
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