Completed my first night solo flight

So I have been working on my night endorsement this winter. Tonight was my fist solo PIC in command. Logged a 0.6. I really enjoy flying at night!

A little stick time in the RV7

It was good to see the guys out at Cooking Lake airport. It's been such a busy summer and I had not been able to poke my head around too much at the airport. Lots of things going on out there. Projects and planes at every stage of build. I was invited out for a ride in Eugene's RV7A and I gladly jumped at the opportunity. The weather lately has not been great but today, it was beautiful. Cool and Clear.

After jumping in the plane we made our way to the end of the runway. Eugene kindly offered to let me try taxing and I must admit, it has been a while. Not so smooth, Ahh. Rookie things like keeping it smooth and straight, or not straightening out after turning around for the run-up. We took a short flight out to Killam-Sedgewick for a refuel. The air was as smooth as glass and again Eugene offered up the controls. I felt like I did a better job keeping it smooth compared with last time I flew. But I need to work on my scan more. I find I can focus on one thing and lose focus on another. Just need practice.
I had the controls up to getting into final approach which was new for me. Again. Need to practice. Little things like; applying carb heat before reducing power, Or keeping the nose straight while reducing power and deploying flaps.


Again on the return flight, I had controls for straight and level and felt quite comfortable with it. As we approached, I had controls through crosswind, downwind and base leg. Kept going around into final approach with full flap. Again...Struggled a bit keeping it smooth and straight as my focus was on flaps, speed, power. And just when I had my attention on those things my speed was dropping. Eugene was there to remind...but I think that this was my biggest personal no-no. I had let my speed drop a bit too much onto the final approach. I am annoyed with myself for not being ahead of it as I think that is a pretty critical item. Well...Just have to work on it. (And work on adjusting trim after flap deployment....lol another rookie move).

A little more time in the RV7A

What a beautiful day. Nice and warm and just the odd cloud in the sky. Eugene had invited me out to his hanger today. I had a ton of clean-brite that I wanted to give away as I just didn't need 5 gal of it. Since Eugene was working on restoring an Ercoupe, he needed it for cleaning up the tarnished aluminum panels so I was happy to give some away.

Eugene was kind enough to offer to take me up in his RV7A. Well no way on earth that I would ever pass up an opportunity like that!!!

Soon we were in the plane and taxing. Eugene had asked if I wanted to taxi. I was apprehensive about it as there was another plane in front of me and I really hadn't wrapped my mind around it. But...it's just like everything else. Better to just jump in with both feet. I did ok....totally not used to the feel of the plane. I turned it around at the run-up area but like an amateur didn't straighten the wheels out. Strike 1.

We were soon in the air and Eugene again kindly offered me the controls. Yup...without hesitation. We needed to maintain 4400' with a heading to Killam-Sedgwick CEK6. Once we were in proper airspace it was up to 5400'. Since it was hot there was a lot of turbulence, and it really took my concentration to maintain level flight with the proper heading. So up to 7500' where the air smoothed out. A quick touch and go by Eugene and we were back on our way to Cooking Lake CEZ3.


 
Funny how you soon make all the rookie mistakes over and over again. I'd be concentrating on keeping altitude, but my course would off...Strike 2. Or I would get up back on course and my altitude would rise/drop 100' feet. And thru the whole flight...I need to keep the ball centered. Darn P-Factor. Kept forgetting about it when climbing...Strike 3. I can see straight off that I just need to put in the hours to make the basics become natural. Many thanks to Eugene for extending the opportunity to me to not only ride in his plane, but also take the controls. The experience gained is invaluable.

No question in my mind that I need to get started on my license. I need to sign up with a school and make it a regular routine to get up in the air.

Officially started flying lessons

Well, March 30, 2016 marks the official date that I have started flying lessons. I was looking to go up in an Extra like I had done before on a past trip, but I decided that it was time to get serious about starting my license. So, I had booked an into flight with Airworx in Las Vegas, based out of KVGT. The CFI for the first session was Aaron Root. I though him to be a great instructor right away. We did the walk around, talked a bit. Then we jumped into the Piper Cherokee and started going thru the preflight checklist. I started the engine, listened to the ATIS, Contact ground, and soon I was taxing out to the runway. Soon we were off to the southern practice area, with me in the left seat practicing level flight and turns. It was a challage that day as the weather and winds where all over the map being that the area is right next to the mountains.

I was immediatly hooked! So I booked another session April 1st. Back at it. Walk-around, Checklists, Taxi, Run-up, more checklists, take-off (by the CFI) elevating and decending turns, slow flying, powered stalls, Landing (by the CFI). And then followed with some ground school on aerodynamics. Beautiful!!

So its official..2.6 hours logged.

Flying in the RV7A

What a day for the RV experience! I was invited out to the local airport by a friend that I met via Van's Airforce. Darin is in the process of building an RV-14. So I had the opportunity to look on his build and setup. Truly incredible. The RV-14 kit is a step above. It's so interesting to see how the factory has taken care of all the little details. Does this take away from the build experiance....I didn't think so.  I applaud Vans for their efforts as they provide a full array to satisfy any builder. I secretly wish that I had given the RV14 a better look. Its just cool! Oh and the hanger....So much space to work in and perfectly clean. Ever see where they work on the Formula 1 cars...Lab clean! I thought I had a man cave in my basement....Nope!

Darin had pulled open his boxes of goodies. I was able to see first hand some of the quality parts and tools that are available. AeroLED's, Andair Fuel Selectors, pre-bent fuel lines. It was great to see some of the various parts. Really emphasises that paying a little extra for quality items is worth it.

There are many other planes that I was able to take a peak at. A carbon cub, and Lancair. Just so much better seeing them in person rather than looking at pictures.

I had an incredible opportunity to take a ride in an RV7A. Pilot Eugene was a wealth of knowledge and willing to share his advice. He showed me what worked for him, what didn't, what he would do differently. What I noticed was small little details that the average builder would miss or not think about until you were further along in the process. It was great to look over his RV as it explained so many questions I had. Cockpit layout was huge as I never had sat in an RV before. I am 6'3" tall and fit had always concerned me. But...My fears were quickly settled. I fit just fine. True I will need to go with the "almost an RV14" mod and adjust the placement of the rudder pedals which I had figured. But my head was nowhere close to touching the canopy and everything was an easy reach. And one other thing...The Dynon Skyview EFIS so nice!

I was thinking about a throttle quadrant, but I could see for me this was not going to work well. Push/Pull knobs and placement was very accessible and not obtrusive. I think a throttle quadrant would not be for me. Fire extinguisher was on the floor which was out of the way, but very accessible.

Eugene took my up for a quick flight to another local airport and back. We flew at 4400', did a touch and go, stall recovery practice, a low level flyby and a forced approach. He was kind enough to ask if I wanted to take the controls. Oh...I was nervous, but I gladly accepted. The controls are more sensitive than I thought (Might even be more sensitive than the Extra?). Took me by surprise. Not in a negative way, but similar to the feeling of when I first drove the Porsche. Precise in every detail. My first RV Grin!. I admit I did the rookie mistakes of getting a little high, and then getting a little low, A little off course, with a little over correction. Eugine was watchful and understanding. I do not have my license yet and my plan is to start this fall. This experience has solidified my resolve to keep forging ahead full speed.

A big thank-you to the guys who have welcomed me into their world and shared their love of aviation with me.

Sky Combat Ace

I actually logged some time in an Extra 330LX. All of about 10min total it was still an incredible experience. Sky Combat Ace was really excellent (A bit pricy) but worth every penny in my mind. We took off from Henderson Executive Airport and headed south. From there we did three sessions of dog fighting. I scored two kills but lost one. We then did some acrobatics where the pilot did one, and then I repeated the maneuver. We did Loops, Barrel Rolls, Aileron Rolls, and Hammerheads. The pilot did an acrobatic tumble and then we did some low level flying. Totally awesome!