So went for my pre-solo test today and a flight lesson. I showed up an hour and a half early (well, only an hour because of the train schedule I always show up half an hour early) and took it. I asked a question about a frequency before which was good because I needed to know it! I finished the test pretty quickly, but my instructor was out. So I sat around for 45 minutes talking to our receptionists.
The test wasn’t exactly what I studied for, it was different than all the tests I saw online that other schools give. It was disappointing to get an 84% because apparently the school wants an 85% but she gave me a copy of the test I took with the right answers, I’ll spend like 15 minutes taking it again the next time because she wants 100%. I don’t quite see the point of me just memorizing the answers but okay.
After correcting it, and insisting I was right on an answer, we were off to do touch and goes. The wind got kind of strong so we had a good crosswind that was changing from 12-18kts. We ended up doing 6 landings, I only really remember 3 of them. After the lesson when she was filling out my logbook I was surprised we got so many done.
I remember the first one being terrible. The crosswind was surprising. And I’m always again surprised by how much crosswind landings are. The last two landings were good is what my instructor told me. I believe her but it seemed like she was helping me even though she said she wasn’t except just stopping me from flaring too soon on the landing. I was able to feel ground effect more and just getting the centerline was a struggle though in this wind.
On our last landing a Gulfstream was in the Final while we were still in the Downwind. I tried to watch how they crabbed but couldn’t watch too much before I had to pay attention to my own flying. My last landing was best. I could feel it the ground effect into the flare better. We looked afterwards and part of the right tire was worn away. Not sure how much of it was from me from not correcting for the crosswind after touching down.
We did a little ground instruction afterwards. My instructor asked me what I thought and I was just thinking about the landings and not sure how well I did. She thought I seemed a bit discouraged so she was trying to convince me how well I did. She even heard that the Gulfstream we watched landing bounced on his landing and I didn’t so that should make me feel better. I appreciate her for trying to encourage me.
Now it’s TWO WEEKS until my next lesson since the 152s are going away. My instructor is trying to convince me to do a lesson or two in a 172 while waiting but I’m not sure how good of an idea that is and how different they fly. EB doesn’t like it and others I’ve talked to don’t like it but everyone at the school is trying to convince me of it. I don’t know. It’s going to suck not to fly. I’ll spend this time though preparing for my written.
I guess we all have days in training that we feel a bit discouraged. I just want to ace my landings. I think I have a lot more sim time in my future for the next two weeks.
Lesson Time: 0.9 hour
Total Time: 11.2 hours