Finally got to fly...WAHOO

[Mudge]

They just got the airplane dug out yesterday and I got to fly today. WAAAYYY COOL. Did the take-off. Kinda' exciting 'cause there was a cross wind from the left and I'm not used to steering with my feet yet.
Did the climb out ok. We did a bunch of turns to different compass headings and towards landmarks. Got to where I wasn't "fixating" on the gauges and just fly using horizons out front and to the sides. Learned about how sensitive the trim wheel is. Look at it hard and you've changed the pitch. Got comfortable with it pretty much. Tried straight and level, constant altitude turns, descending and ascending turns, constant direction ascent and descent, A little RT procedure.
Instructor said I did good for first lesson. I told him I wanted him to tell me when I did something that really sucks. I know, nobody's perfect but I'd like to try to get as close as I can.

I know this is boring for some of youse old airplane drivers with thousands of hours, but to me...it's exciting as, well maybe not sex, but close.

Mudge the fledgling

[Jack Cook]

What are you flying???

[Connery]

That's great Mudge!!! I'm looking forward to getting mine started as well.

[EDowning]

Isn't a wahoo hard to fly?


Wahoo

[Mudge]

Flying a Piper Warrior.
No, Eric. Put your feet on the pectoral fins and avoid both dorsals at all costs. That leaves that neat little seat in between.
I noticed the one you displayed is a tail dragger.

Mudge the amused

[TAdan]

Way to go Mr. Mudge. Keep up the good work.

I hope to get flying one of these days

[Tulio]

What are you flying???

The Wahoo. That was a Gato Class Submarine : )

Mudge:

Congratulations on your flying. May you enjoy it as much as you possibly can.

Saludos,


Tulio

[retroaviation]

Mudge, I mentioned this on the "What websites do you check out everyday" thread, but thought that it was an important tool for you to have when you start your cross country flying. (Just don't show it to Mrs. Mudge ).....

http://www.fbohotties.com/

Gary

[Beachy]

Good going, Mudge! Now, don't go getting all distracted by the websites that Gary provides!

Seriously, good job! Have fun!

[Mudge]

Thanks Gary, but I've got my own personal "hottie" that lives with me.

Mudge the fortunate

[Randy Haskin]

Congrats Mudge. It's awesome to see your obvious excitement in your post about your flying experience.

I think it probably mirrors the same enthusiasm that we all had at the beginning of our flying experience and most of us still have today.

Better than sex? Hmmm, I've done some pretty cool things in airplanes before, but none that had, ahem, that affect on me!

Boring? Naaaah. Looking forward to hearing more from you!

[Bill Greenwood]

Mudge, Re: gauges, when you are flying in good weather, VMC, 95% of your attention shoud be out the window. 1st to look for traffic. 2nd you point the plane where you want it, let's say nose up at either 5 or 10 degrees for a climb, then check the instruments, airspeed & altimeter to see if you have the result of pitch and power you want. To turn bank usually 30 degrees, then you can check attitude indicator, ball, compass etc. to evaluate. If it is not quite what you want then make a change, but you do it by looking outside first. Flying in IMC is of course another story. On trim, it is secondary, to zero out control pressure AFTER, you have put the plane where you it. Instructors get bored and love to play with the radio, but it is better if you do all the RT soon. Good luck, don't let Gary lower your morals too soon, and keep us posted. It souns like you have some good guys at CAF nearby.

[Mudge]

Bill...
About halfway through the lesson I got to where I was spending more time "outside" than "chasing the needles". Found it to be much easier to make a lot of "little" corrections as I went along looking outside than to have to make one big one when I was watching the gauges.
I'll get there. I'm scheduled for 3 times a week. Hope I can stuff all that info in this old brain.

Mudge the semi-dense