Sat Mar 26, 2022 1:19 pm
#1905174
Just had to share! Was very excited!
I've been steadily working through the training exercises one weekend at a time. Weather has made things tricky and flying conditions have rarely been ideal (does this country have a horizon?). So flying frequency has been patchy, despite frequent bookings.
However, basic confidence has been building, and today by CFI asked me if I would like to do the take-off. YES PLEASE!!!!
This is a soft field take-off, with a moderate crosswind...
I did it !!!
Was it messy? Oh hell yea! Was my speed control a little shaky? Oh my yes, but I recovered it. Did I maintain runway heading until crosswind? Kinda! ...ish ...sorta.. mostly. Did I continue the climb into crosswind, and level off for the downwind turn? Yes, and relatively smoothly. Did I make my radio calls? Yes. And well enough. (even if I do say so myself).
I would imagine to the onlooker my technique would have invoked a sharp intake of breath followed by a pursing of the lips, and squinting of the eyes. My hats off to the bravery of my CFI who gave me plenty of latitude to sort my own stuff out without jumping in, and so calmly and kindly offering verbal direction as we went along. Any normal human would have been screaming and crying throughout my attempt, and likely require therapy afterwards. I was cross with myself for it being so ropy, but I need to remind myself that practice makes perfect.
But... I did it! I loved it! I want to do it again! A medal to my CFI!
Just wanted to share.
I've been steadily working through the training exercises one weekend at a time. Weather has made things tricky and flying conditions have rarely been ideal (does this country have a horizon?). So flying frequency has been patchy, despite frequent bookings.
However, basic confidence has been building, and today by CFI asked me if I would like to do the take-off. YES PLEASE!!!!
This is a soft field take-off, with a moderate crosswind...
I did it !!!
Was it messy? Oh hell yea! Was my speed control a little shaky? Oh my yes, but I recovered it. Did I maintain runway heading until crosswind? Kinda! ...ish ...sorta.. mostly. Did I continue the climb into crosswind, and level off for the downwind turn? Yes, and relatively smoothly. Did I make my radio calls? Yes. And well enough. (even if I do say so myself).
I would imagine to the onlooker my technique would have invoked a sharp intake of breath followed by a pursing of the lips, and squinting of the eyes. My hats off to the bravery of my CFI who gave me plenty of latitude to sort my own stuff out without jumping in, and so calmly and kindly offering verbal direction as we went along. Any normal human would have been screaming and crying throughout my attempt, and likely require therapy afterwards. I was cross with myself for it being so ropy, but I need to remind myself that practice makes perfect.
But... I did it! I loved it! I want to do it again! A medal to my CFI!
Just wanted to share.