Dual Instruction: X-Country
PTS->BUM->NVD->PTS

This was a cross country with Tom before he endorsed my logbook for my first solo cross country.

Solo Work @ PTS
Dual Instruction / Nite Flying @ PTS -> LLU

Excellent experience.
Arrived at PTS to fly N12189 before lesson with Tom. He was out with another student, but left plane out for our lesson. I pre-flighted the plane and taxied to ramp for run up. A Cherokee (N???87N) announced presence 10 miles out. I waited to long, as I had adequate time for take off. Had it been a jet, the wait would have been very short.

Landings went well.
1st Go around
2nd Good but bumpy
3rd Smoother
4th Go around
5th Smoother
6th Good but bumpy

Enjoyed time with Tom before lesson. Also visited with John (FBO employee)

Lesson was night flying. Spend much of it behind foggles. Flew to LLU and practiced landings. A quite difference experience. This was the first time I experienced vertigo of this level, though it went well as I tried to depend on the instruments.

Landing with the lights at night is very different. It will require more practice.

Landings at PTS went well though on the final landing the lights went out and I should have gone around while I adjusted to the situation.

On two or three landings with Tom, I didn’t remove all the power on landing and found that the plane will not land if all the power is not pulled out.

NOTE: 12189 had problems with brakes on left side, especially noticeable (and diagnosed) after we landed at PTS for final time.

Solo Aborted

PIC (Pilot-In-Command) decision made; though there seemed to be breaks between cells, the scattered thunderstorms convinced me I should stay on the ground today.

I may try to get solo time in Monday, but with the evening lesson, this is uncertain.

Next lesson: Monday, Night work.

Dual instruction with Tom Richards
X-Country to PTS to JLN

Before taking off, I shared with Tom my reflections on my previous landings and he thought I was right on target regarding my assessments.

Practiced landings and tower work.
The trip went really well. Still much practice to do, but I thought things went well.
Apparently, Tom did too, as he signed off on in my log book that I can solo at PTS and JLN.

My landings improved, as a result of evaluating that last lesson on my own and with Tom, in addition to the practice done today.

Next solo: Friday
Next lesson: Monday, Nite work

Dual Instruction with Tom Richards
X-Country PTS to LLU
Practiced landings at LLU.
• It seemed as though I continued to struggle to watch outside the cockpit down the runway. Very frustrating.
• I repeatedly tried to lift the nose and flare before the plane had settled down on the runway.
• I had trouble remembering whether to trim up or down in prep for landing.

I must remember to:
• Trim down for landing
• Wait for the plane to settle over the runway before flaring.

Next lesson: plan X-country for Joplin and Tower work.

Back in the Air

Restarted lessons with Tom Richards.
Good to be back in the cockpit, though rustier than I thought I would be.
Tom seemed to think I was in good shape and would bounce back quickly.