It's a strange feeling to be in such a familiar environment, but yet have everything seem so different. Going through the preflight was very straightforward, and I had performed several of the steps myself on my dad's plane years ago. Not only that, but the DA-20 is fairly simple, and so there's not much to really check.Sitting in the left seat was definitely unique, however. I recall only one time that I have operated any of an aircraft's controls from the left seat (of my dad's 172), and that was just to start the engine and then shut it down. I remember that I was so nervous, I was shaking (I must have been about 13 or 14 years old) but it was still something that I had seen so many times before.Today was dramatically different. I was nervous, but not overly so. I had the checklist in my hand, and again, the plane is very simple. Startup was very smooth, and the engine came to life immediately. The DA-20 seems to have a greater length of travel for the throttle than the Cessnas I've been in, so my observations of the pilot's movements didn't translate to this one. It takes quite a bit to get the throttle set properly, and that was something that took getting used to throughout the flight.As far as the lesson itself, things went very well. I think all my "book learning" has benefited me, but not as much as simply being a passenger so many times. Once we started moving, all I could think of was all of the various things I "knew" I was supposed to be watching, but I could only concentrate on keeping the plane going in the right direction. Obviously, though, no instructor would expect a first-timer to handle everything, so I had to remind myself to just take it one step at a time.We did the basics, a smooth climb, straight-and-level, some medium bank turns, descents, Dutch rolls, and some playing with the flaps. (I see that the definition of the Dutch roll indicates that what we really did was "roll on a heading"). This aircraft requires very little left rudder due to the inherent left-turning tendencies; the right rudder gets quite a bit of attention. Then I was free to just try out some turns and see how the plane handled. Before I knew it, our hour was about up, and it was time to head in. By the way, I handled the radio communication during the entire flight, something that apparently most students handle a bit later. But it went fine. There was very little traffic in the area, so we were the only one in the pattern during the return.
The weather was warm, with some distant cumulus clouds that had me worried about thermals. Upon gaining some altitude, it was much smoother than expected (at least, for someone who's had some experience with mild turbulence). In any case, it didn't make the plane do much more than smooth dips and climbs, rather than be very choppy and rough.
About all I can say is, I'm ready to go again. So far, so good.
Well, tomorrow's the big day. I'm a bit nervous, to be sure, but not as much as I would have thought. It will be a strange feeling, to be in the familiar surroundings of a small plane cockpit, but to also be "in charge" of making it go where it needs to go.
The checklist for tomorrow's lesson deals with the basic administrative stuff, like required paperwork, aircraft checklists, school rules, etc. The flying portion will include preflight inspection, basic radio operation, ground movement, and then basic flight (straight and level, shallow turns).
I suppose I'll brush up on the aircraft's operating handbook to try to have as much of the material memorized as possible, although I'm sure it won't really be needed this early in the game. The first flight is usually pretty low key, to let the instructor see how the student can handle flight (and vice versa).
All I can say is, if I'd have known about the possibilities and the attractive terms of education loans sooner, I'd already have my certificate.
Wow. Yes, flight training is expensive (but what isn't?) but there are some great deals out there. After looking at a couple of options (scholarships don't apply to me, but they are definitely something to look at if you are a true "student"), I have decided on applying for a Sallie Mae Career Training Loan. This is a great deal, and I just found out that you don't have to repay until the loan is completely disbursed. So, for instance, if you take out $10,000 to cover flight training for two years, and you have them disburse it in four equal $2,500 payments to the school, you don't need to start paying the money back until that last disbursement goes out in a year and a half. Not bad!
(ed.: NOT! I found out the rep at Sallie Mae doesn't know what she's talking about...suffice to say that the payments start 30 days after the FIRST disbursement...whatever...at least I get to fly...)
And the terms aren't too scary, either. You can repay over a maximum of 15 years, and the rate is a variable prime + X, where the X is based on your (and cosigner's) credit history. Right now, the prime rate is 8.25% or so, so you could finance a 10 or 15 year loan at a fairly reasonable rate.
It's very easy to apply, but I recommend getting ahold of the application beforehand, since I got partway into it and then found out I needed some information I didn't have with me. Then, I had to call the customer service folks to help me finish it off. Even so, the person I spoke with was very helpful, and it wasn't the big pain I thought it would be.
So, once the loan is finalized and the school has their initial payment, I can actually start flying.
Oh, except there is the little issue of insurance. If you are renting a plane, you will want insurance. I have a small reprieve, since I am a student. The school's insurance covers the plane as long as I am flying with the instructor. As soon as I am ready to solo, I will need my own coverage. So, for now, I can avoid the expense, but I will need to start shopping it around.
There is just too much out there. You can only read so much before you need to experience life in person....I am about as prepared as a person can be. I am to the point where I simply can't read anymore. It's the same stuff over and over again. Airplanes and flight are fairly simple, and there's no arguing with the laws of physics. Now, I just need to work with an instructor to put it all into order and perspective and start providing some structure to the whole endeavor.
But not before I let you in on the long list of materials available to you if you so desire to wallow in aeronautical knowledge:
The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
Airplane Flying Handbook
Aviation Weather
Aviation Weather Services
Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
FAA Practical Test Standards
FAA Weight and Balance Handbook
FAA Examiner's Handbook
FAA Instrument Procedures Handbook
A pile of FAA Advisory Circulars, AOPA pdf files, and even the POH for the Diamond DA-20 that I will be flying soon.
Naturally, some of these things will need to be purchased, just due to the inconvenience of printing out a couple thousand pages....but for the initial familiarization of the material, it's a good way to start off cheap. On top of that, I will need to obtain the FAR (14 CFR) and that's not available in an easy-to-download format. So my next purchase will almost definitely be the FAR/AIM combo book.
On top of all THIS, then, are the handful of VFR sectionals that I picked up recently.
If you add up all of the costs of the little things, I've probably spent just under $200. Compared to entering ground school with little or no background, I'd say it's money well spent. Also considering that I've spent a couple hundred hours just simply reading as well as about 18 hours in the copilot's seat of my friend's plane in the last year (actually navigating, mind you), I'm hoping to have a leg up on the expensive side of the training equation.
The go/no-go decision is a fundamental in any form of aviation. It refers to the review of the pilot, the aircraft, and the environment and an evaluation of whether the flight will be safe or should be postponed.
Of course, a similar decision must be made even when deciding whether or not to learn to fly in the first place. As you can see, I have pretty much decided to "go", but at this point, I still have not finalized the loan, scheduled a first lesson, or otherwise seriously committed my time and money. I could still back out if I wanted to. I am at the edge at which many people find themselves, whether faced with a decision like mine or something else...a new job, a new relationship, a child, or maybe even just trying to decide whether to get a pet.
Unless you are very impulsive, you learn as much as you can up front, to decide whether you are on the right track or not. As have I. I mentioned that I played around quite a bit with the computer flight simulators. And I have also bought quite a few books about aviation. Of course, these things only go so far, and I will soon have to literally put my money where my mouth is, as I kiss my finances goodbye....
Nevertheless, I will list the books that I have acquired so far, and I will leave it to you to decide how much is too much.
"The Student Pilot's Flight Manual" by William Kershner
A very complete step-by-step lesson plan for the private license.
"Stick and Rudder" by Wolfgang Langewiesche
A classic description of the "feel" of flying and a good translation of airplane behavior into English.
"Avoiding Common Pilot Errors" by John Stewart
Written by an Air Traffic Controller, this book is probably better suited for someone who has some flying experience, but on the other hand, it is a good idea to avoid bad habits altogether rather than try to un-learn them.
"101 Things To Do With Your Private Pilot's License" by Leroy Cook
Another book better suited for post-checkride flying, but still a good reference for keeping a few advanced tidbits in the back of your mind while learning.
"A Guide to Weather" by Richard Whitaker, Editor (written by a whole bunch of meteorologist-types)
This is a non-aviation book, but I picked it up because of the very good photos, illustrations, and descriptions of common weather patterns.
That's it....Of course, that's just the list of the books I actually paid for....Then there are the other little things:
A membership to AOPA gets you the AOPA Airport Directory and a subscription to AOPA Pilot or Flight Training (I receive the latter).
A subscription to Plane & Pilot magazine
Free samples from local FBO's of GA News and Pacific Flyer periodicals
Countless AOPA, ASF, and FAA brochures, booklets, pamphlets, leaflets, flyers, etc., etc. about every topic you can think of
Various sample packages due to my various subscriptions and online visits, such as aircraft manufacturers' brochures, sample training DVD's, etc.
And that's just the printed material....I've got a heap of paper and not a single hour of instruction time yet....I can't wait; can you tell?
