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OT: First Time at the controls of the real thing

D

Daiwilletti

Charter Member
At Christmas I went up in a Cessna 172 - my eldest nephew is a flying instructor. I can't believe I left it so long to go and do the real thing! He got me to do most of preflight stuff (checking magnetos, controls, etc) the taxiing to the takeoff point, communicate with the tower, and I did a mildly zig-zaggy takeoff. The rudder pedals combine with the brake pedals and I thought it wasn't bad for a first time effort as I got used to things.

When I lifted off, I was amazed at the rate of climb. My nephew didn't seem worried and I suppose he was keeping an eye on flight speed.

When I turned and levelled out at 1000 feet there was a nice big wheel to set the trim - I tended to fly nose up cause it felt like it was level but it was actually climbing. I spent about 30 minutes in the air and did a few circles over my sister's house, an international cricket match at Eden Park, and a few other bits.

The landing approach was OK but I was very grateful when he took the controls for the last bit, and he flared expertly to scrub off speed and touched down without a bump.

What a buzz! Hope its not so long before I try that again!!

Oh, I had two passengers, my eldest sister and young nephew. Both vowed never to fly in a small aircraft again :icon_lol:. Don't know why, I was too busy sweating over trying to be straight and level to worry about their squeals from the back seat.
 
How wonderful David, sounds like a great experience! There's nothing quite like flying in light aircraft :) I did a few hours in Chipmunks as a young ATC cadet, but that was a looong time ago.
I'd love to have a go at what you've just done.
 
Too right Clive, I can't believe I left it so long! Trouble is I couldn't stop talking about it, in Great detail, to anyone and everybody, I'm sure my family got really sick of it..:icon_lol:
 
What if...

If you could choose an aircraft... ? (no slight on the venerable 172!!)
 
Savour the memory! :jump: Lucky you, it's decades since an uncle took me up in a light aircraft...
 
KellyB said:
So, when do you do your check ride and solo???

In a Spit, i mean...
Click to expand...
Sadly, the closest I will get to flying a Spit is probably to read about it. I see GOSD has First Light as an avatar. The descriptions of the first time up in a Spit, and the first night flights, are truly hair-raising.

I was quite happy to be in just a Cesna 172!

Actually, as I said, the rate of climb really took me by surprise. The Cesna has very little to worry about - no retractable gear, no variable pitch prop, so a joystick jockey like me can soon be "painting the horizon" without too much difficulty. But I'm babbling again...:icon_lol:
 
popsaka said:
If you could choose an aircraft... ? (no slight on the venerable 172!!)
Click to expand...

Well, thats a hard one, Popsaka. I don't know enough about the characterisitics of "real" aircraft. Judging by CFS3, a late model p-38 could be a good one to fly, because the props seem to neutralise any torque reaction allowing a fairly easy "boot it and go...".

Of course, I've never really gotten past single engine piston fighters as my ultimate fantasy, however in real life my preference would be something less likely to bite me in the bum. Wasn't the biggest cause of fatality in a Me109 the takeoff and landing?

D
 
It's quite a thrill to have that first flying lesson. Mine too was in a 172, though I ultimately got my license in a 152. My first flight was not unlike yours, preflight, taxi, take-off and a nice hour of flying around San Diego on a cloudless May day. The landing was a little different though. The instructor and I had discussed how the flight would go and then on final he would take over and land the plane. Well, as we were on final and getting closer to the runway I was expecting him to say he would take over now and land, but he didn't. So, I mentioned that he could take over anytime and his response was "no, your doing fine keep going". At that point I realized that not only was this going to be my first flight, but also my first landing. Since you are reading this you know I survived. I flared a little late bounced a few feet and because of some time with FS I knew if I held the nose up a little it would settle on its own, which it did into a very nice landing. Oops, I guess I'm babbling now and it's been a few years since that day.

Anyhow, congrats on the first flight.
 
You lucky man, lol. i bet it was amazing. I look forward to the day i get to fly a light aircraft ....... as to me it looks to be one of the most amazing feels ever and all the people that can and do fly regular must have a skip in there step when walking on the ground just from the feeling up there. I know i would and i wouldnt stop talking about it, it would be like a rollercoaster ride, scary first time but once you have got through the first time you wanna do it again, do it again, lol.

I have been offered the chance to go up but it aint affordable till next year but boy o boy am i looking forward to it.

Dave
 
Hi Johannesl, sounds like you did really well to get to touch down first time. I was very glad for my nephew/instructor to take over, what with having two passengers in the back seat. I think it was good for their nerves, too! I guess my nephew took pity on them and avoided a bumpy landing!

DaveB, you are right. It was a bit like sky diving for me - I felt 9 foot tall and bullet proof afterward. Luckily New Zealand is probably one of the most accessible and affordable countries in which to learn to fly, so I will get off my chuff and do it again.

D
 
This was my first...

1948Luscombe8EN1526B-1.jpg
 
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