i'm off the ground!

Hey all

Today was the big day. Prepared our weather, flight report, and met with my instructor. He asked us to go and check whether the aircraft was still in the hangar cause they were inflating the suspensions and to get it out and prepare it for our flight.

We went out and found it still being inflated, so after waiting for like 15 min in 40 degree Arizona heat, it was ready for us. Did the walkaround, cockpit preparation (still with the book for now) and so that we still had to refuel - so - call the fuel truck, which took another 15 min cause they only had one truck in service. After refuelling, did all our checks and were cleared to taxi via the run up area to runway 4L... and off we went to our north east practice area.

Whoever back home who thinks that the ride of any aircraft is like that of an Airbus, think again. At one point I was flying towards the mountains at 6000 feet and encountered a gust... immediately looked at my altimeter and found it was 6500 feet! wow! Being used to the simulator were everything is all smooth and nice this was quite an experience - but I couldn't help but smiling! The instructor was quite happy with our flying overall, at least he seemed so. I was cleared to land runway 22L and kept the descent profile pretty well for the first time, though we had some light gusts here and there. The landing needs to be worked on (if people were at the back they wouldn't have clapped for sure :p) cause it was quite bumpy, but again, it is different in the real world than doing it on a pc.

So back home in the scorching heat, and thinking that tomorrow will be a holiday cause some of us did not fly yet. Wrong - I have to get up at 4am to fly at 6am - early rise.. but at least the ride will be a bit smoother I hope.

So, to the next one - mis u all guys (and girls) and I will try to upload some photos as soon as possible cause here the internet is really messed up!

First Flights