DAY4
Welcome to crosswind landings 101!
Spent a good bit of the morning in class going over aircraft systems and emergency checklists. Also got a good bite into more communications and with class B&C procedures. After a while, we got into the plane and got onto the good stuff!
It was a beautiful day for some flying, and we took off for a couple of touch and goes before heading into Tucson (TUS) for a full stop at the real deal. It was pretty overwhelming remembering the different freqs, and happily my CFI was like 17 steps ahead of me with the kneeboard, writing everything down. (Its almost like he's done this before!)
One of the coolest parts of the quick trip into TUS was being active on a frequency that was shared by other call signs like "Southwest xxx" and "Skywest xxx". Wow, that was cool. Had a smooth landing and remembered to keep back pressure on the stick for more aerodynamic braking (which I've been trying to remember, but maybe it's finally sticking.) We stopped into the executive terminal and I bought the first of my one million and fifty sectionals and my first AFD.
Taxiing out to the runway, we went behind and perpendicular to a Southwest jet (probably a 737) and WOW! The "calm" thrust hitting the side of our little Skyhawk was enough to push me about 4 feet left off the taxi line. (Makes the youtube video of the truck being blown over by the 747 wash seem more realistic.)
We flew back to RYN for touch and goes, and kept in the pattern for another hour practicing crosswinds. I think it was only about 10 kts crosswind, but enough to be a good example of technique. I think I greased the final full stop, too, but I was too busy concentrating on braking to pay attention. My CFI was grinning - so I'll chalk that one up. Of course - since I said that its going to be another month until I grease one again
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Got to dive back into the books. Until tomorrow - hope you enjoyed reading!