My first lesson last week.

[cTnT1786]

This past Fri. I went for my first lesson toward my ppl. It was very exciting. I got there an hour early to process all my information and what not, which took 2 min. But I was also able to watch other students on their lessons. I saw one person practice landing, he was all over the runway.

Finally, it became my turn to start. My instructor showed me how and what to look for during the pre-flight. We started the plane up and I was on my way taxiing down to the runway. We went over the before take-off procedures and was airborne shortly afterwards. We went into a traffic pattern which was established at fl1500. The flight pattern was to fly out left at a 45 degree angle of the airport so that we can swing around and land. We did that twice.

Third time we took off we went to the southwest and did some basic maneuvers. He had me do some 20 degree turns first. After that I was doing slow flight with some 10 degree turns. Steep turns were done after that. Then my favorite as of now which are powered off stalls. Well the first time he did one kinda freaked me out. I had no idea it was going to be that dramatic. All in all, I think I did a good job with all of these maneuvers when it was my turn. I still obviously need a lot of practice to come relatively close to being comfortable soloing though.

From what I have noticed, it is A LOT of coordination with the instruments and controls. I think it will be a while before I start take-offs and landings. It looks so hard now that I am behind the controls. There was almost no wind also, but I was in a 152 so any little wind and that thing is all over the sky.

It was too much fun and I didn't want to come down. Actually after we landed and I got out I was thinking. I really didn't feel like I was flying because I was paying alot of attention to the instruments and not really on outside. But I can’t wait untill I go up again this upcoming Fri.

[WindyCityPilot]

What airport are you flying out of? Steep turns and stalls on your very first lesson?

[cTnT1786]

I am flying out of Clow Airport, 1C5, in Bolingbrook, Illinois.

Well when I finished he said that I did better than most people on their first day. So I don't know if that had anything to do with it or not.

[SeanD]

Originally Posted by WindyCityPilot

What airport are you flying out of? Steep turns and stalls on your very first lesson?

That is usually much later into your training. I didnt get to steep turns until 15 or so hours in. Stalls were during my slow flight lessons, about 10 hours in. I guess some instructors have a different curriculum.

[Swen]

Originally Posted by cTnT1786

We went into a traffic pattern which was established at fl1500.

fl1500 = 150,000 feet

Sounds like you are having fun, which is important. Remember to keep it that way.

[cTnT1786]

Yeah it did seem like we were a bit high...

Lol fl15.... not 150!

[mhcasey]

"From what I have noticed, it is A LOT of coordination with the instruments and controls."

Nah man...keep your eyes outside. You should be able to do all of the maneuvers within PTS standards (Practical Test Standards...ask your instructor about these) without referencing the instruments. Learn to feel the airplane with your senses (light grip, listen to the sounds, look for your aircraft's position relative to the horizon aka the aircraft's attitude, etc.).

Keep enjoying it, and let us know if you've got any questions. Oh, and don't hesitate to make "I'm ridiculously excited about flying" posts like this one...posts like this remind me why I love flying.

[NotCoolEnufToFly]

Awesome! I'm very excited for you. I remember the first lesson. I couldn't wait to get back up and it felt like every hour of every day just dragged, but rest assured, you'll be back up there again before you know it.

Make sure you keep us updated and again, Congratulations!

[BobDDuck]

I dunno. I did stalls and steep turns (and everything else in the PTS actually + spins) on my first lesson. It was pretty intense, but at least I knew what I was going to be doing for the next 40 hours.

Congrats on getting started. As you get more time in the plane you will start to catch up and actually be able to look outside and enjoy the view.

[cTnT1786]

Originally Posted by mhcasey

"From what I have noticed, it is A LOT of coordination with the instruments and controls."

Nah man...keep your eyes outside. You should be able to do all of the maneuvers within PTS standards (Practical Test Standards...ask your instructor about these) without referencing the instruments. Learn to feel the airplane with your senses (light grip, listen to the sounds, look for your aircraft's position relative to the horizon aka the aircraft's attitude, etc.).

Keep enjoying it, and let us know if you've got any questions. Oh, and don't hesitate to make "I'm ridiculously excited about flying" posts like this one...posts like this remind me why I love flying.

Well he did show me a little about the aircraft's position to the horizon.

Oh and about being ridiculously excited about flying, ha! you have no idea how excited I am. I am checking the weather twice a day to make sure it doesn't change for my flying date.

[cTnT1786]

Originally Posted by BobDDuck

I dunno. I did stalls and steep turns (and everything else in the PTS actually + spins) on my first lesson. It was pretty intense, but at least I knew what I was going to be doing for the next 40 hours.

Congrats on getting started. As you get more time in the plane you will start to catch up and actually be able to look outside and enjoy the view.

Yeah I think it's a good thing to start right off the bat with some of these. It shows the student what he is in for so that if he can't do it he doesn't have to drop loads of money into it.

While I was doing my stall I didn't even think about "hey I'm am falling like a rock", I just paid attention to what I had to do.

[skidz]

I remember my first lesson...my instructor showed me the hammer head manouver and then we busted few clouds

[TXaviator]

sweet deal man! congrats, and welcome to the club

[cTnT1786]

Originally Posted by skidz

I remember my first lesson...my instructor showed me the hammer head manouver and then we busted few clouds

They would have to gut the whole interior of the plane out and replace it if they did that to me.

[TXaviator]

Originally Posted by skidz

I remember my first lesson...my instructor showed me the hammer head manouver and then we busted few clouds

IFR of course, im sure!


but yea, if i was doin hammerheads my first flight, probably would have been a fair bit of cleanup!!

now i love doin them all day long though!!

[WindyCityPilot]

Originally Posted by cTnT1786

I am flying out of Clow Airport, 1C5, in Bolingbrook, Illinois.

Well when I finished he said that I did better than most people on their first day. So I don't know if that had anything to do with it or not.

1C5 is a neat little airport.....if you ever want to go grab some good food tell you instructor to take you up to Schaumburg (06C) to eat at Pilot Pete's. Schaumburg is a fun little airport to fly into with the O'Hare Class Bravo right overhead. Pattern altitude is 1,600 and Class Bravo starts at 1,900.

[cTnT1786]

Originally Posted by WindyCityPilot

1C5 is a neat little airport.....if you ever want to go grab some good food tell you instructor to take you up to Schaumburg (06C) to eat at Pilot Pete's. Schaumburg is a fun little airport to fly into with the O'Hare Class Bravo right overhead. Pattern altitude is 1,600 and Class Bravo starts at 1,900.

I'll swing that by him sometime. Thanks.

That is right near the Shaumburg Flyer's Stadium right? I went there about a month or two ago. That was neat, the planes were flying rightover the stadium and since it was very windy, they were all doing their crosswind landings.

I also noticed the planed going to O'hare just a little higher. That was really neat.

1C5 is a very nice airport. I was surprised due to it's lower prices. It's also neat that it's just kinda tucked away right in back of a bunch of stores and houses.

There is also a mini-golf right off of the parking lot that is a very nice little course. If you like to play mini-golf. It's pretty cool, you get to go up a small mountain type thing and you can watch the planes pretty good from up there.