Took my discovery flight today...(a bit long)

killbilly · January 7th, 2007, 18:39

Showed up with my g/f (Erika) and gift certificate in hand at Monarch (KADS) at 11:30 this morning. Our instructor for the flight was a nice soft-spoken kid from the upper midwest named Jacob.

During the preflight, Erika pulls me aside.

"Does he know what he's doing?"
"Sure. He's just doing the preflight, making sure everything is okay for us to go up."
"But...he's got a list of everything to check!"
"Yeah. It's called a checklist."
"You mean he doesn't know it?!"

I had to chuckle at that, and explained the need for checklists. Don't know if she felt better or not.

Now, I've been up a few times in a 172, but I'd never been up in one with a G1000 before. I can say with all certainty that it would be incredibly easy for me to get spoiled on that thing, so when I do primary training, it will NOT be on a G1000-equipped plane. Having TCAS, XM, WX and everything else is sure sweet though.

Erika had never been up in a GA plane before. She was nervous as hell, but she handled it pretty decently and I think she had more fun than she let on. She actually liked the landing best, but she was ready to get out. Every time the wings banked she thought we were going to fall out of the sky, but got very excited when she identified her building downtown from 2000 feet!

It was kinda bumpy today with gusting winds, but not too bad - more annoying than anything. We took off to the north, swung left and got clearance from KDAL to overfly at 2000 feet. That's always interesting. We turned a bit to make a nice loop around downtown Dallas. At that point, Jacob lets me take the controls.

I have to say that I am proud of the way I handled the plane today. I was able to maintain altitude and heading as directed. After the first 10 minutes in the air I was able to relax, and got into a nice scan routine and was really enjoying the flight...

...until the yellow letters TRAFFIC pop up on the G1000. At our 1 o'clock and same altitude is a SWA 737. Jacob has me adjust a few degrees left. KDAL then has us do a turn to come around behind the 737 and then we proceed out east over Lake Ray Hubbard. That traffic warning was a little unnerving, though...

I flew it around Hubbard, climbed up to 2500 and turned back west to return to KADS. They called in traffic to us - a D-Jet paralleling on our right - that we never saw. He was on TCAS but we just never got a visual on him. Weird.

A few miles out I handed the plane back to Jacob - I had no desire to attempt a landing. He brought it in a little steep but greased it perfectly. He explained later that he likes to clear the buildings south of KADS as much as he can and then confessed that he also pulled up the glideslope on the G1000 and flew it in to be sure.

Aside from some very early jitters I had, everything was very comfortable and familiar to me. I had no problems with control inputs, deciphering radio calls and Jacob said that I did great with the flying - he said he was impressed with the fact that I could keep it straight and level and turn without altitude loss/gain. Then again, he might've been blowing a little smoke - he was handling the trim, too.

Man, if I had any doubts about getting the PPL before they're gone now. Still don't know where I'll do it, although they (Monarch) have an excellent fleet - N1109V had only 191 hours on it. It's just a little expensive to fly there compared to some others.

Had a blast. Best Christmas present I've ever had.

Just gotta get the house sold.

PS - I've learned a hell of a lot here on JC, and the knowledge that I've picked up here, I think, went a long way toward my comfort/confidence level in the air. Thanks, all.

kmiller · January 7th, 2007, 18:47

Congrats on the discovery flight. I will never forget my first flight, it's the best feeling in the world.

SRA_kbad · January 7th, 2007, 20:09

Stick and Rudder my friend!!!
Piece of cake isn't it. Sounds like you did a bang up job. 13 (or so) more hours and you'll be soloing

ERJFly2013 · January 7th, 2007, 22:50

Sounds like you had a great time. I have been up in a 152 with my uncle a few times in the past few months. He lets me take the controls too- thats a blast isn't it? Last weekend he let me do a takeoff (pedals and stick, he did throttle) and i went around the pattern a few times. I almost did a landing, but we both felt it would be best for him to take over.

How old are you; when can you get your ppl? I'm 15.5 now, but i might wait 1 or 2 years until i get my ppl.

I too have learned a lot from JC, and Flight Sim. actually can teach you a lot. Gave me a good feeling when i was up there the other day that i knew what everything was, and i had a pretty good idea what i was doing.

Are you planning to make a future in aviation? I am. Good luck!

killbilly · January 8th, 2007, 00:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERJFly2013

How old are you; when can you get your ppl? I'm 15.5 now, but i might wait 1 or 2 years until i get my ppl.

I'm 32. Thanks for making me feel old.

Quote:

Are you planning to make a future in aviation? I am. Good luck!

I think so. However, the path I've decided on is to earn my ppl and ins ratings first, then fly for fun for a while. At that point, I'll decide whether or not to career change - I've got a (new) good job with a good company and I'm not necessarily ready to chuck in everything for a career in aviation until I know for sure that it's something that I want to do for absolute, 100% certain day in and day out. I think it is, but at this point in my life, I can afford to be cautious.

Bigey · January 8th, 2007, 03:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERJFly2013

Sounds like you had a great time. I have been up in a 152 with my uncle a few times in the past few months. He lets me take the controls too- thats a blast isn't it? Last weekend he let me do a takeoff (pedals and stick, he did throttle) and i went around the pattern a few times. I almost did a landing, but we both felt it would be best for him to take over.

How old are you; when can you get your ppl? I'm 15.5 now, but i might wait 1 or 2 years until i get my ppl.

I too have learned a lot from JC, and Flight Sim. actually can teach you a lot. Gave me a good feeling when i was up there the other day that i knew what everything was, and i had a pretty good idea what i was doing.

Are you planning to make a future in aviation? I am. Good luck!

Sweet! You should really try the landings, they're a blast!

My first flight i took off, flew around, and landed! BTW, you're looking around 2 years before you can get your PPL. Gotta be 17, 16 to solo so yeap.

DAnbert · January 8th, 2007, 12:42

That is awesome for you man. I remember mine like it was only a month ago.
Oh yeah...
Anyways
That is great.

January 7th, 2007, 18:39	#1
killbilly Old Skool Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,965	Took my discovery flight today...(a bit long) Showed up with my g/f (Erika) and gift certificate in hand at Monarch (KADS) at 11:30 this morning. Our instructor for the flight was a nice soft-spoken kid from the upper midwest named Jacob. During the preflight, Erika pulls me aside. "Does he know what he's doing?" "Sure. He's just doing the preflight, making sure everything is okay for us to go up." "But...he's got a list of everything to check!" "Yeah. It's called a checklist." "You mean he doesn't know it?!" I had to chuckle at that, and explained the need for checklists. Don't know if she felt better or not. Now, I've been up a few times in a 172, but I'd never been up in one with a G1000 before. I can say with all certainty that it would be incredibly easy for me to get spoiled on that thing, so when I do primary training, it will NOT be on a G1000-equipped plane. Having TCAS, XM, WX and everything else is sure sweet though. Erika had never been up in a GA plane before. She was nervous as hell, but she handled it pretty decently and I think she had more fun than she let on. She actually liked the landing best, but she was ready to get out. Every time the wings banked she thought we were going to fall out of the sky, but got very excited when she identified her building downtown from 2000 feet! It was kinda bumpy today with gusting winds, but not too bad - more annoying than anything. We took off to the north, swung left and got clearance from KDAL to overfly at 2000 feet. That's always interesting. We turned a bit to make a nice loop around downtown Dallas. At that point, Jacob lets me take the controls. I have to say that I am proud of the way I handled the plane today. I was able to maintain altitude and heading as directed. After the first 10 minutes in the air I was able to relax, and got into a nice scan routine and was really enjoying the flight... ...until the yellow letters TRAFFIC pop up on the G1000. At our 1 o'clock and same altitude is a SWA 737. Jacob has me adjust a few degrees left. KDAL then has us do a turn to come around behind the 737 and then we proceed out east over Lake Ray Hubbard. That traffic warning was a little unnerving, though... I flew it around Hubbard, climbed up to 2500 and turned back west to return to KADS. They called in traffic to us - a D-Jet paralleling on our right - that we never saw. He was on TCAS but we just never got a visual on him. Weird. A few miles out I handed the plane back to Jacob - I had no desire to attempt a landing. He brought it in a little steep but greased it perfectly. He explained later that he likes to clear the buildings south of KADS as much as he can and then confessed that he also pulled up the glideslope on the G1000 and flew it in to be sure. Aside from some very early jitters I had, everything was very comfortable and familiar to me. I had no problems with control inputs, deciphering radio calls and Jacob said that I did great with the flying - he said he was impressed with the fact that I could keep it straight and level and turn without altitude loss/gain. Then again, he might've been blowing a little smoke - he was handling the trim, too. Man, if I had any doubts about getting the PPL before they're gone now. Still don't know where I'll do it, although they (Monarch) have an excellent fleet - N1109V had only 191 hours on it. It's just a little expensive to fly there compared to some others. Had a blast. Best Christmas present I've ever had. Just gotta get the house sold. PS - I've learned a hell of a lot here on JC, and the knowledge that I've picked up here, I think, went a long way toward my comfort/confidence level in the air. Thanks, all.

January 7th, 2007, 18:47	#2
kmiller Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 44	Re: Took my discovery flight today...(a bit long) Congrats on the discovery flight. I will never forget my first flight, it's the best feeling in the world.

January 7th, 2007, 20:09	#3
SRA_kbad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Commuting Posts: 734	Re: Took my discovery flight today...(a bit long) Stick and Rudder my friend!!! Piece of cake isn't it. Sounds like you did a bang up job. 13 (or so) more hours and you'll be soloing __________________ "The Coconut Banger's Ball... Its A Rap"

January 7th, 2007, 22:50	#4
ERJFly2013 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: CLE Posts: 26	Re: Took my discovery flight today...(a bit long) Sounds like you had a great time. I have been up in a 152 with my uncle a few times in the past few months. He lets me take the controls too- thats a blast isn't it? Last weekend he let me do a takeoff (pedals and stick, he did throttle) and i went around the pattern a few times. I almost did a landing, but we both felt it would be best for him to take over. How old are you; when can you get your ppl? I'm 15.5 now, but i might wait 1 or 2 years until i get my ppl. I too have learned a lot from JC, and Flight Sim. actually can teach you a lot. Gave me a good feeling when i was up there the other day that i knew what everything was, and i had a pretty good idea what i was doing. Are you planning to make a future in aviation? I am. Good luck!

January 8th, 2007, 12:42	#7
DAnbert Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 524	Re: Took my discovery flight today...(a bit long) That is awesome for you man. I remember mine like it was only a month ago. Oh yeah... Anyways That is great.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode