Monday
I took the opportunity to get in a few more practice flights. All the tows were just to pattern attitude -- it was all about working on my landings.
The first landing was probably the best, a really nice "precision" landing for which the test standard allows touchdown anywhere on the runway, but requires coming to a stop using no more than "light to medium braking" within 200 feet of, but not beyond, a designated point, which at Estrella is the wind sock located at the runway midpoint.
My third landing of the day was a “spot” or “simulated off-field”, which requires touching down and coming to a stop between two specified points along the runway. I succeeded, though it was a bit ragged.
After two more solos, which brought me to a total of 16, it did not seem that each flight was resulting in further improvement.
I asked Shad if he was available for another simulated check ride. I wanted the last flight before my real check ride to have that second body in the rear cockpit, as the weight and balance very much influences how the glider behaves. Of course, I also hoped to eke out just a bit more knowledge about what I’d need to show Tony the next morning, and Shad's advice was very helpful in that regard.
Daniel helped wheel the glider back to the hangar. He was wearing a really nice blue Hawaiian shirt with white flowers.
“I think I’ll wear my Hawaiian shirt tomorrow,” I said.
“I’ve worn a Hawaiian shirt for every check ride I’ve taken,” he said. “I’ve never busted one yet.”
“That clinches it,” I replied.
I took the opportunity to get in a few more practice flights. All the tows were just to pattern attitude -- it was all about working on my landings.
The first landing was probably the best, a really nice "precision" landing for which the test standard allows touchdown anywhere on the runway, but requires coming to a stop using no more than "light to medium braking" within 200 feet of, but not beyond, a designated point, which at Estrella is the wind sock located at the runway midpoint.
My third landing of the day was a “spot” or “simulated off-field”, which requires touching down and coming to a stop between two specified points along the runway. I succeeded, though it was a bit ragged.
After two more solos, which brought me to a total of 16, it did not seem that each flight was resulting in further improvement.
I asked Shad if he was available for another simulated check ride. I wanted the last flight before my real check ride to have that second body in the rear cockpit, as the weight and balance very much influences how the glider behaves. Of course, I also hoped to eke out just a bit more knowledge about what I’d need to show Tony the next morning, and Shad's advice was very helpful in that regard.
Daniel helped wheel the glider back to the hangar. He was wearing a really nice blue Hawaiian shirt with white flowers.
“I think I’ll wear my Hawaiian shirt tomorrow,” I said.
“I’ve worn a Hawaiian shirt for every check ride I’ve taken,” he said. “I’ve never busted one yet.”
“That clinches it,” I replied.
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