ET's Info-Stew

After yesterday's and today's flights, I'm now at 39.9 hours. I'm scheduled to fly with Nick again on Tuesday, so hopefully I made noticeable progress today. I went to the practice area for a short while practicing steep turns, slow flight, and stalls, then came back and did 18 landings. The primary goal was to practice soft and short field landings, but I also added in a no-flaps and power-off landing. The quality of my shorts and softs varied. I did an excellent job of fine-tuning my approach speed and angle and waiting until I was low to flare. The not-so-good landings came when I used too much elevator, then I ballooned. I think next time I will try to use trim in the flare so that I have a finer touch.

I also tried to prepare myself better with my verbal skills. I called out my target speed, RPM, and flaps settings on each leg and for several circuits I was simulating calls at a non-towered airport. I also learned some targets and goals for entering steep turns and slow flight. Thanks Paul! I feel like I have a strategy now instead of winging everything. I feel like doing another day just like this, but with Nick in the right seat. I don't want him to critique everything I do or constantly tell me to "hold it off". I really just need him for his weight. If that goes well, I'll feel comfortable doing the check ride.