Solo already??!

The last few days have been busy. Over the weekend I've been doing lots of reading. Yesterday I got my Class III medical, and gave it to my instructor this morning. The weather was clear except for a few scattered low clouds. We went out and did pre-flight and saw only 5 gallons in each wing. So I learned how to fill er up. Today there was some wind, so I practiced maneuvering around a point on the ground - something the CFI has mentioned wanting to do every time we met. We also did some instrument flying. I did pretty well at that, since I tend to over use the instruments anyway.

Then we entered the pattern of another local airstrip. I think this is one of those lessons I've read about in other blogs where you take a step or two backwards. There was a crosswind at this airport, and I ended up coming in steep and slow. But the landing was ok. The approach made me nervous because I'm coming in steep at low airspeed. To raise your airspeed you need to drop the nose down. But I'm already coming in steep, and close to the ground. My brain is going - Does not compute! We landed again for good measure. I explained because of the crosswind, I was trying to crab it a little. He reminded me not to do that with the flaps. Oh yeah... I did read that. There is a lot to absorb.

He asked if I could find my way back to our airport. I had a vague idea which direction I was from the airport, so I was able to get back into the general area. We got into the pattern and landed. The CFI told me to stop. I asked if the time was up. He said "no, you're going to try some landings by yourself". What??! I knew he said it was coming quickly but I really did not expect that today. Not with the winds being the way they were. But so far I've been doing ok. So he got out, and I took off. The first landing was a little short, but was ok. The 2nd and 3rd landings, I was having that same problem I was having before... too steep and too slow. They were ugly landings. I bounced the plane a few times. Ugh! CFI liked my first landing and suggested more speed and aim further down the runway. Usually I land just fine. But those last 2 landings took away from the thrill of my first solo in 19 years. As I found out later, there was a 14 knot wind 30 degrees off the runway. Not really ideal. Also, I think if I learn to aim for a point further up on the runway, and not so much flaps, I'll do better.

CFI & I will go flying again thursday to work on getting to know the area better, and then I'll go solo next week again.