Did I actually go anywhere?

Tonight I planned on completing my night time requirements. The CFI wanted me to plot a trip to Beaumont for my night time cross country, which would take care of that, and also my 3 hrs of night time requirements. Thankfully the CFI remembered that I needed 6 more landings as well for my night time requirements.

When the CFI came I met him outside and asked what direction that large flickering thunderhead was. SE he said. Good, that will be out of our way. We were going east and northeast. So we went over the trip plan, preflighted the plane, and checked the gas. There was 16 gallons in the plane. The trip would be 1 hr, 20 mins. Regulations call for a reserve of 45 mins extra for night time trips (I did know that). So we actually needed 18. Again, I had to refill the plane.

It must have gotten good and dark right as we took off. There was a full moon again, so it wouldn't actually get really dark. It was a full moon on my last night time flight. I guess it will be quite an experience when I really fly at night with no moon. It was really beautiful though, looking at all those lights. And the experience was much nicer in the 172 than in the 150. I'm glad I have flown both at night to compare. The 172 has a nicer cockpit. The brightness of the cockpit matches perfectly with the lighting outside of the city lights. And then the bright moon above to the right, and the flickering storm clouds a head. It just all looked really cool.

We made it to the VOR across Galveston Bay. Then turned towards Beaumont. The 172 was equipped to show the distance to/from the VOR, which was really nice for navigating. No triangulating necessary. Just a direction and a distance and you know exactly where you are, and exactly when you'll see the next airport.

I found Beaumont's airport, entered a right hand pattern, and did two touch & gos, and then went on to Chamber County airport (T00). I eventually found that one, which was kinda nestled in all the surrounding city lights. Did 2 landings there, and then once I was back in the air again, the CFI placed the sun-shade over my view of the window. It was now instrument time :) I flew back to the Trinity VOR. Instruments were no problem. I thought they told me everything I needed to know. Although the sun-shade did block the air as well, and it was getting hot. I arrived at the VOR and turned back towards LVJ and flew 20 miles. The CFI then removed the screen and wanted to see if I could find the airport. I was 4 miles from it. Then I remembered the last time I flew to LVJ at night. We flew right over it and didn't see it until the CFI keyed the mic 7 times to turn on the lights. So I keyed the mic. Nothing happened anywhere. I couldn't find it. I tried again, and still nothing. So I circled around. I did see a dark region in the middle of the sea of Houston lights. But the lights should have been on by now. CFI then realized I was transmitting on the wrong radio, and switched me to the right one. Then it worked. I did 2 more landings, and got my 10 landings in. We came to a stop and completed the trip.

Did I actually go anywhere? Flying at night seems so surreal to me. Unless I actually get out at my destination and see that I'm in a new place, it all seems a little dream like, floating thought all those lights. Something must have happened though because I can now check off the 100 nm night time cross country and 10 night time landings, as well as 3 hrs of night flying! :)

Can you tell I'm getting anxious for my license? I just have 1.2 hours to go on instrument time and the test, and I'm ready for my check ride. I told him I'm ready to take my written exam this coming week. I'm not scoring as high as I would like to on the practice tests -- about 80-85 now. But I figure if I set a date, that will get my butt into gear to study more for it. He signed me off to take it, and so I think I'll take it either thursday or friday.

Well it's late, and I'm ready for bed. Gnite :)

p.s. That thunderhead is still flickering in the exact same spot as when I left lol