Wings on High.

Ice is forming, on the tips of my wings… Condition Grounded.

Flight time was nixed yesterday, partially due to my schedule, partially due to weather.  It worked out for the best – even after I’d called my CFI to say “Hey, I don’t think I can make it” he said that an hour later it was whiteout conditions at the field.  I’m ok with letting that one go.  We needed a weekend down anyway, we’ve been packing a lot in through the weekends lately.  I’ve been ‘chair flying’ as my CFI calls it – sitting in a quiet room, just going through the steps in your mind, and physically reaching for what you’re looking to do. 

[ not to be used as an instruction manual.  do not fly with this ]

I.e., patterns.  Sitting alone, visualizing this the whole way through…

I’ve taxied to the runway.  Checked for traffic, clear.  Announce I’m taking the runway and will stay in the pattern.  (Think for a moment what i’m about to say) “Brush Traffic, Cessna121PP is at runway 35 for takeoff, will be in the pattern, Brush”.  Push the throttle in just a bit, taxi out to the numbers.  I stop, check everything again for a few seconds, make sure instruments, heading bug, everything is configured for take off.  Looks good.  I push the throttle to full for takeoff.  Have to hold it on the centerline – a bit of wind is pushing it right.  I hit 55-60kts, time to rotate – pull back on the yoke.  Feel it lift off, starting the climbout.  I pitch for speed at 65-70, climb out to 1200 ft.  I use the rudder to keep it on heading, and watch my track.  I hit 1200, so I turn left to join the crosswind leg.  Watch for the runway at 45 degrees behind me.  I’m there – so I raise the wingtip to look for traffic, then come left to join downwind.  Call it on the radio – “Brush traffic, Cessna121PP is on downwind for a touch and go, runway 35, Brush”.  Chill out for 30 seconds (my only break in the pattern).  Check the instruments, think what I need to do next… get myself ready for what’s ahead…

Halfway down the runway on the downwind stretch, reach to pull the carb heat on.  Look over, and I’m abeam the numbers, time to pull the throttle back to 2200rpm, and put in 10deg flaps.  Angle the nose down to descend maintaining 65kts.  I see the runway back at about 45 deg behind me.  Time to call it on the radio … “Brush traffic, Cessna121PP is taking base for a touch and go, runway 35, Brush” .  Lift the wing, check for traffic, then start my turn left to join the base leg, reach and put in another notch of flaps.  Pull the throttle to idle.  Keep the nose down, check speed – looks good, 65kts.  Final sneaks up quicker than you’d think.  Check altitude, it’s a bit low – I add a 1/2” throttle.  It revs up a bit, I feel it start to hold itself up a bit more.  Make my turn to final – "Brush traffic, 1PP on final runway 35, touch and go, brush”.  Put in the final notch of flaps – they’re out all the way now.  The runway’s dead ahead, and I’m looking right down the centerline.  Eyes on the PAPI – how’s my approach?  White over red – looking good… Aim the nose at the numbers.  Feel it start to glide down. 

Ok, over the numbers now.  Here’s the flare.  Pull back to bring it even with the ground – holding steady at about 15 to 20 feet up.  It’s gliding down a bit more, and then ground effect kicks in … I’m floating.  It wants to nose down, so I pull back a bit.  The stall horn kicks in (beep..beeep…)– Good!  One more gentle pull (beeeeeeeep), then one final tug on it, and the wheels take the ground – a little rough.  I’ll get that better next time.  Let the nose down a bit, the stall horn has stopped now.  But this is a touch and go!  Time to kick into gear again – I’m still rolling!  Flaps up, carb heat off, full throttle, ready for take off, rotate!  And do it all again. 

Back to reality for now.  It’s still snowing, and traffic is backing up nicely. 

Condition Grounded, but determined to try.  Next weekend.