better part of valor

Tomorrow's weather looks awful, so I checked the forecasts and DUATS for today. Things looked good, so I called the school. All three planes were available; I could just drop in. I called the ASOS and winds were from 300 at 10kts, so things sounded good.

I got to the school and called one of the CFIs to get the sign-off needed. No problem; winds are low enough and not far off the runway. "Have a good flight."

I picked out 13081, as that's the one I used for my first solo, and I wanted to fly it again since it'd been out of commission for quite a while. I took off from 32 and started a pretty good climb. I was ready for it, but there wasn't much of a bump going over the river.

I turned crosswind, and the tower asked me to check my transponder. I did, and turned downwind, with a pretty sloppy turn. He said he was getting a reply but no altitude. I fiddled with the knob; something must be loose. I reported midfield and set up for a landing.

I controlled my airspeed more than usual, but had trouble trimming and getting stable. At least the usual turbulence coming into 32 wasn't there. I got down and floated for a while. Once bounce, and then slowed to taxi without running out of runway, but it was anything but graceful. Then I realized how far behind the plane I was -- I got off at Foxtrot rather than Echo. The tower called to ask my intentions, and told me he'd direct me back.

It was a long taxi back to the runway, having blown that turn. I got clearance and took off again. The crosswind and downwind were a little better this time, but -200 feet at midfield. I set up to land and realized that I was actually doing worse than last time. Airspeed started to pick up, and I was too low too far out. I pitched up and applied some power to get in. I touched down better, and was able to make it to taxiway Delta after a fashion, but, again, not at all clean.

So, I taxied back to the ramp and called it a day. Just 0.5 on the Hobbs. I know I need more practice on pattern work, but obviously not if I'm having a day that's this far off.

Posted at 02:09PM Jan 10, 2008 by carlson in Aviation  |