Flight Lesson: 10-28-09

Did some Instrument Work (hood) today. Also got to take my first flight in a Cessna 172.

Just as I always do, I got to the airport about 30-45 minutes early to watch the other Aircraft. It was very windy, with a strong south wind blowing 17 knots, gusting to 30 knots. Me and my CFI walked over the the plane (C152) and I started my preflight inspection, while he went to get the headsets out of the 172 (It was in the hanger getting an oil change). So after I finished the Preflight I waited for my CFI to get back. He taxied his 172 from the hanger and said "Well, I guess we should take her for a test Flight ehh?" so he slid over to the right seat and I got in the Left. So we taxied down to One Seven and took off and did one round in the Traffic Pattern and boy it was alot different than the C152 I normally Fly. Tons better Visibility, alot faster, and I could also tell the controls were alot harder to move due to the obviously bigger, heavier Airplane. The landing was quite rough as I was not used to the feel of a 172.

So after we secured the 172 we hopped in the 152 and took off for some Simulated Instrument work. After take off I put on the Foggles and climbed up to 1,500ft. After a few Standard Rate Turns we started to do Abnormal Attitudes. First off was Nose low in a bank, and then Nose High with a Bank, all of which I handled very well.

We entered the Pattern at a 45 degree angle for Runway One Seven. I made a very smooth landing right on the center stripe despite the winds blowing 17kts and gusts to 30kts. with a slight left crosswind.

I now have 28.8 total hours logged.

Till Next time,
Dustin