le vent qui souffle à travers mes ailes
The white dust has died down. After a weekend in which my dad was very generous in his efforts to spackle and sand the two main bedroom closets (rather large ones), the all-pervasive white dust that had collected in varying thicknesses on every flat surface in the house has been taken care of. Mostly. I put a drop cloth over my bed and computer and most of the floors have been cleaned, but the dust is still turning up in crevices here and there. But it’s nothing a damp paper towel can’t pick up.
Went out to a nice local brewery with Stephen last night. We traded turns prattling on about events in our respective spheres, he about business school and college football, and me about flying and my experiences with PBC. He’s a generous conversationalist and I enjoy his company greatly. I had a nice amber pilsner, not too bitter. Very tasty. Stephen had a darker lager which I think I’ll try next time I’m there. It looked quite good.
Second flight block was yesterday morning. I did some stupid things but overall I’m getting a bit more comfortable in the cockpit. The preflight went well, but as soon as I started the engine on the ramp I realized I had forgotten my headset. So with it idling I had to jump out and run over to the plane next to which Rick was standing (he had just finished a flight) and grab his headset. So I didn’t have to run all the way back to the trailer, but I felt dumb nevertheless. I took off, with assistance, and did most of the radio communication (i.e. “Sugar Valley traffic, Skyhawk 9886 Golf, leaving pattern to the north and climbing to 1500, Sugar Valley”). Did lots of turns to headings, climbs, descents, and a power off glide during which we got within about 7-800 feet of the ground before pushing the throttle all the way in again and climbing out. I was complimented on my ability to hold the airplane at a reasonably constant altitude. No unassisted landings yet–we still have a few lessons before we get to those.
One thing I will say–unless there is some freak occurrence or another driver decides to, say, blatantly ignore all traffic rules and plunge through intersections, there is no way I will get in a car accident driving home after a flight block. My situational awareness is so keyed-up from flying that I notice everything, but everything, as I’m tooling down the road. Let’s say we do about five things simultaneously while driving, and several of those we don’t really have to devote our undivided attention… While flying, about twenty things require your full attention at any one time, so coming back to the car afterward is like a walk in the park. There’s a reason there aren’t stereo systems in airplanes. There’s no leeway for zoning out.
We’re doing stalls tomorrow. Happy fun joy.
Glad you were able to hang out with Steve for a while. It’s kind of sad when old friends move away and you just dont get the ‘hang time’ with them that you used to take for granted. Steve’s definately a conversationalist, that’s for sure. :)
“I did some stupid things but overall I’m getting a bit more comfortable in the cockpit.” – Sounds like me in karate class…at least that’s the way i feel.
Wow. Seems like they’re progressing you pretty fast as a pilot. (Yes, i know that’s a horrible sentence.) Awesome.
I get that way about driving sometimes. But then again, i’m just inexplicably paranoid at times.
Stalls, eh? Sounds fun. Do they give you parachutes?? As long as you answer your phone later that afternoon…reminds me of a quote: “If you’re alive you ANSWER your phone!”
Oh, and i didn’t think you drank beer! Amazing. The things you learn about people when you move away…(and keep a livejournal :).
Sounds great Matt!!! I am so glad you are enjoying it!
I really like Steve. He talks, sure, but he rarely talks just for the sake of talking–there’s substance there and he thinks about things. I appreciate that.
I was just thinking earlier this evening about the similarities between learning to fly and learning a martial arts discipline. Both place a high degree of emphasis on situational awareness, and both have complex strings of procedures to memorize and perform. I’m starting to realize that part of the reason we’re so in awe of the apparent level of skill of good pilots and martial artists is just because they have their “moves,” as it were, down pat and can do them instinctively. So what looks spontaneous to us has actually been rehearsed ad nauseam.
That actually sounds a bit like a Steve quote.
Yes, I drink beer every now and then. David and I have gone out for a drink a couple of times. He’s quite the connoisseur :)
Thanks Andrea :) I am, very much.
/es/\\e
Good, now you know where to go get a drink!
I’m loving that your flying… love’n it. Definitely can picture you starting the plane and then hopping out to get a headset though… your going to be a great pilot.
I’m getting a kick out of “We’re doing stalls tomorrow.” sounds like you work in the stables or a cubicle assembly crew… ahhh yeah enjoyed that line.
Thanks Leslie :) Your encouragement means a lot. Confidence and skill go hand in hand, so encouragement to build up that confidence is relished. Thank you :)
Hope you’re having a wonderful Thursday!