My Student Pilot's Log: Presolo

Flights 12-14

Flight 12: Fri, Dec 22. (1.2/14.1)

This was the first full day of winter, with weather to match. Today was the coldest day I've flown (about 50 at 3pm) and the cloudiest (but with a 12,000 foot ceiling, not a problem). That's not beach weather, but great flying weather. The cold improves the plane's performance, and the clouds make it a poor day for sightseeing, thus reducing the traffic. For the first time, we didn't leave the pattern. I did nine landings, about six of which were good ones, and maybe 80 percent of the radio work.

My CFI did what he could to distract me, but I didn't fall for it. (At least I have to assume that's what he was doing when he started explaining something off-topic just as I was starting the turn to base.) Some of my turns are still too steep, and I'm still getting a bit off course from the wind, but overall it was a great day.

Flight 13: Sat, Dec 23. (1.1/15.2)

Today was much like yesterday, but better. It was sunny, all the landings were decent to good, I did all the radio work, I passed the informal distraction test, and best of all, I was told it would be a good idea to have my pre-solo exam completed before the next flight.

Flight 14: Sat, Dec 30: The First Little Plateau. (1.1/16.3)

I had wondered when I would finally hit a plateau, and today I got the answer. It was not a bad day overall, but just not as good as last time. There were a few factors which varied enough to make a difference. It was warmer and humid, visibility was the lowest so far (7 miles), the wind was almost directly across the runway (instead of straight down it like last week), and it had been a week since my last lesson (instead of less than a day).

My biggest problem was probably some pre-solo nervousness. (Until today I didn't have to be concerned about a solo, since I hadn't taken the exam. I had a whole week to wonder whether today would be the day. That's up to my CFI, obviously, but he can't make the decision in advance, not knowing what my performance level or the weather will be.)

Today was another day of touch & goes. My landings were still OK for the most part; if I hadn't had the previous flight that went better, I would have been satisfied. I guess that's the nature of flying- just when you think you have something down pat, conditions will eventually change enough to make it a challenge again.

Glossary