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Flying Lesson 6
Lesson 6 was definitely a lesson I'll never forget. This was probably the first time I had a flying lesson with no wind whatsoever. My instructor said this was the perfect day to get started on landings and I was ready. We practiced a rectangular pattern in the airspace around the airport at 2000' which is the altitude for maneuvering in the area of our airport. I'm not sure if this is standard practice or if it determined by individual airports. He wanted me to duplicate the same pattern, airspeed, and altitude repeatedly so I could get comfortable with the final approach.
My flight instructor stressed that the purpose of the lesson was not the landing itself but the approach that needed to be fairly accurate before I should worry about setting the plane down on the runway. We must have landed and taken off a dozen times. We even reversed direction and took off from both runways. I did my best to remember where and when to lower the flaps, turn on the carb heat, and reduce the throttle. My mistakes were almost always the same, too little airspeed and not enough altitude. This part of flying seems like it will require quite a bit more practice and patience. I consider this to be one of the most important parts of flying... what good is flying a plane at all if you can't safely set it back on the ground. Overall we performed some very nice landings and the last one for the day I actually tried by myself. Let's just say, I'm not ready to land an airplane solo at this point.
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I also had an appointment for a 3rd class medical exam this week. Of course I was a little nervous not knowing what to expect, but the exam went well and it wasn't nearly as intense as I thought it would be. Typical basic physical with height, weight, blood pressure, reflex tests, and a urine analysis. The FAA doctor checked my ears, nose, and throat also. Plenty of breathe in-and-out and heart monitoring with a stethescope. There was a pretty serious eye test on a machine with which I faired borderline passing (may need contacts down the road) along with plenty of follow-the-light and pupil dilation. The doctor took the time to explain the urinalysis to me. Three tests needed to be done, a check for sugar, a check for protein, and a check for blood.
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The medical questioneer also included questions regarding legal troubles operating a motor vehicle including whether or not I've ever been convicted of DUI or any other misdemeanor or felony motor vehicle offenses. I didn't bother asking what they had to do with a medical exam, I just assumed it was to help in determining any type of past substance abuse.
Anyways, I walked out the door of the FAA doctor's office and went on my way with my 3rd class medical certificate in hand eager to take it along for next week's lesson. The FAA recently extended these medical certificates for those under 40 year old from 36 to 60 months. The doctor said this is meant to encourage younger people to take up flying. I happen to be on the edge of 40 (within a few months) and the doctor said he could not give me the 60 month version. I wasn't upset in the least, I just went on my way happy to have passed.
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