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Flying Lesson 9
Even though most of this lesson was just more landing practice, I managed to move forward quite a bit in both landing skill and overall confidence. There was virtually no wind probably for the first time during one of my flight lessons. The calm weather conditions and blue sky with some scattered Cumulus clouds make for awesome flying. This was also my first experience striking a bird which was not a good thing. My pre-flight inspections are going faster and smoother as I am beginning to get the hang of the preflight more each time I visit the airport. The plane was out at the fuel pumps because it had just returned from a cross-country flight. The instructor was filling it with some 100LL as I arrived.
Our first takeoff is the one that grabbed my attention the most. We were heading down the runway toward a group of birds. I assumed they would fly clear of the airplane and paid them no mind. I had too many other things to think about. Well most of them cleared the prop as they scattered... with the exception of one unlucky fellow.
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The bird prety much exploded along the right side of the windshield. We took off normally but immediately truned back and landed to check for any possibility of damage. All that was left was some stains along the right side of the aircraft. There was no damage and no sign of any part of him entering the engine cowling. We immediately began our takeoffs once again.
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Some landings were smooth, some were not so smooth but I am beginning to feel more confidence especially on final approach to the runway. It seems like the confidence goes a long way in helping my actual ability to land. I have grown much more comfortable with takeoffs than with landings so this is a good thing. All I know is that my instructor said we will advance to parcticing some emergency situations during landing starting with the next lesson. Gliding landings with the throttle in the idle position as well as landing without flaps. Two situation I hope to never experience in real; flight but I can see the purpose of the training.
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