Patch's Flight Schools Guide

I passed my check-ride in August of 2007 and then moved to Florida.  When I got here, I was starting a new job and didn’t have a lot of time on my hands.  I also spent most of my extra money on flying lessons, so I didn’t have a lot left over for fun.

Finally, after almost 9 months, I decided to get checked out and start flying down here.  I spent some time checking out the various flight schools and the planes for rent.  I found the perfect aircraft, a Piper Archer III from Skywalker Aviation.   I talked to some other people who have rented the plane and even walked over to the mechanic on the field and asked about it.  Everything looked great.

I was ready to rent and all I needed was to do a basic checkout flight.  I walked into this knowing I had a lot of rust to knock off because I was dealing with five factors that complicated the normal checkout procedure:

1. I only had about 53 hours total time flying.
2. I hadn’t flown in 9 months.
3. The combination of 1 & 2 makes matters worse
4. I learned in a high-wing (C-172P) and was getting checked out in a low-wing (Piper Archer III)
5. I was in very unfamiliar airspace.

All of this added up to me expecting things to be a little rough.  But, I didn’t realize how rough.  Don’t get me wrong, I was feeling comfortable in the plane, but I wasn’t sure of all the communication procedures.  I flew out of an uncontrolled airport the first time (KLNA) so all I had to really do is call out my position when it changed.

The first flight

This was basic stuff.  Learned the walk-around on this aircraft and found my way around the control panel.  The flight controls were pretty standard, so that wasn’t a big deal (different throttle than the 172).  I had some time to go over the Vy, Vx, Vno, and all the other V’s, so I kind of knew those.  We did your basic manuevers including slow flight, power on and power off stalls and unusual attitudes.  All was fairly good.  When I came back in to LNA my pattern wasn’t very precise.  My speeds were too fast and my first approach was too high (this is MUCH better than too slow and too low, but still not good).  I did another one and it was better.  The CFI said “We’ll go up 1 more time to work on patterns and you’ll be all checked out.”

The second flight

This was simple pattern work at KLNA.  I felt good about this one and thought I was getting the feel back.  Mechanically, I knew what to do at each phase, but making it all fluid is another thing entirely.  After about 7 landings (can’t use the A/C when in the pattern) I was dripping in sweat but felt like I had made some big improvements.  I had already scheduled the aircraft for the next day to go up with my wife and daughter (and the CFI).

The third flight

I was feeling better about my pattern work, so I asked the CFI to take me around the airspace so I could get familiar with it all.  KLNA is right smack dab in the middle of a class charlie space (KPBI) and there’s Delta, Charlie and Bravo airspace all over South Florida.  We flew from KLNA up the coast at 1000′ to KSUA.  From there we flew back down the coast to KPBI (class C) where I did a stop and go with a taxi back.  Then it was back to LNA where I had a go-around.

I still had some trouble with the patterns.  But, the biggest thing that freaked me out was getting back on that radio. I learned to fly in a class C airspace (KGEG), so I wasn’t familiar, BUT…  and this is what gets me, when I flew back into KGEG I knew (based on landmarks) when I needed to contact approach.  Today, when I was flying into KSUA I was supposed to turn from the coast, head west and catch the left downwind on the 45.  I didn’t really understand what he wanted from me and so he ended up having me follow another aircraft into the field.  I didn’t know WHEN I should turn in to catch the 45.  How far out do I do that?  Is it my discretion?  It’s a controlled airport, I didn’t want to turn to a different heading without the CT telling me.  I was just a little apprehensive.

I just don’t feel sharp enough on that radio.  It’s strange.  I work on the radio all day  (but it’s a music radio station), but I never know what to say and when.  I did pick up a copy of Say Again, Please but when I read that, I can R-E-A-D it.  When I’m flying, the numbers, headings, squawk codes and altitudes come at you fast and furious.

I found with some of my calls I was giving too much info and on others I wasn’t giving enough.  Do I tell them my intentions during that first call or do I just say “hey, I’m here”?  Also, with so many airports in the area, sometimes you’re talking to one while you’re tuning in the next one so you can monitor because it’s just down the coast.  It’s a lot to do for a green pilot like me.  I look forward to the day I can get on there and know exactly what I need to tell them and not second guess myself.

If you not flown in a while and you’re about to get back into it, take some time to learn the ropes of the radio.  It will save you a lot of headaches. Also, go up as Pilot In COMMAND.  Don’t assume the CFI will get you out of jam if you get into one. Be CONFIDENT!

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