That feeling of lightness inside, where everything is perfect and not a single negative thought can push its way into your mind.
I’d just landed a Cessna 152 onto the runway at East Midlands Airport. My instructor had just taken control as there were planes waiting to land behind us. We’d just followed a Ryanair Boeing 737 in to land at a 5 mile distance. This was only my second lesson…
Checklists
My instructor had me do everything today. This started with the ground checklists to ensure the plane was worthy to fly, the tanks were full, and nothing was about to fall off. Then the internal pre-flight checklist to get the engine started. Then the after start checklist. The taxying checklist and making our way rather jerkily to the holding position for the runway. The power checks came next. Then the pre-take of checks. And then finally takeoff.
Apparently this was mine. Just push the throttle in and keep pointed straight. Pull back at 65knots and that was it. I was flying. More checklists… After takeoff (FERAF) and cruise (FREDA) when reaching 1800ft.
Today’s lesson was straight and level flight. Stabilising the aircraft and trimming so that the controls could be released without the plane doing anything funny. And then at different speeds. With different levels of flaps.
Leadership
I think a flying instructor is an amazing example of a leader. My mistakes would put them in as much risk as would me. Staying calm under the pressure of having someone who has spent less than an hour in a pilots seat takes something special. Being able to judge the level of pressure for that person to thrive but not drown. And being able to guide them through something that risks life.
Landing
So we were on our return to join the circuit. With a Boeing 737 approaching from the right we were given instructions to orbit and follow in at 5 mile distance. Orbiting was fun as this was circling around a fixed point on the ground. This then continued to our landing run. Coming in whilst descending to our approach another checklist – pre-landing or BUMFPICH. My instructor in my ear talking me through it, pointing out the lines painted at the end of the runway which if I was flying correctly should be getting bigger. Feeling the wheels touch the ground, and pulling the throttle back to idle.
I am absolutely thrilled and cannot wait for my next lesson.
