Finally I had a day start without thunderstorms. The winds were from 360 at 10 knots.
Today was a continuation of checkride prep.
We started off with a soft field takeoff. I finally got the nose up high enough today to make Bob happy. I think that was a first.
We proceeded to the west and started off with some steep turns to the left and the right. I handled those pretty well. Bob did have to remind me once to keep the bank at 45 degrees. I was not quite getting it steep enough. However I did hold my altitude and rolled out on course. We also did a low power stall, which went okay.
We next went into some slow flight. I was doing pretty good, but I still had some difficulty keeping the speed at 60 knots. It tended to go anywhere from 60 to 70, but I kept my altitude. We also did some slow speed turns which went okay.
We proceeded from slow flight to a departure stall to the left. I was still overcompensating with the right rudder and plane rolled some to right when it stalled, but I kept the plane under control lowered the nose and leveled out.
We went into some foggle practice next. We went through a series of straight and level flight, climbs, turns and VOR practice. We went through those just fine. We also did some upset recovery practice. I had been mentally rehearsing this, trying to get my reactions to be a little quicker. It seemed to payoff today. I was able to get the plane leveled out with little delay.
We next practiced S-turns and turns about a point. I had not actually done the rectangular pattern in this situation. However I do it all the time when I am in the pattern. My S-turns and turns about a point went better than before. I was picking my landmarks and managing to steer by them. Bob said they could be a little better, but they were passable.
We next did a rectangular pattern. I had not done this one in this situation, but I do rectangular patterns all the time when I am in the pattern. I had no problems flying a rectangular pattern around a square mile section of road. I compensated for the cross wind properly and followed the road.
We next did an engine out. I remembered to do my checks, but I forgot about the simulated switch to 121.5 and mayday. We had a little excitement while doing this. As I was lining up for my simulated landing in a field, I spotted a helicopter off to my left paralleling our course. So we aborted the simulated engine out and cleared the area. One other thing I need to remember for the checkride is to remember to tell the DE that just for before touching down I would crack open the doors, turn off the fuel, the master switch and magnetos.
We returned to the field where we practiced some more short and softfield takeoffs and landings. I was still late on applying 30 degrees flaps. The soft field takeoffs went well, but the short field takeoffs and landings I think could be better.
Bob also threw in a go around while I was preparing for one short field. I responded promptly this time. I got the throtte and carb heat in and I remembered to get my flaps up. Bob commented I handled that much better.
After I taxied back, Bob said he thought I was ready for my checkride and I could take off Monday and Tuesday if I wanted to. As it turns out, Bob wants to do the annual on his plane tomorrow, so there is no chance of flying Monday. However we will do one more lesson on Tuesday just to make sure I stay sharp.
Next and hopefully final lesson as a student pilot,
1July 9am.
