Meandering's of the mind

ozziecat35

ozziecat35

4 out of 5 great lakes prefer Michigan.
Did my BFR (sorry, "Flight Review") yesterday, and realized how cocooned I had been from all my training. I'm starting my second season of photo survey, and we're based out of a small 1,400 ft grass strip with powerlines across the approach path. It was my first grass experience in my 260 hours. Throughout the season last year, I got more and more comfortable with landing on other grass strips during fuel stops, and actually have begun to prefer grass strips for stopping distance.

Anywho, back to the point. During my flight review we're almost done, maybe 4 miles from the airport, 2,000 MSL, CFI reaches over and simulates an engine failure. after running the checklist, I pick a relatively small corn field, and since we're over BFE, we get relatively low, but in an emergency, I would have had no qualms about setting down there, and being confident in my ability to do so. We also battled a pretty stiff 18 knot direct crosswind back at the airport, that I was able to manage.

I guess the point is, I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but instead think back on right after the ink was wet on my certificates, everything mentioned above would have seemed too daunting to even attempt, and I would have stayed on the ground. Pushing your limits can be a good thing in the right situation (I'm not advocating a 50 hour PPL go up in a 172 and fight a 20 knot crosswind). But I'm thankful for the experiences I've been pushed into, and as such it's made me a better pilot. Next time you're up, maybe ask for the crosswind runway, or get with a CFI and go into some grass strips. It'll make you a safer pilot.

Cheers.
 
I had a moment similar to that one morning while I was flying cargo. I was hand flying in solid IMC trying to pick my way through embedded tstorms in northern Texas...and realized that I was not consciously trying to fly the aircraft, but rather was fairly engrossed in eating the apple that was my breakfast. It is rather amusing when you think back on how the pilot that you were just a year ago would have viewed the same situation that you are in now.
 
ozziecat35 said:
Did my BFR (sorry, "Flight Review") yesterday, and realized how cocooned I had been from all my training. I'm starting my second season of photo survey, and we're based out of a small 1,400 ft grass strip with powerlines across the approach path. It was my first grass experience in my 260 hours. Throughout the season last year, I got more and more comfortable with landing on other grass strips during fuel stops, and actually have begun to prefer grass strips for stopping distance.

Anywho, back to the point. During my flight review we're almost done, maybe 4 miles from the airport, 2,000 MSL, CFI reaches over and simulates an engine failure. after running the checklist, I pick a relatively small corn field, and since we're over BFE, we get relatively low, but in an emergency, I would have had no qualms about setting down there, and being confident in my ability to do so. We also battled a pretty stiff 18 knot direct crosswind back at the airport, that I was able to manage.

I guess the point is, I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but instead think back on right after the ink was wet on my certificates, everything mentioned above would have seemed too daunting to even attempt, and I would have stayed on the ground. Pushing your limits can be a good thing in the right situation (I'm not advocating a 50 hour PPL go up in a 172 and fight a 20 knot crosswind). But I'm thankful for the experiences I've been pushed into, and as such it's made me a better pilot. Next time you're up, maybe ask for the crosswind runway, or get with a CFI and go into some grass strips. It'll make you a safer pilot.

Cheers.
Click to expand...
When I was cfi ing full time, I never signed a student off before being successful at clearview and grass strip of choice. Clearview was 25x1800 and the grass is the grass.
Also, used canceled days due to crosswind/wind to call up folks close to check ride to give em a little thrill and experience.
Other than tooting MY own horn, I think we would serve our students well showing them something near the limits...
A monkey could fly the plane if nothing went wrong...please remember that last sentence while teaching brain surgeons to fly planes...
 
ozziecat35 said:
I luckily was able avoid the fireball fury. Notice I disappeared every 20 minutes or so? Yeah I had my own handle of Captain and 2 liter of Coke upstairs...screw the PH bar prices!
Click to expand...
Yeah between the prices and me missing every round Todd bought, it was a little rough on the wallet..I did receive a few subsidies, thank you @jskibo and @Bumblebee, otherwise, money well spent!
And you should of seen the roast beef the last night, no really, best ever...
 
I have never done the grass strip, in an airplane. I've landed in some interesting places under a parachute before. However cross winds, that is a different story flying those crazy people who ride the nylon elevator I have become comfortable with cross winds. The question is how do you find someone who is into grass strips to give you their take on it?
 
Hawks said:
I have never done the grass strip, in an airplane. I've landed in some interesting places under a parachute before. However cross winds, that is a different story flying those crazy people who ride the nylon elevator I have become comfortable with cross winds. The question is how do you find someone who is into grass strips to give you their take on it?
Click to expand...
Where are you located? I'll take you into some nice grass strips...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top