121Dispatch
Pre-takeoff checklist
I started my commercial training back in the fall with the expectation of finishing by the holidays. Well, projects intensified at work, then the holidays came along, then I thought I should spend some time studying for the written test before spending more $$$ on airplanes, then it was time for a vacation - so my wife and I went out of town for a couple weeks. (Excuses excuses...)
Well, I took the written a few weeks ago (passed with a 98%). Now I'm dedicated to getting the check ride completed by mid-march.
Now to the real point of this thread---Back in the fall when I initially started my commercial training, I had just spent the previous year flying everywhere IFR. When I wasn't flying trips myself, I was acting as safety pilot for a buddy working on his IR. Well, after all that "eyes on the guages," I had a tough time transitioning back to the outside world. My Lazy 8s and Chandelles were less than ideal. I started doing some research on how to do the maneuvers better. Several people told me to get off the instruments, visualize the maneuver, then point the nose where I wanted it to go. I spent the past couple non-flying months trying to visualize how the maneuvers should look outside the window. Well, I got back in the air this morning, and did just that, and WOW, what a difference!!! I felt like I could have done these maneuvers for hours today...they are much more fun when done accurately.
Anyways, I just wanted to pass along some advice that greatly helped me. For those that may be transitioning to commercial right after instruments...get your eyes back outside, and forget those instruments for awhile. Some folks said I should even cover the instruments to force my eyes outside...that may be a bit extreme, but if that's what it takes, go for it.
Well, I took the written a few weeks ago (passed with a 98%). Now I'm dedicated to getting the check ride completed by mid-march.
Now to the real point of this thread---Back in the fall when I initially started my commercial training, I had just spent the previous year flying everywhere IFR. When I wasn't flying trips myself, I was acting as safety pilot for a buddy working on his IR. Well, after all that "eyes on the guages," I had a tough time transitioning back to the outside world. My Lazy 8s and Chandelles were less than ideal. I started doing some research on how to do the maneuvers better. Several people told me to get off the instruments, visualize the maneuver, then point the nose where I wanted it to go. I spent the past couple non-flying months trying to visualize how the maneuvers should look outside the window. Well, I got back in the air this morning, and did just that, and WOW, what a difference!!! I felt like I could have done these maneuvers for hours today...they are much more fun when done accurately.
Anyways, I just wanted to pass along some advice that greatly helped me. For those that may be transitioning to commercial right after instruments...get your eyes back outside, and forget those instruments for awhile. Some folks said I should even cover the instruments to force my eyes outside...that may be a bit extreme, but if that's what it takes, go for it.