Rob Schaffer
Cleared for Takeoff
The day began at 4am... then 4:45,... then 5:30am,.. Ok,.. I'm getting up now. Other than those last few hours, I did get a good night sleep. Today was the day, and 8am was approaching quickly.
After getting settled in downstairs, I booted up the computer and looked at the weather. Pulled out my flight plan for the XC to Gaithersburg, MD, and started to work on the final planning. At 6:45am, I called FSS and recieved my briefing as if I was departing at 8am (1200Z). Conditions were great, and I don't think I could have recieved a better day.... it was the definition of CAVU (Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited). After finishing my flight plan, I felt better, so I decided to get ready and brush my teeth. The darndest things come into your head when brushing your teeth. Before the PE exam, I was a nervous wreck,.. and today, I was pretty good,.. then I remembered "East is Least and West is Best".... Uh O! I just did the opposite on my flight plan.... quick ran in and erased my Magnetic Headings, and fixed them,... Whew! Glad I caught that.
Packed up the car, gave Becky a hug and kiss, and off to the airport I went. I arrived just ahead of the Designated Examinger, Paul. Since he was behind me, I wonder if he read my license plate....? Abe was there and I brought my flight bag and books inside to the small office. Abe had it all nice and cozy,.. looking like an interogation room with the dim lighting and a small desk lamp looking like a spot light. Paul and Abe joked about that, and then Paul said, "Let's get started, bring me your log book and application." Abe went out to the plane to open it up, so it didn't get to hot. I went into the room, and my stomach tied in knots. Up to this point, I was pretty relaxed, but this was the part I was worried about all week.
My logbook, paperwork, and 8710 checked out fine and we began a casual conversation of why I am flying and what am I looking to get from flying. We then led into some of the FAR type questions about Pilot in Command actions and requirements to remain current, and the difference between being current and being proficient. He emphasized that safety is a priority, and recommends all new pilots to fly with an instructor every three months or so just to make sure no bad habits begin to form early in the flying experience. I stumbled here and there, but was able to briefly talk the answer out. Most of the items I knew and was prepared for, especially the airplane performance and emergency procedures.
Then came the Cross country discussion and review. Now, Gaithersburg is located inside the Washington ADIZ, which complicates things initially, but itsn't to difficult if the proper procedures are followed. I reviewed my planning, Weight and Balance, Takeoff and landing distances, Fuel, etc, and he was happy with the results. This lead into reviewing the sectional and identifying airspace and contact information for VOR's, FSS, restricted and prohibited zones, etc. I know the legend on the Sectional by memory, so this portion went really smoothly.
Ok,.. let's take a 10 minute break and then I'll meet you outside for the flight. I put some items back in the car, checked my flight bag, and met him at the door. As we walked towards the plane, I told Paul that I left the Air Conditioning on, (both doors were completely open) as we approached for the preflight. I began the preflight and he casually talked to me about the great weather and asked how much I paid the weatherman!? Getting inside, it was a tight fit. Paul is a tall guy, and even with the seat back his knees were right up to the front.
We ran through the runup, and I used my checklist well, being sure not to miss anything or hesitate. After the runup, we Taxied back on RY 9. First take-off was a soft-field Takeoff, and I'm glad it was. We are at gross weight, and I'm glad for the 10* flaps. Takeoff was perfect and we were slowly climbing,... 400 ft/min at most to hold 67 knots. Turned crosswind, then downwind and departed the pattern on my XC heading of 250*. Time Off, 10:02 am.
Got to the first checkpoint right about 2 minutes past, but that was mainly from departing runway 9 instead of 27, and with good explaination of location and ground references. On the way to the second, he said that was good enough, and we'll start manouvers. Steep turn left and right, both on the money with little to no altitude change by the time I end the roundout to the starting heading. Slow flight was next, with turns left and right about 90* each way. Directly into a power-off stall with no trouble. I was a little heavy on the rudder as the stall broke, and needed quick footwork to keep level, but good recovery. Cleaned up the airplane and entered into a Power-on stall. This was good, and I leveled off at 2600 feet with no issue. Time for some hood work. He started to rock and turn the plane before I even had the hood on,.. and continued while I was waiting to get back the controls. This messed me up a bit,.. and it was difficult to get everything solid again when I had the controls. Power, Pitch, trim,... got it all under control again and we're back on track. Did some standard rate turns and a long climb to 3000 ft while turning. Unusual attitudes were pretty easy. He said I could have been a little more agressive witht he pullout of the steep decending one, but it was smooth and didn't put pressure on the passenger or the airplane. As the hood came off, he asked me where I was. He had me oriented away from most anything familiar, so pulled up the chart and looked around. I found a lake off to my left a few miles and thought that was the one not far off my original XC flight plan. To check, I turned towards it, and dialed in the Modena VOR. Tune, Identified, Twisted the CDI to the "TO" and then the needle centered. Put my pencil on the VOR on the chart and aligned with the radial,.. sure enough, it crossed the lake I was over. "Good,... " said Paul. Let's divert to Pottstown-Muni.
Turned around, and tracked outbound from Modena to get up to Pottstown Muni. As I called the 45* entry to downwind, an Archer glipsed off to my left in a steel right turn. I turned right, and told Paul. I don't know who he was, but we weren't on the same frequency, and he didn't go to Pottstown Muni afterwards. Entered 45* for RY 26.... wait,... why am I flying for 26? Told Paul I was going around to RY 8, as we took off from 9 earlier and conditions seemed the same. "Good judgement" he said, "Do you see the wind-sock?" I looked, but couldn't find it. I continued crosswind for 8, then downwind without problem. "Soft field Landing please" he said. Entered final and lined up well, airspeed, decent, trim, flaps all set. Landed just beyond the number and held the nose up as we slowed. "Good,... now lets go back and do a Short Field Takeoff, stay in the pattern, and a Short Field Landing". Cool, Barb and I worked on these. I set the flaps at 10*, and stayed tight to the edge of the runway. Full brakes, full Power,.. and off we went. Rotated and climbed away and stayed in the pattern. Winds were slightly from the North, giving a very light crosswind. Approach to the Short field landing was to be a touchdown between the second centerline stripe after the number and the fourth. I aimed for the numbers, and rotated well,.. maybe a little high. Touchdown was right in the intended zone, and although not the smoothest, I did well,... raised the flaps, and on the brakes, holding the yoke back.
"Well, let's depart here and head back to Perkiomen, we'll do some more landings there". I left on RY 8, and headed back to N10. Winds were nearly from the North,... so either runway would do just fine. I chose to have RY 27, since it has better clearance from trees and a more familiar approach. On downwind, he gave me an engine out to landing. I set for 60 knots, and tuned base a little early since I'd be having a headwind here. Added 10* flaps,... looks good. Turned final,.. added 20*,.. no,.. now 30*,... nice and good, looking comfortable. Super sweet landing with no trouble,.. couldn't have been better. I turned around, and expected to go up again for another round of testing,... Paul said,.. "That was nice, let's go on in." Hmm,.. I know I did well, but he was writing a lot down. As I turned onto the ramp, he Congradulated me and reminded me that this is the beginning, the License to Learn. After Shut down, he shook my hand and called me "Pilot",.... what a great feeling. I cleaned up the plane and then met him inside, where he was filling out my temporary certificate. "Read this, make sure it's correct"
"Temporary Airman Certificate" !!! I was extatic just seeing it. I called my wife, then my Mom to see if she could babysit,.. (so I could have my wife come over to the airport), and then my dad, and then my wife again. It's great.
After a few minutes and a few photos (My instructor Barb and I), I departed for home in the car. Kind of a let down having the checkride in the middle of the week. Everyone's working, and here I am ready to fly! Luckily, I was able to get a sitter for tonight and I'm going to try and take Becky up, should be a nice evening to try it! Called Lee, stopped in to see Bob at his work,... and then walked in the door at home. It feels great,... now to see where the NorthEast flyer's are meeting next!
And,.. of course, my daughter's and wife made another great poster!
Friday, June 13th, 4pm, WINGs Field,.. be there.
After getting settled in downstairs, I booted up the computer and looked at the weather. Pulled out my flight plan for the XC to Gaithersburg, MD, and started to work on the final planning. At 6:45am, I called FSS and recieved my briefing as if I was departing at 8am (1200Z). Conditions were great, and I don't think I could have recieved a better day.... it was the definition of CAVU (Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited). After finishing my flight plan, I felt better, so I decided to get ready and brush my teeth. The darndest things come into your head when brushing your teeth. Before the PE exam, I was a nervous wreck,.. and today, I was pretty good,.. then I remembered "East is Least and West is Best".... Uh O! I just did the opposite on my flight plan.... quick ran in and erased my Magnetic Headings, and fixed them,... Whew! Glad I caught that.
Packed up the car, gave Becky a hug and kiss, and off to the airport I went. I arrived just ahead of the Designated Examinger, Paul. Since he was behind me, I wonder if he read my license plate....? Abe was there and I brought my flight bag and books inside to the small office. Abe had it all nice and cozy,.. looking like an interogation room with the dim lighting and a small desk lamp looking like a spot light. Paul and Abe joked about that, and then Paul said, "Let's get started, bring me your log book and application." Abe went out to the plane to open it up, so it didn't get to hot. I went into the room, and my stomach tied in knots. Up to this point, I was pretty relaxed, but this was the part I was worried about all week.
My logbook, paperwork, and 8710 checked out fine and we began a casual conversation of why I am flying and what am I looking to get from flying. We then led into some of the FAR type questions about Pilot in Command actions and requirements to remain current, and the difference between being current and being proficient. He emphasized that safety is a priority, and recommends all new pilots to fly with an instructor every three months or so just to make sure no bad habits begin to form early in the flying experience. I stumbled here and there, but was able to briefly talk the answer out. Most of the items I knew and was prepared for, especially the airplane performance and emergency procedures.
Then came the Cross country discussion and review. Now, Gaithersburg is located inside the Washington ADIZ, which complicates things initially, but itsn't to difficult if the proper procedures are followed. I reviewed my planning, Weight and Balance, Takeoff and landing distances, Fuel, etc, and he was happy with the results. This lead into reviewing the sectional and identifying airspace and contact information for VOR's, FSS, restricted and prohibited zones, etc. I know the legend on the Sectional by memory, so this portion went really smoothly.
Ok,.. let's take a 10 minute break and then I'll meet you outside for the flight. I put some items back in the car, checked my flight bag, and met him at the door. As we walked towards the plane, I told Paul that I left the Air Conditioning on, (both doors were completely open) as we approached for the preflight. I began the preflight and he casually talked to me about the great weather and asked how much I paid the weatherman!? Getting inside, it was a tight fit. Paul is a tall guy, and even with the seat back his knees were right up to the front.
We ran through the runup, and I used my checklist well, being sure not to miss anything or hesitate. After the runup, we Taxied back on RY 9. First take-off was a soft-field Takeoff, and I'm glad it was. We are at gross weight, and I'm glad for the 10* flaps. Takeoff was perfect and we were slowly climbing,... 400 ft/min at most to hold 67 knots. Turned crosswind, then downwind and departed the pattern on my XC heading of 250*. Time Off, 10:02 am.
Got to the first checkpoint right about 2 minutes past, but that was mainly from departing runway 9 instead of 27, and with good explaination of location and ground references. On the way to the second, he said that was good enough, and we'll start manouvers. Steep turn left and right, both on the money with little to no altitude change by the time I end the roundout to the starting heading. Slow flight was next, with turns left and right about 90* each way. Directly into a power-off stall with no trouble. I was a little heavy on the rudder as the stall broke, and needed quick footwork to keep level, but good recovery. Cleaned up the airplane and entered into a Power-on stall. This was good, and I leveled off at 2600 feet with no issue. Time for some hood work. He started to rock and turn the plane before I even had the hood on,.. and continued while I was waiting to get back the controls. This messed me up a bit,.. and it was difficult to get everything solid again when I had the controls. Power, Pitch, trim,... got it all under control again and we're back on track. Did some standard rate turns and a long climb to 3000 ft while turning. Unusual attitudes were pretty easy. He said I could have been a little more agressive witht he pullout of the steep decending one, but it was smooth and didn't put pressure on the passenger or the airplane. As the hood came off, he asked me where I was. He had me oriented away from most anything familiar, so pulled up the chart and looked around. I found a lake off to my left a few miles and thought that was the one not far off my original XC flight plan. To check, I turned towards it, and dialed in the Modena VOR. Tune, Identified, Twisted the CDI to the "TO" and then the needle centered. Put my pencil on the VOR on the chart and aligned with the radial,.. sure enough, it crossed the lake I was over. "Good,... " said Paul. Let's divert to Pottstown-Muni.
Turned around, and tracked outbound from Modena to get up to Pottstown Muni. As I called the 45* entry to downwind, an Archer glipsed off to my left in a steel right turn. I turned right, and told Paul. I don't know who he was, but we weren't on the same frequency, and he didn't go to Pottstown Muni afterwards. Entered 45* for RY 26.... wait,... why am I flying for 26? Told Paul I was going around to RY 8, as we took off from 9 earlier and conditions seemed the same. "Good judgement" he said, "Do you see the wind-sock?" I looked, but couldn't find it. I continued crosswind for 8, then downwind without problem. "Soft field Landing please" he said. Entered final and lined up well, airspeed, decent, trim, flaps all set. Landed just beyond the number and held the nose up as we slowed. "Good,... now lets go back and do a Short Field Takeoff, stay in the pattern, and a Short Field Landing". Cool, Barb and I worked on these. I set the flaps at 10*, and stayed tight to the edge of the runway. Full brakes, full Power,.. and off we went. Rotated and climbed away and stayed in the pattern. Winds were slightly from the North, giving a very light crosswind. Approach to the Short field landing was to be a touchdown between the second centerline stripe after the number and the fourth. I aimed for the numbers, and rotated well,.. maybe a little high. Touchdown was right in the intended zone, and although not the smoothest, I did well,... raised the flaps, and on the brakes, holding the yoke back.
"Well, let's depart here and head back to Perkiomen, we'll do some more landings there". I left on RY 8, and headed back to N10. Winds were nearly from the North,... so either runway would do just fine. I chose to have RY 27, since it has better clearance from trees and a more familiar approach. On downwind, he gave me an engine out to landing. I set for 60 knots, and tuned base a little early since I'd be having a headwind here. Added 10* flaps,... looks good. Turned final,.. added 20*,.. no,.. now 30*,... nice and good, looking comfortable. Super sweet landing with no trouble,.. couldn't have been better. I turned around, and expected to go up again for another round of testing,... Paul said,.. "That was nice, let's go on in." Hmm,.. I know I did well, but he was writing a lot down. As I turned onto the ramp, he Congradulated me and reminded me that this is the beginning, the License to Learn. After Shut down, he shook my hand and called me "Pilot",.... what a great feeling. I cleaned up the plane and then met him inside, where he was filling out my temporary certificate. "Read this, make sure it's correct"
"Temporary Airman Certificate" !!! I was extatic just seeing it. I called my wife, then my Mom to see if she could babysit,.. (so I could have my wife come over to the airport), and then my dad, and then my wife again. It's great.
After a few minutes and a few photos (My instructor Barb and I), I departed for home in the car. Kind of a let down having the checkride in the middle of the week. Everyone's working, and here I am ready to fly! Luckily, I was able to get a sitter for tonight and I'm going to try and take Becky up, should be a nice evening to try it! Called Lee, stopped in to see Bob at his work,... and then walked in the door at home. It feels great,... now to see where the NorthEast flyer's are meeting next!
And,.. of course, my daughter's and wife made another great poster!
Friday, June 13th, 4pm, WINGs Field,.. be there.
Last edited:
I LOVE that your family is so supportive of your flying.
