rottydaddy
En-Route
Finally got that much-awaited first lesson of 2009 in Monday, after hanging around all day Sunday hoping the wind would behave (it never did).
Did two flights, first getting off at 3000 and spending an hour chasing very strong but narrow thermals (only got to 3800 max, but spent a lot of time in zero lift), then getting off at 2500 after boxing the wake twice.
The 2-33 sure is a lot quieter now, especially as you enter a stall... tighter fabric and probably a more-solid elevator must be the cause for that. It used to sound (to me) like the tail was going to come off as the buffeting started, now it's very gentle, but still that reliable 2-33 rumble. She's a bit lighter than before, and can be flown a bit slower. The repaired trim ratchet is a huge help there, as well. We'd also put a new axle in, so she rolls a bit quieter on the paved runway, too.
As for me, I did OK... pretty uneven on the first tow, and just awful IMHO on my first box, but by the second box I had most of the kinks out. Did the first pattern entry from the downwind side, then one with a midfield cross... pretty happy with my patterns and landings, although I crowded the runway a little on the second downwind leg for some reason.
The instructor was satisfied, and even commented that he was surprised how quickly I got back into the groove. I'm inclined to agree, although I can see how much rust removal I have yet to do before I can solo. Not surprisingly, it's the mental stuff- checklists, scanning, etc- that need the most work. But it will all gel soon enough.
It was great to just get up there and fly that old crate again... I was glad to see I hadn't completely forgotten how to do the standard things (didn't forget my "200 feet" callout, LOL), but the best parts for me were just silly things like big swooping turns and a nice deep slip into the pattern on the second flight.
I think this will be a pretty good season...
Did two flights, first getting off at 3000 and spending an hour chasing very strong but narrow thermals (only got to 3800 max, but spent a lot of time in zero lift), then getting off at 2500 after boxing the wake twice.
The 2-33 sure is a lot quieter now, especially as you enter a stall... tighter fabric and probably a more-solid elevator must be the cause for that. It used to sound (to me) like the tail was going to come off as the buffeting started, now it's very gentle, but still that reliable 2-33 rumble. She's a bit lighter than before, and can be flown a bit slower. The repaired trim ratchet is a huge help there, as well. We'd also put a new axle in, so she rolls a bit quieter on the paved runway, too.
As for me, I did OK... pretty uneven on the first tow, and just awful IMHO on my first box, but by the second box I had most of the kinks out. Did the first pattern entry from the downwind side, then one with a midfield cross... pretty happy with my patterns and landings, although I crowded the runway a little on the second downwind leg for some reason.
The instructor was satisfied, and even commented that he was surprised how quickly I got back into the groove. I'm inclined to agree, although I can see how much rust removal I have yet to do before I can solo. Not surprisingly, it's the mental stuff- checklists, scanning, etc- that need the most work. But it will all gel soon enough.
It was great to just get up there and fly that old crate again... I was glad to see I hadn't completely forgotten how to do the standard things (didn't forget my "200 feet" callout, LOL), but the best parts for me were just silly things like big swooping turns and a nice deep slip into the pattern on the second flight.
I think this will be a pretty good season...