Lesson 2 & 3

Lesson 2 and 3 did not become less overwhelming.  So much to learn and soak up.  Although I do feel like despite only having three lessons-- things are making some sense.  Kinda.  At least, becoming more familiar.  And to me, that is a plus.  Everything here is SO DIFFERENT, so I instantly recognize when something seems familiar!

I have learned many equations to figure my weights and balances and my air density.  Not hard math, but sometimes confusing as to why I need to know the numbers when we figure them up.  (I feel like my students in the past who asked me "why do I need to know this?")  I have learned how to do a pre-flight check, and I have taxied, turned and rolled.  Funny thing is, in the middle of learning I feel so lost and yet when I am done and reflect, I feel like I have learned more than I realize especially considering I have only had three lessons!  My instructor Matt, really does make me do things immediately.  He has forced me to jump right in -- which is why I think I have learned so much already.  It terrifies me, and yet forces me to learn quick.  It's crazy -- when Matt does a turn or a roll, I love it and want him to do it again.  When I do it, I'm scared sh**less!

Matt also has me doing a few things that are kind of fun... I have to learn the phonetic alphabet which is as follows:

Alpha

Bravo

Charli

Delta

Echo

Foxtrot

Golf

Hotel

India

Juliet

Kilo

Lima

Mike

November

Oscar

Papa

Quebec

Romeo

Sierra

Tango

Uniform

Victor

Whisky

X-Ray

Yankee

Zulu

To learn this, he has me practicing spelling using these terms instead.  It's a fun little game -- even when driving if I see a sign I spell it using these terms.  We have to use this when calling the tower and it's just a good exercise to get used to it. So if see a street sign like Martell I spell it "Mike Alpha Romeo Tango Echo Lima Lima."

He also suggested to change my phone and iPad to military time so I can get used to that as well.  Little changes, little lessons, baby steps.  I feel like me and Bill Murray are baby-stepping our way to flight! (See the movie "What About Bob?" for more clarity on this comment...)

Today when we went up it was really windy and though I know I still didn't perform my maneuvers the way I needed to, I felt a little better about knowing what all the different gauges were -- our last flight, none of it made sense.  So again, baby steps but at least they are all in the right direction! 

I just want to know everything NOW and I want to fly with ease NOW!

Patience is not my virtue. Never has been.

Until next lesson!

 

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