Stage Three: Completed

corey

Flying

I did my Stage 3 check ride with Ken Stock today. After a few minor bumbles during the ground discussion (why are there so many types of Class E airspace on the chart!? Talk about confusing!) the flight went really really well.

It was great weather, which I think helped a lot. With very very smooth air I didn’t deviate more than 10ft from my assign altitude while doing steep turns, slow flight with turns, etc etc. Even my short field landing went very well, landing a mere 20-30ft past the threshold.

I didn’t realize this at the time, but I had booked the flight in the 172R, which has 20 horsepower less than the 172S (which is what I normally fly). Thankfully it didn’t play much of a factor and may have actually helped with my power-on stall, since I tend to drag it out in the 172S. I will say that it climbed awful-like! Leaving Longmont I swear it took 3 times longer than normal to get 500ft AGL so I could turn toward Jeffco and head back. While I don’t plan on flying the 172R again anytime soon, I certainly wouldn’t take it out on a hot day!

I’m scheduled to “fly” in the flight simulator on Sunday with my instructor Kyle. We decided this was the best way to get the additional .7 hours I need in simulated instrument conditions. After we run through that I plan on doing a short ground session in order to go over everything that I’ll need for the my upcoming Check Ride.

If I can find someone to do my Check Ride within the next week or two, I could be a certified Private Pilot in no time!