| Solo 3 | |
| Flight time logged: | 1.5 hours |
| Total flight time logged: | 28.4 hours |
| Total takeoffs/landings: | 111 |
| Solo time: | 1.5 hours |
| Total time solo: | 3.1 hours |
| Total cost to date: | $4650 |
My short cross-country flight was canceled yesterday due to thunderstorms. We had a cold front pass through pushing a line of thunderstorms in front of it. Instead of flying on yesterday, we reviewed my nav log to verify everything was correct, and then I signed up for some solo time of which I flew today.
Today the weather was great. The temperature was in the mid-80s, light winds, and scattered clouds. I arrived 15 minutes before 6 PM, the time I had scheduled the airplane, and filled out the form necessary to fly solo as a student pilot. Unfortunately, the airplane I usually fly was undergoing the 50-hour maintenance, so I had to fly another airplane that I had not flown before. It was still a Cessna 172R, but you get used to flying a certain plane.
Another variable was the fact that the winds were coming out of the East, so Runway 7 was the active runway instead of Runway 25. This wasn't really a problem since I've taken off and landed on Runway 7 a few times, but this would be the first time solo. Since I was headed west to Winder, it actually made it a little easier to depart.
Everything looked good from the preflight, so I climbed in the cockpit, started up the engine, and called Ground to taxi to the runway. I taxied out, did my run-up, and then waited at Runway 7 for another plane doing a touch-and-go. I called the tower to request takeoff, was cleared, and then taxied out to the runway. Full throttle and away I went!
I was excited and nervous at the same time since this was my first flight to another airport. I wanted to make sure I did not get lost on the way out. I climbed up to 2,500 feet, leveled off, and began to look around me for landmarks that I was trained to use. Because I was more north than where I had flown before, I could not really see the water towers I had used before. I was flying over them. Because I could not see them, I used bracketing -- this is where you pick out two roads, railroads, power lines, etc. and fly with one to the left and one to the right. I knew Hwy 316 would take me directly to Winder and it was to my right. Another highway and railroad that also go to Winder was to my left. I also happened to be using the GPS to help me keep an eye on my distance from Winder.
Luckily, the air was not bumpy. It wasn't perfectly smooth, but it was within my comfort range. Maybe I'm just getting accustomed to the bumps.
It didn't seem like I was up in the air that long before I saw the lake at Fort Yargo. This lake is about six miles out from the Winder airport. I figured that Runway 5 would be the active since the winds were coming from 50 degrees. This was another variable. I have only had one other lesson where I used Runway 5 at Winder. It is the shorter runway of the two and has a displaced threshold. Coming from the east, I could practically call a long final to land, but that is not the appropriate thing to do. I needed to enter the pattern on downwind. Originally, I had planned on going north of the airport in order to enter the pattern without overflying the airport. I decided not to do this since I was not familiar with the area. Instead I flew next to 316 towards the south of the airport.
As I got closer and after getting the ATIS information, I made a call to Winder Traffic. No one answered. I check the radio to make sure I had the right frequency tuned. I did, so I made another call. Again no one answered. As the airport came into sight, I noticed that no traffic was in the area. Usually, Winder is busy with at least two or three planes in the pattern. I was actually glad no one was there. I could actually practice without dealing with traffic.
I announced to Winder Traffic that I was overflying the field at 2,500. I flew over the field and performed a tear-drop turn to the right to enter the left downwind leg for Runway 5. The first time I turned from base to final, I realized that I was too high. I judged the turn to base too early. I needed to extend my downwind a little more. I suppose I could have performed a forward slip, but I decided to go-around. After coming around the pattern again, a helicopter announced that it was on its way into Winder. I was on downwind and spotted the helicopter in the distance. He graciously waited for me to do my touch-and-go, and then landed at Winder.
I continued doing normal landings and takeoffs, then tried some short-field landings. I was also watching the time because I had to be back at the flight school by 8:00 PM. After seven landings, I decided it was time to go back. I really want to keep practicing, but I did not have time. I took off from Winder and headed back to LZU.
On the way back, I used Hwy 316 again to guide me back to LZU. In no time, I had the airport in site after getting ATIS. I called the tower with my position and requested to land. I was asked to report entering right downwind for Runway 7. I changed my heading to fly towards the mid-field point. After getting on the downwind leg, I reported to the tower my position. The tower gave me immediate clearance to land. No other traffic was around.
As I was taught, I landed long on Runway 7, just past the thousand-foot marker, since the taxiway I needed was close to the middle of the field. As I cleared the runway and began my post-landing checklist, I went to turn the transponder to Standby and noticed something strange. The knob was missing! It must have wiggled loose during the flight back. I sat there for a minute looking for the knob to no avail. Finally, I just taxied back to the ramp so I would not be holding up ground traffic. After parking, I found the knob under the front seat, just in time to turn off the transponder before shutting down the engine.
The transponder knob falling off was pretty much the only strange thing that happened. I was watching the fuel because the left tank gauge was going down, but the right gauge did not move. The fuel selector was on both the whole time, so that was not the reason. I suppose it is possible the needle was stuck. This was not really an issue since I was only flying about 1.5 hours.
I was happy that I made my first solo to another airport with ease. It is definitely confidence building. Unfortunately, I will not be flying for the next week or so because of my work. I have a project deadline coming up in a week and will need to spend uninterrupted time finishing up the project. Once the project is delivered and stable, I'll be signing up for more flying time. My next flight will be the short cross-country. I'm already looking forward to it.
