Lesson 15 1/17/09

1.2hrs - Short and Soft Field takeoff and landing.

This would be my first post solo lesson and I was really looking forward to starting the next portion of my training.

I also met up with Roy, who I’d met through the AOPA forum. Roy recently earned his certificate, and it was nice to talk flying with someone who had been a student not long ago.

My instructor arrived and asked how I was feeling, referring to my solo the day before and smiling. “Great! I still feel on top.” Actually like a kid on Christmas with a new toy.

I had been informed by the office that the previous renter had reported that there was no drop in RPM from the carb heat. Okay, it could sideline my lesson for the day. Sure enough, the cable had come off the control arm, so it was an easy fix, and only delayed our departure by about 20 minutes.

Prior to departing, we discussed soft field and short field operations in the classroom.

Soft field takeoff involves holding full up elevator while taxiing, entering the runway with out stopping, and lifting off and remaining in ground effect while gaining enough speed to climb out. Ground effect is a reduction in drag when close to the ground, and is effective until approx the one wingspan length above the ground.

Short field takeoff involves starting as far to the end of the runway as possible, holding the brakes while fully advancing the throttle, checking the engine gages, and releasing the brakes.

We departed for Lenhardt airpark (7S9), which has a grass runway adjacent to the asphalt runway.

First my instructor demonstrated a short field landing and takeoff, then I followed with the same. It seemed pretty straight forward, but I’d expect that it feels a bit different in an actual short field situation. It was kinda fun and exciting to be sitting there for a few seconds at the end of the runway, on the brakes, with the engine at full throttle.

Next my instructor demonstrated a soft field landing and takeoff. Lenhardt has some rather tall trees to drop over on final for 02, and on my soft field landing approach I dropped a little low after clearing the trees, and may have startled a few unsuspecting horses quietly enjoying their afternoon. This threw me off a bit, and I touched down in the grass a little harder than would be ideal for a soft field landing. My soft field takeoff went well, but I didn’t hold it in ground effect very well. We climbed away just fine without touching back down again, but probably only because we were lightly loaded. Something else to practice, and fun to do too.

Now it was time to head back to Lenhardt. Back in the valley near Twin Oaks it was quite bumpy, and I mentally noted how little this bothered me compared to lesson 9.

My first landing attempt ended high on final, so I had to go around. The second ended fine, but I seem to be starting the flare a little high now for some reason.

I left with a new E6B and plotter to learn how to use for next lesson, when we begin navigation.

his is so much fun!