Flight Review

Done!
 
My instructor, and others I had talked to, reminded me that a flight review is not check-ride part II.  Maybe so… I still spent a number of hours studying and practicing maneuvers in the preceding weeks.  
 
As the 31st of May came, and passed, and I was no longer current to act as PIC.  I wanted to get this wrapped up.

We started with the ground portion, covering a few regulations, and moving on to the sectional and airspace.  We also talked about the type of flying I've been doing, challenges, and covered any questions I had.  
 
Satisfied that I had kept up on the technical knowledge, it was time to fly.
 
One simulated engine out in route.  About 300ft AGL it was clear that I’d reach my targeted field with a stabilized approach, and had remembered the correct emergency procedures, transponder code (7700), and the correct frequency to transmit a mayday (also known as Guard - 121.5Mhz).
 
Because there was no significant wind to brush up on cross wind technique, short field and soft field takeoff and landing would be the maneuvers of the day.  Lenhardt’s (7S9)  http://www.airhaven.net/ has a grass strip adjacent to the paved runway.  Perfect for soft field practice..
 
Soft field in the grass at Lenhardt was fun.  I hadn’t run through the grass since training, and it’s a different feeling when those small main gear tires touch down on turf at about 50kts.
 
After departing Lenhart and climbing out of the low level turbulence we did some slow flight clean (no flaps), and in landing configuration (full flaps), holding the airspeed just above the stall, with the stall warning blaring away.  Departure stalls (power on/no flaps) and approach stalls (power off/full flaps) were next.  No problems here, and something I enjoy practicing now and again.
 
We entered the pattern for Sportsman Airpark (Newberg – 2S6) so I could demonstrate a short field.  Not my best, but certainly acceptable and stopped well inside the first third of the runway.
 
A short field takeoff and back to Twin Oaks for a standard approach and landing.  Smooth and right on center.
 
Afterwards we reviewed the flight, discussed what’s next, and received the sought after flight review endorsement in my logbook. 
 
What’s next?  Besides a few overnight trips I’d like to do this summer and fall, maybe high performance and complex endorsements – Twin Oaks has a Comanche that I spent a few minutes sitting in (it’s nice).