October 30, 2003
Rigga-frackin' Crosswinds!!!
I'm still smiling about that solo.
Second supervised solo was yesterday. 2 out of 4 of the landings were good, 2 were a little hard, mostly due to some squirrely winds right above the threshold, but not 'bad'.
Today was a 'learning day.'
I was hoping to get the third supervised solo out of the way, especially because my instructor is booked up during my usual flying time next week (lunch time). Instead we got to work on crosswind landings.
Timing is everything, and I just couldn't get it today. First I'd take out the ailerons too soon. Next shot, got the ailerons, forgot to dump the last of the power - go around. Next one, remember those two things, forget a small thing called the flare. Etc., etc. 6 landings, 3 with left X-winds, 3 with right, only 1 was 'good' and that one wasn't all mine. And the winds were only 10-12kts, it's not like it was a gale out there.
So it was a little frustrating. Though not discouraging. I just hope I can think about it and put it all together without going too far and overanalyzing it. Just another one of those plateaus. I'll get it next time.
I guess it's better to have gotten this experience before I was turned loose in the practice area on my own only to come home to find these winds and wonder "How many times can I go around. . . ."
