My first few hours
I started flying in May 2006, but after three lessons, my dad or I didn’t have anyextra funds to go flying all Summer. I ahd wanted to go really bad for about four months, and finally did two weeks ago. But anyway, I’ll fill you in on what your first lesson will usually go like (from my point of view).
First Lesson May 1, 2006
 Excited the whole day in school, I was ready to go at 1600. I actually got there late, not a good thing to do on the first lesson. My instructor, Rob, told me what we would be doing that day. I got a headset, and we went over to what would be a good friend of mine , 92L. He explaned in depth what to look for in the preflight inspection. The first thing he told me to do was inspect the prop for any noticable or big scratches or dings on the prop. I felt over the edge, it felt good to me. If there ever was a scratch, tell matinence and they will usually file it down if it is minor. Next, I opened up right engine cowl and had a look inside, my instructor had me look for anything that doesnt look right, as a refrence. Be carefull of bird nests and insect nests aswell. He also explaned to me if you can feel heat you can tell it has been flown recently. I then checked the oil level, and made sure it was a t the right level. Went around, popped the cowl plugs out and checked out the other side. Once again reminded me to look for anything unusual, or that doesnt seem right. I looked at the general condition of the gear and it checked out. I also paid attention to anything that just doesnt look right on the aircraft period, like dents, chips, broken parts, ect. I then inspected the wing edge a bit and checked the fuel level. My CFI told me how to know how much fuel is in the tank and we were topped off good. I then took a fuel sump drain and no water or dirt came up. I untied the left wing and worked my way around the airplane as Rob told me what to look for on certain parts, little things and quirks about the plane. Untied the tail, inspected the right side, right wing, checked for fuel, and took a sump drain. All looked good. We then got in the cockpit, and my noobness showed as I was getting in. “yeah, It takes a while to get in these things to make yourself look like you know what your doing” Rob remarked. I laugh at that now. I plugged my headset in and went through the startup check list, Rob telling me breifly how each thing works, why, and where. Master on, fuel pump, anti-collision on, fuel-fullest tank, throttle quarter inch, CLEAR PROP!, turn the key and she roars to life. Hand on the throttle Rob reminded me. (that was not the real checklist, just some main aspects of it, so dont quote me!). I released the parking brake and we were going! I was really clutzy on the throttle movments when trying to get the RPMs right, but my instructor just told me to ”feel” it first. We taxied down to 1/3 down 24/6 and Rob made the back taxi call. I had some more practice taxiing down the runway and it was harder than I though, but we made it there safely (you get used to taxiing after a few lessons). I noticed that I was really choppy and very unsmooth, but smoothness comes with practice. So, I went through the runup checklist and we looked golden. rob took off for me and we were off. Oh, and this whole time he was coaching me on, telling me what to do. We climbed up to 3,000 agl and he showed me what trim was and took a crayon and I drew a mark of land to sky on the winshield to SEE what 90kts looked like. He introduced me to the four fundimentals of flight, which are climb, descent, turns, and straight and level flight. He also told me picth equals airspeed and throttle equals altitude, and told me to enstill that forever in my mind. He took me around three states, PA, DE, and MD, and showed me some visual refrences on the ground. We had a quick discussion about Stick and Rudder (great book, go read it) and he told me one of the best things Ive ever heard and that will continue to push me my whole entire flying career, “I think we can make a pilot out of you.” after he mentioned that some people he thinks try to kill him because they’re not used to flying. After that, we turned back, and followed Route 1 up to the field. He made the landing and I attempted taxiing again. We then turned it around and puled it in and tied it down. He then told me that He wanted to make sure I never forgot pitch equals airspeed and throttle equals altitude. We headed into the FBO, my dad paided for the lesson and I headed home. I couldn’t stop smiling for the week!
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