The freedom of being in the air
You love flying. The sights, sounds, smells and feelings. You love the challenging times and the study. You work hard and deserve the moments of pure bliss when the air is smooth, the view is absolutely majestic and you seem to on top of it and even a bit ahead.
Today looks like one of those days. As you have your breakfast you can see, out the window, the beautiful blue sky. With the eye of someone who has experienced the elation of flight you note there are no clouds and the trees in the yard are not being blown by any wind. It’s looking like a great day.
Your mind turns to today’s flight and you start to feel yourself focus on the tasks you need to perform. The weather needs some further definition instead of just an educated glance so you open up your electronic flight bag and get the weather for the airport. The forecast is already out and you can see it is supposed to be fine and warm with a light breeze that will increase after lunch and some possible storms late this afternoon. The storms won’t affect you though as your flight will be over in time for lunch.
There aren’t many notices to examine either. There are some local fireworks tonight, a few cranes in the local area that won’t affect you and some changes to runway lighting that also won’t bother you on this fine morning. When you check the region notices you can see there is a gliding competition happening but that is out in the training area and won’t bother you as you are staying in the circuit for this flight. You do make a mental note to remember it for other flights though. It’s going to be a good day.
Flight training in action
Now the tasks you have to perform start to invade your thoughts. The checks. The movements. The radio calls and replies. The possible curveballs that might be thrown your way. You start to visualise and ‘chair fly’ what you will need to do on this flight. Your hands and feet move in their familiar and soothing patterns. It’s quite easy to do here at home and, although you know it will be different in reality, you also know that this sort of practice helps immensely.
Again you revise airport and standard operating procedures and then you feel mostly ready so you rise from the breakfast table and go to get dressed. You pack your flight bag and make sure you have all that you may need. Sunglasses. Headset with spare batteries. Water and snacks. Kneeboard and all the other toys a pilot needs.
Time to go. You allow plenty of time. It’s not worth the added stress of being late if there’s traffic. You are usually a little early but they are used to you and it gives you extra time to relax, prepare and hydrate. It also allows a bit of time for interaction with the other like-minded individuals for some banter and Top Gear quotes as well as perfecting your dad-joke delivery.
The transition from student to solo pilot
Student and instructor now become a team to get the flight completed safely. Although technically a team it is always a little lopsided! At this stage it is up to the student to brief the instructor on all points including requirements, weather etc. The team is prepared. Now for the aircraft.
You sign out, check maintenance records and other paperwork then head out to your aircraft. The daily inspection you do is always thorough and you make sure everything is checked and double checked. The fuel truck arrives – thank goodness as you wouldn’t want to that dirty work yourself! You check and drain the fuel and it all looks good. There are no more excuses- it’s time to fly. It’s not that you ever make excuses but there is always that tiny bit of apprehension/excitement when it’s actually time to fly.
Both of you go through the familiar motions of plugging in headsets and getting yourselves ready then strapping into your trusty steed. Checks completed the engine is brought to life and the sortie is underway. It is all so familiar now. You have done this many times. The radio calls. The engine checks. The radio calls and clearances. In a seeming blur of familiar actions you now find yourself at the holding point ready to launch. The first landing is not so good. It is accurate enough and incredibly safe but there was just a little bounce at the end.
