First Flight

Well... WOW. I showed up about an hour early because that's the way my schedule worked out. I figured I would study for an hour (and I needed that). Turns out that the student preceding me didn't show. My CFI said that if you are a no-show because you just spaced it, you pay for a 2-hour lesson. He said that if you can't because of work, or you are sick (and call), then it's no problem. But.. if you just forget..then you pay for the lesson. The good news is that if the CFI spaces it.. you get the lesson for free.

Anyway, we started about an hour early and went through a bunch of the book work. I was prepared and it went well. We then went to the airplane and did the preflight. It took a good while because it was all new to me. Eventually we fired that sucker up and off we went. He handled the radio duties. I was busy trying to steer with my feet. He told me to keep my right hand on throttle and my left hand under my leg to keep it off of the yoke. Hard concept. I taxi'd us down the taxiway to the end of the runway. We stopped and did a run=up to check the engine et al. and hit the runway (28L..meaning that we were taking off at a bearing of about 280 degrees (rougly west) on the left runway of two parallel runways. Had we been heading the other direction it would have been 10R... the right hand side of two parallel runways heading roughly east). I digress. We hit the runway and, following his direction, I took off. It was incredible. We headed across the city, climbing to about 4,500 feet. The lights were amazing (it was getting a bit dark). I flew toward the foothills, enjoying the view. My CFI described it as "magic." I think that is a very apt description. The view was incredible and the concept that it was mine to see (and only mine) was amazing. He told me to forget about the instruments and enjoy the ride. I agree. What a great feeling!

My CF"I handled the radio (and I was happy for that). He told me to head toward what I thought was the airport. I did, and was right. We aimed for the airport (descending). As we turned for final approach, he took the controls and landed us. I then taxi'd us to the parking area and we shut it down and pushed it to the parking spot.

What a great evening. I have logged 0.6 hour as a pilot, and that puts me in a very special category. I am very fortunate to be doing this.

And now for the bad news. I lost the damned key to the plane. I locked the door, put the key in my pocket, and haven't seen it since. We walked the ramp. I walked the ramp after my CFIwent home. Oh well. He said to not let spoil a first flight, and I agree with him. I left a note on the office door and will suffer the consequences tomorrow.

Next lesson... Wed at 5:30. I can't wait to get back in the air!

Forgive the typos and other mistakes. I am a bit excited.

Update: Keys found. I dropped them in the headset drawer with a headset I borrowed. Lucky me... I would have had to pay for a new key. And you can't get them for a dollar at Fred Meyer.