Delta Connection Academy

Turbulence!

5-29 Turbulence! Last Wednesday started like any other… I had groundwork to prepare for my Private end of course at 1000 followed by a flight at 1500. I planned to use the time between to study. It was thundering during groundwork, and I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to fly. I checked out the current metars, radar, and TAFs and it looked like it might clear up later. Michael found me and suggested we go earlier, so I called the weather briefer, who said the bad weather would be at our destination by the time we got there. I would not have gone if it was a solo, but Michael also investigated the weather and still wanted to go so I packed up my things, filed an instrument flight plan, and off we went. Martin Cantu, another student, planned to backseat the flight so I called him and he came along for the ride as well. And what a ride it was… The take-off was normal, and it was clear enough for me to need my hood (a view-limiting fashion statement) on our way to Brazoria. Apparently as I joined the course, Michael & Martin saw lightning near the runway and called off the approach. We talked to Houston Center and they wanted to vector us back to Ellington on a different course. It looked like the way we came was better to us, but their computers showed better weather to the north. So I flew the vectors they instructed and the weather continued to deteriorate. I even asked Michael to take control for a moment so he could see it was the weather and not me who was jumping around so much. It was very difficult for me to keep the correct altitude, even as I was pitched down, I continued to gain altitude. Soon after that, Michael took the controls. I’m thankful he took them when he did, because about a minute later we hit severe turbulence. Everything in the plane was displaced, including the people. It got so bad that we had to divert to Hobby Airport. Michael showed he deserved to be Rookie of the year as he did a great job flying. He said it was the most scared he had been flying, but neither Martin nor I knew he was shaken up until he told us on the ground. I helped him out by tuning in radio frequencies and completing checklists. We collected ourselves and got flight following back to Ellington, a mere 6 miles to the east. Like I said, it was quite a ride.

Gulfstream

On my 250 mile cross-country flight, Michael & I made our first stop in Lake Charles, LA. We stopped in the FBO to file the next leg of the trip, stretch our legs, etc. While there, Michael struck up a conversation with two pilots there who were flying a Gulfstream for PPG, a company out of Pittsburg. They had dropped off the executives and were getting ready to explore the area for the day. Before we knew it, we were getting a tour of their plane. It was beautiful. The cockpit was outfitted with all the latest technology, including GPS units on each yoke. There were back-ups for back-up instruments and flight controls. I’m sure Michael could tell you more details. The cabin had many comfy chairs, a desk area for a computer and printer hook-up. It even had a full galley kitchen including a convection oven, running sink, refrigerator, and just about anything you’d find at home. I believe they said they could fit 15 golf bags in the baggage compartment. They wanted to check out our fine aircraft, the Cirrus SR-20 with the glass cockpit so we were happy to share our plane with them. They were headed to Ellington the next day and invited us and anyone at the flight school to see their plane. We completed our long cross-country at least an hour later than we were supposed to, but it was worth it, even though we didn’t get to eat lunch in Lufkin. They were very generous and even started up the plane the next day when a few people get to take the tour. I’m sure it was a great chance for the CFI’s to do some networking – you never know who knows who or what kind of connections they might have.

Solo!

Last Wednesday, my instructor & I practiced takeoffs and landings at Galveston in preparation for my initial solo. We returned to Galveston Thursday afternoon and I completed four takeoffs and landings (to a full stop) with him in the plane. He told me to drop him off in front of the tower. I turned off the engine, and then he got out. It was exciting to be the sole occupant in the cockpit. I restarted the engine, followed all the checklists, and talked to ground to taxi. As I taxied away, Michael climbed up to the tower where he watched my flight, and I could hardly believe the time had finally come.

Galveston ground gave me instructions to taxi to runway 13. As I sat at the hold short line, I switched over to tower and began going through my line up checklist, I couldn’t keep my excitement inside. I started talking out loud. I am a person who prays so I began talking to God. Once cleared for takeoff, I continued my checklist: time off – 1:05, mixture – full rich, external lights – as required (all lights on), flight director – not needed, heading/runway alignment – checked, checklist – complete. Rolling down the runway: 50% power – engine instruments in the green, airspeed alive, 100% power, 65-70 kias pull back gently & rotate! I climbed, flaps up above 85 kias & 200 AGL completing my climb checklist and making sure I had the correct pitch & bank during my turnout. I made my midfield radio call and continued with my traffic pattern checklist. I added flaps, reduced airspeed, turned base, added more flaps and turned final, and continued my descent. I kept my airspeed up and made the best landing I had made in awhile! I seemed to have had so much more time without Michael in the plane with me. I made a complete stop, taxied back, and did it two more times. This was exhilarating! Finally, when friends & family ask if I’ve completed my solo, I can finally say “Yes I have!”

TRACON Tour

One of our instructors set up a tour for us at TRACON. This is the facility we talk to when we contact Air Traffic Control (ATC). As soon as we walked in we met the supervisor. Once he found out we flew Cirrus planes out of Ellington, he asked who was at Beaumont that morning asking to hold at fixes he had never heard of. Turns out he was talking to my check pilot (& former ground school instructor), Amanda, and me on my stage check. Houston TRACON is located at the George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport. We all had to be cleared through security before entering the parking lot and were given visitors badges after we signed in at the front desk. I was lucky enough to be in the first group that went back.

We started at the data position – where all the flights are typed into the program. All the necessary information is entered here for the controller which shows up on their computer screen, next to the blip representing each plane. This position also informs the controllers of any weather situations in the area. There was only one person at this position when we visited, but there can be up to three working at that desk. Next, we went to the main controller who overlooks all flights in the area. He/She is in a supervisor position, with weather and radar available to them on different computers. Each controller covers a certain area or certain types of flights. For example, when we fly out of Ellington, we talk to Houston Center on 134.45. As I fly to Beaumont, they hand me off to another controller for Beaumont’s airspace. These controllers sit right next to each other and know what’s going on before you talk to them.

The tour was very informative and they gave us some useful advice – I’m sure you’ve heard the same from your instructor in regards to talking to ATC. Keep your message short and to the point, and make sure you wait for the radio to be clear before you transmit. If you ever get the chance to visit, I’d highly recommend it.

Simulator

My instructors highly suggested getting a flight simulator program for your home computer. You can find them on the web or buy them in the store. I tried downloading one but my computer was too slow to support it. I never bought one either, but looking back, it could have saved me time and money. There’s really no way to tell – and as the saying goes, hind sight is 20/20. Michael Curie, my current instructor, told me this helped with his training. The program has most airports and approaches loaded into the system, so he was able to fly his approach for his next lesson the night before he went on his flight. There is a good chance it could help you with your flying. Michael suggests getting the joystick, others say it’s not necessary. What do you think? Have you used a simulator during training? Please leave a comment & tell us if you think using a simulator has helped you. Do you have topics you have questions about? Ask me here or email me at jessicacooper@dcamail.net.