After months of thinking about it and talking about it, I finally took step one of getting checked out in the club’s Cessna 172 (Skyhawk). After going over the club-required written test, I hit the skies for the first time with an instructor since I got my private ticket. I had already covered the preflight details with another instructor, so we were able to get in the air quickly.
The plane is basically a bigger 152. It has noticeably more power and feels heavier. The most pronounced difference was the increased amount of effort it took on all of the controls. Other than that, it was mostly getting used to the different instruments and performance numbers.
We covered slow flight, steep turns, several different kinds of stalls, and a couple takeoffs and landings. My second and final landing was as smooth as any landing I’ve ever made. I told Gene I was surprised at how well I did (on both landings, really) since I was expecting to have a little trouble given the different seating position and view. Gene quickly responded with “That’s what good instruction will do for you.” I laughed as I thought he was stroking his ego a little in jest, but he was actually being serious. His point was well-taken; good initial instruction goes a long way when learning a new aircraft.
We didn’t have time to finish all that’s necessary to check out, but I’m scheduled to fly next Monday, weather permitting, and we should be able to finish then.