July 16th, 2018

 FIRST FLIGHT.


The lesson plan briefing went well. My student was well prepared. A tad young at 2 1/2 but I figured he could handle it. When I finished and asked if he had any questions, he said;
"No Grampa. Can I have a drink now?"

So we headed out to the flight line together. Our bird shimmered in the afternoon heat. Not much talking going on. I think he was a bit nervous and I was trying to think of anything that I may have forgotten in the briefing that could bite young William in the butt during the flight.

It was going to be a challenge. Our MTOW was 240lbs. We were right at that and maybe even a tad over. I knew we were well over our all up ramp weight but figured we'd burn a few pounds taxiing out to the button. Add to that a hot day and a lower than ICAO standard altimeter setting and our take off pressure altitude was pretty high. A reduced thrust take off was out of the question. No way we could meet 2nd segment climb requirements. It was going to be a max grunt effort for sure...bend those thrust levers right into the panel.  If we took a bird or lost one on take off, I'd have to do it perfectly...no room for error. I'd have to take control from William as engine cuts were definitely not on the lesson plan.



We flashed up and taxied out. Checks complete...ready to go. I called load for the numbers and they had bad news. Had to go back to the gate to shift some cargo....C of G was so far forward it exceeded our take off stab trim setting limits. Bummer. We head back to the ramp to move the stuff, got it all done but with the C of G correction and a passenger who got nervous and deplaned, we managed to board a last minute passenger. A gorgeous young red head named Isabella. She winked at me and said; "Grampa, it's Izzy for short."


The lesson plan was not completed to a satisfactory standard but it certainly wasn't all Williams fault. Our weight was so high that we never even got out of ground affect..gutless wonder pig of an airplane! We got to an altitude of about 1 ft. for most of the flight. Student displayed a tendency to constantly turn right but kept looking out the left side smiling and waving to the fans. Needs some work on that. However, line astern formation station keeping was outstanding. Never budged an inch from the leads tail for the whole flight!   

Until next time

Over 'n out.          

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