flying (+1.4 hours)

[nibot]

I started the day with a trip to the airport to fly an airplane. This was awesome. A perfect Spring day, it was a joy to spend the pre-noon maneuvering at an everything-looks-like-a-model-train-set altitude, S-turns over interstate 55, turns around a point (a stand of trees), rectangular courses, and touch-and-goes (the field shared with a maneuvering blackhawk helicopter, callsign: mojo).

total: 9.4 hours dual

Comments

[joneshead.livejournal.com]

Tobin joins the downwind at 45, turns base for runway, and turns final, he touches and goes turning crosswind @ 300ft AGL.
\m/

[nibot.livejournal.com]

"Hammond traffic - Cessna zero seven bravo turning left base for runway three-six, Hammond."

"Hammond traffic - Blackhawk Mojo, practicing autorotation right downwind, clear of incoming traffic."

[joneshead.livejournal.com]

I was actually getting started on auto's today. I am now @ 17hrs.
Apparently, I'm awesome.


What's the airport code where you're learning?

[nibot.livejournal.com]

KHDC. The Louisiana Air National Guard just built a big facility there, so often they're doing helo practice.

I had to look up autorotation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autorotation_(helicopter)

[joneshead.livejournal.com]

ever use skyvector.com ?

[nibot.livejournal.com]

no, cool!

[joneshead.livejournal.com]

another thing i meant to ask - have you yet flown in "B" airspace?

[nibot.livejournal.com]

No, we've just been flying around the airport, maybe 15 miles out. Just maneuvering, no charts or airspace or navigation yet.

[bluepapercup]

Hearing the words "six six zero five delta cleared through Bravo" for the first time was a very exciting moment. :)

[bluepapercup]

You're moving right along! Some time around 10 hours dual was when I first starting thinking "I guess I'm really actually committing to this flying thing..." :D

It's fun to share the field or pattern with the big guys.

insurance?

[nibot.livejournal.com]

I wanted to ask you whether you have airplane renters' insurance... I have been getting the spam from AOPA. I assume I should get it, and I assume the AOPA insurance is good?

Re: insurance?

[bluepapercup]

Yes, I have renter's insurance through the AOPA. It was definitely the easiest option, and it's not very expensive at all. For me, it's just a formality in case of a real catastrophe, and here's why. The flying club I belong to is actually a fractional ownership club. We're members and the way our club charter is written we're all, say, 1/60 owners of the airplanes. That way, we're all covered under the insurance for the airplanes and for the club. Most clubs and rental facilities don't operate that way though. I have the AOPA insurance as a backup just in case there are complications with the club's insurance, and I think it's prudent for all renters to have insurance. AOPA is good also because they're such strong pilot advocates. Gives you someone on your side.