Second supervised solo

Richard’s training syllabus calls for 3 supervised solos on 3 different days before allowing me out on my own. Since Richard NEVER deviates from his syllabus, that is what we are doing. The reason for 3 different days is to solo in different conditions. It was different today, alright. Wind at 140@12, just left of the runway.

We did the requisite 4 touch and goes and then a full stop, and out he went. It was getting windier as the day wore on, so I was being extra careful. I was much calmer today, which was good considering the increased difficulty of the landings. First one was OK, a tad harder than I wanted, but not bad. The next one was just plain UGLY. Arguably the worst landing I’ve ever done. It really should have been a go around. I bounced it not once, but THREE times, and by the time is was down, the nose was pointed well left – heading towards the grass. I got it back in time, but it still scared me. Last time around was for a full stop, following another Cessna. This guy apparently just shut off his radio after he was cleared to land, because that was the last anyone heard from him until he contacted ground. He was slow getting off the runway, so the tower told me to “be prepared to go around”. I was prepared all right – so prepared that I wasn’t even ready to land. Turns out he got off the runway just in time, but I was too high. I tried to get it down, and about 15 feet over the runway, a little voice said “Don’t be stupid – just go around”. So I did. Last landing was another bouncer, but not bad considering the wind.

Overall a very good experience, and a real confidence builder. One more supervised solo, and I can venture out on my own.

1.4 hours/35.6 total/.5 solo/.9 total solo