On Going Therapy

by Rich Poland

This email contains X-rated material so if you’re faint of heart or a prude or prissy, please delete now.

Although there was no lift, as usual I came out since staying up is within my abilities when the lift is there, however, taking off and landing are not quite as perfect as I would like them to be, so I often take a pattern or two to perfect my skill level. Alex was there and he lands better at 14 than I did when all systems were go. And he does it with ballast and a parachute.  Mark and Tom took the Grob up for short flights. Eric took a couple of regular tows to soaring altitude. I waited my turn and thought about taking up the snowbird. Robert asked me if I was going alone and Steven was there and was kind enough to sit in the back seat. Earlier he asked me why we weren’t using the Snowbird. After careful inspection, we discovered that the nose wheel was missing. Last week we were having trouble so I suspect one of our busy bees has taken the wheel off for a tire/tube replacement. I guess that’s why it’s important to do a preflight.

Since my problem, I have flown with several club members who made sure I could operate the plane. Several of them did the take-off and landing as I was incapable of doing all that was necessary. In the last month, I think I’ve convinced the powers that be that I can fly. Maybe not as well as Alex or others, but well enough to take off and bring the plane back undamaged. I was happy when Robert asked me if I was going solo, like it wasn’t unusual. I first flew with Chuck, the younger and he took good care of me. I was more scared than I would admit, but he got me through it and encouraged me enough to come back and keep coming back. I flew with Dan, and he made sure I didn’t do anything awful. When I though I was good enough to handle things, Woody flew with me. I would rather fly with someone than alone and continued on flying with Bert. We took alternate landing/take-off and in spite of Bert’s ability to stay up forever, we had a relatively short flight. The only person who flew with me who may never fly with me again is Don E.  On landing we didn’t hit the runway.  As any cross country pilot knows, you don’t need a runway to land, although I have to admit, not using the one that is right there can be a little unnerving.  Obviously, all the instructors have helped me. Since last week convinced me my recognition and reaction time were ok, I felt confident to fly and even take up a passenger.

Steven and I have flown alot, almost all in the PW6. I was in the backseat while he was a student. He has been very encouraging telling me that my abilities are still here. I was glad when he wanted to fly with me again. As we got into the plane, Tom was helping. He got the rope and hooked us up. He asked if there was anything else he could do. Steven told him that it was a bit tight in the back seat and he wanted Tom to adjust his junk. Tom passed, and although I appreciated his company and would have loved to help him, I was belted in and couldn’t do anything for him. Steven had asked if the pedals in the back were adjustable. I told him no, which is true. I fogot to tell him that to adjust the pedals, you actually adjust the seat back. But as tight as it was, he said he was ready. Since we were in 97Mike and to take off you start with the stick all the way back, I put the stick all the way back. Apparently, Steven’s junk was in the way and he yelled like a stuck pig. On take-off the sounds of his screams kept me laughing for the whole 18 minute flight. I did notice that upon landing, when he told me that I did well, his voice was a bit higher pitched. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to pull the stick all the way back and not laugh.

It was a perfect day for up and down. No lift and no bumps on tow. Hope Thanksgiving was great for all of you and see you next Saturday.