Well folks, it is time to report entering another phase of my return to the air. After a disastrous lesson last week when I resembles a spastic retard with a gross neurological impairment, this week's lesson started out with five reasonably controlled landings. After the last one of these, my instructor tells me to stop the plane next to the lunch trailer, as he wanted to get out. After a cautionary summary of what not to do, he allowed me to take his airplane to the end of the runway and attempt to fly it all by me lonesome. We have all heard (and some have experienced) the improved performance when the right seat does NOT contain a flight instructor, but, this Ultralight stuff is something else! I was at pattern altitude before I reached the end of the runway!! The first attempt at landing without the instructor shouting "right rudder...right rudder" into the intercom resulted in slight bounce at a slight angle, from which I recovered enough to get it on the ground in one piece. I leave the runway and taxi back to where the instructor is waiting and signalling me to kill the engine. Surprise! He is satisfied with the landing (I apparently felt more than he was able to see) and suggests only that I carry a bit more airspeed "over the fence" and tells me to try it again.
The next two landings are poetry in motion! They looked good, they felt good and I am really happy with myself. I pull up after the last one, expecting my instructor to rejoin me as it is time for the lesson to end. But, he says, "Those last two were so pretty I want you to do it twice more - on me. No charge for the extra time - just make them as pretty". WOW! I am feeling great! and so exactly as he says....two greasers! and it is a great day.
To celebrate, he asks me if I have ever experienced a true dead stick landing. I say - "No. Practice emergency landings with the power at idle, but never a true dead stick" He asks, "Would you like to?" and I'm feeling so good that I say "Sure!" He says take up up to 1500 feet and I'll take the airplane. Right after declaring "My plane" he reached for the ignition switch and - bloop - dead silence - only wind. He slows the plane down to 50 mph (so the prop stops turning) and establishes a best glide - a 45 degree turn to the right and we are lined up for a 45 degree approach to the end of the runway. I take the helmet off so I can experience the full effect and we are floating through the air with no sound other than the wind -- Another 45 degree right turn about 50 feet off the deck and we are lined up with the runway and land with only a slight bounce. Start the engine and taxi to the hanger. Life is GOOD!!!
***Reality - The refuge of those who can't handle simulation***
Cheers, Jerry (N94)
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