Flight at KPTK

[Tom Pletzke]

Hi Everyone,

Had my first real flight experience. My son gave me a fathers day gift of a discovery flight at KPTK. I did much of the work from startup, taxi, takeoff, navigation, landing, and shutdown. It was very cool to feel the air while steering. First thing I learned was you steer with one hand most of the time. It was a blast. Here is a link to the landing: https://youtu.be/AanUn0sATgQ

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4V_N ... XlqTTdyNWM
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4V_N ... jBXaG56NHM
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4V_N ... zdfSlEtbVE

[Harold Henderson]

Congratulations. The bug has bitten. Figured out how to pay for the lessons?

[Theodore Martin]

Why to go Tom. So are you saying the instructor allowed you to land on a "discovery" flight? He is a very trusting soul.

[Tom Pletzke]

Yes, he did. But he did handle the throttle and was right there with hands on just in case. He also asked me a lot of questions before the flight about my simulator experience and my knowledge of the instruments when we jumped in the plane. I'm sure if I did not follow a good path down he would have jumped in quickly. It reminded me a little of a driving road test except way more exciting.

I also did the flight several times at home on the simulator in the airplane and made sure I only used the keyboard when absolutely necessary so I would get familiar with the throttle and starting procedures.

The only thing I needed instruction on was the foot pedals because I don't have them at home and I did not know to prime the gas before starting. I was not scared at all on the landing because it seemed so much like the simulator except for the wind resistance on the yoke.

I was very surprised that I was able to do as much as I did. I have to admit I was nervous but he helped along the way. Taxi was interesting because of the foot pedals and no steering with the yoke. It felt weird to use your feet instead of twisting the joystick.

[Greg Gemelli]

Awesome work Tom!!! Congrats!

[Todd Meek]

That is amazing landing on your discovery flight. Just goes to show how much using the simulator is like real life. When you going to start your flying lessons?