Before flying today, my instructor and I went over what we were going to do. This included normal turns, climbing and gliding, takeoff and landing. One thing he said was that on an approach to landing, I have 3 options which should be evaluated in this order: go around, land somewhere else, land on the runway.

Today, I did the preflight and checklists to get 976SP ready for takeoff. Today I let my instructor know about my 120 hours of FS2002 simulator time in the 172 so he let me take off and that was my first unassisted takeoff. Very cool! I had to pull back harder on the elevator than I thought I would have to, but we got it off the ground and I kept it lined up with extended centerline.

I was able to navigate my way to Taneytown without getting lost this time but when we got to the practice area and I did some maneuvers, I got lost again. I need to take time to drive around the area. We did some normal climbs and descents. He is big on pulling the nose back 5 degrees until airspeed comes down to 80kts before putting in full power. He also likes to have me push the nose over and pull power at the same time, gliding at 70kts. We did some climbs and descents while turning and I memorized the sight picture for these.

He covered up the airspeed indicator the entire time except when we were in the pattern, so that I could get used to it not being available. I was using the sight picture and engine RPM as a guide. I learned that around 3000 feet, straight and level with 2200RPM, I was going about 90kts. Pull power to 2100RPM and we started to descend at around 100fpm. There were other settings we put the tachometer to and watched the climb and descent rate as well.

I had taken his checklist and laminated it and made sure to put it in the pocket up front so it was available. He asked if I had it and I pulled it right out and went down the list. We come back to DMW south of Rt 140, so the airport was on the left. We crossed mid-field at 2500 feet and descended to 1600 feet while spiraling over the 4 barns. This set us up for 45 to downwind 34. Wind was 320 at 5 by the way. We made our way to base where I reduced power to 1500 and made the appropriate radio calls. He and I landed the plane together, with no flaps down. He kept telling me to keep the nose pointed forward, we have lots of time, don't even think about turning until we're stopped or almost stopped.

I taxied off the runway and finished the post landing checklist, taxied to the parking area and then went through the shut down list. My instructor pushed the plane back into the tie-down spot while I steered it, we tied it down and took down all the numbers for FBO.

Next week is Vx, Vy and turns around a point.

I'm scheduled for: