First Flight - What should I know?

Salutations All,

After years of playing in Microsoft Flight Simulator/X-Plane, reading
the rec.aviation newsgroups, and staring longingly out the window of
Southwest Airlines 737's whenever I go on business trips, I've finally
swallowed hard and taken the plunge - my first introductory flight is
this Saturday with Skyline Aeronautics out of Spirit of St. Louis
Airport (KSUS) in St. Louis, MO. The scheduler said I'm scheduled in a
Diamond Katana two-seater, tail number 227RD.

Obviously, I'm nervous and excited about my first time up, but what
things should I know? Is there really anything, or should I just show
up expecting a good, relaxing time? I'm a software engineer, so most
things in my business require a lot of upfront planning, reading, and
work. Is there anything I should make myself familiar with? Questions I
should ask when I get there, etc?

Any advice anyone could give would be most appreciated!

Regards,
Bryan Porter

There is only one good piece of advice. Chill out and enjoy it. The intro
flight is just a sightseeing tour where you get to play with the controls.

Have fun.


After it's done decide if you get along with your instructor. If not get
another one.


"Bryan Porter" wrote in message
ups.com...
Salutations All,

After years of playing in Microsoft Flight Simulator/X-Plane, reading
the rec.aviation newsgroups, and staring longingly out the window of
Southwest Airlines 737's whenever I go on business trips, I've finally
swallowed hard and taken the plunge - my first introductory flight is
this Saturday with Skyline Aeronautics out of Spirit of St. Louis
Airport (KSUS) in St. Louis, MO. The scheduler said I'm scheduled in a
Diamond Katana two-seater, tail number 227RD.

Obviously, I'm nervous and excited about my first time up, but what
things should I know? Is there really anything, or should I just show
up expecting a good, relaxing time? I'm a software engineer, so most
things in my business require a lot of upfront planning, reading, and
work. Is there anything I should make myself familiar with? Questions I
should ask when I get there, etc?

Any advice anyone could give would be most appreciated!

Regards,
Bryan Porter

If the introductory is meant to get you into training for a pilot
certificate, as most are, your questions should be concerned more with the
school/FBO than with the airplane. Insofar as the airplane is concerned,
relax and enjoy the ride...the Katana is a fun airplane.

As far as the school is concerned, just open your eyes...is the office
businesslike? Are the airplanes...as far as you can tell visually...clean
and in good repair (no hamburger wrappers in the back seat, no duct tape
holding things together)? The key to success is the instructor/student
relationship, so you need to zero in on how you and the demo pilot get
along. Does s/he "kick the tires and light the fires," or does s/he explain
what to expect in simple terms, pre-flight the airplane in your presence,
use checklists, etc.

Expect to be low-balled on the cost, and pretty much ignore it...the bane of
every flight school's existence is the student who visits every school on
the airport looking for the cheapest training. Like anything else, you get
what you pay for.

Bob Gardner

"Bryan Porter" wrote in message
ups.com...
Salutations All,

After years of playing in Microsoft Flight Simulator/X-Plane, reading
the rec.aviation newsgroups, and staring longingly out the window of
Southwest Airlines 737's whenever I go on business trips, I've finally
swallowed hard and taken the plunge - my first introductory flight is
this Saturday with Skyline Aeronautics out of Spirit of St. Louis
Airport (KSUS) in St. Louis, MO. The scheduler said I'm scheduled in a
Diamond Katana two-seater, tail number 227RD.

Obviously, I'm nervous and excited about my first time up, but what
things should I know? Is there really anything, or should I just show
up expecting a good, relaxing time? I'm a software engineer, so most
things in my business require a lot of upfront planning, reading, and
work. Is there anything I should make myself familiar with? Questions I
should ask when I get there, etc?

Any advice anyone could give would be most appreciated!

Regards,
Bryan Porter

Pay attention to what it looks like, the relative position
of the nose of the airplane to the horizon and just where
the horizon is on the windshield. Relax and listen to the
sounds and your body's sensations.

That will make the next flight more productive because
you'll know what it should look like.


--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.


"Bryan Porter" wrote in message
ups.com...
| Salutations All,
|
| After years of playing in Microsoft Flight
Simulator/X-Plane, reading
| the rec.aviation newsgroups, and staring longingly out the
window of
| Southwest Airlines 737's whenever I go on business trips,
I've finally
| swallowed hard and taken the plunge - my first
introductory flight is
| this Saturday with Skyline Aeronautics out of Spirit of
St. Louis
| Airport (KSUS) in St. Louis, MO. The scheduler said I'm
scheduled in a
| Diamond Katana two-seater, tail number 227RD.
|
| Obviously, I'm nervous and excited about my first time up,
but what
| things should I know? Is there really anything, or should
I just show
| up expecting a good, relaxing time? I'm a software
engineer, so most
| things in my business require a lot of upfront planning,
reading, and
| work. Is there anything I should make myself familiar
with? Questions I
| should ask when I get there, etc?
|
| Any advice anyone could give would be most appreciated!
|
| Regards,
| Bryan Porter
|

On 01/09/06 13:09, Bryan Porter wrote:
Salutations All,

After years of playing in Microsoft Flight Simulator/X-Plane, reading
the rec.aviation newsgroups, and staring longingly out the window of
Southwest Airlines 737's whenever I go on business trips, I've finally
swallowed hard and taken the plunge - my first introductory flight is
this Saturday with Skyline Aeronautics out of Spirit of St. Louis
Airport (KSUS) in St. Louis, MO. The scheduler said I'm scheduled in a
Diamond Katana two-seater, tail number 227RD.

Obviously, I'm nervous and excited about my first time up, but what
things should I know? Is there really anything, or should I just show
up expecting a good, relaxing time? I'm a software engineer, so most
things in my business require a lot of upfront planning, reading, and
work. Is there anything I should make myself familiar with? Questions I
should ask when I get there, etc?

Any advice anyone could give would be most appreciated!

Regards,
Bryan Porter


First, Congratulations for taking the most important step: That first
lesson. There's really nothing you need to do to prepare for this, other
than relax and look forward to it. Your instructor will discuss all the
pertinent information with you, and will even let you do a lot of the
flying (except for those cases where you prefer not to, of course).

That first take-off can be quite exciting, and you'll likely never
forget it!

Once you've had a chance to talk to your instructor, he/she will tell
you what is expected of you before each lesson. You will want to be
studying what you've learned, what you're going to do next, and preparing
for the knowledge test. There's a lot of information available to help
with this, so see what you're instructor wants you to do, then just go
do it.

The biggest point I can make about the various stages of flight training,
is that they are never as big a deal as they initially seem. For example,
you may have the following concerns early in your training:

- Will I ever be able to land this airplane without help from the CFI?

- Will I ever be able to learn all I need to pass the knowledge test?

- Will I ever get a handle on radio communications?

- etc.

Trust me when I say that these all come together in their own time. As
long as you stick with it, you will do just fine.

And, of course, you can come back here for help or a shoulder to cry on
any time!

Best of luck and please come back and let us know how your first lesson
goes!

By the way, for student issues, rec.aviation.student is probably good
enough, but as these are free-form groups, you can cross-post if you
feel it is needed. There are a lot of folks on the .student group.

--
Mark Hansen, PP-ASEL, Instrument Airplane
Sacramento, CA

Gig,
I would suggest that you go to my web site www.whittsflying.com and from
the home index page search for the word, 'recorder' This tells you how to
make a short patch cord with a splitter that will allow you to connect a
recorder (tape or digital)into the aircraft intercom. You are going to be
totally overwhelmed with all that is said and done. for a few flights.
Recordings will enable you to play back everything the instructor said
prior, during and after the flight.

Knowing that the recorder (tape or digital) is running will allow you to
relax and enjoy the venture without undue concern about remember it all.
Additionkally you can use the tape to write out all the questions you should
have asked. I doubt that there is a single pilot who doesn't regret not
having such a recording. to add to his regret collection that includes not
having started flying sooner.
Gene Whitt

"Bob Gardner" wrote in message
...
If the introductory is meant to get you into training for a pilot
certificate, as most are, your questions should be concerned more with the
school/FBO than with the airplane. Insofar as the airplane is concerned,
relax and enjoy the ride...the Katana is a fun airplane.

As far as the school is concerned, just open your eyes...is the office
businesslike? Are the airplanes...as far as you can tell visually...clean
and in good repair (no hamburger wrappers in the back seat, no duct tape
holding things together)? The key to success is the instructor/student
relationship, so you need to zero in on how you and the demo pilot get
along. Does s/he "kick the tires and light the fires," or does s/he
explain what to expect in simple terms, pre-flight the airplane in your
presence, use checklists, etc.

Expect to be low-balled on the cost, and pretty much ignore it...the bane
of every flight school's existence is the student who visits every school
on the airport looking for the cheapest training. Like anything else, you
get what you pay for.

Bob Gardner

"Bryan Porter" wrote in message
ups.com...
Salutations All,

After years of playing in Microsoft Flight Simulator/X-Plane, reading
the rec.aviation newsgroups, and staring longingly out the window of
Southwest Airlines 737's whenever I go on business trips, I've finally
swallowed hard and taken the plunge - my first introductory flight is
this Saturday with Skyline Aeronautics out of Spirit of St. Louis
Airport (KSUS) in St. Louis, MO. The scheduler said I'm scheduled in a
Diamond Katana two-seater, tail number 227RD.

Obviously, I'm nervous and excited about my first time up, but what
things should I know? Is there really anything, or should I just show
up expecting a good, relaxing time? I'm a software engineer, so most
things in my business require a lot of upfront planning, reading, and
work. Is there anything I should make myself familiar with? Questions I
should ask when I get there, etc?

Any advice anyone could give would be most appreciated!

Regards,
Bryan Porter

"Gene Whitt" wrote in message
...
Gig,
I would suggest that you go to my web site www.whittsflying.com and from

I believe you meant to spell that "Bryan" instead of "Gig".

Welcome to St Louis skies and enjoy. I fly out of St Louis Regional
across town.
--
Gene Seibel
Gene & Sue's Aeroplanes - http://pad39a.com/gene/planes.html
Because we fly, we envy no one.

On 9 Jan 2006 13:09:42 -0800, "Bryan Porter"
wrote:

Salutations All,

After years of playing in Microsoft Flight Simulator/X-Plane

Forget all you've been doing with the Flight Simulator and look out of
the window.

The first thing I was told when flying was stop looking at the
instruments. You need to use the instruments with FS but you fly a
plane with most of the time looking out!

Enjoy trying to figure out how to do it!!!!