The Avian Fluke

I went into today’s flight knowing that I was going to make that airplane my bitch. After last time, with the bad flying and the bad feelings that went with it afterward, I knew today was going to be different.
We had around a 13-knot wind 20 degrees off the runway gusting to 24 at times. […]

In fading twilight, Der Instruktor began teaching me pre-flight procedures.
I like pre-flighting. You look over the airplane, make sure that nuts and bolts and cotter pins are in their proper places. You make sure that ailerons and flaps move. That things whistle, ring and hum when they’re supposed to. You do this to spot potential […]

I go up this afternoon. First lesson with new instructor.
I’ve had a couple lessons before. Nothing serious, and never more than two lessons consecutively. It’s a first lesson in what will be a string of them culminating, at minimum, in certification as a private pilot. It quickens my pulse ever so slightly.
I got into this […]