Getting Ready To Solo
I purposely took a lot of time (9 days) off since my last flight before I flew again. I really felt that the biggest frustration for me last time was a lack of preparation, so I decided I'd take some time and study.
Did I study? Do I ever? No. Well, a little. But I did go out and get a checklist, some charts, and a kneeboard. This is stuff I should've had a long time ago, when we first started going to other airports. Or maybe earlier. Maybe the first time I flew, I should've had these.
I've learned a lot in the last week. Most importantly: Airspaces. The air is divided into different airspaces. Speaking to the question posed by a co-worker of mine: "If I jump off a building, do I have to answer to the FAA?" The answer is no, because you're probably in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace. If that building is in an area where controlled airspace (class B-E) extends to the surface, then maybe so; for instance if you jump off the main terminal building at SFO you might be in trouble. But then you'd pretty much be in trouble anyway.
Class A airspace starts at 18,000 feet above sea level (MSL), so we don't worry about it. The rest, we worry about. Class B surrounds BIG airports; there are only 34 (or so) class B airspaces in the country. Luckily we have one to contend with right here at SFO. The airspace extends out in concentric circles with progressively higher floors -- at the airport, it extends from the ground all the way up to 10,000 feet. The next ring out, it might start at 2500 feet MSL and go up to 10,000 feet. Farther out, it starts at 4000 feet on up to 10,000. It's complicated, and I as a student pilot must avoid it at all costs. A licensed private pilot can only cross that boundary with special clearance, which I believe might even cost money.
Next is class C. Smaller big airports have a class C airspace surrounding them. These require two way communications with the control tower. Same with class D -- actually I guess I need to figure out what exactly the difference is between class C and D; C definitely has more flexibility in its shape and limits. Class D is what surrounds airports like PAO, SQL and LVK. Class E is controlled airspace, and starts at 1200 AGL (above ground level) most places, unless it's indicated to start at 700 AGL, or another altitude. Where it's not class E, it's class G (uncontrolled).
It's all on the charts. A tad confusing, but..better than not having charts.
Anyway, today's flight went pretty well though I still needed some help with the tower comm. Not as bad, but I did forget to report on my approach to LVK. Kevin bailed me out this time. My landings were, as Kevin said, "....safe." Not graceful, but I put it down, and didn't hurt the plane or any people. I should be ready to solo in about 2 more flights!
I'm really relieved that this flight went better. I was so stressed out today about it, after last time. I even snapped at my girlfriend on my way out of the house. But, I have to realize at some point that I do know how to fly. One alarming development is that I think I'm developing a stutter. It happened when I was talking to PAO tower, and it happened again at the grocery store afterwards. That would be a bad thing, given my budding career in the performing arts..
Or maybe I just need more sleep...
Did I study? Do I ever? No. Well, a little. But I did go out and get a checklist, some charts, and a kneeboard. This is stuff I should've had a long time ago, when we first started going to other airports. Or maybe earlier. Maybe the first time I flew, I should've had these.
I've learned a lot in the last week. Most importantly: Airspaces. The air is divided into different airspaces. Speaking to the question posed by a co-worker of mine: "If I jump off a building, do I have to answer to the FAA?" The answer is no, because you're probably in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace. If that building is in an area where controlled airspace (class B-E) extends to the surface, then maybe so; for instance if you jump off the main terminal building at SFO you might be in trouble. But then you'd pretty much be in trouble anyway.
Class A airspace starts at 18,000 feet above sea level (MSL), so we don't worry about it. The rest, we worry about. Class B surrounds BIG airports; there are only 34 (or so) class B airspaces in the country. Luckily we have one to contend with right here at SFO. The airspace extends out in concentric circles with progressively higher floors -- at the airport, it extends from the ground all the way up to 10,000 feet. The next ring out, it might start at 2500 feet MSL and go up to 10,000 feet. Farther out, it starts at 4000 feet on up to 10,000. It's complicated, and I as a student pilot must avoid it at all costs. A licensed private pilot can only cross that boundary with special clearance, which I believe might even cost money.
Next is class C. Smaller big airports have a class C airspace surrounding them. These require two way communications with the control tower. Same with class D -- actually I guess I need to figure out what exactly the difference is between class C and D; C definitely has more flexibility in its shape and limits. Class D is what surrounds airports like PAO, SQL and LVK. Class E is controlled airspace, and starts at 1200 AGL (above ground level) most places, unless it's indicated to start at 700 AGL, or another altitude. Where it's not class E, it's class G (uncontrolled).
It's all on the charts. A tad confusing, but..better than not having charts.
Anyway, today's flight went pretty well though I still needed some help with the tower comm. Not as bad, but I did forget to report on my approach to LVK. Kevin bailed me out this time. My landings were, as Kevin said, "....safe." Not graceful, but I put it down, and didn't hurt the plane or any people. I should be ready to solo in about 2 more flights!
I'm really relieved that this flight went better. I was so stressed out today about it, after last time. I even snapped at my girlfriend on my way out of the house. But, I have to realize at some point that I do know how to fly. One alarming development is that I think I'm developing a stutter. It happened when I was talking to PAO tower, and it happened again at the grocery store afterwards. That would be a bad thing, given my budding career in the performing arts..
Or maybe I just need more sleep...
posted by MKT at 11:06 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home