Five Landings

I managed to get out and do some pattern work today, for the first time in 20 days. There were clouds; the ceiling was about 4000 feet, but I was only going up to 800, so it didn't matter. I ran into Kevin on my way out, and asked him how it was. He agreed that pattern work would be fine, which was nice because I was not too confident in my decision, so it was good to have the affirmation.

Runway 13 was in use, which always weirds me out. My preflight, taxi and runup all went well, no surprises. Then came the pattern work. I'd resolved to time my departures and arrivals, which I wound up doing at about an 80% rate of success. Not bad. I'd also resolved to keep my controls into the wind properly when on the ground, which I did well pretty much all the time except immediately after touchdown. Gotta work on that.

My first pattern was disconcerting -- I went up, and probably would've just kept climbing if I didn't get a hint from the tower, telling another aircraft to watch for "a Cessna turning crosswind at 800 feet" even though I was already at 900. I reacted quickly and corrected.

There was a strong updraft on short final -- every time, I came down right on the glide slope, then next thing I know I'm high, so I cut power and go full flaps -- and then it feels like I have no lift at all and I'm headed for the ground. The first couple of times I panicked and added lots of power, the second time so much that I had to go around. It was good to go around, I have to practice that anyway. The last few, I just resolved to land farther down the runway. My landings were a little rough; I had a couple of small bounces and a couple of slightly hard landings. I think I do need to hold it off longer; I was being a little wimpy on the controls, which happens when I lose my touch. Rudders, too -- I finally started getting the rudders on my 5th and final lap.

So, I did it. Good thing, too, since we have another week of storms forecast!