Learned how to take off...

[Mudge]

Without scaring both of us. Finally got the hang of adjusting for torque and it was SMOOOOTH. Even surprised myself. Repeated some of Monday's lesson and then did gliding, slow flying, go around with full flaps, descents with and without flaps. I did get to fly it down to where we turn on final and then my instructor (he of little faith) landed it. Still having to remember to look outside more and more but the whole procedure is getting more comfortable.

Mudge the teachable

[Jerry O'Neill]

Congrats Mudge!
I didn't get the hang of landing until I started to look "down" the length of the runway instead over over the cowl. It clicked then!
Jerry

[Russ Matthews]

Way to go!

Landing, to me, is the last true "seat of the pants" moment in modern general aviation. The more you do it, the easier and more natural it will become...

[Mudge]

As far as looking down the runway goes, I kinda' learned to look "where I want to go instead of where I am" when I was a biker.

Mudge the fearless

Respect...yes. Fear...no

[Matt Gunsch]

Remember Mudge, every takeoff is optional, but every landing is mandatory

[systemofadown1162]

Remember Mudge, every takeoff is optional, but every landing is mandatory

Nonesense!

[Bill Greenwood]

I remember my first solo all those years ago at Montgomery Field in San Diego. My landing were ok, but I was great at takeoffs, so I felt I'd just get airborne and the rest would work itself out which it did.

[mustangdriver]

Great job bud. You are on your way.

[Lynn Allen]

Your drivng a PA-28 right?? Remember, airspeed, let the wings do the work for you. The right airspeed and as soon as you feel your "6" sinking, give it a little flare to bleed of the rest of the airspeed. You will always remember your first landing, even dual, I do. Best one hop I ever seen.

Good Luck,

Lynn

[Mudge]

Yeah...a PA-28.
If my first landing (which I suspect will be Monday) is ANYTHING like my first take-off, Mrs. Mudge will be posting from beside my hospital bed.

Mudge the antsy

[Matt Gunsch]

Mudge, are you saying we might see a Gull wing Piper in the future ? Just remember, there is no such thing as gravity, the earth sucks, somtimes it just sucks harder over the runway.
Matt, who has dented a runway once

[Mudge]

I'm not too concerned about turning it into a gull wing. Putting it on the runway doesn't appear too difficult. I'm concerned about keeping it out of the grass once we're down.

Mudge the concerned

[bdk]

Putting it on the runway doesn't appear too difficult. I'm concerned about keeping it out of the grass once we're down.

Maybe your first landing should be at a grass strip?

[Bill Greenwood]

Mudge, a few thoughts on landing: 1st practice flying the pattern well, that is at the right speed(within 3Knots is a good margin) right alt(within 50') and the right size. Stay fairly close, not some giant jet size pattern, so you have about 1/4 mile, or so final. Never be low and slow. A little high and slow, ok; a liittle fast not so bad, never low and slow or else go around. Just fly the path down to about 15', then gradually level off so you stop the descent about a foot off the ground with the throttle closed and just slowly add back pressure as the plane slows and settles on the runway. Have a relaxed attitude, don't think about driving or pushing the plane down into the runway, rather it is gently hoover above the runway until the plane settles. Look well down the path not right in front. 1 final thing, you can include "gear down" in you cheklist on downwind, so it is a habit if you ever fly a retract. All the other checks are nice, but gear is the only vital one.

[skybolt2003]

Good tips here – I agree that a nice, precise and tight pattern is best. Remember a slighter steeper glidepath makes it a lot easier to hit the desired touchdonw point. Also, if you learn to land the PA-28 like a taildragger, i.e.: full stall with the stick, err, yoke all way back, you are going to be in much better shape to transition to more fun planes. Attitude+airspeed so get used to the sight picture, then pull, pull, pull.
Have fun, and remember, learning is always 1 step forward and 2 steps back. You will think you are a failure, and then things will click.
Bret