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So, I’m done with my presolo requirements.  All I have to do now is focus on landings for the next lesson or two and I’ll be ready to solo.  Ryan keeps reminding me of this.  I’m so excited and nervous all at the same time. 

We’ve now gone back over all the stuff I learned with the first instructor.  Last night it was engine failure proceedures.  Let’s see if I’ve got this down. 

“ALARMS”

A- Airspeed, trim for best glide.  In the plane I use that would be 80mph.

L- Begin looking for a spot to land. 

AR- Attempt to restart. Check fuel selector valve, make sure that for some reason it’s not on off or that you didn’t take off with it selected to one tank and that tank hasn’t just gone dry.  Then check to make sure mixture is full rich. Play with the throttle a bit.  Set carb heat to check for carburetor icing.  Check both mags; check to see that you’re using both and if so that the plane isn’t operational on one vs. the other or both. Check to make sure primer is in and locked.  If nothing works you are now committed to an emergency landing.

M- MAYDAY.  Squawk 7700 and if there is time either let ATC know you have an emergency and your approx. location or use 121.5.

S- Secure the plane. (Crap… this is the one I mess up.) Turn fuel selector off.  Turn mags off and after putting flaps down turn master switch off, and open the doors. 

I’m having so much fun up there.  Although last night was a new experience for me.  I always fly in the evenings after it’s cooled off and the air is smooth.  Yesterday however it was really really hot so it took quite a while longer for it to cool off.  It was so bumpy.  It actually freaked me out quite a bit at first.  I think I’m going to try and get in some more day hrs on a Saturday afternoon or something so I can get a little more comfortable in those conditions.  I realize that I’m safe and it’s normal but because I just don’t really have experience flying in it, it was very very distracting last night.  I totally was NOT on top of my game. 

Oh and Karen, Ryan’s wife, came last night and we sat and talked for about an hour while Ryan went up with his next student.  She’s a lovely lady and I really enjoyed our conversation.  I’m glad she came up there. 

That’s about it.  Hopefully my next blog will be all about my first solo!!!!