Up in the Air
My Christmas present from MJNL was a introductory flying lesson from the Canadian Flight Academy in Oshawa. I have always wanted to fly a plane, but getting an actual license costs quite a bit of cash. This introduction however, was a bit more affordable, especially considering that it was a group purchase.
The skies were mostly clear and there was not too much wind, but I had hoped that the weather would be warmer (the high was five degrees Celsius) because I wanted to ride out to the airport. (It saves on gas.)
I got to the airport right on time and was quickly introduced to the pilot. We walked out to the plane, a Cessna 152, which was smaller than I had expected. The gross weight was 1670 lbs and I was taller than the plane.
Also, the seating was tight for two average people, and I had a little trouble jamming myself into the cockpit. Still, I was looking forward for my first foray into the flying world!
The pilot was good at going over the specs of the plane, the safety briefing and explaining the checklist. We taxied out onto the runway and had no trouble taking off. Once we had reached our cruising altitude (around 3500') he handed me the controls. Immediately after I took over, I felt the plane begin to buck and shake as the turbulence knocked our tiny plane around like a cork on the ocean. Okay, so I exaggerate a bit, but for a neophyte, any moving and swaying of the plane felt abnormal. He told me I was doing fine. I had a death grip on the controls and was reacting to every shake and shimmy the two-seater was doing. I was pretty stressed. After ten minutes I felt ready to hand the controls back, but I knew that I should take full advantage of this opportunity, and the pilot said that I was keeping it very steady (sure did not feel like it) so I continued piloting. We flew up to and around Lake Scugog before heading back to the airport.
He took over for the landing, and I was so relieved to let go of the controls. I could not see myself doing this for more than an hour before passing out from the stress, but I am sure that practice would build confidence. It was the same way with the bike.
In any case, it was worth trying out. I do not foresee myself taking lessons any time soon. Perhaps later when I win the lottery..
The skies were mostly clear and there was not too much wind, but I had hoped that the weather would be warmer (the high was five degrees Celsius) because I wanted to ride out to the airport. (It saves on gas.)
I got to the airport right on time and was quickly introduced to the pilot. We walked out to the plane, a Cessna 152, which was smaller than I had expected. The gross weight was 1670 lbs and I was taller than the plane.
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| Me standing next to the Cessna 152 that I got to fly. |
The pilot was good at going over the specs of the plane, the safety briefing and explaining the checklist. We taxied out onto the runway and had no trouble taking off. Once we had reached our cruising altitude (around 3500') he handed me the controls. Immediately after I took over, I felt the plane begin to buck and shake as the turbulence knocked our tiny plane around like a cork on the ocean. Okay, so I exaggerate a bit, but for a neophyte, any moving and swaying of the plane felt abnormal. He told me I was doing fine. I had a death grip on the controls and was reacting to every shake and shimmy the two-seater was doing. I was pretty stressed. After ten minutes I felt ready to hand the controls back, but I knew that I should take full advantage of this opportunity, and the pilot said that I was keeping it very steady (sure did not feel like it) so I continued piloting. We flew up to and around Lake Scugog before heading back to the airport.
 |
| The instrument panel of the Cessna 152. |
In any case, it was worth trying out. I do not foresee myself taking lessons any time soon. Perhaps later when I win the lottery..
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