Lesson #7

Log Book - 3/1 C150 4K6 OTM IA24 0 0.9

I preflighted the C150 for the flight home. This will be the first time that I have flown in a C150, so this could be an interesting trip. I am 6’-2” and I was concerned with how much room there was in the cockpit given the non-adjustable front seats. Another reason that I wanted Dale to come along is that this plane might be my new instrument training plane while the 172 was down, so I needed to see if we would both fit in the plane. After we crammed ourselves in, we talked about what we would do on the flight back to IA24. As much as I wanted to do a couple of approaches on the way home, it was well after noon and I needed to get back to work. We figured the best thing to do was to fly to the OTM VOR and then direct to the CID VOR. This would take us right over IA24, so that is what we did. After take-off, I donned the Foggles and received heading instruction from Dale waiting for the VOR signal. After we climbed to about 2500’, we got the needle to move and received the ident code. I then proceeded to fly direct OTM and then to the CID VOR. As we arrived closer to IA24, Dale then gave me heading and altitude callouts and set me up for base to RWY 33 at Green Castle. I must say that I was real happy with my first landing in the C150. It was a squeaker and right in the center of the 26’ wide runway. After landing, Dale and I discussed my upcoming flight schedule and what plane I wanted to use while the 172 was in the shop. I felt comfortable enough in the 150 to continue to use it as long as the temperatures remained low. I am guessing our weight won’t be our friend when density altitude is added to the training equation. We will try a few flights in the 150 and if things don’t work out I can always transition over to the Piper Arrow that the club has in its fleet of rental aircraft. While it would cost more for training, it is still available if need be. We then discussed my training schedule and how the absence of the 172 (possible 6-8 weeks at the shop) might affect my upcoming check ride. I told him about my share in the DA40 and he mentioned the possibility of using that for my check ride. After discussing that at length, I decided that it is my best option. I figure that I will get approx. 7 hours of hood time in the DA40 while finishing my required dual instruction to pacify the insurance company. I will keep flying the 150 until I get close to my ride. Once my check ride is within reach, I will then use the DA40 for the final few hours of my training.