Flight Trip: Pilgrimage to the Wright Brothers Monument

Today, I made a long cross-country trip to the First Flight Airport (KFFA) at Kill Devil Hills, NC from Raleigh-Exec Jetport (KTTA) to pay homage to the Wright Brothers as a new pilot...

I preflighted the Allegro 200 LSA with my flight instructor Jim Schmidt and took-off from RWY 03 at 10.00 AM. After the climb, I turned towards the east and flew the plane at an airspeed of 100 MPH. Jim asked me to climb to 7500 ft and with a tailwind, we had a groundspeed of 130 MPH for an IAS of 110 MPH. I set the trim tab for holding the airspeed and Jim called the flight service for flight following from KTTA to KFFA, a 200 miles cross-country flight. I took some HD video shots along the way and the entire flight was a smooth and enjoyable ride with great visibility. As we crossed the Alligator river and the Albemarle Sound, there were some scattered clounds at 6,000 ft. I started my descend 25 miles west of KFFA and flew towards the Outer Banks of North Carolina and Kitty Hawk.

Flight Trip to the Wright Brothers National Monument: Part 1 (KTTA - KMCZ)

Part 2: Williamston, NC to Phelps Lake, NC

Part 3: Crossing the Albemarle Sound

Part 4: Aerial Tour of Wright Brothers National Monument and KFFA landing

Jim took control of the aircraft once the KFFA was in sight and circled the Wright Brothers National Monument so that I can take video shots of the Outer Banks and the Monument with the KFFA RWY in the background. Jim performed a sideslip to the final and I took back the control of the aircraft and put the landing flaps. I performed my first landing at the First Flight Airport (KFFA) at runway 02. We back-taxied to the aircraft parking area right in front of the majestic monument to the Wright Brothers. We took some pictures and Jim signed my name at the AOPA Pilots Facility register.

I took off from KFFA to the Dare County Airport (KMQI) at Manteo, NC in the Roanoke Island. I landed the airplane at RWY 05 after a final over the Albemarle Sound. We filled the Allegro 2000 LSA gas tank with 100 LL. I took-off from KMQI RWY 05 and climbed to 2,500 ft heading west towards KTTA. I flew the entire leg of 200 miles from KMQI to KTTA. At KTTA, the winds now favored RWY 21 and I performed my third landing of the day with no flaps and taxied to the FBO.

Flight Trip from Dare County Regional Airport,NC to Raleigh-Exec Airport, NC

I then thanked my flight instructor for the memorable trip and for his dedicated flight training to me in obtaining my Sport Pilot Certificate . We both then had a late lunch in Apex, NC on the way back from Sanford, NC. I have logged a total of 5.3 hours of PIC time for this cross-country trip....

Flight Trip: KTTA - KHBI - KTTA

Today at Noon, I preflighted the Allegro 2000 LSA from the FBO - B Bar D Aviation and taxied the airplane to the RWY 21 with my wife as a passenger for a trip from Raleigh-Exec Jetport (KTTA) to Asheboro Regional Airport (KHBI) and back to Raleigh-Exec Jetport. The sky was clear with winds from 190 degrees at 6 knots. I tookoff with 15 degrees of flap and headed west towards KHBI. I climbed to 3,000 ft. There was a strong headwind that reduced my indicated airspeed of 95 MPH to a groundspeed of only 75 MPH. There were some thermal induced turbulence. We enjoyed our flight enroute with the Fall colors of North Carolina presenting a fantastic view. Twenty miles east of Asheboro I listened to the AWOS and the winds favored RWY 21 at KHBI. I entered the downwind for RWY 21 and landed the plane after a short final. I then taxied the LSA to the GA area and switched the engine off. A Remos LSA was parked nearby and the pilot greeted us. We had a short conversation. I then started the engine for taxiing to RWY 21.



I performed the before takeoff checklist and tookoff with no flaps. After the left crosswind leg, I headed east towards KTTA. We crossed the HWY 220 NC and again we enjoyed the Fall colors below throughout our flight. On the return trip, I had a 20 knots tailwind and now my groundspeed was at 115 MPH. Above Goldston, NC, I listened to the AWOS and the winds still favored RWY 21 at KTTA. There was some traffic on the CTAF and I had a Piper just 4 Miles behind and 400 ft above my altitude. I crossed the mid-field of KTTA RWY and joined the downwind for RWY 21. I landed the airplane after a longer final to bleedoff 200 ft of excess altitude. I then taxied to the FBO. Just a couple of minutes later, the Piper Cherokee also landed at RWY 21.



Today's flight trip was 80 NM and I have now accumulated about 11.5 hours of cross-country flight time.

Flight Training: Airspace Class B, C and D

Today, Jim instructed me and provided flight training on the procedures to airspaces class B, C and D. After the preflight briefing, I tookoff with Jim to Fayetteville Regional Airport (KFAY - Class C) from Raleigh-Exec Airport (KTTA) in the Allegro 2000 LSA for the 38 NM one-way trip. There was a good crosswind at 3.00 PM with winds from 240 degrees at 7 knots as I tookoff from KTTA RWY 21. There were scattered clouds at 12,000 ft with great visibility.

After clearing the KTTA area, I switched to KFAY ATIS and noted down the information "Juliet" and the runway being used. I made the call to KFAY Approach 30 miles North. ATC acknowledged about 25 miles N. Jim asked me to announce my position (altitude and distance) and intention (to land at KFAY) and provide the info. "Juliet" I noted from the ATIS. Approach control asked me to maintain a heading and altitude and proceed towards KFAY. They also provided a transponder code to squawk. I passed over the Pope Airforce Base and was adviced to switch to the second Approach frequency. I followed the instructions provided and was cleared to land at RWY 22. Jim asked ATC for one touch-and-go followed by a full-stop landing. The ATC approved our 'option' request . Jim switched to the Tower frequency as we approached RWY 22 per ATC instructions. I landed the plane at RWY 22 and performed a touch-and-go and maintained an altitude below 2,000 ft per ATC instructions. I again landed at RWY 22 and cleared the RWY. Tower adviced 'stay with me' to keep us on the same frequency and instructed to follow taxiway 'delta' to the GA ramp. There were some traffic in the class C airport at 4.00 PM including a US Airways commercial airplane landing after me. I taxied to the GA ramp and shut the engine off.

Jim briefed me on the procedures for the departure to KTTA from the class C airspace KFAY airport. I listened to the ATIS and noted the info 'Kilo'. I then called Ground Control frequency with my info 'Kilo' and intention to fly to KTTA as VFR. Ground advised to squawk 0221 and assigned RWY 22, maintain Runway Heading and 2000 ft. After engine start, I called ground for clearence to taxi to RWY22. I was asked to follow taxiway 'Alpha' to RWY 22 intersection. At the intersection, Jim asked me to call tower for takeoff clearence. Since we could not hear the ATC instructions, Jim asked me to position the airplane towards the ILS intersection and then call. It worked, as the antenna picked up the ATC Tower instructions. I followed the Tower assigned Runway Heading and climbed to 2000 ft. Tower asked me to call departure frequency and I was assigned a couple of headings and altitude. I was also alerted of a traffic at my one o'clock position. After the second departure control advised 'follow own navigation' , Jim asked me to follow the heading on the GPS for KTTA. After clearing the Class C outer surface radius, I was advised by ATC of radar control termination. Jim switched the frequency to AWOS for KTTA and the VFR transponder code. I followed the GPS towards the KTTA. There was a Mooney on final approach as I entered the downwind for KTTA RWY 21. I then landed the airplane with no flaps after a long flare. Taxied to FBO. Jim briefed me on some finer points and endorsed my logbook for the airspace class B, C and D.

The cross-country flight trip was 75 NM. With today's flight I now have 50 hours of flight time and 15 hours of PIC time...

Flight Trip: Solo Flight Crossing the Jordan Lake

Today, I made a solo flight trip in the local area surrounding the Raleigh-Exec Airport in Sanford, NC. The weather was mild with a 70 F temperature and a 3 knots wind from 300 degrees. It was sunny at 3.00 PM and after a preflight of the Allegro 2000 LSA, I taxied to RWY 3. I tookoff behind a Piper Arrow with flaps at 15 degrees. I climbed at Vy=70 MPH and retracted the flaps at 200 ft. After the left crosswind leg, I flew towards the city of Pittsboro, NC at an altitude of 3,400 ft.




Turning to the right, I piloted the plane towards the Jordan Lake. Unlike the last trip, the view was excellent with no clouds or haze in the afternoon Sun. I crossed the Jordan Lake and saw a few boats below. I then made a steep turn to the left at 90 MPH and headed towards the KTTA.



I entered the downwind for RWY 3 at 80 MPH midpoint at 45 degrees. I saw a plane flying to the south and clear of the traffic, I turned the base leg with flaps 2 and an airspeed of 65 MPH. I was a little high on the final and landed the plane after a short flare. I taxied to he FBO. Today's trip was a beautiful flight crossing the Jordan Lake and gaining some flight practice as a new sport pilot...

First Passenger: Aerial Tour of Lake Jordan, NC

Yesterday, at 10.00 AM, I arrived at the FBO with my wife, Priya to take her as my first passenger on a flight as PIC...



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A write-up from my wife about our first flight together...
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"Over earth and ocean, with gentle motion,
This pilot is guiding me..."

As we approached the hangar, Allegro N50631 airplane already seemed prepped up and ready for the day's adventure.

A friendly greeting from Betty and Doug at B Bar D Aviation and within a few minutes, we were on our way to a pre-flight procedural check. Prasad explained the steps as he was performing them. Check the engine oil levels. Now rotate the propeller manually ten to fifteen times and test the oil dipstick again, see the tank has filled up. The engine compartment lid comes off easily, see how the screws line up with the lines of the box, we just screw them back in so, not too heavy.

As I watch with a mixed feeling of happiness and curiosity, Prasad slowly and certainly pulls the vehicle out of the hangar and faces it perpendicular to the runway. He is in home territory it feels like, and watching his careful and thorough checks, all nerves are smoothened out. See this is how you glide into your seat, and firmly close the window. Buckle up, wear your headset and lets look at the pre-flight test one.

Soon enough, he adds choke to the start and with a whir and a rev the engine starts to a persistent roar. The sudden noise from this new blue toy like plane is startling. Is this little device making all this sound?! The pilot announces the taxiing and off we go, cruising in the Allegro. For a start, I feel no fear. Doug has already told me something I know by now, Prasad will take care.

I am all curiosity - how will this thing lift itself and us up to the skies - can it really 'fly' ? This cute toy plane, is it real?

Well, we were on runway 21 and inching forward as Prasad looks at the engine oil temperature gauge and the tachometer to pick up. Suddenly, the flight has taken off without any topsy turvy tummies! It lifted up like a butterfly that was hovering over land which has suddenly thought of a better place to be. The skies :-)

I could not feel any fear. I admit I anticipated a turbulent ride but the take-off proved otherwise, assuaging doubts and increasing my curiosity quotient. What more, in store? At a height of 3,000 feet above land, Prasad pointed out to the landmarks in the vicinity. Having never been on a flight in a small airplane before, it was hard to orient myself so suddenly and identify with the reckoning. I was 'blind' as I enjoyed the view.

The radio had to crackle itself in and out as other pilots announced their courses. Prasad made a turn-around as he approached the runway on our return we made a 360 degree turn and returned again to land. They say landings are the tricky bit to a flight. Prasad landed after he was parallel to the ground and barely a few feet above it. There was one jolt as we touched down but that was it!

Betty told me that on a clear day if you go up a few thousand feet the views of the mountains are splendid. I believe her. Doug said that the winter weather is more suited to flying LSA-s because the thermals are much nearer the ground and its easier to ride the thermal then. Less bumps. Well today was hardly bumpy by that count, and we had a nice outing.

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Training for Class C and D Airspaces

Today, Jim conducted ground school training for airspace C & D endorsement for my Sport Pilot privileges. I Prepared the flight plan and Radio communications procedures for KFAY (Fayetteville Airport - Class C) from KTTA with Jim. I then preflighted the plane Allegro 200 LSA. The winds were from 040 at 4 knots. I tookoff with Jim from RWY 3. After the climb, I made a right crosswind and piloted the LSA towards FAY at a magnetic course of 170 degrees. We then listened to KFAY ATIS and obtained information Quebec.

I contacted FAY Approach 10 miles south of Sanford, NC. FAY Approach advised 'ALLEGRO - keep clear off FAY class C airspace’ being unable hear our communications clearly. Jim asked me to turn the plane to KTTA. I made a 180 turn and headed towards KTTA. Seven miles south of Raleigh-Exec Airport (KTTA) I announced my position and intention to land at KTTA. A Bonanza also made a call approaching KTTA from 10 miles N. Jim asked me to perform a short approach after crossing the runway midfield to take position before the Bonanza. Abeam the no. 3, I put flaps at 2 with an airspeed of 70 MPH. I turned base and final approach legs at 65 MPH and landed at RWY 3. Within minutes the Bonanza also landed at RWY 3. I taxied to FBO. Jim is going to test the radios with the avionics technician tomorrow and will contact me to schedule my next flight training class.

KTTA - KBUY - KTTA Flight

At 10.30 AM today, I preflighted the Allegro 2000 LSA in preparation for my Sport Pilot Certificate Checkride. My flight instructor, Jim Schmidt also accompanied me for the trip from KTTA (Raleigh-Exec Airport) to KBUY (Burlington-Alamance Regional Airport) from where I took the checkride with DPE Zenda Liess.

The weather at both KTTA and KBUY were sunny with great visibility. But, it was windy with good crosswinds at both the airports. Both of my landings at KBUY, arriving from KTTA and the simulated engine-out landing (power idle) with the DPE required crosswind corrections. After passing the checkride and obtaining my temporary sport pilot airman certificate from the DPE, I took-off with Jim to KTTA. We cruised at 3,000 ft with a ground speed of 104 MPH. The winds have changed direction since my takeoff from KTTA in the morning from RWY 3 and now they favored RWY 21. I performed a crosswind landing and taxied to the FBO.

With my newly obtained 'license to learn', my next lesson with my instructor is to get proficient for an endorsement for class C and D airspaces.