Well It's the dowhnill run, with an expected 7 weeks before I take my oral/practical. I had my doubts, and I'm so suprised, pleased and relieved that I've almost made it to the end. I just did my first solo Cross Country from Gulfport(KGPT) to Hammond Northshore (KHDC) today. Lots of turbulance due to the warming temperatures (FUN FUN FUN). I also had a 10G17 headwind on the runway, so I skipped it 3 times (80 MPH @ 30 degree flaps) but I added 100 rpm more on the 3rd bounce and got her settled onto 36. I got her back to Gulfport using the VORs and had a last minute gust push me to the west on my roundout, but I arrested that about 2-3 feet before touchdown, and actually got a smooth landing in the end. Overall things are finally starting to work for me. I was not as nervious as I was last solo, but it WAS fatiquing none the less. Still, I kept up with my flight plan, landmarks and gas mileage calculations, as well as the radios and navaids. I also avioded encroaching on other airspace, and that shows a lot of progress. My next XC solo is Thursday to Dauphin Island AL. It's a shorter runway, but I expect I'll do fine. Each time gives me more confidance now. Especially being solo! Its sorta like being thrown in the pool and being told "Swim or DIE"!
BTW..I would love to hear from any and all of you one what to focus on for the oral exam. Oral tests never have been my strong suite. Glenn Martin EAA 479 KR2 N1333A Biloxi, MS, 39532 rep...@martekmississippi.com
