Well, the flight went fine. We arrived at RDU Airport about 4:15.I was surprised at how fast Bill went through the pre-flight check. What seems like a long checklist to a student pilot must be pretty routine to someone who’s been flying for years.
Bill seemed to be anxious to take to the air – he told me afterwards that he needed “to get his fix.” Other pilots I know have the same feeling. Gravity sucks and they’re going to do something about it.
We taxied to the runway and watched as a Continental 737 took way too long to take off. An incoming American jet had less than a mile to go before winding up on top of the Continental. If I was a passenger on the Continental flight I’d have been raising cain. This is why passenger windows in planes face the side.
We took off and got to our cruise altitude of 3500 ft. I had suggested we head to Johnston County Airport, by way of my house. We rose to 2000 feet, called departure and dropped radar coverage, and settled over the “practice area” near my home. Bill banked the plane right over my house, just skirting the controlled airspace at RDU.
After seeing my house from 2500 feet, we headed over to Johnston county, where we landed, purchased gas, and then took off again. I was impressed by the airport at Johnston County. Nice long runway and fewer planes competing with you for it. Also, not too far from our home.
The approach to RDU was routine. We flew over Umstead Park, a dark swath of trees near the airport. Lining up on Runway 32, Bill skillfully put ‘er down with barely a bump.
It may be a while before I can land as gently as that!
Time to get a plane, methinks.