Flying High!!

[wxwatcher]

It's been a while since I've posted, and usually that was in response to someone else's questions. I figured today would be a good day to get back online and let all my friends here at Rising Up Aviation know what's been happening.

Well, I decided to head to the local airport today just to see what it would take to get current on my pilot's license. I have the license and now the required medical, I just haven't flown since 1980!! (That's when my weight got so high my size interferred with the aircraft controls. I swore off flying until I could get behind the controls safely again. I had a special type of weight loss surgery last May 1 and have lost over 130 pounds since then.) After talking with an instructor for a bit and expressing my concerns and explaining why I stopped and why I felt I was about ready to start again, we decided a walk to the ramp and a look at the type aircraft I'm familiar with would answer some of my questions.

Well, I remembered all the required preflight checks fot a P28A-140 (the safety walk-around), and I actually was able to fit behind the controls without any interference. At that point, the instructor hands me the keys and says, "Let's see how much you remember." So, we go through the rest of the pre-start checklist, fire the engine up, make the required radio calls and taxi to the runup area.

After doing all that, I'm feeling a little like the first time I took a lesson, but decided to just go for it. We were cleared into takeoff position at the end of the runway but had to wait for another plane that had just landed to clear the runway before we could take off. When the call came it was for an immediate takeoff since there was another aircraft on a mile final for the same runway.

OK.. Ease the power in, keep the plane centered on the runway centerline, let the speed build to 85 mph, and ease back on the controls. Lifted off as easily as I can remember ever doing. The next hour was a total blast. Climb out, set up a normal cruise, did some turns, slow flight, all required manouvers for someone recertifying after a long layoff.

It was finally time to head back to the airport. Made all the required radio calls, set up in the pattern, then tower has us extend our downwind for other traffic, we're now number three. (Just a little more stress for the day. It's after 5PM and I'm supposed to pick up my wife from work at 5:30, nearly 30 minutes drive from the airport.) Anyway, we flew the extended pattern, turned on to the final approach and the instructor commented about how well I was doing. He said he didn't believe it had been nearly 24 years since I had flown last, I flew a nearly flawless stabalized approach in a 10 knot crosswind. That made me feel really good!!

We got down OK, taxied to the tie-down area, and got out. I was so excited I was weak-kneed, could hardly stand up after I got out.

So, I've taken the first step back to being able to fly. A year ago, that was only a dream. 11 months ago, a wonderful surgeon, Dr. Ara Keshishian, helped me start down the road to making that dream, and a bunch of others, come true. A couple more times with the instructor to make sure this wasn't a fluke, and I'll be back flying on my own. Well, not totally.. It seems I own someone a flight before she heads back to Germany in June, so I better get a move on. (We have an exchange student "daughter" who has been a constant source of encouragement and inspiration this past year. I told her if I ever got my flight physical back, I'd give her a ride.. :-)) )

I'm Flying High thanks to Dr. K. and the Duodenal-Switch weight loss surgery!!

Jerry

[GThill]

Congratulations getting back in the pilots seat! I hope all goes well for you