1 Field, 2 Field, Short Field, Soft Field

We had a simple yet productive flight today. My normal airplane, N4963G was in for it 100 Hour checkup so I was flying N5173V today. It is always nice to fly something new for a change. The weather wasn't so great. The winds blew a thick cloud of ash over the area and by the end of the flight the plane was covered in a white ashy powder.

Soft Field
We started the flight out with a soft field takeoff. Use on grass or unpaved runways, the goal is not to get stuck and get into the air quickly. With 10 degrees of flaps, we roll onto the runway without stopping and go to full power. With constant back pressure, we lifted off the ground at 55kts. Then while staying in ground effect, we accelerated to climb speed before climbing away from the field. It wasn't until we gain sufficient altitude that the flaps were brought in.

We flew out to Morro Bay for the first time since my first lesson and did maneuver practice. A marine layer fog in the ground, so there was nothing really to see. After a short review we headed back to the airport.

Short Field
Next we did a few stop and goes on the runway and practiced short field procedures. Completely stopped on the runway with 10 degrees of flaps, I move the throttle all the way in. Then I released the brakes. At 65 knots we lifted off and maintained maximum and of climb until clear of all obstacles. After a few of those, the lesson was complete.

Flight Time Logged: 1 Hour
Total Flight Time: 9 Hours