Testimonial

9/6/05

Went out this AM to try the first glow flight since leaving the school. No one around but me and the Alpha 40. Mild crosswind but I decided that I should be at home with that. Did what you taught us. Walked out to the middle of the runway and determined my ground reference targets. Taxied out and took off. The plane was fairly out of trim and the crosswind was no help. I struggled to keep the wings level. But, like you taught me, I flew the plane, gained some altitude and started working on the trim. It actually trimmed out quite nicely. I established my pattern and shot a landing, still working to perfect the one foot bounce. After a few minutes rest, I refueled and took off again. This takeoff was much easier with the plane trimmed. Flew for a while, then another one foot bounce, but loaded up the plane without a scratch. As I drove away from the field, I felt great! I really need to thank you for making this experience possible. I had told my mentor here that I was probably going to fly my plane this week. He offered to come out with me but I felt that I had to do it by myself. If he had taken it off and trimmed it out and then handed me the transmitter I would have missed the experience of making a successful maiden flight with an out of trim airplane. I couldn't have done this without the training you provided. I certainly wouldn't have even tried with a crosswind if I had not flown all week at the school in crosswinds. One of the most important things I took away from the school is the need to do an after flight analysis to decide where I can improve. The other two things that are very valuable is the concept of the "bump" to correct drift and the trim correcting exercises.

Again, David, let me thank you for the training you provided at the school. It was $600 very well spent. You are an excellent teacher. Very competent, very professional, and very enthusiastic. You made the somewhat arduous task of learning to fly fun.....and that's why we are in this in the first place.

I look froward to future courses....after I perfect my one foot bounce, of course!

Joe Thompson
Palm City, FL
Basic class 8/15-19/05