Introduction Flight #2

I decided that I would stop in at Blue Ash aviation since it is very close to my work. I meet instructor Ken E. and he gave me a tour around the operation and took me out to take a look at a couple of the training planes. We looked at a Cessna 172 and a Diamond DA-20.

I already had a flight in a 172 I decided to book an introductory flight in the Diamond to see if it was too small and uncomfortable to spend my training hours in. I came back on March 3, 2009 where I meet Instructor Cameron K. for my flight. I think it was one of the coldest days of the year. After Cameron walked me through a thorough, freezing pre-flight inspection we happily climbed into the Diamond and closed the canopy. I went through the engine starting checklist and cranked the engine over. It did not want to start. We had hooked up the pre-heater to blow hot air into the engine cowl for a short time, but the pre-heater battery charge was too low to keep it running. I shut everything off for a while and when through the starting checklist again. I cranked the engine and still no start. After a few tries the A&P mechanic came over and told us to go get a coffee while he tried to get the plane started. It felt good to get inside and warm up and we discussed the lesson about how sometimes things do not go as planned and you have to adapt. A short while later the engine was running and the plane was warming up. The mechanic taxied the plane right up to the door for curb side service! Cameron and I got back into the plane, went through the start-up checklist again and fired the plane right up. I was a bit surprised when Cameron said that he would get the plane out onto the taxiway then let me take over the controls to taxi to the end of runway 6. It was a little easier to control then Flight Simulator is during taxi. When we got to the end of the taxiway, I went through the run-up checklist and prepared to depart. We make a 360 circle to check for traffic then Cameron made the radio call that we were taking off. I taxied onto the runway and pushed the throttle all the way in. The plane started to accelerate and I was surprised how easy it was to keep the plane rolling right down the middle of the runway, even though there was some cross wind. Before long we were off the ground and climbing out. I held the heading and climb rate for a while then we started a turn to the north. We leveled off and started making some gentle turns. It was a little bumpy on this flight because of the winds. We flew over the Mason and West Chester areas and I recognized some of the landmarks especially the WLW tower. It seemed like such a short time later we began to head back. Along the way we tried different throttle settings and got the feel for maintaining altitude with different power setting. As we descended to pattern altitude, I was able to spot other air traffic and could see the airport. I felt like I was very aware of my surroundings. Cameron made a radio call to report our position as we approached the traffic pattern. He asked me if I wanted to make the next call and I said I would, so he coached me on what to say. I stumbled through it a bit but I reported “Blue Ash traffic this is Diamond 107 Charlie Lima on downwind for runway 6, Blue Ash”. The radio is one thing that was a bit intimidating to me, but I think I’ll get it with no problem. Cameron made the rest of the radio calls as we landed. We made the base turn and added 1 notch of flaps. Turned a little late on final and switched flaps to the landing position. I added a little throttle as I got the plane lined up with the runway. I felt like this landing was a little more work, but I also felt that I had full control. We touched down and just rolled to near the end of the runway. Cameron said that he helped a little during the flare. The plane seemed to just track right down the center of the runway. I finally applied some brakes and turned off onto the taxiway. After the shutdown checklist items were complete, I taxied back to the planes parking spot on the ramp. Again I was thrilled and the Diamond was a joy to fly.