I don’t know if there is any scientific backing for my “feeling”, but I do “feel” better when I’m flying ON the wings than under the wings. I know, it’s dumb, but I’ve felt this way for a while and I found out I’m not the only one who “feels” this way.

When you’re in a high-wing such as the Cessna 172 I learned to fly in, you feel like you’re kind of dangling under the wings. It kind of creeps me out and makes me feel a little “at risk”.

After over 50 hours in a 172 getting my PPSEL, I decided to get checked out in a Piper Archer III and was SHOCKED at how much better I felt in a low wing. In the 172 I would actually get a bit of anxiety on occasions and I kept thinking “I’m just hanging off these wings up here.” It was strange but definately how I was feeling.

Not only did the Piper Archer “feel” more secure, it flew fantastic. I was trying to put this into a power-on stall and it just wouldn’t “break” into the stall. The CFI I was flying with said that was about all I was going to get. Wow! I was amazed at how well the plane handled. Solid, stable and secure.

With a high-wing you do get to see a lot more of the ground, but you can still see plenty just forward of the wings in a Piper and that’s cool with me. It’s not a bad trade off.

Don’t get me wrong Cessna, I love you guys and I will never forget those 50+ hours you gave to me while getting my PPSEL. I’m sure I’ll be flying in one of your wonderful birds again someday. I know they’re safe and I loved it, but I’m sticking with this strange “feeling” I have.

So as you’re looking at what the local flight schools have to offer, try out both the high wings and low wings.  Just about every school will have a 172 or 152 available.  You might have to search a bit to find a Piper.

I’d love to hear from others who have this same “feeling.” I know some may think of me as a wimp, but I’m ok with that.

For years before getting my private pilots license, I did all my flying on Microsoft Flight Simulator. I learned a lot about flying and what each indicator meant on the control panel. I even learned how to shoot and ILS landing. Nothing feels as great as coming out of very low lying clouds, 800 feet off the ground and finding yourself lined up perfectly for a beautiful landing.

From the very early stages of MS Flight Sim to the most recent MS Flight Sim X, I have considered it the next best thing to flying a real plane. I even told my flight instructor “I should learn faster than the typical student because I’ve had years of practice on my flight simulator.” Most flight schools will apply simulator time to your Instrument Rating, but they use a different piece of software.

When I asked other pilots if all this flight simulator training would help me be a better pilot, most said “NO WAY”. As a matter of fact, many of them said it would teach me very bad habits. That was it. I didn’t want to risk slowing my training, so I put away the flight simulator until now. Having passed my checkride, I was really yearning to get in the air, but I just haven’t had the time or money. I moved from Washington state to Florida and I can’t wait to fly to Key West.

Last night I did it. I flew from F45 (North Palm Beach County General Aviation Airport) to KEYW (Key West International Airport). I flew along the coast and transitioned the class C and B airspace along the way. It was a great exercise. I arrived at KEYW and entered the left downwind. I received my clearance to land and turned to base, then final and set up for a landing. I greased it onto the runway and taxied to the general aviation ramp.

Then it was time to go to bed. So, I shut down Microsoft Flight Simulator and went to bed. Oh, did I not mention this was all done on the flight simulator? Well, I still can’t afford to do any flying so I did some practice on the ol’ PC.

Wow, I did great! I don’t know if flight simulator will make you a better pilot, but I can tell you being a pilot makes you a lot better on a flight simulator. Of course, it cost close to $7000, but it sure feels good when it all goes right.

This has nothing to do with flying.  I grew up in San Diego, (barely) graduating from Ramona High School.  I was shocked when I woke up at 5am (EDT) to hear the national news mention the evacuation of my hometown.

I knew my brother was living in the path of the fire.  So I sent an email hoping to hear everything was ok.  Here’s what I got back via his Blackberry.  It’s a chilling picture of what one person experienced during this fire.

Fire blew through this morning and burned five or six houses on the next street over, but really not that close to our place (maybe 1/8 mile—close enough to hear the trees exploding). Anyway, it moved across the horizon and ended up in Rancho Bernardo this morning. That’s the same fire we dealt with last night.

Thought we were out of the woods (so to speak) but now the fire has kicked up again in a big way over by the Wild Animal Park and it is heading our way. I can go over to neighbor’s house (they evacuated) and have a good view of the fire line…mostly smoke, not much flame. I’m out of here when we
see flame, since that hill that we would see is only about a three minute walk from our house.

Lady across street says person behind her had a fence burn overnight, so the fire was actually pretty close.

Still no air tankers…may be too windy. Sky looks like end of the world – no sun. Can’t breathe very well too gritty. Just helped a neighbor I never met cut up and move a tree that blocked their driveway—most of the neighbors have gone but those who are left (about ten houses) are all talking and will warn each other. Just don’t want to have a tree in your driveway at this time.

Spoke to Robert B. —he said that he raced out of his home this morning and embers were banging against the side of his car, so not too sure if his house made it. Also spoke to old neighbors on Valle Verde (Poway) and pretty sure fire went through that neighborhood…said it was bumper to bumper getting out of there at 4 am—absolute panic. Said their cul de sac had flames coming up the hill, so not so promising there.

We do not currently have another mandatory evac order so we are home and monitoring, but buddy of mine about ½ mile east (toward fire) got mandatory evac about an hour ago. Trying to monitor conditions but have watered down house and cars are packed and backed into driveway.

This sucks. Will call later—if we leave our house we can’t get back onto our street, so we’ll hold out here a bit longer but will not hesitate to head to evac center if things go south.