Flight 86

11-20-99

>>FIRST BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW<<

C-172

N07-N07

1.3 dual; 4 landings

"Biennial- passed"

I finally get around to booking a plane and CFI for my biennial flight review, after being non-current since June.
I go to N07 in search of JP, hoping he can help with this, but it turns out he's long gone. But I like the people I meet at the new flight school there, and their fleet is interesting: two decent older 172s for $70/hr, a retractable 172, and a brand-new C-172. This outfit is also an official Cessna dealer and maintenance center.

This flight will also be a rental checkout, as I will no longer be renting from my "friends" back at Teterboro.

Instructor J. is friendly and laid-back; he casually pokes and prods at my brain during a brief and merciful oral. He stumps me good a couple of times, but reminds me "I'm not trying to trip you up, just trying to get you to think."

Right. So why am I so nervous?

Our mount for the practical portion is a new favorite of mine: One Five Lima, a 1967 Skyhawk that appears to be ready for flight. No cracks, no missing screws or rivets, no leaks- just a little oil on the nosegear strut from drips off the dipstick.

The wind is very gentle today and 15L taxis easily. I am a bit lost as we discuss the bird's V-speeds, mostly because it's been a while since I flew a plane with airspeed calibrated in mph instead of kts. But it is easy enough to feel it out...

Turning north after takeoff, I set out on the old familiar course to 4N1. J. seems satisfied with my pilotage. We fly over 4N1, go through a little MCA and some turns, then as we return to 4N1, he pulls the throttle back to simulate an engine failure. I hesitate just long enough to miss the perfect glideslope, and have to bring the power back in to land safely. Oh well. The point here is to learn, not to show perfection.

Back to Lincoln Park, then, for a series of predictable landings: from scary to passable. But at least I don't bounce on any of the landings...
J's verdict: I am "well above average"... and my first BFR is done, satisfactorily.