Flight 102

08-20-00

C172M

2N8-local

1.1 solo (with club instructor; club checkout)

"Marlboro club checkout- 3 TO & L; 1 go-around; 1 no flaps"

It didn't take long for me to decide to join the flying club at Marlboro- good planes, not many active members, and inexpensive, as flying clubs go. I attended a wash 'n' wax, and found them to be an agreeable bunch, with varied backgrounds- from a teenage student pilot to the old president of the club, who'd flown P-40s during WWII and later jets for the ANG.

Some of the members are instructors, so if I decide to pursue my instrument rating soon, I'll be able to do so at significant savings.

Today's club checkout goes reasonably well... 3KK is a fine "Superhawk" with a 180-hp engine and well-equipped panel, and I enjoy flying it.

A little airwork, then a few circuits, including one landing without flaps, no slipping allowed.
The hard rule here at this short field surrounded by close obstacles is "all three tires on the runway by the sock (at midfield), or go around"...I'm surprised I manage to do that without flaps!
The instructor is satisfied with my performance, and welcomes me to the club as a flying member.

Next weekend I'll take 3KK up solo for some more practice.