The Cessna is one of the most basic of civilian airplanes.
It's also one of the most widely produced since the 1970's.
I also happen to be sitting in one.
Caleb let me move the rudder with the foot pedals. I was smiling
pretty wide while looking back at the rudder I was moving. I felt
exhilarated to have been able to sit inside such a thing for the first
time in my life.
To be that close, to run my fingers over the wings was a special moment
for me. As a little kid I often read books on aeronautics. In fact, I would
just check out the same few books over and over again. Looking back it
probably makes a lot of sense to still be moving in this direction.
I spoke with Caleb for a long time. He told me a lot about what I'd
have to learn and what sorts of things I could expect from the experience.
The $8000 to $9000 price tag loomed large but at the moment I'm not sure
just how far I'm about to go. I believe I'd like to test out everything and see
how I feel.
Before I left I made sure to buy the manuals though.
Anything to keep my head on flight related activities
would help my engineering practices. Least the idea is if I don't
go all the way to getting a license I'll know how to design for
pilots.
I was given a tour of the controls and instrument panels. There's lots to
know but the thing he told me was you pick up the 'feel' rather than rely
on your instrumentation.
As I began to read the manual I got this strange
feeling. It was the thought that every slight detail or piece of information could
lead up to a life or death situation. It makes one a very very good studier.
It's far different from a car. Not just because it's 3 dimensions but because
any slight hesitation on the pilot's part causes a loss of control of the plane.
Not sure how my mother is going to react to this news.
I'm sure she'd worry. But she ought to let me worry about it.
It's my life on the line and I'll show ample respect for the
risks and rewards involved.
One day after a lot of work, a lot of patience and a lot of practice.
I'll take a deep breath.
And Fly.