I recently took my plane to an avionics shop to get it certified for IFR. It has been about three and a half years since I shot an approach so I got a hold of a buddy that is a CFII then gave myself the day off yesterday. Figured it was a good day to fly.

My plan was to meat him in Montague, CA, head up to Medford, OR and shoot three approches and do a hold and have him sigh me off.

First off it was 14 deg out so I pluged in the Tannis, down loaded the approach plates, then after three hours of heating I pulled the plane out of the hobby shop. Primed it the necessary three pumps and it started right up even with a slugish battery. OiI pressure came right up so I was pleased so far.

Gave it a few revs and it caughed and sputtered like it was about to puke. My mind raced for what the heck could be wrong and finnally pulled out the carb heat. She smoothed right out so off to 16R at the Avery place.

Did a rolling run up (Carb heat on), turned arround and headed down 1150 ft of smooth as silk frost covered grass. Every now and then the plane jumped and vibrated and just when I thought I should shut it down I realized the the frozen cow terds had converted my pristean grass to a real bumpy field. Was holding the nose up out of habit so just kept going and climbed real good in the cold air.

Picked up the CGII and off to Medford we go. Did the back course localizer on 32 and did relly bad job there. Forgot about the reverse neadle. Then the hold was equally as bad and headed for the VOR approach 14. Then a missed and vectors for the ILS 14. Got some good instruction but to think I could get a sighn off was a foolish.

Dropped off the CFI, shot the breaze with a few pilots in Montague then headed home. Short soft field landing (frozen cow terds again) then put the plane away.

Still a good day of flying.

More humble Tim

Neat story Tim!

Don't feel bad about your performance!!

I was in for a big wake up call when I went to get checked out in a 172 (newer one with all the electronic gizmo's, minus the glass panel) down in Fullerton. I was thinking this should be a walk in the park........... NOT!!

It's amazing how much an old fart like me can forget after not flying for over 9 months and how hard it is to learn new things in what I thought would be a much easier plane to fly than my 58 182. I've had my routine so dialed in with the 182 it was a piece of cake to start and fly, then jumping into this 172 was a completely different animal to me. Just trying to get the routine down on starting the newer fuel injected engine was a major task for me (instructor must of thought I was a retard ). The funny thing is..... it's a very simple process! I just had a different routine so drilled in my mind in starting my 182.

Then, I kept screwing up with setting up the GPS, Auto Pilot, Testing the Auto Pilot and then missing my instructions or communications with ATC a few times because of the unfamiliarity of the tail number It's easy in your own plane, because the second you hear your own N# in the plane you've been flying for years, your ears spring up like a dog.

Well, after 4 flights with the instructor, I got signed off the rent the 172 from AFI at Fullerton, CA, but was still a little rusty So, with out the instructor, I'll rent the 172 and just fly in the pattern and drill out a dozen or two T&G's and fly around to get more used to the plane on my time (not a rushing CFI's time ). I tried so hard to take this as a whole new learning experience, but a gremlin in my mind was telling me to just get through this so I can get out and have fun flying. Plus, I just don't do very well with CFI's that seem to be in a big hurry, plus the short 2 hour block time on the plane. I almost gave up, too. The cost of the plane rental and instructor was starting to hurt my new engine fund.

Don't get me wrong! The CFI's at AFI in Fullerton were awesome!! I mostly worked with a guy named Dane. Great people!

qmdv wrote: .....I realized the the frozen cow terds had converted my pristean grass to a real bumpy field....... Short soft field landing (frozen cow terds again) then put the plane away.

Still a good day of flying.

More humble Tim

Out here in South Dakota if you fly off the farm the instructors teach the proper use of the Cowturderator heat control.

Humble pie is better than cow pie.

Being frozen they should be easy to remove right? Kick, throw or bag em.

I believe the correct spelling is "turds."

Zane wrote:I believe the correct spelling is "turds."

And I submit to all that for this reason we keep Z arround.

Tim

I believe "terd" is the british spelling. Kinda like "tyres" and "favourite".
Speak american whydoncha!

hotrod150 wrote:I believe "terd" is the british spelling. Kinda like "tyres" and "favourite"
Speak american whydoncha!

The spelling of Terd in the original post could be accurate provided his cows are Hereford or even Angus which are british breeds and genetically predisposed to pumpin' out old english style "Terds".

What the hell kind of cattle are these so we can clean this mess up!

PS. qmdv: Tadpole has a biohazzard suit you can use as soon as he is done with it.

And all this time I was afraid it should have been spelled "Teard". Kind of like heard. I am so comfused.

Tim

qmdv wrote:And all this time I was afraid it should have been spelled "Teard". Kind of like heard. I am so comfused.

Tim

But if you were from Jersey...........it would be "Toid". No?