Coms

Low to High

I couldn’t read Jill W. Tallman’s article “Low to High” (November 2019 Flight Training) without a huge grin on my face! To hear that she bought into a partnership of a Cessna 182, of the same year and model as mine, was simply fabulous. After a little practice, the landings in our “nose heavy” airplanes don’t seem any more difficult than a regular trainer, but the differences in power, performance, useful load, and all-around comfort are off-the-charts convenient. I love my little bird, and know that Jill will adore hers as well. Hope our paths will cross in the sky sometime!

Karen Atkins
Brookhaven, Georgia

I just read Jill W. Tallman’s “Low to High” piece. I trained in a Cessna 172 and got my high performance and complex endorsements in a 182L (RG). Almost needed a seat cushion in the 182 to taxi, the panel was so high.

She is totally right about landing the 182—it will fool you, and you have to pull way back in the flare or you will boink the nose gear for sure.

I have my instrument rating now so going to get a commercial this winter in that 182.

Thanks for your work on all the articles. I always enjoy reading them.

Doug Muir
New London, North Carolina

Taking off

It’s in my logbook, August 5, 2016, PAAQ to PAAQ: “First Flight.” I had just turned 10 the month before when my grandfather decided to share his love for flight by giving me a late birthday present. He took me to Fly Around Alaska at the Palmer airport, which matched me up with a CFI and put me in the left seat of a 172. Despite using several cushions, I could not reach the rudder pedals. It is hard for me to believe that first flight was just three years ago because not only can I reach the rudder pedals now but I know I want to be a pilot. I live with my Dad full time but in the winter I have to be in California for school. We both get to spend all summer in Alaska and that is when I fly. This past summer I made large gains in skills and doing things that most student pilots don’t like, such as slow flight, stalls, steep banks, and even the dreaded radio calls. Except, the funny thing is—I liked them!

Flying in the summers has presented new CFIs with each new summer. Each one has had something unique to teach me. Last summer it was put the airplane in slow flight to make a tighter turn in Chickaloon Canyon. This summer, because I was constantly high in the pattern, forward slips to landing. Way better than radio calls!

Jacqueline Trabits
Wasilla, Alaska

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