Hi Avsim: today I took my discovery flight! The plane was a Cessna 172 Superhawk (180 HP) rented from Azalea Air here in Mobile, AL (www.azaleaair.com). My instructor is Jay Birch (avsim.com member jbpropilot), a CFI with almost 1500 hours experience. Jay and I work together at Global Tel*Link, a telecommunications company in Mobile. We took off from Brookley Field (KBFM) at approx. 11:30am today. I logged 1.1 on the Hobbs meter.Here I am in front of the plane:http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/67839.jpgJay let me taxi and takeoff...so no photos of that!Here is a shot of the panel during my flight. Notice Jay has covered up the artificial horizon. We were praticing turns using visual cues:http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/67840.jpgWe practiced turning, trimming for level flight, and slow flight. We flew over Mobile Bay and southern Mobile County, where I could take some photos of my parents house from 3000 ft.Here is a photo of Brookley on our way back. Notice the FedEx DC-10 ready for takeoff on the left:http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/67841.jpgHere is a photo of our landing:http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/67842.jpgOverall impressions:AWESOME!!! I can't wait for my next lesson!Differences from Flight Sim: obviously the responsiveness of the controls and the "feeling" of flying is completely different. The scenery and fluidness were a lot different also ;-)Similarities: Controls and instruments of the plane were what I expected. Airport layout was similar to the sim.Personal Critique: I had to get used to the rudder controls, especially in flight. I had little problem with taxing and takeoff. Performing coordinate turns took some time to get used to while having to pay attention to altitude. I think I managed to stay pretty close to my "assigned" altitude. Slow flight was especially interesting, since the plane was a lot less responsive. Of course I didn't have to worry about the radios on this flight. My main problem was wanting to overcorrect.To those of you who haven't flown in a Cessna and handled the controls...you MUST do this! A Discovery flight will only cost you between $40 and $80 and is well worth it!

Congrats Ken! Are you going to continue to get your PPL?I also had quite a day myself! No so much as me- but what happened around me with two other aircrafts. First, a Arrow had gear malfunctions and could not get the gear down, but after some abusive turns the gear whipped out and he made it down ok. Second, a Seneca couldn't retract its nose gear, but that wasn't too much of a problem, he just came around and landed- turned out to be a burnt out motor. Oh yea... forget all that stuff about thrust and drag, lift and gravity, an airplane flies because of your money. :( :+Congrats,Jason :-wave

Yes I will continue to get my PPL, definitely get Instrument rating, and possible multi-engine.

Hi Ken,Good on you, wanting to now get your PPL and advanced ratings.I have about 60 hours in the SP, after gaining my PPL in one of the old "N" models, and am now into my instrument rating. It costs a lot and takes tons of time, but boy- is it worth it to be actually flying!I hope to see you in Denver (where I live), in September.Bruce.

Well, I believe the "bug" has bit me, because I can't wait to get up in the air again!Money shmoney... :-lol - Now that the days are getting longer I hope to get in at least a couple of hours during the work week and more on weekends (hoping the weather cooperates).There is a distinct possibility that I will make an appearenace in Denver this year ;-)

Congrats Ken!!! And, if you make it to Denver in one of those things, you get to fly the entire staff around! :)

If I made it to Denver in that by myself, you would see me "pull a pope" and kiss the ground after touchdown!Methinks I'll take the commercial route to Denver...Maybe 2005 if I have my multi engine by then I'll fly myself...

Yes, once that bug bites you, you're doomed.!! :)Bruce.

Congrats Ken, Isn't that first flight a real treat? I never wanted it to end but by the end I was also suffering from information over load. I wanted to be able to know everything and do everything my first time out and obviously that can't be done. One thing that I was very suprised about was that it is easier to control the real thing than it is the simulator, of course I do not have all of the proper equipment yet. Well Ken I wish you well with the new bug you caught, I don't think there is a cure so be prepared for a life time of it's symptoms, an empty bank account! :-lol To everyone else here, I agree with Ken, you MUST try this sometime, at the cost of a good dinner you will have memories that last a life time at least and a new hobby or career at best. No words can describe the feeling of taking the controls of an aircraft for the first time, it is awesome people!All the best!Philip Olsonhttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/supporter.jpg

!!Congratulations Ken!!Hey Ken, about the Instrument Rating, there are some very extensive programs that you can go and within 10 days you are ready for your checkride. I've heard both, good and bad comments about this approach but maybe you can look at it and see if that's the kind of approach you would like to undergo.Bruno Francescoli :-waveStudent Pilot.KOPF PA28-161.

Congrats on the flight Ken! Flying really is a lot of fun, everyone here should at least go for a Discovery Flight. :-) Here's a couple pictures of my flight from Orlando to Mobile last summer.http://home.cfl.rr.com/mkaprocki/Mobile.jpghttp://home.cfl.rr.com/mkaprocki/Mobile1.jpg

Hi Matt!Great pictures! Where do you live? I might go up to Orlando for my Cross Country :DBruno Francescoli :-waveStudent Pilot.KOPF PA28-161.

Hey, no one can teach it better than an ex Comair 141 Flight Instructor! :-)Ken is a natural. We start the abuse next trip. (jk)Jay BirchCFI, CFII, MEIMobile, AL.

I live in Deltona, but fly from Orlando (Air Orlando) and Daytona (Embry-Riddle). I'm a Commercial Pilot with Instrument Rating. Will start Multi this fall. Orlando is great, but it can get a bit busy. I've been down your way once. Flew along the coast from Daytona to Marathon. It's beautiful down there, especially at sunset. :-) http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/68250.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/68251.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/68252.jpg

Hey Matt,Are you going to the Orlando Air Fair this weekend? http://www.orlandoairfair.com/I am volunteering at the Air Orlando booth!I scheduled a flight in the Air Orlando Citabria next Tuesday!W. Sieffert