The Old Dawg Learns New Tricks- Part 2 of 12

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ALL THOSE GAUGES, DIALS and LIGHTS ARE LOOKING AT ME!!!

Well boys and girls I'm back from lesson two of my Private Pilot's Ground School Course and it was an evening of learning what all the knobs, buttons, switches do and what to do with them. 

First off thank you for joining me again on my quest for my personal Holy Grail.  BTW I now know what all the gauges in the picture above do.   

We relocated to a new class room that had airplane parts everywhere, a full size Lycoming engine, propellers and all the gauges.  It was really cool and hands-on is much better than a picture in a book.  I think you'll agree.

First we learned about all the components of an airplane.  For starters, the tail of an airplane is call the Empennage.  We looked at all the systems of the airplane engine and the reason for the backup/and redundant systems. Makes sense,  It's more difficult  to pull over when the engine dies at 2500 feet than while driving the car along interstate 44.

 Admittedly I'm not a gear head, but our instructor Eric Stake took the time to explain the Four Stroke Operating cycle and what to do if carburetor ice develops in flight.   Here's an interesting tidbit... did you know an reciprocating airplane engine has more of a chance of developing carburetor ice on hot muggy days than during the winter?  Didn't know that.  Now I Do.  I also know what to do if it happens when I'm at 4500'. 

I believe I'm retaining a great deal of what's already been taught.  I woke up this morning and the first thing that kicked in was... Be sure to use a full rich mixture on takeoff, lean the mix at cruising altitude, use the carb heat as necessary and then go back to full rich on landing.  Maverick our dog had no idea what I was saying.  He just wanted to go outside before he wet the bedroom carpet.   

The next class is Tuesday, so I'd better hit the books and get ready for that.

Thanks again for reading my blog  today.  I know you have a choice of blogs and hope you'll fly (er read) another one real soon.

-Rik Out.