Flight at KPTK

This is the place for general questions and discussions.

Moderators: Barry Theodore, Steve Sondheimer

Post Reply
User avatar
Tom Pletzke
Screenshot Contest Winner x4
Screenshot Contest Winner x4
Posts: 1433
Joined: 06-01-2005 10:36 PM
Position: Miami Hub Manager
Rank: Commander
Hub: RETIRED
Residence: Michigan
AAV Total Hours: 1456.1
Previous VA Hours: 0
Current Bid: COMPLETED KORD-KCLT
COMPLETED KCLT-KLAX
COMPLETED KLAX-KCLT
COMPLETED KCLT-TIST
AA803 TIST-KCLT
AA2039 KCLT-KTPA
AA712 KTPA-KDCA
AA899 KDCA-KFLL
AA447 KFLL-KCLT
AA622 KCLT-KORD
Location: Michigan
Contact:

Flight at KPTK

Post by Tom Pletzke »

Hi Everyone,

Had my first real flight experience. My son gave me a fathers day gift of a discovery flight at KPTK. I did much of the work from startup, taxi, takeoff, navigation, landing, and shutdown. It was very cool to feel the air while steering. First thing I learned was you steer with one hand most of the time. It was a blast. Here is a link to the landing: https://youtu.be/AanUn0sATgQ

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4V_N ... XlqTTdyNWM
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4V_N ... jBXaG56NHM
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4V_N ... zdfSlEtbVE
Tom Pletzke
AAV558
Miami Hub Manager
American Airlines Virtual

Tom Pletzke Tracking Vatsim Info
Image
Harold Henderson
Screenshot Contest Winner x13
Screenshot Contest Winner x13
Posts: 6526
Joined: 08-07-2005 10:00 PM
Position: KPHX Hub Manager
Rank: Commander
Hub: KPHX
Residence: Knoxville, TN
AAV Total Hours: 3563.3
Previous VA Hours: 0
Current Bid: Awaiting Bid
Contact:

Re: Flight at KPTK

Post by Harold Henderson »

Congratulations. The bug has bitten. Figured out how to pay for the lessons?
Wisdom begins when you finally realize someone else is in charge of the universe.
ImageImage

VATSIM Flight Tracking Info
User avatar
Theodore Martin
Screenshot Contest Winner x10
Screenshot Contest Winner x10
Posts: 2852
Joined: 04-09-2005 08:51 AM
Position: DFW Hub Manager
Rank: Commander
Hub: KDFW
Residence: Dallas, TX
AAV Total Hours: 3172.8
Previous VA Hours: 0
Current Bid: Awaiting Bid

Re: Flight at KPTK

Post by Theodore Martin »

Why to go Tom. So are you saying the instructor allowed you to land on a "discovery" flight? He is a very trusting soul.
Theodore "Ted" Martin
DFW Hub Mgr.
AAV537
Image
ImageImage

Image
User avatar
Tom Pletzke
Screenshot Contest Winner x4
Screenshot Contest Winner x4
Posts: 1433
Joined: 06-01-2005 10:36 PM
Position: Miami Hub Manager
Rank: Commander
Hub: RETIRED
Residence: Michigan
AAV Total Hours: 1456.1
Previous VA Hours: 0
Current Bid: COMPLETED KORD-KCLT
COMPLETED KCLT-KLAX
COMPLETED KLAX-KCLT
COMPLETED KCLT-TIST
AA803 TIST-KCLT
AA2039 KCLT-KTPA
AA712 KTPA-KDCA
AA899 KDCA-KFLL
AA447 KFLL-KCLT
AA622 KCLT-KORD
Location: Michigan
Contact:

Re: Flight at KPTK

Post by Tom Pletzke »

Yes, he did. But he did handle the throttle and was right there with hands on just in case. He also asked me a lot of questions before the flight about my simulator experience and my knowledge of the instruments when we jumped in the plane. I'm sure if I did not follow a good path down he would have jumped in quickly. It reminded me a little of a driving road test except way more exciting. :D :D

I also did the flight several times at home on the simulator in the airplane and made sure I only used the keyboard when absolutely necessary so I would get familiar with the throttle and starting procedures.

The only thing I needed instruction on was the foot pedals because I don't have them at home and I did not know to prime the gas before starting. I was not scared at all on the landing because it seemed so much like the simulator except for the wind resistance on the yoke.

I was very surprised that I was able to do as much as I did. I have to admit I was nervous but he helped along the way. Taxi was interesting because of the foot pedals and no steering with the yoke. It felt weird to use your feet instead of twisting the joystick.
Tom Pletzke
AAV558
Miami Hub Manager
American Airlines Virtual

Tom Pletzke Tracking Vatsim Info
Image
User avatar
Greg Gemelli
Senior Member
Posts: 3628
Joined: 06-27-2003 03:04 PM
Position: Pilot
Rank: Commander
Hub: KORD
Residence: Boise, ID
AAV Total Hours: 1299.4
Previous VA Hours: 0
Current Bid: Awaiting Bid

Re: Flight at KPTK

Post by Greg Gemelli »

Awesome work Tom!!! Congrats!
Greg Gemelli
London-Heathrow Manager
SKW ERJ175 CA
User avatar
Todd Meek
Senior Member
Posts: 2281
Joined: 11-26-2006 08:13 AM
Position: KLAX Hub Manager
Rank: Commander
Hub: KPHX
Residence: Grand Prairie, TX (KDFW)
AAV Total Hours: 2806
Current Bid: COMPLETED KPHX-KSNA
COMPLETED KSNA-KDFW
COMPLETED KDFW-KPDX
COMPLETED KPDX-KAUS
ASA163 KAUS-KSEA
ASA694 KSEA-KGEG
ASA989 KGEG-KSEA
ASA660 KSEA-KDFW
AAL2292 KDFW-KJFK
AAL1487 KJFK-KPHX
Location: Grand Prairie, TX (KDFW)
Contact:

Re: Flight at KPTK

Post by Todd Meek »

That is amazing landing on your discovery flight. Just goes to show how much using the simulator is like real life. When you going to start your flying lessons?
ImageImage
KLAX Hub Manager
Post Reply