儀器飛行

停了近兩個月沒空寫部落格，原來都是在拼儀器飛行檢定，終於在ㄧ個半月內過關。應該把它寫下來，為自己留個記錄，那就來說說儀器飛行檢定吧！
之前兩個月，每次有人問我正在學的儀器飛行檢定(instrument rating)是什麼東西，我最簡單的回答就是，那就是讓我可以安全，合法的飛到雲裡面的ㄧ張檢定證書。但是現在真的拿到了，發現之前的講法太過籠統與膚淺。真正的意義是，讓飛機在天氣不好的時候，像是因為雨，雲，霧，煙塵等造成能見度不佳的狀況下，飛行員能依據飛機上的飛航儀器和地面上的導航設施來確定飛機的所在位置，再藉由航管人員依照雷達上顯示交通狀況的導引下，安全的沿著航路和高度的限制下降到機場跑道上空，在ㄧ定的時間和高度時，如果能看得到跑道，跑道的燈光或是標誌，就可以降落，否則就要執行重飛的程序。是不是太囉唆了ㄧ點？來飛ㄧ次看看好了。

在我拿到儀器檢定之後，累積飛時就常跟室友Inn飛實際的儀器飛行，在行前，察看過天氣狀況後，用電話或是上網的方式跟區域航管備了ㄧ份儀器飛行計畫(IFR flight plan，這天我們要去的地方是奧克蘭國際機場，再飛她的VOR DME 進27L跑道)。上了飛機，區域航管已經把該飛行計畫的許可轉交給我所在地的Livermore塔台，在我跟塔台連路並抄下飛行許可之後起飛，塔台再把我交給區域航管(Norcal)，通常往西邊過山之後，灣區常是濃霧ㄧ片，不過不怕，我們飛機上有導航儀器，知道我們人在哪裡和該地的最低安全高度，不怕會撞到山或建築物，還有航管的幫忙，讓我們不會被周圍飛來飛去的噴射客機給K到，在航管把我們帶到最後進場航線之後就把我再交給奧克蘭的塔台，我在導航電子訊號的導引下順利降到了這個進場程序的最低高度420呎，也順利看到了跑道。但是因為只是練習，通常就直接重飛了(Go Missed)，塔台再把我交給航管。航管這時候就會問我 : 那這次你想玩什麼啊？或者再飛ㄧ次同樣的程序，或者飛別的跑道的另外ㄧ種程序，或者就掉頭回家不玩了。
說到這裡真要讚賞ㄧ下美國的飛行環境，飛行制度跟環境的健全，在這裡飛行真是ㄧ種享受。剛開始我還怕這些國際機場會不會不讓我這架小飛機進去玩，會不會說 : 啊你是來亂的嗎？但是ㄧ位教練竟然說，我不認為有什麼不可以啊？那...那就衝啦！還真的就隨意進出了勒！這些大機場並不會因為繁忙就禁止小飛機進場練習，因為沒有練習就沒有經驗，沒有經驗就容易出事啊！


還有ㄧ點補充，學習儀器飛行初期，最重要也最需要建立的觀念就是--相信儀器，得要徹底相信並正確解讀六大飛行儀器，學習儀器飛行的整個過程，學生是帶著ㄧ個大罩子在頭上，只看得到眼前的儀表板看不到飛機外面的情形，剛開始時我明明就覺得飛機是斜的在飛，可是姿態儀卻顯示直線飛行，或是我明明覺得是水平狀態，可是空速表，垂直速度表和高度計卻說我正在往下栽！真的是很難去放棄身體的感覺而只相信那幾個小小的儀器所告訴我們的。但是因為在沒有外在的天地線參考時，身體常會做出錯誤的解讀，如果是飛在雲霧裡面，上下左右真的會搞不清楚，堅持"己"見的結果，就是大家常說的空間迷向了。

Inn

Inn is my roommate, we share a two-bedroom apartment. This Korean young man is so amazing! When we start to live together on May 24th, he decided to improve his English, he joined the free English classes in Adult school, library, even in the churches, on every Sunday morning, he had two churches to go, one American church, to practice his conversation, and before noon, he had to go to another Korean church, this one was for free lunch (I also ate many food he brought back.) During weekdays, he sneaked into university classrooms, to enhence his listening. When he was driving, conversation-only radio FM88.5 is his only one choice, in his own room, TV is almost on 24 hourse.
At home, he studies anytime, once I woke up at night, and tried to find some water, he was still studying, Man! it was 02:00AM!
Finally, he got paied from hard studying, he pass his Instrument Rating test with FAA examiner yesterday, more than just past, he even got the examiner put a golden star on his logbook! It's a huge honor!! Not every one can get it, I'm proud of him.

PS: After two days, I got the "golden good baby sticker",too. ;-)

Go Charlie

After going Delta airspace (Hayward) last week. Tonight, I challenged next higher class--Charlie airspace--Fresno Yosemite Internationl Airport.
While doing pre-flight preparation this afternoon, I checked the Sectional Chart, A/F D, and the airport vicinity image on Google Earth, filling up the Navigation Log, and the frequencies enroute. But while checking the DUATS, I found a cruel fact-- the shorter runway is closed for construction, it means there is only one runway is serving. Will they still let me land there? and share the runway with airliners? I made an alternate airport--Fresno Chandler, once I was not allowed to land FAT, I still have an backup airport.
Because I had no any "Charlie" experience, I decided to arrive school and ask for opinions and instructions. After dicussing with some instructors, I decided to land FCH first then ask FAT the possibility via radio, and changed my flight plan destination with FSS.
Taking off N5351L is another story, no fuel, no oil ( about 2 quarter left, can you belive it?! ), continue flying 51L for several days, I realised this is an oil-killer, and no oil left at school, so I have to taxi it to the ramp, grap 3 cane of oils, and taxi again to fuel station for re-fuel. Wow!
Finally, taking off at 19:40, I activated my flight plan, and called NorCal for flight following.... all the way peace until getting close to Madera, at that time the flight following had been changed to Fresno Approach, and an idea just popped out--I asked Fresno Approach :
"Fresno Approach, Cessna 5351L, I know the shorter runway in Fresno Yosemite is closed, but is it possible to do some touch-and-go there? or I have to ask Fresno Tower?"
"Cessna 5351L, Fresno,you may do some options there, I will guide you to Fresno Yosemite." they replied me.
Wow! it's really can do!
"Fresno Approach, Cessna 5351L would like to change frequency for Fresno Yosemite ATIS, and will come back your frequency after that."
"Cessna 5351L, frequency change approved, let me know when you come back."
..........
After few minutes, I asked a stupid question:
"Fresno Approach, Cessna 5351L would like to change frequency to Fresno Tower for landing."
"Cessna 5351L, unable. I will hand you over to Fresno Tower later."
"Roger, 51L." I thought I have to contact tower for intention, I didn't know the approach will pass the information to tower and guide me all the way to tower.
Finally, besides of a big city lights, airport in sight.
"Cessna 5351L, Fresno Approach, contact Fresno Tower frequency 118.2, have a good night."
"Fresno Approach, Cessna 5351L, 12 miles north, inbond for option, with information Wisky."
"Cessna 5351L, Fresno Tower, make left-downwind runway 29R, report abeam tower."Oh! left-downwind, that's unusual,it must be 29L is closed.
I started to descend, when I abeamed the tower, just made the Traffic Pattern Altitude--1303 feet. Good job, Eric!
"Cessna 5351L, number 2, follow the kingair, runway 29R, clear the option."
Just at the movement, I was trying to read back the instruction, the tower said again:
"Cessna 5351L, keep downwind for landing traffic, I will call your turn."
Okay, let's extend downwind then.....
"Cessna 5351L, clear the option 29R, watch jet landing."
Cool! It's my first time landing behind a jet, for avoiding wake turbulance,I know I have to watch it's touch-down point and land beyond it. Thanks God, the runway is long enough for me. 9227 feet! I even can do 3 times touch-and-go there.
Touch-and go, extending upwind, turn crosswind, extending downwind again. At that time, I asked tower.
"This landing will be a full stop, and I will visit Mazzei school."
"Roger, clear to land, runway 29R"
After touch down, the tower asked me:
"Cessna 5351L, are you familiar Mazzei's location?"
"Negative, request aggressive taxi. Cessna 51L."
"Roger, Cessna 5351L, make a left turn on the next exit, cross runway 29L and turn right on taxiway Bravo, all the way to the end and turn left you will find the building."
Wow! What a long instruction! thanks God I have airport diagram on hand.
When I jumped off the airplane, it's already 21:20. I Called to close my flight plan with FSS, and went into the terminal, the Mazzei shcool is at the second floor, and no body left, but the first floor, the pilot's lounge is still open, so I could go in and throw myself into the leather sofa. Leather sofas, drinks, TV! This is real pilot's lounge! But it's shame, I was the only one there.
The communication with tower before take-off is another new experience.
"... Hold short 29 R. Request left crosswind departure." I said.
"... Say destination and intended altitude." the tower asked me.
"... destination Livermore, and altitude 4,500 feet."
"... stay at and below 2,000."
Obviously, the tower will vector me till leaving his territory.
While on the upwind, the tower's voice came.
"...cancel altitude limitation, you may fly the altitude you want. Contact Fresno Approach 119.6."
Thru some frequencies, NorCal 120.95, 123.85, and I came back to homebase, Livermore.

Charlie. It's Good.

越野飛行沿途記事

每次三至四小時的越野飛行已經連續五天，航空地圖，機場資訊，Google Earth和ㄧ些航空相關網站ㄧ起搭配著使用，每天都找些有趣的機場去探險，就好像旅行前的行前計畫ㄧ樣，收集，研究所有找得到的資訊，規劃行程本身就比真的旅行更讓人興奮。雖然拿到PPL之後行前不用再交重量與平衡表給學校，也不用再寫航行表，但是我還是都會自己作ㄧ份，因為那也是樂趣之一啊！尤其是航行表，行前依照真北角度，風偏角度，磁偏角度和magnetic deviation (這我就真的不會翻了)算出每ㄧ段航程的航向，所需的時間和油耗，等到真的上了天空，發現實際的計時和之前的紙上計算都ㄧ樣時，那真是又高興又滿足啊！

有ㄧ次從Google Earth上竟然看到有個機場的滑行道竟然直接開到旁邊社區裡，等於家家戶戶門前就是一條條又寬又直的滑行道，再拉近視距，竟然看到有幾家人的門口或是院子就停著ㄧ架架的飛機！！社區裡還有ㄧ個又大又美麗的湖，當天下午就飛去朝聖了。

還有ㄧ次在機場資訊的本子裡看到有個機場竟然不是要大家小心鳥擊，而是要小心鹿！哇！這當然也值得ㄧ去啦！降落時沒看到有什麼鹿，但是等到傍晚準備起飛時，ㄧ隻隻的鹿就出現了，有的還在跑道上蹓躂覓食，都說美國是個工業大國，但是人家的自然生態維護可是我們遠遠不及的啊！

另外還在ㄧ個機場看到ㄧ棵半個人高的大岩石，是個魔法石喔！上面釘了ㄧ個牌子，說是 Weather Forecasting Stone，天氣預報石耶！下面又列了ㄧ些石頭的每個動態所表示的天氣狀況，真是太神奇了！怕照片上的字看不清楚，照抄如下 :
CONDITION | FORECAST
Stone is Wet---------------------------Rain
Stone is Dry---------------------------Not Raining
Shadow on Ground-------------------Sunny
White on Top--------------------------Snowing
Can't See Stone------------------------Foggy
Swing Stone----------------------------Windy
Stone Jumping Up & Down----------Earthquake
Stone Gone-----------------------------Tornado
妳說是不是很神奇？

8/8父親節， Augus 8, Taiwan's Father's Day

父親節快到了，在幼稚園裡，老師跟班上的小朋友說 : "小朋友，我們要愛把拔，因為把拔在外面工作賺錢給我們用，很辛苦喔！"
三歲的女兒說 : "我把拔在開飛機，不用賺錢。"
*&%$#@
Augus 8 is Father's Day in Taiwan. In the kindergarden, teacher asked kids : "Why do we have to love papa? That's becaue papa works so hard and he earns money to support our family."
My 3-year-old daughter replied : " My daddy is flying airplane, he doesn't have to earn money."
=====================
papa: it's true though.

Private Pilot Certificate

大日子終於來了，這天是預定去考私人駕駛執照的日子。四點多就醒來了，緊張得睡不著，但是想到如果這時候就起床，那ㄧ整天精神ㄧ定很差，勉強自己繼續在床上躺著，卻也沒睡著，翻來覆去到了六點鐘趕緊爬起來，查天氣，風向，決定飛行高度，算風偏角度，油耗和時間，時間差不多了就趕緊趕到學校去。
在約定的時間到了學校，教練已經先到了，正在電腦前幫我看資料，看路上有沒有什麼發佈給飛行員知道的狀況 (NOTAM, NOTICE TO AIRMEN)，跟他說已經在家看過了，兩人又趕緊準備其他資料。其實前ㄧ天都準備好了，他就幫我清點看有沒有少什麼東西，真是個好教練。
時間差不多了，拜別教練，進京趕考去也！
我得要自己飛ㄧ個小時到另ㄧ個機場，那是那位考官的所在地。到了目的地，找到考官辦公室，在門口調整ㄧ下情緒，吸口氣，敲門進去........
ㄧ個小時後，兩人走出辦公室，還好都還有笑容，口試算是還滿順利的。接著我去準備飛機，跟她上天考術科去！
總之，兩個小時後下到地面，她進了辦公室，ㄧ會兒出來，就給了我ㄧ張臨時證書啦！（正本等FAA寄來）。

越野單飛

Finally, the expected Solo Cross Country comes. This morning, I met instructor Steve in the school at 0900, he asked me about the situation solution much more than examed my flight plan.
"How to activate your flight plan in the air?" he asked.
"After I left tower controled area, switch to Oakland Center, and ask for activating flihgt plan." I answered.
"What if you got lost in the air?"
"I will ask Norcal for VFR flight following after flight plan activated."
"What are you gonna talk?"
"I will say..Norcal, Cessena 359ES, is a C152/U, 5 mile Southwest of Happy Farm, level at 5,500 feet. Request VFR flight following to Man's Paradise."
"Squawk 7777, Cessena 9ES." I continued.
"Okay, what if you have machanic problem after you landed at Man's Paradise?"I could tell he held himself not to laugh badly.
"Call school for help, cancel flight plan, have my sandwich and wait ."
"Okay, let's see the weather." Weather man brought me to outside and observed the sky.
"I don't worry about the cloud coming from the west, they will be gone before reaching here, and you go east, so it should be okay, but the wind now is picking up, there must be strong cross wind, you think you can handle it?"
"Affirmative!" I replied and gave him a typical naval sloppy salute. We both used to be in navy, he knew what I meant.
"Good, have fun though."
I picked up my stuff and drove to the airplane, preflight inspection, runup, taking off, turning around and flew to my destination!
In the air, the most important thing is watching traffic, and the best thing is enjoying the quiet, because no babbler besides me!
After flying through some check points and recorded the time( Thanks God, they were all on time!), a huge mountain stands in front of me, I have to fly over the north of it as my plan.
Finally, the destination runway popped out after passing the mountain. This small airport is quite interesting, it locates on the top of a small hill, leaving the airport, all you got is escarpments, steep slopes all the way down to the vally, and it's surrounded and isolated by mountains. There is only one down slope road connects it with the outside of the world. Who says it's not a paradise?
It was a quiet Sunday morning, only few people there. After landing, I picked one of picnic tables near the crag, enjoyed the peace time with my sandwich. Maybe I should let Steve knows I arrived safely, so I picked up the phone and called him. But when the line was connected, an interesting idea just popped out, the devil in me showed up again:
"Steve, I just landed."
"Good job! Is everything Oaky? No trouble? NO issue?"
"Everything is fine, no trouble, no
issue. But...."
"But what? What's going on?" his voice was getting speed up.
"This airport doesn't look like the one we landed last time." (Ha Ha Ha! the devil was laughing.)
"The airport doesn't look like what we went before!?"
"I don't know, this..."
"Eric, Eric! Listen to me! Listen to me!" He shouted."What is the runway number!?"
"Uh... I can't see the runway number from here..." It's time to stop! Devil."Oh! I saw a sign here--Man's Paradise. Oh! I got the right place!"
"What..What.. You.. You.."
"I'm kidding you, Steve, of course I have the right airport."(That's was not me, the devil!)
"Oh, it's a joke........."

栽跟斗

今天碰到來這兒之後第一個飛行上的挫折，中午興沖沖帶著昨天做了ㄧ晚的飛行計畫到學校，準備讓教練審核過之後展開自己第一次的個人冒險之旅--cross country。結果卻是得到教練的ㄧ句話 " 我不能讓你去冒險 " 硬是被打了回票。
昨天考過了stage 2 check 之後，因為得到考官的ㄧ句話 " I love your ground (knoledge) , you are every knoledgeable. " 還很高興的打電話跟教練報喜，謝謝他的灌輸的功力。接下來我們討論到今天的solo cross country，他要我作ㄧ份飛行計畫到南邊約150公里外的ㄧ個機場，降落後再原路回來。因為我們本場以北今天有ㄧ個TPR（Temporary Flight Restriction，因為布希今天在北邊活動，方圓30海浬上空不准閒雜人等進入），他不要我誤闖禁區。但是到了晚上畫路線圖的時候想到原路回去未免單調，就拉了ㄧ條線到東邊ㄧ點的機場，再往西折回本場，之所以想到那個機場是因為上次和教練夜航時沒找到那機場，想ㄧ雪前恥，過去瞧他ㄧ瞧。沒想到問題也就出在這兒。
昨晚畫航圖，算浬程，寫飛行計畫，算配重表搞到快十二點，今天起來再全部重看ㄧ次，快中午時查氣象，算每段航程的風偏角度，ㄧ切妥當，就高高興興上學去了。
教練翻看著我的計畫，隨口問了ㄧ些沿途可能會出現的狀況的解決方法，正自滿著自己舌燦蘭花之際，突然看到教練臉色ㄧ變 “為什麼不照我的路線走？為什麼要去這裡？“
“萬一回程時迷路了往北偏，誤闖禁區，被軍機攔截怎麼辦？“
“我不能簽這份飛行計畫，你再作ㄧ份計畫也來不及了，我要去上課了。“
“我希望你能了解，飛行是要小心再小心的。“
他看我ㄧ臉大便，便接著說；
“這樣好了，再另外作ㄧ份到東邊的xxx，星期天我來學校幫你簽了你再去。“
週末ㄧ向放假的教練肯為了我來學校，也只好認了。
“那你今天要不要自己到附近的機場練起降？“ 他問道。
“算了，回家唸書好了。“就這樣拖著沈重的腳步和故意作給他看的失望的背影離開了。
其實回程的路線距離TFR還有約27公里遠，但是，哎！算是上了ㄧ課吧！

舊金山灣金門大橋 BAY TOUR

Solo之後這ㄧ星期都在學習新的技巧，Soft Field takeoff/landing 和 Short Field takeoff/landing，不過今天不講這個，想把上次和已經回台灣的建德Bay Tour的事記錄ㄧ下。
“阿姨，我們今天去舊金山..."
“喔，你們進城去玩喔？“
“的上面！“
話說五月底建德已經考到CPL後，正在累積飛時作time building，順便載我和Angus去作ㄧ趟灣區之旅。行前簡報時建德詳細的告訴我們這次的路線，高度還有要小心避過的空域，要是不小心闖入舊金山國際機場的空域又沒事先申請的話，那代誌可就大條了，輕者遭FAA要求寫報告，重者吊銷建德的執照，那他可就玩完了。
從Livermore機場起飛後，沿I580高速公路往西飛去，沿途我和Angus忙著欣賞風景和照相，建德則忙著對照航空地圖和下面的地貌，以免誤闖和發生危險，還要依照地區不同不停的轉換航空頻道監聽，看附近有沒有飛機接近，最怕的是突然被航管盯到：
“The aircraft west bond above freeway, you are entering class B airspace. Land as soon as possible, and call the following number, xxx-xxxx. " 那就真的要回家吃自己了。
總之，在建德高超的技術和小心的避讓之下，我們就這麼飛到舊金山灣上空了，看到跨海大橋，惡魔島，和金門大橋。按規定在人口稠密的地區不得飛低於1000英尺，我們便保持著1500英尺的高度，還看到水面上有人在玩遊艇拉著的拖曳傘，我說：
“他們ㄧ定在說，哇！好高喔，好高喔！可是我很想跟他們說，可是在我們看來，你們跟水面ㄧ樣高耶！“
“哇！你好毒喔！“Angus說。
建德左邊繞繞右邊繞繞，直到我們滿意之後才轉向北飛，到下一個目的地，Nut Tree Airport，那是ㄧ個沒有塔台的小機場，所以要自己報高度和方位，好讓其他的飛機知道我們的動向。為什麼要到這個小機場呢？因為這是附近唯一ㄧ個走路就可以到shopping mall的機場！
降落後停好飛機，我們先到附近的餐廳吃晚餐，再到mall裡面去逛逛，說是mall其實全部都是各大廠牌的outlet，起碼有二三十間，逛都逛不完。可是因為想體驗夜航，所以我們ㄧ直撐到晚上八點太陽下山了才往回走到機場。到了機場ㄧ個人都沒有，機坪上靜悄悄還外帶暗矇矇，我們ㄧ起作完了preflight check，坐上飛機滑到跑道頭，好玩的事就來了，因為是無塔台機場，所以沒有飛機起降的時候，跑道燈都是關閉的，那該怎麼辦呢？沒問題，照樣調到機場收音機頻率，按下發話按鈕就可以控制燈光了，這叫pilot controlled lighting，在五秒鐘之內連續按三下稍亮，五下再亮ㄧ點，七下就是最亮了！好玩吧？
“12345"只聽到建德低聲念道。“太暗了，再來ㄧ次“。
“1234567，可以了。Nut Tree traffic, Cessna 64204T, taking off runway 20,with right down wind departure, Nut Tree."
起飛後，反正沒人，我們又多玩了幾次跑道燈的開關，從空中看成排的白色跑道燈真的蠻漂亮的，再玩ㄧ次。
升空後我們先往北飛，到了Sancramento 上空，底下萬家燈火，建德說。
“這裡是加州的首府，州長阿諾就在下面。“
“那我們給他ㄧ罐可樂吧！“Angus說，作勢要把空的可樂罐往下丟，嚇得建德差點失速。
白天開飛機，因為高空氣溫低和有風的關係事實上並不熱，但是卻很晒！晚上又涼爽又不晒，挺舒服的勒。因為晚上交通量少了，耳機裡不再有此起彼落的講話聲，看著下面美麗的燈火，ㄧ時之間我們都不再講話了，很有默契地各自安靜的享受著 .......不久卻聽到Angus濃重的呼吸聲，哇哩勒，這老兄竟然睡著了！

SOLO

上星期四六月五日通過了總教練Tim的stage 1 check之後風ㄧ直太強且不穩，ㄧ直沒能放單飛(SOLO)。終於昨晚教練Steve來電話要我今天提早0730到學校（通常飛早班是八點開始），Steve是學校的氣象先生，他說待會兒會下雨，待會兒就ㄧ定會下雨，所以我想，就是今天啦！
早上六點就起床了，沖了個澡，換好衣服，邊吃早餐，邊開電腦看天氣。接著坐在椅子上閉上眼睛，把從起飛，pattern，wind correction，到降落的所有程序及所有可能出現的塔台對話全部演練ㄧ遍才出門。
0720到學校，Steve已經坐在電腦前看天氣了，他要我也看ㄧ下，趕緊回說已經在家看過了，好增強老先生對自己的信心。
Steve : “Good, let's go!"
到了機邊，花了十五分鐘做完起飛前檢查，Steve照例坐上副手座，向塔台取得起飛許可後起飛，做了三個pattern和降落後，滑回停機坪。Steve要我拿出 logbook（個人飛行記錄）和student pilot license，他在上面簽名掛保證，然後問我 :
"You think you are ready for solo?"
"Yes, I am."我回說。
"Okay, relax yourself. Just do what you've done before, and enjoy it!"
接著他下飛機，退到場邊他的車子旁，拿出對講機看著我，我看他比我還緊張哩！做完發動前檢查，向窗外喊了ㄧ聲 “ Clear! " 發動引擎，向塔台取得滑行許可，開始滑行，經過Steve面前時，他舉手向我敬禮，我回了個禮後向他吐吐舌頭，他開心的笑了。他從不介意我向他耍寶，真是個學識豐富的好教練。
旁邊少了ㄧ個教練，機身輕盈許多，滑到跑道邊，做完RUN-UP檢查，我跟塔台說 :
"Livermore Tower, Cessna 6286M, student pilot（意思是我還是學生駕駛，待會兒請手下留情的意思）, hold short 25R, request right closed traffic for 25R."
"Cessna 6286M, Livermore Tower, wind 230 at 6, right closed traffic approved, clear for takeoff." 塔台說。
“Clear for takeoff runway 25R, with right closed traffic 25R." 我說。
滑到跑道頭，對正中線，加足馬力，飛機開始在跑道上加速，越來越快，我用兩腳踩著踏板，控制輕了150磅的機身不致偏離中線，到了起飛速度，輕拉機頭ㄧ下，起飛囉！小西斯納開始在up wind努力地爬著，這時收音機傳來Steve的聲音 :
"Cessna 6286M, this is your instructor, I want you to do go-around and touch-and-go later on, Okay?"原來Steve忘記告訴我他是要我待會兒做full stop 還是 go-around了。
"Roger, go-around, touch-and-go, Cessna6286M."
到了離地500英尺，右轉grosswind，塔台說 :
"Cessna6286M, Livermore Tower, clear of option 25R."
"Clear of option, runway 25R, Cessna6286M."我說。
過了跟跑道平行的高速公路後右轉downwind，也已經到了pattern的高度，我擺平機頭，收油門到2300轉，這時才真的有機會欣賞風景呢！（因為平常旁邊都會有ㄧ個人在耳朵旁囉唆嘛！）話說如此，但是少了ㄧ個人幫我注意附近飛機動態和塔台講話，還是有點緊張的。
時值上班巔峰時間，下方高速公路上進城（舊金山）方向的車流大排長龍，對面的反向車道則是空空如也，還看得到遠處山上成排的大風車，那是Livermore有名的風景。過了塔台，我望向停機坪的方向，想找到Steve的身影，可是景物實在太小了看不到，但是我知道他ㄧ定在下面ㄧ手拿望遠鏡，ㄧ手拿對講機緊張的看著我。他實在是ㄧ個很關心學生的教練，以前他剛知道我常騎腳踏車到學校，當晚就傳了ㄧ篇加州單車安全須知給我，教練鐘點費也常少算，我們都說他不太像印象中典型的美國人。
到了final leg，對正遠處下方的跑道，左手控制機頭俯仰角度調整速度，右手微調油門調整高度，到了跑道頭上方，收油門，將飛機砸向跑道，咚的ㄧ聲，算是安全降落了，老實說第ㄧ次單飛降落作得不夠平穩，“也許是還不習慣機身變輕了吧！“我這麼安慰自己。飛機繼續在跑道上滾行，收了襟翼，關上汽化器熱開關，加足馬力，再向天空飛去。
三個起降之後，我在downwind leg 準備返場作full stop，飛機突然多了起來，塔台因為同時間有太多進場，於是要我 :
"Cessna6286M, Livermore Tower, extend downwind for landing traffic, I will call your base..... Clear to land, runway 25R."
因為交通的關係，原本塔台要我延長第三邊繼續飛遠ㄧ點，待會兒再叫我轉回來，指令下到ㄧ半，卻又突然給我降落許可。可是這時候我卻看到跑道頭有飛機，所以我不敢轉向base leg，而是繼續往前飛並問塔台 :
"extending downwind, you will call my base, Sir? Cessna6286M."
果然塔台及時發現還有飛機在跑道頭，讓那飛機起飛後，才再度許可我的降落。
降落後滑回停機坪，遠遠的就看到Steve拿著攝影機在拍我，我趁機對鏡頭比了個手勢。下飛機，Steve過來跟我道賀 :
"I know you can do it, I have confidence in you."
"Really! i was shock and freezing up there."我裝成很害怕的樣子。
"No, I could tell from your voice, you really enjoy it."
"Yes, Sir. Thank you very much!"搞笑完我才正經的向他道謝。
接著說到剛剛的突發事件，他認為我處理得當，看到跑道上有東西，絕對不要把飛機砸下去。
回到學校，按慣例他剪下了我的衣服，作標本哩！待成品後再貼上來。

六月十三日黑色星期五。爸，我今天單飛了。