First Flight

Just recently getting my private pilots license, it was time to take some people up. My dad paid for my training so it only made sense to take him up. It happened to be my aunts birthday as well so she went along for the ride. We decided to go to Mesquite, which is only about an hour flight, and get some breakfast. The flight there went pretty smooth. Breakfast was great as well. Before we left Mesquite I wanted to get a weather update. It was a lttle windy but nothing serious, so I returned home.

As I am coming over Nellis AFB and started decending to North Las Vegas airport, I really was really noticing the wind. While continuing to descend I let an "OH SH*T" out as we hit some drafts. This being the first time my dad and aunt were every in a light aircraft this alarmed them. Keep in mind I have only logged about forty five hours. I have met the FAA requirement but this is still low time.

As I am coming into land the tower tells me the wind is at 07 degrees at 19 knots. A 15 degree crosswindcomponet. This worried me a bit but I had to be confident. In a C-172, the plane I was flying, the max cross wind is only fifteen knots. I was right at that limit. Making my final approach I did my best to stay aligned with the center line. As I flare out the main wheels softly touched on the runway. It turned out to be one of my best landings. Once the plane was tied down I had some time to rethink about the landing. I asked my dad what he thought. He said nice landing but,.......... keep the OH SHITS to your self.