This time however, when I was cleared for the option, there was a fair amount of turbulence. The plane was really rocking. Then, right at the tail end of the downwind leg, a gigantic gust of wind hit the plane and I immediately noticed a significant drop in altitude (maybe a hundred feet). To make a long story short, I hit my head twice on the ceiling. Just after the second gust, the controller called to let me know that the wind was now gusting at 27 knots and I responded the only way I knew how, "Roger that..I'd like to make this one a full stop." They gave me a runway change and I put it down and taxied to the tie down.... Read more »

Unfortunately the birds (big vultures I might add) were now quite agitated. The end result being that just as we were reaching the edge of the pavement, the birds began flying right were we wanted to go. I reacted quickly and I think I surprised Josh when I went full throttle, called a go around and added full power. It was a good go around. Once we were back around they gave us the left side for our full stop landing, which was safe and uneventful.... Read more »

I elected to forego touch and goes in an attempt to lighten the load on the controllers and myself. They vectored me in, which was easy. I came straight in to my base leg and turned final. I set it down in the first thousand feet and made it to the first turn off. It was a really good landing.... Read more »

Once back on the ground, I thought I might have a little bit of a wait to cross 23L. I was surprised to hear them hold the Learjet and even more surprised when he explained why. Apparently there was some poor guy lost out off the departure end of the airfield, just flying around.... Read more »

On the final landing, the crosswind was gone and consequently I made another really nice landing. It wasn't the picture perfect landing from last time but it was still grade A.... Read more »