Hi.

Today I showed up to the field to see if any instructors might be stopping by. I shot the breeze with the 2 guys that were there, but no instructors. Also the field house, where the buddy box is kept, was locked. I was about to leave, when it was suggested that I at least get in the air, and hand over the radio if I get in trouble. I saw one of the instructors doing this yesterday, so I gave it a shot. God was I nervous!

Light wind, mostly heading down the runway. Take off was a breeze. I tooled around in the sky for a while, circling the pattern and doing some figure eights at the command of the 2 more experienced pilots that were there. I got some sun screen in my eyes, so handed off the radio, and they brought it down for me. They both had a couple of flights, and I tried one more. Again, calm wind, nice take off, and this time they said to shoot some approaches. Well, the second approach I shot just looked so good, I had to bring it all the way down.

I did it!! Off the buddy box in 9 flights! I quit while I was ahead and packed it in (I had a function to go to). I couldn't resist, so I came back in the early evening and tried again. There were other people around, but they were a little out of season; I was on my own. This time there was no wind, and take-off was much harder! I needed TONS of throttle, and the plane was pretty squirley with that much throttle - really wanted to pull to the right, a lot, but I got her up. flying for me is pretty easy. I did some snap rolls, a loop, a bunch of figure eights, some nice tight turns, all while maintaining constant altitude. Landing was tough this time, as I felt the plane was coming in hot (remember, no wind to help me this time. Wow, wind actually helps!) I did a few touch-and-gos until it felt right, and brought her in. The prop hit the runway and stopped, but I kept it under control. Had this happen twice, and one really bouncy landing (need to learn how to control the bounce - I was told to hold up elevator, which seems pretty unnatural), but still had 4 or 5 flights today with no buddy box. Landed, plane's not damaged, and no one's hurt.

I did it!

Thanks for all your help guys!