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The Final Moments of Checkout Training Bring an Unexpected Fear

Flying his own Cessna 170 makes this pilot look inward and face his own insecurities.

A rainy day and challenge-filled dual lesson beckons. [Photo: Jason McDowell]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Owning an airplane unexpectedly transformed the author from a confident renter into a "paranoid" pilot, deeply fearing damage to his new Cessna 170 due to emotional and financial investment, which complicated his checkout training.
  • His instructor pushed him through challenging scenarios, including crosswind landings, navigating a very short grass strip, and flying in rain, forcing him to confront his anxieties and trust his aircraft.
  • Through these demanding experiences, the author gradually shed his initial paranoia, gaining confidence in his piloting skills and the plane's capabilities, ultimately leading to his solo flight endorsement.
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Among life’s unwritten rules, one seems to hold true regardless of culture. Spanning continents, political borders, religions, and eras, it is one that exists in every corner of the globe. The rule is that, when driving a rental car, one may beat the ever living hell out of it solely for one’s amusement.

Fortunately, when it comes to general aviation, more respect is afforded to a rental airplane. We make every attempt to finesse our landings. We’re reasonably careful with switches, levers, and knobs. Generally, most of us tend to make an effort to leave the machine in as good or better condition than that in which we found it.

Jason McDowell

Jason McDowell is a private pilot and Cessna 170 owner based in Madison, Wisconsin. He enjoys researching obscure aviation history and serves as a judge for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association. He can be found on Instagram as @cessnateur.

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