Time: 1200Z (0600 MST)
Flying time: 1.2 hrs.
I'm writing this fairly long after the event, so things are somewhat blurred. Jeff shows me how to file a VFR flight plan with the FSS, and I call up to file it and obtain a standard weather briefing. It's clear, wind is relatively calm. No NOTAMs to speak of.
Jeff familiarizes me with the airport diagram. The Aero Club building is right near taxiway Bravo which intersects runway 17. We head out to the aircraft, a T-41C, which is the Air Force's designation for a Cessna 172 fitted with a 210 HP engine and a climbing pitch propellor. Both of which come in awfully handy when the airport is at 5300'MSL and it gets HOT. Density altitude at field elevation during the summer can easily exceed 8-9,000ft.
Jeff walks me through the checklist, and soon he's gotten our clearance to taxi to Runway 17 at Delta. Do the runup using the checklist, and get our clearance to take off. Today Jeff handles all the radio work, but this is the last time he does.
This is a pretty simple, short lesson. I learn to take the thing off, being told to compensate for torque and P-factor with right rudder. We fly out to the practice area, practice straight-and-level flight with use of trim, climbs, descents, turns, and climbing/descending turns. I take us back to ABQ, but naturally Jeff takes care of all the ATC clearances and does the actual landing, although all the time he's telling me how to do it. Runway 17 has VASI lights, so at least getting the glidepath right looks like it might be easier than at the the uncontrolled airfield 7 miles away, where I'll be doing my touch-and-gos.
We set down, get clearance to taxi back to the Aero Club, and give 'er a drink. Used about 9 gallons of fuel. Taxi to the parking spaces, and run through the checklist to get it squared away.
I can't wait for my next lesson, but I have to. Next one in about 2 weeks.