Wednesday, July 9th

It's late, I'm tired and I have a big morning tomorrow, so I gotta make this one quick & sloppy.

Chapter 3 review (aced) and started chapter 4 (airspace and airport ops). Watched more videos while we waited for planes to become available. After 7497F was returned with puke along the left side (classmate Mike had a hard time on final), the crew cleaned it and I started preflight inspection and waited for the gas truck to come around. Then finished preflight, instructor met me, and we taxied to the run-up area (right before the runway, where we go through final checklist and test the engine's takeoff power without actually moving). Just about to radio the tower for takeoff clearance when I noticed a red VOLTS light blinking on the annunciator panel. I check the ammeter and it showed a little below zero (should be exactly zero). I elbowed Sean and he did some fiddling around with the master switch and circuit breakers but no joy. That's a no-fly situation. Radioed tower for taxi back to the ramp. They ordered us to use the runway to taxi and be quick about it, so Sean took the controls and did a fast taxi (with the nose up... weird!) back home. Still got .5 hours in the logbook, though, since time starts at masterswitch on and ends at masterswitch off. Finished the day doing practice written tests... now averaging about 89%. Should take the exam early next week. Brain hurts.

Bad alternator. Now being repaired and we'll try again tomorrow morning (1st morning flight). Doing approx 8 touch-and-goes at Midway airport (SE of here... not Chicago ) for takeoff/landing/pattern practice. Should be fun.

fyi... rumor is that the solo flight comes at about 22-23 hours on average.

also fyi... holding off on camera work for now, since flying is a very full-time job at the moment. I'll have plenty to take and share soon, though.