First XC - Went Really Well. Flight #21

1658F
OAK-STS (Santa Rosa)-OAK
VFR Cross-Country 'XC'
Aug 10, 2002

First XC - went really well. Most of the way was quite familiar, but there was a little course drift (just to notice in the future + longer XCs).

Filed VFR flight plan - talked with all the usuals + STS tower, Oakland Center, Oakland FSS. Jeff told me it was the best first XC he had seen - either way, I don't think it's a pep talk - it really went well, with all of the E-6B calculations en-route coming *very* close to the estimated ground-speeds etc.

All told - a very satisfying flight - we're going to do a longer XC on Monday to two airports that I've never seen - can't wait. SAC (sacramento) Exec, and Yolo County.

Advice for future aviators: read-up on the e-6B and do an hour or two of drills on it - perhaps after looking at the Jepp VFR flight plan worksheet - it will really help once in the air. Also - really *really* try to visualize the checkpoints, and the airport configuration from your direction(s) of flight. Jeff had me imagine STS arrangement which made it much easier to spot once we were getting close.