Gotta love this Texas heat!!!

I now have over 75 tandems, all out of a Cessna 182 in the Texas heat. Yes folks, it has been a hot summer with many days in the 100s. But I have been toughing it out- still staying postive and energetic towards my students. I make a conscious effort to make them feel relaxed and upbeat. When my students are hooked up to me, I can have a better feel for their breathing patterns (are they breathing fast and shallow? Are they breathing up in their shoulders and chest?) and muscle tension (are they stiff or lose?). It gives me a good idea how nervous they are. Students that are too nervous = not arching in freefall. I don't want them to take me for a ride and I want them to have a good time. By reading their behavior, asking them how they are feeling, answering their questions, and explaining what is going on will make for an easier freefall and a fun experience. I even took a student who was 216 lbs last weekend! He was no problem because he was so relaxed in the plane.

Lately, I've had to almost "defend" my credentials because students and wuffos ask me things like, "You've done this before right?" It's so funny when they ask questions such as, "When we exit, am I going to me hooked up to you?" I love it when they give me that look, "You're my tandem instructor?" Being a tandem instructor is very empowering!

My work at the gym has paid off. I have been getting a lot more upper body strength and it shows. I can flare by myself on a more consistent basis, and steering is a lot easier too. I'm landing closer to the pea pit more often, and I'm having more stand up landings too.