Having completed Simon's checkride at Tracy Airport,

Greg, our instructor had us swap seats, so now I was in the back watching Rachel do the flying! Running through the checks on the ground before departure.

Having completed the pre-takeoff checks, we taxied out to Runway 30 for departure.

After a rather slow takeoff (well, until Rachel took her feet of the brakes!), we climbed out on the runway heading.

We climbed to about 5000 feet to start the stalls and steep turns, on the way getting a great view of the American river delta,

Mt Diabilo

and some other unusual water features like this Island at a Canal crossroads.

Now, it was down to business, starting with the steep turns! I didn't manage to get any shots inside the cockpit but this was my view from the back seat!

I have to say that the turns were executed to perfection with less than 20 feet either way! Next it was time for stalls....

and as you can see from the ASI, this was right on the stall. Not much to see but, hey, it's a C172! This was followed by a power on stall which was marked only for it's VERY nose high attitude. So high that I didn't get a picture! On the way back to Stockton, it was time for the old PFL's (practise forced landings) From 5000 feet, Rachel had an age to pick a sutable site for landing, which she did! I noticed this town as we neared the ground and thought it looked like Texas, so hence the picture!

So, power restored, we headed back to Stockton for circuits, doing a bit of slow flight on the way. Note the Flaps are lowered with Mt Diablo in the background.

Also, the central valley is know for its farming and irragation is supplied from dams in the mountains and stored in huge lakes for use when needed.

Approaching Stockton, the airport can be seen in the centre of the picture.

We were cleared to join the LH circuit for RW 29L. This is the view from the base leg. The picture is dominated by the much wider and longer RW 29R. 29L can just be seen to the upper left of the wing strut. The road in the foreground in Highway 99.

Now on final approach, 29L can be clearly seen. However, I couldn't help wondering if anyone has landed on the 29R taxiway by mistake!

Having completed 3 circuits, we were both signed off and it was back to the Snowberry to prepare for the big trip!