Sporty's Pilot Shop

I’d been having trouble with landings. Nicos, the CFI, decided that this was largely psychological, and he said that it was high time I was rid of this “monkey on my back.” He told me to come early, and we’d solve this problem once and for all. I arrived early as requested, and he told me to go out and pre-flight the aircraft and as soon as I’d started the engine he’d come and join me. I did all the external and cabin checks, started the engine, and sure enough a few moments later he climbed in and told me to get clearance and get this show on the road.

Clearance obtained, I taxied out to the holding point, and we got takeoff clearance. I waited for the runway stop-bar lights to go off, but nothing happened. Nicos said, “Come on, let’s go. We’ve got the clearance.” I shook my head, and pressed the PTT switch, “Larnaca Tower, the stop-bar lights are still at red, Aviator Zero One.”