Had my first experience on PE last night. I started at KSNA GA parking (west), contacted ATC for radio check, then for taxi and pattern work. Oh boy, I didn't anticipate how nervewrecking this would be. I got really nervous, and started to question myself on every little thing, looking frantically at the airport diagram every 10 seconds.
Anyway, I got clearance to take off from 19R, and flew 4-5 patterns. For being a rookie, I think it went quite well. The controller gave me clearance for the option either on upwind or crosswind each time. However, for my third pattern, he didn't contact me, and I had just turned final. Remember the nerves? Well, they kicked in again, but I decided to contact tower saying "3 Sierra Echo on final". Again, I got cleared for the option, all well.
Then, I decided to exit the runway after landing, and it sort of went downhill from there. I didn't catch what the controller said, and responded something like "3 Sierra Echo... eeh... go ahead?" I believe he said "Stationair 3 Sierra Echo, say intentions", and I responded "3 Sierra Echo, looking to park at... eeerrr... wherever... I don't know *nervous laughter*".
The controller was cool about it, and said "Stationair 3 Sierra Echo, join Bravo, remain this frequency, good night".
This experience raised a couple questions:
1a) What would have happened if I had landed after the third pattern without clearance?
1b) Should I have contacted tower earlier?
2a) Is it ok to exit the runway without being told to do so?
2b) What should I have said after landing when I had no idea where to park?
Well, just my first thoughts and experiences. To be clear - I did have a great time, and I'd recommend everyone interested in flight sims to check out Pilotedge. I really want to learn and get better at it, but I didn't expect to get so nervous
Thank you.