Sunfish, these are all good mistakes to make (if you know what I mean) because you have learned not to do it again! Learning by experience, i.e. learning by our mistakes, personally I think is the best way to learn something practical. When I am flying and I forget to do something or I do something wrong, like leave the landing lights on too long, I will consciously remember this for the next flight and make myself do it, so as to not make the same mistake twice. I suppose more bigger mistakes that might give you a bit of a fright, will stay with you longer!
Keep up the good work,
Lee
