DP, was learning to fly on 100hp Rallyes.
This was my first flight with this particular instructor (who turns out to be a very nice chap, and one of the best instructors I've ever had).
I commence my take off roll, and my new instructor is sitting back, looking out the window, nice and relaxed.
As we take off, I notice that the climb rate isn't what it usually is, and think I've forgotten something. I check that I've my flaps properly set...all ok.....I have full throttle......the mixture is fully rich.....oil p&t's are all normal......I can't see anything wrong, but we are still climbing very slowly.
Time to ask for help....
Me (staring at the panel) : "Is there something wrong?"
Instructor instantly leaps from the relaxed state, twist and turns every knob, pushes every lever, checks every gauge in less than 5 seconds....then calms down out of the panic........
Instructor: "No, everything looks ok? Why do you ask?"
Me (thinking he'll be impressed that I at least noticed the different climb rate): "Well it's just that we seem to be climbing a lot slower than normal."
Instructor (with a rather grumpy tone in his voice) : "THAT's BECAUSE I'M 18 STONE!"
Me (in a sheepish tone): "Ohh....ok......sorry."
dp