Happy Landings

Last Friday's lesson was the most positive lesson I've had for ages. I'd been watching the METAR all morning from the office. I saw the cloud rising, the weather clearing up and the wind picking up. By 3pm there was blue sky, broken cloud around 2000 feet and a 14 knot almost directly down runway 25.

We took off and flew towards Reading to get me into handling the aircraft and then returned to Blackbushe to do some circuits. For the first time I felt in control of the aircraft through the whole circuit. I even did most of the radio calls. My turns onto base and final legs were much more under control (except the last one where I think I was getting carried away)

Most importantly I landed the plane a couple of times without hands on assistance from Tony. A lot still to learn - there was a couple of ballooned landings, one go around but I finally feel I can see what I should be doing.

Snow Stops Play

No flying last week - Blackbushe is closed due to snow on the runway. Ah well, more time to prepare!

Here's a photo from 2010 showing Alpha-November with a bit of snow on her. This is Iceman's pic - hope he doesn't mind too much!

Cold, Cold Flying

Another blue sky winter Friday presented excellent flying opportunities today. It was barely above freezing on the ground and this week's lesson featured much use of carb heat. Tony said it was around minus 10 at 3000ft.

I was a few minutes earlt and saw the end of Tony's previous lesson in  Alpha-November, a spot of touch and go:

 

This week was more getting back into flying with a little climbing, descending, turning and slow flight. Air pressure was high - Qnh 1040 so Alpha-November positively leapt into the air. Maintaining and 80 knot climb was a bit of a fight! For a change we're using runway 07 so things are a little backwards.

Another fairly pleasing set up for finals ended up in another reasonable landing, with a great deal of Tony's input I should say.

Tony wants to do a few circuits next week so its back to walking the circuit for me!