Blue Sky Circuits

Another lesson on Sunday in what seemed to be absolutely perfect weather after the 'orrible stuff we've had recently. Tony did mention it was a bit bumpy - he really wasn't kidding.

Today we're flying G-BPTE. I enjoy flying Tango Echo more than Alpha November for some reason - better pedals perhaps. Tango Echo has one down side though, the airspeed indicator is in mph most prominently which means we're remembering 80 mph rather than 70 kts. That and the left tank fuel gauge doesn't work.

So a few more circuits cut somewhat short because of the gusty conditions. Several times we were all nicely lined up on finals and a gust throws everything around. We were using runway 07 today. It seems Blackbushe only uses the M3 side of the airfield for circuits, so today was all right hand turns.

I seem to be picking up the beginning of the circuit, the initial climb, turn crosswind, level at 800ft and then turn downwind. It's the base and final legs that I was struggling with.

• From downwind, initiate turn, turn on carb heat.
• As soon as the turn is complete immediately reduce power to [1600 rpm] and maintain 800ft.
• Once we're within Vfe lower two stages of flap - maintain altitude and slow to 70 kts (or 80 mph if you insist).
• Trim for 70 kts. I'll say it again because I keep forgetting. Trim the aircraft for 70 kts.
• Initiate descent and use a 15° turn onto final.
• Choose the aiming point on the runway.
• At 300 ft add the third stage of flap and turn off carb heat.
• Are we high, are we low, are we fast, are we slow.
• Maintain 70 kts, keeping the runway picture.
• If we're too high reduce power, too low increase power. Don't use the control column to adjust that. Adjustments of 100 RPM or so.
• If we're too fast or slow adjust attitude.
• Once we're over the runway reduce power.
• and then flare.

Which of course the real trick.

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PA-28 Pre-Landing Checklist

On the grounds that I need to learn this, here is the list from the Piper checklist.

1. Mixture – Rich
2. Carb Heat – Check for ice
3. Fuel – sufficient
4. Flaps – up
5. Engine instrument – within limits
6. Seat backs / Seat belts – erect / secure
7. Altimeter – Set / Cross Check
    o Airport QFE No 1
    o Airport QNH No 2
8. Brakes – Off
9. Recognition / Landing Lights – on
10. Air conditioner – off

And finally here's Tony's version

Brakes
Undercarriage
Mixture (rich) (carb heat on)
T's & P's
Fuel (sufficient) (perhaps swap tanks)
Fuel Pump on
Landing lights on
Carb Heat off
Hatches and harnesses

I prefer Tony's because he includes a round the cockpit check - brakes to mixture in the middle, jump left to engine instruments, work right to fuel, switches, carb heat and finally hatches and harnesses.

Into the Circuit

With a determined rush our hero leapt back into the cockpit. This time he was serious.

I'm having a determined effort to get flying. It's a new year and I have a new will to fly and a new instructor - hi Tony!

I had one lesson last weekend with barely flyable conditions. The cloud was between 1400 and 1800 feet which meant some practice of circuit technique around a disused airfield. Things felt really good and Tony had me flying almost all of the time. Very little in the way of horizon and failing visibility had us navigating back to Blackbushe landmark by landmark.

Following on from this I took a day off work on Thursday and took two lessons in a row. The weather was clear if somewhat breezy and we went through circuits at Blackbushe. I found this exercise very taxing and was all but shaking after the first lesson. We were using runway 25 and all turns were to the left.

• Take off - full power, wait for 60-65 knots and rotate.
• Climb (with one hand on the throttle) to 500ft maintaining a speed to 80 knots on full power.
• Turn left onto the Base leg, (15°) climbing to 800ft and leveling off. Adjust attitude, power (2100) and trim for straight and level.
• Turn left onto downwind leg, (full 30°) before M3 otherwise we're in Farnborough's airspace.
• Ensure 800ft, straight and level and perform pre-landing checks.
• Turn onto the crosswind leg (full 30°) at Hawley Lake, turn on carb heat. Choose stables aiming point.
• Reduce power, wait for the aircraft to slow (to Vfe) and lower two stages of flap, maintain 800ft.
• Continue slowing to 70kts and begin descent.
• At stables, turn left onto final approach. 15° turn. Allow plenty of time to turn.
• Choose the runway aiming point (25). Descend maintaining 70kts.
• At 300ft add third stage of flap, turn off carb heat.
• Check "Are we fast, are we slow, are we high, are we low"
• If we're too low add power, too high, reduce power.
• If we're too fast or slow adjust the attitude of the aircraft.
• Never go below 70kts or take your hand off the throttle, Ian.

Things to do when landing next, this is a novel in itself.

Autumn Flying

Such a beautiful day to fly! Autumn colours and long shadows made this a fantastic day. The flight was out primarily over Reading.

Despite another lesson of forgotten items, FREDA, PAT and aircraft checks I really enjoyed this lesson. I really felt I was flying and controlling the aircraft.

FREDA - Fuel, Radio, Engine, Direction Indicator, Altimeter
PAT - Power, Attitude, Trim

My aircraft was G-JJAN a PA28-181. Despite a bit of amusement with the mic jack plug I found this a very stable aircraft and even managed a very guided landing. Too heavy handed on the controls still though. A little bit of radio work to Blackbushe information too.

A New Hope

Yesterday I had my first flying lesson in two years. On one hand it felt like I'd never been away, on the other I really have a long, long way to go. I'd forgotten lots of basic things like checks, controls and where things were. I was more nervous that I've been for ages.

The flight was on a trial basis and we flew to Theale and did a bit of sightseeing and home spotting - if only I'd brought my camera. My instructor Johan took things fairly easy and concentrated on things like Straight and Level and Turns.

Today's aircraft was G-BPTE a Piper PA-28-181. Found this when I was looking it up! Report

Begin Again

It's been bothering me for a while now that I've just stopped flying. Every time a plane flies over I look up. We're not far from Brimpton and seem to be almost on their flight path so there's lots of that. Somebody practices aerobatics just out of sight. Hell, I wanna do that! Excuses - yes, the money, the house move - so many petty excuses. What am I afraid of?

So after some further prompting from T I've booked another lesson - a trial at Blackbushe to see what things are like over there. A bad weather cancel on Sunday, but at least I've started again! Time to dig out the books and do some work.

Philipp Steinbach talks about the Sbach 342 on Airsports TV

This is the plane I flew in at WAC 2009

Awesome!

The World Aerobatic Championship 2009

This week I found myself in an enviable position. The company I work for was one of the sponsors of The World Aerobatic Championship being held at Silverstone and I got the chance to work behind the scenes and enjoy corporate hospitality.

On Thursday I was on-site helping support the IT infrastructure for Flying Aces, the organisers of WAC 2009. The IT equipment for timing, TV and general office work had been set up by Ben and James earlier in the week and it was just a matter of jumping in when something went wrong. This left plenty of time for watching the flying and even to have a flight in the Q liveried SBACH 342.

Our pilot Andy took me through some 'gentle' aerobatics - absolutely awesome! I even got the chance to fly for a while - really very different to my usual PA28. I climbed at my usual rate and Andy kept telling me to pull the nose up until I felt like we would fall out of the sky! Silly of course since I later saw this plane climb vertically (as did all of the others). The ten minute flight over the Northamptonshire countryside seemed so short.

From WAC 2009

More photos under the WAC 2009 link including lots of competitor aircraft on the ground and in the huge tent hangers.

Friday saw the corporate day. I was feeling quite at home as the Ultimate High chaps from Kemble were taking our important visitors for flights.