Stunning Day, Not so Stunning Flying

Last Friday was great for flying if perhaps a little warm. The wind scarcely got over 4 kts and visibility was good if not perfect. I mean look at the sky behind the control tower:-

For some reason I was pretty awful though. I couldn't do medium level turns without climbing, couldn't manage straight and level, was behind the aircraft all the way. We were in Tango Echo and using runway 07 (not my fave). We'd taken off for the first circuit when the tower said they'd forgotten to tell us about Class D airspace taking effect in 6 minutes. They were happy for us to fly as long as we set the transponder appropriately. Sadly Tango Echo doesn't have a transponder (nor pitot heat, nor landing light) so we had to land for 35 minutes until the restriction cleared. Normally this restriction is because of a Royal Flight, the cynical story in the club house was that Prince Andrew was off to play golf. Once cleared we rushed to the aircraft, dashed off the checks and galloped into the air. All of this seemed to put me on the back foot though. All too high, trying too hard to get down and generally making a hash of things.

Barrie said next time we'd go into the local area and practice these 'easy' manuouvers until they were polished. Fair enough. I think on reflection I was feeling a bit under the weather and the heat, lesson disruption and right hand circuit didn't help - one to consider for the future I think.

I'd seriously like to spend a whole week doing lessons but my immediate work schedule is going to make that difficult.

Kinda Like Texas

This week was pretty warm, gentle winds and with hazy sunshine. For a change I was never really in any doubt that the lesson would go ahead. The wind was somewhat variable and I think it maxed out at 7 kts. We were using runway 25 as almost usual and today's aircraft was Tango Echo.

I didn't have many problems with the circuit today and so the final and landing were very much the focus. For some reason I started letting go of the throttle below 500 ft again - a habit I thought I'd knocked on the head.

Barrie said my approach setup was very good but I kept neglecting to check the power settings. I should make a rough setting once out of the turn onto base and then check again once the flaps, attitude and trim have been set. A good set up on base allows for a consistent glide slope on final.

The part that really reminded me of Texas - apart from keeping the door open as long as possible - was the round out and landing. I did one really amazing 'greaser' as Barrie called it but only with him saying hold off, hold off, hold off. I was pulling the stick back at just the right rate during that landing, in time with his instruction. I just need to judge that for myself! At one stage we flew along the runway holding off - just like Texas only with less room.

Must get a few pix from the air one day!

Crosswind Practice

We're having some strange weather at the moment and I thought this week's lesson would be cancelled - crosswinds hovering around 12 kts - my limit as a student. After a quick chat with Barrie I went ahead with a short lesson just to get crosswind practice. Once again Alpha November was chosen for today's lesson.

Runway 25 was in use which was good - I think there are better landmarks to follow on this side. Barrie did praise my ability to keep the downwind leg on target despite the wind - thank goodness for Hawley Lake, though he was good enough to point out I should be using the runway as reference. The wind was very strong and after take-off I over corrected and ended up further into the wind that I'd intended.

Because the wind was so strong from the south the time to complete various parts of the circuit changed - crosswind took longer and base was much shortened. This meant plenty of time to finish the initial climb, but an early turn onto final to anticipate the wind effect. Barrie pointed out that we should be aiming for an imagined centre line extending from the runway, joining at an appropriate distance from the runway. 

The other thing we can consider is extending the downwind by about five more seconds. This fits in quite nicely with what Alan Bramson says in his book Make Better Landings - recommended by my MD.

Barrie re-inforced checking power at a couple of points in the circuit:-

• levelling off after the initial climb
• on base leg after setting flaps

He re-iterated that I should get used to setting power based on the sound of the engine and then verify with the gauge.  

After we landed Barrie gave me a debrief covering the notes above. He also mentioned that the wind got up to 15 kts. 

Landing Without Flaps

I flew on Friday afternoon with Steve. After last week's dissing of Tango Echo I chose Alpha November for this lesson. A lot more of the equipment is fitted and working in Alpha November - more things to check like an HSI. I'd forgotten the seats don't adjust very well so a cushion was fetched from Tango Echo. A bit of trouble starting her, so plenty of priming. Today we were using Runway 25 and the regular circuit, there was a 9 knot crosswind from the north.

We did a few standard circuits with crossing - lots of rudder and some firm landings but things felt pretty good. I need to hold off a little better and not jerk back the controls for ballooning. I'm feeling more in control and much more like I did in Texas. Steve then suggested some landing without flaps. A quick mid-air brief - the approach would be with a higher nose angle to control the speed, but the speed would be 75 knots. It was really nice to try something different and I felt pretty happy with the new technique.

Next time Steve promised engine failure practice - I haven't touched on this since Texas. Steve mentioned something about a factor of 1.4 - I guess we don't glide as far in England.

One Hit, One Miss

I had a great lesson with Steve on Wednesday. The conditions were okay if somewhat cross windy. We were flying from runway 25 in Tango Echo - a good combination for me. Steve had me book out on the phone and there was some friendly chatting with Jamie in the tower. I did almost all of the radio work and was praised for my circuit shapes. All went well including approaches - until the actual landing. The first two were heavy and off centre and as a result Steve told me to practise going around. Cross wind landings need more practise, but I felt pretty pleased with myself as Steve was quiet for most of the circuit. Today I actually feel I'm getting closer to that solo.

As a result I booked a last minute lesson with Barrie for Friday [today]. Of course the weather was terrible with very strong gusts and so Barrie cancelled. It is with new resolve that I plan to study for Air Law this weekend. Let's get that swine out of the way!

I've exchanged a couple of messages on Facebook with Tony. He's teaching in Florida now and is keen for me to go over there once I have my license. Frankly there isn't much I'd rather do flying wise. Texas was very freeing and I'd love to fly in the States again.

Fear of the Ground

I had a very good lesson with Barrie on Friday. It was bright and overcast with a layer of cloud at 3000ft. Wind was around almost straight down the runway at 10 kts and we were using runway 07 - not my traditional favourite though it worked out pretty well today.  There wasn't much messing around, alpha check and we were off. I entirely missed the pre-flight power checks while Barrie tried to sort out some static on the radio. Oops. The first circuit was a bit rough and the second was marred by somebody in a C152 cutting in front of us not leaving much room and forcing a bit of slow flight to let him land. My circuits were okay and my setup and approach seemed to be working. However once again my tendency to pull back on the stick while on finals rises its head again - too slow and too low. Barrie told me it's quite common - the instinct to pull away from the ground as one gets close. He came up with the idea to put his hand behind the stick to stop me if I pull back. After a couple of circuits it started to work and I had a great lesson. Anyway here's G-BPTE waiting for me.

It must be time to try again

I hadn't flown since September - what on earth stopped me? Fear of exams? Fear of getting better? The weather over the winter has been terrible and I don't imagine I'd have got that much flying in, but that's no excuse.

I have to take Air Law and Human Factors exams. Still.

Anyway I had a lesson a couple of weeks ago and another on Friday. Tony has moved on from Blackbushe and now lives in Florida so I have new flying instructors. I had met them and seen them around - it's a small club. I flew with Steve the first week and Barrie on Friday. Two quite different styles but I hope between them they can get the point across.

I'm back in the circuit which feels familiar. There is quite a workload as usual and I have got much out of practice. The weather was at least awesome on Friday:

My lesson with Steve last week included some crosswind landings - I'm not sure I'm quite ready for that yet, lets get back into the swing eh?

Tempus Fugit

It's been about three weeks since I last posted - how remiss of me. I've had two lessons in that time. Alpha-November is back from her inspection which I'm happy about.

The first had perfect still hot weather and my flying reflected that. Everything was much improved and I managed several good landings. The airfield was quiet - we're still in Olympic mode and not many people are up and about. We did land and do a long taxi back to give a corporate jet space to land at one point.

The week after that had strong crosswinds that were out of limits for student pilots - the first time I've heard that!

This week I flew on a Wednesday and things were a bit rougher. I need a better picture of the runway in my head as I come in to land. I was having trouble judging height and keeping an eye on the numbers, so much so that Tony thought I was aiming at the trees before the runway. Tony also emphasised the use of rudder and gave me a rudder 101 refresh brief after the lesson. I really don't use enough especially noticeable in a crosswind. Also many gentle prods to complete the Air Law exam which I've started reading for. Olympic restrictions have been lifted and the circuit was noticeably busier.

At work the MD (who has been a pilot for many years) has taken an interest and has been giving me encouragement. He's lent me a copy of Alan Bramson's Make Better Landings which he highly recommended.