Flying Hours Today 2:15, Total 21:00
P1 Flying Hours Today 0:15, Total 0:15
We were instructed - when ready - to backtrack R32 and hold. I continued with the power check and then the tower offered our clearance - for departure - which the instructor took as I was busy.
We then called to say we were ready and went to line up. I was to turn right for a backtrack but the instructor said a left would be OK as we still had plenty of room. I then started to think about the clearance we had been given. Did it include a clearance to take off?
NO. We had to line up and WAIT. So there I was, lined up on R32 and waiting, but for what? Then I saw a helicopter coming in to land to my left. I hadn't been listening to the R/T enough to realise this.
Then we were cleared for take off and away we went. My instructor pointed out that the squawk needed to be set on. Something he has always done, but one of those things that I will now have to take care of - no problem and another thing to include in my line up checks.
Line up checks? Where did they come from? I'll now have to start making notes of the times etc. Oh, the information processing never gets easier!
We had good clear weather to Sandtoft and we focussed on navigating there properly along with R/T calls. After 5 weeks out of the cockpit I was rusty when it came to landings, as though I was learning from scratch again. Getting the a/c trimmed correctly, gliding at 70kts - remember: 70kts, 70kts, 70kts.
First slow down to 80kts then glide attitude for 70kts. Power was up and down. On my first touch down I skewed to the left on the runway. I also committed the cardinal sin of 'turning' on the ground with my hands an not my feet - not very effective.
Not enough right rudder on the go around. Deviating on the downwind leg etc. etc. The problem is that once you have one thing go awry it is another thing to focus on, which means less focus on everything else so something else goes wrong.
We then called to say we were ready and went to line up. I was to turn right for a backtrack but the instructor said a left would be OK as we still had plenty of room. I then started to think about the clearance we had been given. Did it include a clearance to take off?
NO. We had to line up and WAIT. So there I was, lined up on R32 and waiting, but for what? Then I saw a helicopter coming in to land to my left. I hadn't been listening to the R/T enough to realise this.
Then we were cleared for take off and away we went. My instructor pointed out that the squawk needed to be set on. Something he has always done, but one of those things that I will now have to take care of - no problem and another thing to include in my line up checks.
Line up checks? Where did they come from? I'll now have to start making notes of the times etc. Oh, the information processing never gets easier!
We had good clear weather to Sandtoft and we focussed on navigating there properly along with R/T calls. After 5 weeks out of the cockpit I was rusty when it came to landings, as though I was learning from scratch again. Getting the a/c trimmed correctly, gliding at 70kts - remember: 70kts, 70kts, 70kts.
First slow down to 80kts then glide attitude for 70kts. Power was up and down. On my first touch down I skewed to the left on the runway. I also committed the cardinal sin of 'turning' on the ground with my hands an not my feet - not very effective.
Not enough right rudder on the go around. Deviating on the downwind leg etc. etc. The problem is that once you have one thing go awry it is another thing to focus on, which means less focus on everything else so something else goes wrong.
I also learned something new today, in that during the round out NEVER EVER push the attitude forward when the round out is nearly complete and you are pulling the control stick back completely. At that point the lift is due to the angle of attack, if you push the stick forward then there will be virtually no lift and the a/c will hit the ground hard!
After 5 or 6 touch and goes I was getting back into the hang of things. It really takes it out of you mentally to be focussed for so long at perhaps 7 minutes per circuit and 7 in the bag that is a good 3/4 of an hour of intense mental exercise.
After the 7th touch-and-go I did the EFATO simulation and then flew over some fields at low altitude, that was quite awesome to get a feeling of the sensation of speed at such a low altitude. Real flying, a true birds eye view. On the 8th touch down the instructor took control and asked if 'I wanted to go alone'. I thought about it for a few seconds then thought that if not now then when?
After 5 or 6 touch and goes I was getting back into the hang of things. It really takes it out of you mentally to be focussed for so long at perhaps 7 minutes per circuit and 7 in the bag that is a good 3/4 of an hour of intense mental exercise.
After the 7th touch-and-go I did the EFATO simulation and then flew over some fields at low altitude, that was quite awesome to get a feeling of the sensation of speed at such a low altitude. Real flying, a true birds eye view. On the 8th touch down the instructor took control and asked if 'I wanted to go alone'. I thought about it for a few seconds then thought that if not now then when?
First Solo
"First solo is a great experience! When your instructor steps out of the aeroplane and leaves you to your first solo flight you are being paid a big compliment.
You may feel a little apprehensive, but remember that he or she is trained to judge the right moment to send you solo. Your instructor will have a better appreciation of your flying ability than anybody (including you)."
From Trevor Thom's The Air Pilot's Manual 1 We pulled to the stand, the instructor got out and I was alone. Requested information for a solo circuit. Backtracked down the runway to R05. Saw another a/c in the circuit turning to base and thought - do I wait or do I go. I decided to go: the a/c in the circuit was so far away.
At then numbers for Runway 05 I applied full power. Take off, turn at 500ft, level at 1000ft, turn. Call downwind. Pre-landing checks. Turn. Power and pitch for approach. In the base leg doing fine then just about to turn on to final and hear on the R/T 'Permission to backtrack for take off on R05'
Sandtoft radio responded with 'Be aware - there is a first solo student in the circuit'. I had now turned onto final and got on that radio faster than I've ever done: 'G-DD final 05 for full stop landing' - and got acknowledgement from the other pilot. Phew.
Approach. Nice glide. Slight power. Aim for the numbers. Pull back and, if I may say so myself, almost a greaser of a landing. As the wheels touched down I heard the stall warner. No balloon, no float, just perfect intersection of a/c and ground, my best landing so far - the Instructor also said it was pretty bloody good!
I taxied to the parking area, with congratulations from the Radio Operator in my ears. Instructor there to meet me for the obligatory photos. Then for a bacon sandwich in the cafe. I noticed the instructor saying 'Thanks guys' to the fire crew as we passed them - Gulp!
"First solo is a great experience! When your instructor steps out of the aeroplane and leaves you to your first solo flight you are being paid a big compliment.
You may feel a little apprehensive, but remember that he or she is trained to judge the right moment to send you solo. Your instructor will have a better appreciation of your flying ability than anybody (including you)."
From Trevor Thom's The Air Pilot's Manual 1 We pulled to the stand, the instructor got out and I was alone. Requested information for a solo circuit. Backtracked down the runway to R05. Saw another a/c in the circuit turning to base and thought - do I wait or do I go. I decided to go: the a/c in the circuit was so far away.
At then numbers for Runway 05 I applied full power. Take off, turn at 500ft, level at 1000ft, turn. Call downwind. Pre-landing checks. Turn. Power and pitch for approach. In the base leg doing fine then just about to turn on to final and hear on the R/T 'Permission to backtrack for take off on R05'
Sandtoft radio responded with 'Be aware - there is a first solo student in the circuit'. I had now turned onto final and got on that radio faster than I've ever done: 'G-DD final 05 for full stop landing' - and got acknowledgement from the other pilot. Phew.
Approach. Nice glide. Slight power. Aim for the numbers. Pull back and, if I may say so myself, almost a greaser of a landing. As the wheels touched down I heard the stall warner. No balloon, no float, just perfect intersection of a/c and ground, my best landing so far - the Instructor also said it was pretty bloody good!
I taxied to the parking area, with congratulations from the Radio Operator in my ears. Instructor there to meet me for the obligatory photos. Then for a bacon sandwich in the cafe. I noticed the instructor saying 'Thanks guys' to the fire crew as we passed them - Gulp!
I look back now and realise that I didn't do my pre-take off checks. I guess that the a/c had never stopped running as the instructor jumped out and gave me the nod to go. I backtracked down the runway, turned then went for it. I also can't recall if I checked if carb heat was off - it should have been as we had just landed.
It was a bizarre feeling, I hadn't been at all excited or apprehensive in the past few weeks, but once I'd done it I was so euphoric. I wanted to tell the world! The return flight to Leeds was more of a pleasure flight with the instructor doing most of the R/T and nav work. I was just grinning from ear to ear.
The closing remark from my instructor as I left the school was 'Take care in the car' and I fully understand. Driving home I was floating on air, and still am as I write this. I feel a great relief now, I feel as if a major hurdle is over, and now I can spend my time focussing on improving handling and nav.
For the record, I went solo at 20hrs 10mins. Although I've spent a lot of time doing exercises later in the syllabus due to poor weather in the UK I can now move forwards and work towards the 45hr mark to complete my training.
It was a bizarre feeling, I hadn't been at all excited or apprehensive in the past few weeks, but once I'd done it I was so euphoric. I wanted to tell the world! The return flight to Leeds was more of a pleasure flight with the instructor doing most of the R/T and nav work. I was just grinning from ear to ear.
The closing remark from my instructor as I left the school was 'Take care in the car' and I fully understand. Driving home I was floating on air, and still am as I write this. I feel a great relief now, I feel as if a major hurdle is over, and now I can spend my time focussing on improving handling and nav.
For the record, I went solo at 20hrs 10mins. Although I've spent a lot of time doing exercises later in the syllabus due to poor weather in the UK I can now move forwards and work towards the 45hr mark to complete my training.
