Had a good lesson today.

[Guest Crash Lander]

Well, I had another flying lesson today. The winds were about 22kts, which is quite strong for the little Gazelle I'm learning in. We went out into the training area today, rather than just doing circuits. I was pleased, as I was getting bored with lying circuits all the time, and I wanted to actually fly somewhere! I asked a few question before the flight, in relation to my approaches, and how they were too low all the time last week.

 

As this was the first time we were actually flying to a specific area, rather than just to the east of the airfield, or just doing circuits, we took a vfr map with us. This is the first time I've actually had to use one. The plan was to take off, turn left, climb to 3000ft (the highest I've ever flown), and fly along the coast until we got to a huge lake, than turn left again, and head for a little town called St Leonards. There is a privately owned strip in St Leonards, which I never even knew was there, and I live in the next town! Anyway, we were to use this airfield for a simulated forced landing. Along the way however, we did steep turns. Well. My instructor obviously did the first one, and the g-force and rate of turn made me feel a little weird. Not really sick, but perhaps a little green. Next it was my turn. I found that when I was controlling the a/c, I didn't feel wuite so bad in the manouver. I did 2 steep turns, the first was not bad for a first try, with the roll out being somewhat off course, but the second attempt was much improved, with the roll out pretty much dead on where we wanted to go. Also, as this was the first lesson in which 'navigation' was involved, he made me make turns to specific headings, all of which I made with no dramas. Once we were finally headed for St Leonards, the instructor took the map from me and told me to find the St Leonards airfield. I knew it was about 1 mile to the west of the township, but obviously had never seen it from either land or air, so didn't know how large or small it was. I finally spotted it. A single runway, roughly north/south with a couple of small hangars at the south end, on the west side. As we drew closer, on a heading of about 040 degrees, my instructor told me to decide when I thought we could cut the engine power to idle and glide to land on the 17 runway. We were at 3000ft. I chose my time, and pulled the power back. We had a fairly strong tail wind as we lined up on the downwind leg. This extra speed caught me out a little, as I turned to base too early, thinking that once on final we'd lose altitude faster than we actually did. Needless to say, we were way too high. My instructor asked me how we could get down without going around, and I suggested a slip. He said yes, or we could fly an 's' approach. We did an 's' approach and when we lined up this time we were at a much better altitude and the landing was imminent. We went around as there was no need to land at this private strip. The excercise was just for me to get down from 3000 to land in one shot. As we climbed again to 3000ft, he asked me where our home airfield was, and I was able to point out the correct direction, and flew accordingly. On the way back, he asked me to point out a field tat would be suitable and accessible should the engine cut out at that moment. I pointed out a couple of options, all of which he agreed were suitable and accessible. He said there were another couple of good fields slightly further away that might be good too. I commented that I thought I'd be stretching it to reach them from where we were, and he said that was the right answer. He said we'd never make them, and that my distance judgment at altitude appeared to be very good. (Perhaps just not when turning base if last week was anything to go by!). There was one regulation we had to abide by on the return trip however. The Avalon controlled airspace comes all the way down to the northern end of our home base runway 17. The controlled airspace is in effect from 1500ft up to 5000ft. This airspace also extends part way over to where we had just flown, so we had to make our return and arrive at the home airfield no higher than 1500ft, but as we also had to arrive at 500ft above circuit height which is 1000ft, I really had to watch my altitude and nail that 1500. Upon arrival at the circuit, we joined crosswind, and flew the circuit for a touch and go. This time, my approach was much much better than the previous week as far as not being too high or too low, although the landing itself was a little off toward one side of the runway. The subsequent take off was very smooth and we flew another circuit, this time for a full stop. This final approach was pretty much spot on, passing over the trees at precisely the instructed 200ft, for a nice landing at the specified speed.

 

My instructor said my flying was good, but to take a few tap dancing lessons, as I'm apparently very heavy on the rudder. I need to lighten up on it. I need to take my BAK exam in the next few weeks apparently, so I'm studying my ass of for that, but I think I'll be ok with it by the time it comes around. I also got signed off as competant and capable to refuel the a/c now too, so another little baby step closer to the target. Going again next Thursday when if the weather is good enough, I'll be knocking of the remaining 1.1 hours solo circuits I need to do to satisfy the curriculum. Total time now is 12.2 hours, and loving it.

 

 

[Guest Fred Bear]

Excellent stuff! You will find once you get a hang of the rudder (and everything else) it will be even more enjoyable. Keep flying safe and good luck :)

 

 

[Yenn]

Well done crash lander. I think you must have a good instructor from your post and it is all coming together nicely, I wish I could do good landings but have given up on getting the first good one and am trying for a second one first.

 

 

[prwood]

Are you training with young Aub Coote? I did my cross training from 2-axis with him at Lethbridge in their Gazelle. We are flying the X-air (red/blue) at Barwon Heads. Call into the last hanger next to the western end of 08 & say Hi if we are there. Good luck with the rest of your training you are in very good hands with Aub.

 

Regards Pete Wood

 

 

[Guest brentc]

I had heard Aub found his way to Barwon Heads. I beleive Gary at Lethbridge is going to be the instrucor now. Lots of changes to keep up with.

 

 

[Guest Sabre]

Its great....keep up the good work and safe flying

 

 

[Guest Crash Lander]

Are you training with young Aub Coote? I did my cross training from 2-axis with him at Lethbridge in their Gazelle. We are flying the X-air (red/blue) at Barwon Heads. Call into the last hanger next to the western end of 08 & say Hi if we are there. Good luck with the rest of your training you are in very good hands with Aub.Regards Pete Wood

No Sir. I'm training with Barb, and Roy. Im flying again on Thursday. If I get a chance, and you're there, I'll stick my head in.;)

 

 

[Ben Longden]

Brilliant article...

 

Ben