Lesson 10 - Circuits (2)

4th September 2011  VH-TAJ

CIRCUITS 

It was never going to be a great day for flying, overcast, cold and windy.  Even though I estimated there was less than a 50% chance I’d actual get to fly, I head for the airport anyway (it’s only a 20 minute drive and I had a couple of other things to do anyway)

photo by V31S70

When I got to the airport it was blowing - Maximum of 30kts with of upto 8kts crosswind. After a brief discussion with Jason, we decided to give it ago anyway. 1) A chance to try some cross-wind landings 2) I’d rather experience landing in rough conditions for the first time with an instructor next to me.

So off we went, besides hitting my head on the roof a couple of times it was fun. Compared to my last flight (in much lighter winds) there are a number of key difference.

1. I’m the ONLY one in the circuit. No other aircraft to keep track of (do they know something we don’t :-)
2. Upwind is a lot shorter. In fact, on a couple of the “touch and goes” I need to make sure we are past the airfield boundary before turning onto crosswind.
3. Downwind is fast!! Need to get on to the pre-landing checlist quickly (BUMFOCH). I struggle with getting the plane trimmed and the checks done before I need to turn on to base. (I know it’s just a matter of practice – nothing in natural yet)
4. I need to “crab” to keep the circuit “square” across the ground – especially on crosswind and base legs.
5. I’m getting bounced around a lot. This didn’t worry me to much, but meant I was busier keeping the plane level (just another thing to manage while I’m trying to learn how to land.)
6. Cross wind landings. Watching the wind sock, Crabbing on final, side-slipping on short final (which I hadn’t done a formal lesson on, so needed to learn on the spot), putting 1 wheel on the ground at a time, and keeping the ailerons into the wind while on the ground.

After 3 circuits I hadn’t got close to landing the plane without a LOT of assistance from Jason. The weather was only getting worst, so we called it a day, landed and taxied back to the school.

While it wasn’t the best conditions for a lesson, and I didn’t manage to land the plane, I felt I learnt quite a bit.

1. It is possible to land safely in those conditions. If the weather changed while I was out flying at least I’d know I can get down OK,
2. Those conditions are beyond my abilities at the moment. I need to learn to land the plane properly before I try it in those conditions again,
3. I remembered the pre-landing checks & radio calls way better this time, and
4. I got to experience crosswind landings, fast downwinds and the amount of crabbing required to maintain a nice “square” circuit.

Looking forward to better weather next time.
 
Warrior III VH-TAJ 0.7hrs (total time 10.7)

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Things to watch on future flights

• Be careful with ALL the check list items – Jason left one of the door locks open to see if I was REALLY checking – I wasn’t.  It is very easy to glance and not really look and check.
• I’m still flaring to high.  I need to relax and get the landing "picture" right and get over the feeling I’m flying into the ground (I don’t think my experience of paragliding landings is helping)
• Don’t forget to turn the carb heat –off at the landing no/no-go point (300ft on final)
• Still turning too early onto final. (it was made worst by the crosswind)