Lesson 30 - Solo circuits (4)

18 March 2012

VH-TAJ

Moorabbin (YMMB),  Runway 13L

Weather : QNH 1024, 21C, Sunny, SE 11-13kts (19kt gusts) max 10kt crosswind.

I normally fly at 8:30 in the morning, that way I can be home to play with the kids by 10:30.  However today I've got a 3 o'clock lesson so the family decides to drop me off and do some shopping at the DFO across the road. 

We arrive 15 minutes early, so sit at the end of the runway and watch the planes land.  This brings back fond memories of going early to pick up people from the airport in christchurch and sitting at the end of the runway to watch their plane arrive.

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)

Lesson 9 - Circuits (1)

21 August 2011  VH-TAJ

CIRCUITS

It was time to learn how to fly "the circuit" and land the aeroplane.  We would be using 35R, which meant right hand circuits, for what was to be the first of many circuit lessons. The winds were light and almost straight down the runway - another great day for flying.

 

Lesson 4 - Medium Turns.

19 Jun 2011       Warrior VH-TAJ

I've learnt to fly straight and level, climb and descend.  Now it is time to start turns. I arrive it MFS around 8:15, grab the maintenance log and keys to TAJ from Jason, and go out to pre-flight the plane.

Photo Mysid

After completing the run-up, we taxi to 35R for take-off and exit to the training area.  We would be focusing on Rate 1 and medium turns.

• Rate 1 Turn : ~15^o  bank, 2 minutes to complete a for 360. 
• Medium Turn : 15^o - 45^o bank, 1 minute to do a 360.

I read the theory brief before hand and understood then the more I banked the more lift I'd require to maintain level flight.  The extra lift would be coming for a increase in the angle of attack during the turn - in other words I'd need to pull back to maintain level flight.

I also understood that I'd need to counter the adverse yaw due to the change in the relative airflows on the wings.  This would try and flatten my turn. While the outer wing needs to travel further, thus it will travel faster then the inner wing, generate more lift and hence increase the bank of the turn.

So I need to pull back a bit and make sure I maintain the correct angle of bank.

Then lastly there is "Slip" and "Skid".  If I don't use the correct amount of rudder we will either feel like we are falling into the turn - slip or being pushed out of the turn - Skid.  The solution - "step on the ball" or in the glass cockpit keep the little triangle on top of the big triangle.

So now it was time for the practice.  Jason demos the maneuver as always.

• Lookout - Right, Right Centre, Left Centre, Left.  (For a left hand turn and vis-a-versa for a right hand turn)
• Bank - As required
• Balance - Rudder as required to stop slip or skid.
• Back Pressure - pull back to maintain nose attitude and hence level flight
• L.A.P. - Lookout, attitude, performance
• Lookout -  check exit point
• Bank - roll back to level
• Balance - Rudder as required to stop skid and slip as we exit
• Back Pressure - Reduce to maintain nose attitude for level flight.

Easy right - Ha.  As soon as I tried it all the theory became just that, theory.  To me a good smooth turn seems to be all about feel and involves a complex dance using your hands and feet.  Me first few where more connected straight lines then smooth curves.  The good news was the more I tried the smooth it became.  The bad news was as soon as than happened, we would change direction or angle of bank for the turn.

In no time it was time to return to Moorabbin via Carrum and land on 35L.  Another great lesson - Need to watch my back pressure in the turn and more practice on my balance isn't going to hurt.  While I noticed the 2 week break made me a little rusty my Straight & Level, climbs and descents all feel more coordinated by the end of the lesson.


 Piper Warrior III VH-TAJ,  Flight Time 1.1hr (Total 4.5hrs)



As always the above is my interruption of general theory and my own experience.  I'm NOT an instructor and this is NOT instruction. Find a good instructor and learn to fly from someone who knows what they are doing.