Lesson 35 - 2nd Area Solo

29 April 2012

VH-TYD

Moorabbin (YMMB)17L
Weather : 13c Wind 230 5kt, QNH 1025, CAVOK

Time for another area solo :-) So off to the training area for more steep turns, stalls, emergency landings, side slips and enjoying the view.

 

Lesson 32 Area Solo Check flight

1 April 2012

VH-TXH

Moorabbin (YMMB),  Runway 17L
Weather : 17C Wind SSE 5-7kt QNH 1019, Scattered cloud at 2000ft.

Time for my Area Solo Check flight.  If I pass, I'll be allowed to fly out into the training area by myself.  Jason had already told me he was happy with my stalls last week, so we'll be focusing on my steep turns and forced landings.

 

Lesson 31 - Consolidation Flight

25 March 2012

VH-TAU

Weather : QNH 1023, Broken cloud at 2500ft and 4000ft, scattered rain, 13C, 
                light winds (5kt NW gusting to 8kt)

Today's lesson was another consolidation flight.  I've passed my area-solo theory test and I'm getting close to going solo in the training area.  The goal of today's lesson is to show Jason I can depart Moorabbin, fly out to the training area, do some practice and return safely.

Like my last consolidation flight, a month ago, Jason asks me to do something and I'm expected to know how to do it.

Lesson 28 : consolidation flight

26 February  
Warrior III VH-TXU

Weather QNH 1012; Wind: 20-25kt NW, Temp: 29c, broken cloud at 5000ft  

Runway 35R

Today's lesson was a consolidation flight. While Jason didn't teach me anything new,  I learnt a lot about how to put everything together.

Lesson 19 - Introduction to Steep Turns

November 22

Warrior III VH-TAE

Weather QNH: 1012, Wind: WNW 8kts, Temp: 15C outcast

Runway 35R

Finally I'm ready to go solo.  Unfortunately I still don't have my student license from CASA. So today for the first time in 3.5 months, we would be leaving the circuit.  We are going to move onto the post solo lessons, the first of which is steep turns.

Steep Turn (Photo by Jzawodn)

 So we take off and head for the training area.  Seems a little strange continuing the climb through 1000ft and extending the downwind leg beyond the point I'd normally turn base.

We climb to around 2500 feet and find a spot just west of Cranbourne with a nice straight road to use as a reference heading. Jason starts by demonstrating a 45deg left and then a 45deg right hand turn.  

My turn!  I start with a left hand turn.  Yikes!!  I wasn't prepared for how much back pressure I needed and spent most of the turn with my eyes inside the cockpit chasing the dials.  Next a right hand turn - keep my eyes outside but still not enough back pressure or bank into the turn enough.  So around and around we go, slow getting better but this could take a while to get right.  


After 7 or 8 turns Jason shows me the 60deg banked turn.  We are now pulling 2G and need to add power as we go through 30deg bank in order to be able to maintain a level turn.

Then my turn again.  Double yikes, I'm even worst at these.  I keep letting the nose drop and don't apply enough extra power.  At least I'm getting plenty of practice of recovering from the start of a spiral drive - power off, level wings, slowly pull back and once the speed starts coming back re-introduce the power.  By the forth one I finally manage a full 360deg turn.

Unfortunately its time to start heading back to Moorabbin via GMH and Parkmore before joining base for 35R.  It had been so long since we did this I really needed to think about all the inbound steps but once established on base is all flowed - even managed an OK landing.

All in all another fun day of flying, but I'm going to need plenty of steep turn practice. 
 



View Lesson 19 Steep Turns in a larger map

VH-TAE Piper Warrior III  - Circuits 1.1hrs Dual (Total time 20.5hrs)

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Things to watch in the future.

1. Lots of back pressure in the turn,
2. Add power as I bank through 30deg for the 60deg turn,
3. Review my inbound tasks and calls.