Did a very detailed walkaround of the aircraft for the first time checking out every panel, hinge, cord, cowlings, flaps, ailerons, testingthe fuel for contamination, etc..
Took off into the wind, keeping the ailerons into the wind and neutralising the control column at 40 knots and rotating at 65 knots into lumpy air. The crosswind and downwind legs were OK, levelling out at 1,000 ft and watching out for the right landmarks (chimney, garden centre, tall building and then crossing over the M25 onto the base leg and a gentle turn onto finals).
My first approach was pretty grotty and I was all over the place on landing. Keith explained that I need to set the approach up right by trimming correctly so that I am not fighting the control column. He flew the second approach and got me to repeat a better trimmed approach for the third touch and go and the final landing: trim for 75 knots in the descent and use power for rate of descent.
The crosswind landings were 'interesting'. I was definitely a bit 'balloony' on one, a bit directionally wayward on another but I got one pretty much right: use ailerons to line up on the centre line and only use rudder right towards the end near touchdown. Flapless landings next ...
