Yep, more crosswind circuits

I am now the circuit-basher in chief! Another 6 touch n goes and a landing to a stop today off runway 08; lefthand circuits over Bletchley Park (1,000ft over 2 Spitfire gate guardians!). This time in PA 28 G-OOFT.

The weather deteriorated through the hour to the point where the wind sock was horizontal at almost 90 degrees across the runway - testing conditions. My Pre-flight, radio and circuit flying (loads of crabbing against the wind) were all improved but I struggled on the late finals (as previously). After 2 touch n goes, Dan told me that he had been monitoring me and I was not doing the visual scan correctly: e.g. I was not monitoring my airspeed indicator on late finals - v bad :((

The next late final approach was much better as I kept it at 65 knots. Nevertheless, we did one go around rather than a touch and go as I got the flight profile too messy (euphemism for the final seconds before impact!). My throttle control is still too hesitant and he is encouraging my to be more purposeful in the late stages.

I feel I've improved today, despite the tough weather conditions and really enjoyed the hour. Even more circuits beckon - practice makes perfect (or passable).

Crosswind circuits

On Saturday 30th April (the day after the Royal Wedding), I flew set of southerly circuits off runway 08 with my instructor Dan in pretty tricky crosswind of 15kts gusting to 20.

On the whole, my circuits were good (once I'd found Bentley Priory as a reference on the downwind leg). Quite a lot of crabbing to stay on line. My radio work was not great and I was rushing my downwind checks a little.

But ... my landings just weren't happening at all. Despite pretty good approaches, in every case I fluffed the late final line up and flare: 7 times out of 7! Dan was just shaking his head. He said I was panicking but I didn't and still don't think that - I was just f*&^ing it up! When we (he) finally landed, we had a good talk about what is going wrong. He reckons that I am pulling the nose up too early with the consequent drop in lift and almost stalling in. I'm also drifting left just at the last moment which i just don't get (it was v windy though). Back to the text book and more practice .... sigh ... who said flying was easy... :(