Bizarre worldwide viewing

Just checked the stats on my flying blog. People are checking this out from the USA, UK, China, Hungary, Sweden, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Argentina, India and Malaysia! Amazing. I've freed up the comments section, so by all means leave me your comments (preferably encouraging!). Thanks, Stephen

Runway 26 Righthand Outer Circuit between St Albans & Radlett

Back in the hot seat again this morning after ages away. I sat down with Keith and talked through where I'm at. I'm progressing fine but not flying frequently so I was concerned that I am simply going over the same ground. He was encouraging. I need to get the circuit flying sorted with 100% good landings, do my (infernal!) Air Law Exam and then go solo. After that we'll continue a mix of dual and solo circuits and start on navigation. I'm really looking forward to that.

So, to today. I did the walkaround external checks in the cold on G-CETD (even though it scruffy inside, I like this plane). Pre-flight checks and pre-departure checks all absolutely fine.

I did 7 take offs (including 6 touch 'n' goes) and 7 seven landings. We flew from runway 29 (heading West) on the outer righthand circuit (e.g. to the North) just to the North of Radlett for most of the circuits; the last 2 were done on the middle circuit over Radlett proper.

My first circuit went by in a blur; I could tell it has been too long since I last flew. Gradually it all came together again then though. On a couple of circuits I failed to raise the first stage of flap after take off and turn off the landing light (which pissed me off: basic errors).

Overall I was quite pleased. My configuration for landing (including trimming the aircraft properly for 75-70 knots in the approach which had been an issue previously) was good and I feel confident about that now.

I did one fantastic landing (Keith: "I want 100% of them like that."), 1 really poor landing and 5 pretty mediocre efforts. The earning points are: (1) keep the aircraft flying along the runway [e.g. don't dump it down], (2) Not too many control inputs on late finals (let go a little to regain stability), (3) watch my leaden right foot rudder control on the runway.

I really enjoyed it and am feeling a little irritated that I haven't flown more and done my exam. Next lesson: engine failure action and more circuits.

Flying again tomorrow

It has been 139 DAYS SINCE I LAST FLEW!!

Finally getting back in the air tomorrow! I'm booked in for an 08:30 slot. It's likely to be very cold. I suspect it will be circuits again because it has been so long since I last flew.

Report tomorrow. S

Fit to fly!

Hurray! I passed my JAA Class 2 Aviation Medical yesterday. It's valid for two years given that I'm over 40 (!). It involved filling in a medical history form, colour blindness check, eyesight test, electro-cardiogram, listening to my chest, generally check out my limb function, urine test (sorry) and a discussion with Doc. (Cr Cranston in Harpenden ... the only cigar smoking doc I've met and genuinely nice bloke).

I'm slaving through the Air Law revision and I hope to sit the exam soon. It's been a long time, 5 weeks, since I've flown. I'll pick up again after our summer holiday (last 2 weeks of August) in earnest.

Flapless landings

I flew G-OOFT today with Keith. 7 circuits, all touch 'n' goes with the last one to land. Did first 3 circuits to the South concentrating on flying accurately and getting the radio work right. Then Keith talked me through the first of 2 flapless landings.

I have to practice landing without flaps so that I know what to do should the flaps fail. In the event, it made for almost an easier landing than with flaps as the aircraft attitude (nose high) is already in the flare position on final approach.

Beautiful sunny day. Now I really need to get my Air Law exam under my belt and get my medical done to be cleared for my first solo. I'm not there yet (Keith said: " Almost solo level.") but I'm getting close.

Next lesson will be glide approaches and simulated emergencies and emergency landings.

Flying again after > 2 months!

Hello all, apologies for the massive delay. I have been seeing to the rather more important activity than flying: marrying my gorgeous Kirsty on Friday, 11 June!

So, back to the cockpit. I flew PA 28 G-CETE with Liam as instructor for the first time on Sunday, 20 June. Beautiful clear skies on a warm afternoon. After my lengthy break from flying, we decided to do circuits again to the South and I did 5 touch 'n' goes and then a 6th to land. The first circuit was a bit ropey but I improved throughout and am now feeling pretty confident about circuits into Elstree.

There are 2 areas I need to keep concentrating on: my radiowork and (more critically) trimming correctly on the base leg. I'm reasonably confident I've got this though.

All in all a thoroughly enjoyable hour in the air!

Now for the Air Law exam: I am behind on cramming for this but it is critical as I am getting close to going to solo ... maybe ...

Next lesson, flapless landings!

Even more circuits...

5 April 2010: lesson 9. Flew more circuits today: 3 touch and goes and a landing to a stop in G-CEEZ (first time flying this aircraft). The weather was pretty variable. 10-18knots crosswind from 220 degrees and a total grey layer of cloud at 2,000ft.

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 ...