Aircraft General and X-Plane

Absolutely glorious weather lately! Long may it continue!

Anyway, no flying this past weekend but hoorah hoorah one more ground school exam ticked off which was Aircraft General Knowledge and Flight Principles. I've added a page to track exam progress on the blog here, but suffice to say a few more still to go.

About that Flight Simulator I mentioned the other day. It was a few weeks ago now, but I treated myself to a copy of X-Plane 9 and a couple of accessories... a saitek yoke, throttle quadrant and some rudder pedals. Yup I know ... the perils of shopping on-line.

I also downloaded a Cessna 152 pack from x-aviation.

It's just a bit of fun quite frankly and to be honest I'm actually quite impressed with the engineering that has gone into the software. There are a couple of things which understandably don't work so well on a simulator though, which are those things based on peripheral visibility (not sure that's the term I should use but you know what I mean). This is the sort of thing you would take for granted doing circuits for example. Anyway, let us not dwell on the negatives, having the opportunity to muck about practising some task lists and developing some motor skills for flying is a good thing right :-)

Lesson 14: A break from circuits - Ex 15 Advanced Turns

A nice break today with a no circuits instruction from the airport. This meant heading out over the Medway Estuary over to Swale and then up to 3,300ft for some steep turns. This involved 30, 45 and 60 degree banks left and right. Also I was made to do some descending steep turns, keeping the nose down for 70 knots. The behaviour of the aeroplane is as you would expect, going round the level turn you have to keep pulling back to keep the top left edge of the cowling (from my left hand seat view) skimming the horizon. Failure to do that means she wants to sink. You have to keep this back with some effort to be honest. If you can feel it starting to "wind up" you can turn back out the turn or pull back further. On the steeper turn passing 30 degrees I had to increase the throttle from the cruise setting to max. It is a straight forward but very useful lesson as it builds confidence in the general handling of the aircraft. Well that's how I saw it.

What else can I say, there was a noticeable right hand crosswind on taking off on runway 02. Mike made me take off with the ailerons turned into the wind full lock. This technique involves slowly reducing the turn as the airspeed increases until you are in the normal laterally level sense at the point of rotation. It seemed to be ok. landing I thought was ok but coming in on the approach over the trees and motorway onto runway 02 I lost the line with the buffeting. Oh well, practice practice practice.. One thing that was clear about today was the gorgeous weather, a bit gusty but visibility was excellent and it was so nice to see the sun out dominating proceedings.

My instructor is off now for a bit so I've got a little flying break until the Easter week. I'm scheduled to be off work then so I thought I would book some weekday flights. This could be useful because runway 02 does not allow circuits in the summer [at the weekend] so it's probably the right thing to do, especially if getting back in the circuit is going to be on the agenda.

I will post something about the simulator I setup this weekend. With the break in flying I intend to have a really good go at this. It looks fab.

Oh... I have an exam next Saturday. Aircraft General and then after that I intend to start preparing for the Navigation test.

Learning to fly really does feel special and today was just another great day in that voyage.

Logbook Entry:
14.10-04-11 C152 G-CEPX EGTO EGTO 14:55 15:55 1:00 1-1 EX 15

Lesson 13: Circuits - Nothing like a relaxing Sunday afternoon...

Silly me, I forgot to switch on my iPhones Motion-X app GPS Tracker so you will have to take my word for it... I did lap after lap today. Every time my instructor called in on ATC "India Victor on Finals for .......touch and go" I thought to myself - "No way, not again!! You are having a giraffe!" Its got to be "India Victor on Finals for ... landing!" surely then NEXT time.

I couldn't believe it was just an hour today. In the words of Mike, my super instructor - "you starting off c_r_@_p ..... but finished quite well..". We did several right hand circuits in India Victor in quite a warm cockpit - it was a tiring experience to be honest. Mike said I worked quite hard today. In addition to circuits, we did some mock engine failure drills thrown in. "What field would you go for right now?" ... "C'mon glide descent - 65 knots, glide attitude"... One of these little tasks meant doing a glide descent from half way round the circuit. This means cutting the engine back to idle and swooping in (on glide) to land.

Right then - things OK and things to learn or take note of today:

1) Keep to 90 Knots on the downwind leg of the circuit and 1000ft and KEEP it at that... right till the end. Don't lose ALTITUDE. Don't encroach inwards on the circuit!!! If you can do that then.... you are ON the mark.

2) Level turn (30 Degrees Bank) from downwind to base and THEN wash away the airspeed ASAP. I need to improve on this point. I was encroaching on the circuit and therefore not leaving myself enough time. Get on with it Lyrick, be positive. Close the throttle on the turn.

3) I wasn't so nervous about the takeoffs today even though it was on Runway 20 where I think I got hit by a crosswind and a clumsy rudder foot a few weeks back. This runway results in your climb getting hit by gusts from the motorway but you just have to fly through it. My instructors words.

4) Taxying felt OK, oh and apparently my turns were OK. I specifically asked about this afterwards. I still think that I'm too soft on these but Mike said they are OK. The only one to watch out for is the turn from the downwind leg onto the base leg. Take too long and you run out of time to get everything else sorted out. Make it 30 degree bank and reduce speed straight away. Enough to bring in two levels of flap.

5) Landings were OK again. I wasnt too nervous about them. It's all about the path on to the centre line and keeping the attitude correct. Too high, reduce throttle, too low, increase throttle and change attitude. I am a bit "change this and change that" and not properly on this yet which I guess is how it goes. Practice, Practice, Practice.

6) Rudder wasn't too bad on take-off but I must keep the weight off the nose wheel".

A lot to take in. Mike my instructor seemed very happy with things today.... "You are making progress" he said. I felt tired, a bit sweaty and somewhat exhilarated at the end of it. Taking off my headset, I just said... "Nothing like a relaxing Sunday Afternoon!"

He got the joke.

Flying ... love it!

A picture from Rochester Airport Website Gallery. A beautiful Spitfire. For me nothing more than this machine captures my imagination about aviations historic past so much. Seeing her each time teleports me back from today over some 70 years to a completely different time altogether. Oh to dream, to be able one day to fly over Kent in one of these. I saw one recently at Rochester Airport which was from one of the Polish squadrans (I think 303) and as I run my hand over it I couldnt believe how immaculate she felt. I walked around her and then I stood in front of the prop, looked up and her magnificence and was awestruck ... so much history ... so much emotion and so many stories to tell...

Lesson 12: Circuits ...

Almost no flying this weekend because of the lingering poor visibility (sunshine + haze) but I was very lucky to sneak up for 35 minutes. Just long enough for a few circuits in fact. The visibility was very bad in the northerly direction. We used runway 02 today, QFE 998 and I was back in papa-xray. Not the best climber of the fleet but more than adequate for a beginner like me.

In the time we were up, I had time to complete 3 circuits and generally speaking it felt slower (more manageable) than last week. Take off felt ok and the climb-out, although a little bumpy was fine. Turning through 90 onto the crosswind section and it was basically on the instruments because of the poor vis. Turning downwind I made more of a conscious effort to draw back the throttle and go downwind at a more manageable speed of 85-90 knots as opposed to last week when I think I managed Mach 2 at one point.

Landings were OK, I forgot the carb heat on the last circuit and the final approach speed was lets just say "variable" although coming over the threshold I had managed to nail it in time.

All in all, despite the bad weather a little circuit practice like this all adds to the experience of learning to fly and so is time well spent.

Today I used for the first time Motion X on the iPhone to record my track. This little app claims to record your track and then ... lets you see it in a number of different ways.

Here is how it recorded my three circuits (displayed in google earth)...

Double Click the Image for a larger view

Lesson 11: Circuits...

"Not a good day today Paul"... that was my after flight debrief from my instructor Mike. More circuits this afternoon on a warm hazy day. Conditions were OK to be honest. Wind from 190 Degrees at 8 knots. Different plane and a right hand circuit so technically, although the third lesson on circuits ...one could (I'm not going to) argue each one has been different. Three different planes, two left hand circuits, one right hand and three different runways. Two flapless landings as well. All abit mixed up.

Apparently the main problem today was occuring with a drift inwards (to the rectangle) half way down the downwind leg which was causing the turn onto base a problem. That is to say not leaving much room to wash away the airspeed and prepare for the turn onto final.

The approach to land I felt much better about although even that came under a bit of criticism today as did the flare before landing. I felt ok with the landings (confident that means to be honest) so it's a bit confusing. I think the centre line needs to be nailed.

Re drift - In doing the circuits the turns I had in my head the numbers, which I was going to stick to, but before reaching these in a couple of instances took my lead to turn when told to do so.

I certainly didnt check the runway as much as I should do although I'm pretty sure I did a lot more than yesterday. As my aerodrome is an X airfield (four runways technically) if the runway changes mid-circuit that does add to the challenge.

OK right - all that aside, things to improve then

1. Take off run - ease pressure off on the front nose!
2. E_A_S_Y on the rudder!
3. Read up on these circuits and find out exactly how it should be done
4. This will include the model circuit, airpspeed and height.

I have a lesson booked for next weekend and I can't wait to give it another go. Flying (or in my case trying) is a wonderful buzz.

11.10-03-11 C152 G-CEFM EGTO EGTO 15:50 16:50 1:00 1-1 EX12/13

Lesson 10: Too High? Too Low? Circuits...

It was a beautiful morning, clear skies, quite cold [outside of the sun]. Ice and frost was widespread but there was hardly any wind. QFE was 1018 and QNH was 1033. It was a great morning to continue doing some circuits. The good weather brought people out and there was a noticeable change in activity from previous weekends. I got to the aerodrome quite early (about 8:20) so I could complete checks for a 09:00 start.   

The 152s were all turned round to face the sun to help with the de-icing and removal of condensation. Today I was in Papa X-Ray which I had been in only once before. During the course of the lesson there was quite a few touch-and-goes and she performed very well. I also noticed the radio was very clear. Below: a prop parked vertically. This is done on the basis that any water from precipitation is free to pass through the spinner and not collect and possibly freeze within the unit. 

Circuits again today and a little more to learn. Climb out to 300ft flaps tidied and up to 500ft was ok. Climbing turn to the left up to 1000 ft. This was fine, the level turn to downwind leg was ok. That said I remember Mike my instructor pointing out to keep a check on the altitude a couple of times. The bearing on the downwind side I wasnt on the ball and I must learn to pre-empt the bearings as opposed to working this out on-the-fly turning into downwind. [On this note, we used both runway 02 relief and also 34 main]. The turn onto base is key and the slowdown and descent important for setting up your turn onto final. My takeaways then were. 1) Don't forget a light touch ("smidging") of rudder on the rotate , accelerate and climb-out. 2) Get a feel for the rough turn bearings you are going to need before starting the circuits 3) Keep a check on altitude turning level onto downwind 4) Regularly check the position of the runway 5) Keep to neat turns and not a looped  trajectory. I did this noticeably on one approach. 6) Hold off on the landing for longer ("Dont land... Dont land").

10.19-03-11 C152 G-CEPX EGTO EGTO 09:20 10:20 1:00 1-1 EX12/13



Meterology Exam and Lesson 9 : Circuit Flying!

No flying for a while due in part to the depressing wet weather we've had so far this year but also [for the last two weekends] a trip away from home.

Needless to say it was so good this weekend to be back on the flying front once again.

First of all, yesterday was a step forward when I got another test out of the way being the Mereorology Exam. It was a really interesting subject and I think they should maybe make the test a bit more extensive. It is only 20 questions and I think should be at least 40 or 50. Anyway, a couple of stupid mistakes plus (I think one test answer which was wrong) got me 80%. I had sat three sample tests earlier in the morning and got 100% on each one so I was a bit anoyed with myself but hey ho - a solid result nonetheless. I'll start on the Aircraft General and Principles of Flight next. I think that one is 50 Questions.

 Today I was so pleased to get the opportunity to fly again as it was the first part of circuit flying. It lived up to expectations and I really enjoyed the experience. Reading about it elsewhere on the web I can see this will be a challenging and probably lengthy part of the course. It was quite difficult today by all accounts as the wind was fairly strong and gusting considerably. We were on runway 02 with a slight crosswind at 40 degrees. The final approach meant descending over a small valley of trees and busy motorway before hitting (not literally) the elevated airfield. Descending at the correct height puts you right in the choppy air and we got buffetted around quite a bit. We did 4 approaches in a "touch and go" situation which went fairly well before flying off to the Isle of Grain for some general maneuvering excercises. The final landing back went well although the tolerances between a great approach and a wrong approach [especially in such conditions] are obviously quite slim.

During the debrief, my instructor Mike, gave me pointers on how it all went. This included the good bits (the approach, landings apparently) and not so good bits (turn into downwind and turn into final).

What else can I say, this is going to be a really good challenge! I have another lesson booked for next Sunday and I will certainly book that next exam!

9. 06-03-11 C152 G-BNIV EGTO EGTO 12:50 13:50 1:00 1-1 EX12/13

Ground School - Human Performance

Weather grounded !!

Last weekend the airfield at Rochester was open but the high gusting winds prohibited any flying. This weekend (at least yesterday) the weather was OK but the runways were water logged.

Basically no flying then, and worse still, with the next couple of weekends taken up it may be another 3 weeks before I can get in the air again.

Any positive news on the aviation front ? Well yes, perhaps ...

1) Today, I completed the Human Performance Exam. This was my second exam following on from the Air Law one I did a few weeks back. This is a multiple choice paper consisting of 20 questions. I got 100% on this (apparently it is meant to be the easiest ground exam) and some congratulations from the nice people who run Skytrek. I immediately booked the next exam for March 5. This will be Meteorology.

2) Since the last blog, I took some advice and purchased my own headset. I opted for the David Clark 13.4s which are identical to the ones used at the flight school which I think work really well. In the end, I found a supplier of reconditioned ones and in doing so saved about £70. They look brand new.

Why get your own? Well, the sharing of headsets is something that can lead to ear infections, which will certainly put a stop to any flying for a while. Something I'm keen to avoid as the weather seems to be doing a pretty good job of that already.

3) The other advice I got was to get some good sunglasses. I did the research on that as well (it certainly seems to be a provocative subject amongst pilots and wanabee pilots of all abilities) and opted for some Serengeti Velocity 6692s (Gun Metal, Gradient Lens).

They arrived a couple of days after ordering them on-line and I have to say I am really impressed with the build quality and of course, the performance of the lenses. I wish I could have tried them in the air yesterday! For me they seem really crisp and clear in all light levels. Apparently they look good too!

I can't wait to fly again.