Cessna 172 Checkride and a visit to Eastchurch

It was a gloriously sunny and warm day today which was absolutely fantastic as I had planned to take the day off work and do a checkride in a Cessna 172! Yup more flying!!!! It's just fantastic at the moment. 
So for todays treat, I headed over to Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppey. This is where the instructor who took me through the PPL course is based. This little airstrip of his is situated in between a collection of farms, is totally charming and full of history. Check out the Eastchurch link above for details.

This little farm strip runway runs East - West and has a noticeable downhill gradient which runs West. Fortunately we had an easterly wind today so our landing was uphill making it a lot easier to make it in. There is also a slope running across the runway, which you can just make out on the picture below.

A look down 27

So G-FACE was the chariot for an hour and a quarter and I was absolutely struck by how clean and immaculate it was. When I climbed up to inspect the fuel I had a short sleeve shirt on and my skin literally 'squeeked' as it moved against the polished surface. In terms of the flight, I did the usual general handling type of stuff. Stalls, clean and with full flaps, recovering with no power and then with power. Glide descents, PFLS, Steep turns and finishing with some circuits. It was great experience as the airfield circuit pattern was not a typical rectangle due to the proximity of my instructors neighbours houses! 

Clean!

I found the extra power in the 172 very good and in a few instances had to use a good bit of right rudder to stay in balance. A lot more than a C152. Take off was fine (extra power was appreciated here), the approach seemed a bit fast but then I was coming in at 45 degrees to the threshold, turning right at 50 ft to track over the runway which was something I've never done before.

I found the nose attitude quite a lot lower than a C152 and the leg room very spacious indeed. Visibility was excellent, you can see right down the leading edge of the wings. Visibility is also very good behind the front seats as well. My instructor also used a TCAS unit. This little device gives a visual and audible warning of nearby traffic. It was the first time I had seen one in action and I would like to look into this interesting technology in some more detail.

At the end of the session I was getting a feel for things around the circuit and I have to say the C172 feels more solid, stable and much more powerful than the C152s that I have been used to. I think its definitely the way to go in the future although for building hours I guess the C152 will also suffice for now.

HOURS = 47:50 DUAL + 18:50 PILOT IN COMMAND [P1] 
Total Time = 66:40

A Trip down to Manston - Sunday 30 June 2013

A great day Sunday. I flew an airplane. And I loved  it. What more could I ask for.

Just arrived at Manston

I had always fancied flying down to Manston in the South East corner of Kent, and so on Sunday I headed down there to check it out. In the right hand seat was a friend from my flying school. Like me he has recently earned his PPL but he works there as well. He is a great guy and he is no doubt destined for a career flying airplanes. Good for him I say! Do it!

Weather was great I have to say, I mean it was summer weather (27 Celsius), with a moderate westerly wind. Thermals weren't really active so it was all a bit sedate really. It was a lovely day for flying. And of course going quite early in the day meant there was hardly anything else around the skies. It was really quiet.

Manston has a 2.7KM runway. It's massive. I mean, really, really massive. Whats more, its 61M wide! It's ridiculously big. I think this contributed to the  fact I landed my chariot (a new C152 they have at the club G-BMCN) a little 'flat'. On reflection of this fact later in the day I was not happy with myself and so next time I will be better prepared. Flaring before the landing was a whole different perspective with such a wide runway but I should have adjusted better. Maybe the crosswind was preoccupying me. I don't know. 

Anyway all went well coming back to Rochester, note to self experienced a bit of nosewheel shimmy just prior to take off at Manston which next time perhaps I'll catch a little earlier. My friend Ashley did the radio calls and so it was quite relaxing really. 

Forgot to mention, the landing fee at Manston is £19.50. Brakes On/Off 40 Mins each way.

HOURS = 46:35 DUAL + 18:10 PILOT IN COMMAND [P1]

HOURS = 46:35 DUAL + 18:50 PILOT IN COMMAND [P1]

Total Time = 65:25

Book Review: The Last Torpedo Flyers

For me this is up there with Sagittarius Rising. What a story. This is a true story about a Bristol Beaufort pilot in the second world war, his name Arthur Aldridge. It chronicles his time flying into the face of extreme danger, losing his friends and somehow coming out of it all - in tact, body and mind. You can't help but feel sad at the end, as you realise the world will never witness stories nor see men like this again. The sacrifice people made during these times are just so alien to the lives we live today. And yet today we all still moan about our lives. These guys were resigned to their death. They faced it every day. 1 in 3 aircraft never came back from their attacks on German naval targets. Arthur was awarded the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) for his attack on the SS Madrid. His story of when he was in Malta really portrays how desperate the situation was and the strength and courage of all those on that under siege island. For me the remarkable thing was there is a kind of closing epilogue by Arthur himself dated March 2013. A kind of message for the current younger generation. I think Arthur Aldridge and his fellow crew were amazing. I don't think I could ever find words that could do justice to how much we truly owe them, nor the awe in which I hold them all. My verdict? Simple.... go buy this book tomorrow, and immerse yourself into a truly remarkable and thought provoking story. 

Aviation Museum Krakow Poland

Forgot to mention on a recent trip to Krakow I took some time out and went to see the aviation museum there. Glad I did, what a place! There are so many aircraft parked around the place and its unique that you have the opportunity to go and stand right up next to these beasts. The day I went with the family it was a public holiday and free entry as well! Happy days! There was loads of people milling about, they had a fairground and a massive BBQ going on. I think entry normally is 14 PLN which is about .... £3! 

If you go to the city (highly recommended as well I might add) it is just a short taxi ride away (5 minutes) and well worth a visit. The official website is here. Check out the collection page. That is a lot of aircraft!

A Sunday afternoon's jolly (Headcorn, Shoreham, Rochester)

Sunday was quite gusty and overcast but I managed to get up in the air albeit as a passenger in a Robin with my friend. It was a bit of dash around actually. Headcorn to Shoreham, Shoreham to Rochester and then Rochester back to Headcorn.

Getting Ready to depart Headcorn

Coming down from Headcorn into Shoreham we were given a straight in approach for Runway 25. The wind was right down the runway at 22 Knots! 

Approaching Shoreham (Straight In Runway 25)

Departing Shoreham (Left Turn from Runway 25)

Departing Shoreham (Left Turn from Runway 25)

Coming back to Rochester we landed in a crosswind on Runway 20, stopping briefly to pay the landing fee of £12 (which is very inexpensive compared to many places). 

Overhead Rochester (Crosswind Runway 20)

Rochester (Right Base Runway 20)

Few aircraft were out and about yesterday no doubt put off by the weather.

It was my first trip into Shoreham and I loved the feel of the place. Hopefully I will pop back there over the summer.

I took a few snaps from the right hand seat as you can see. Although the weather wasn't the best it was still really good to be out and about enjoying the joys of a light aircraft!

Rochester Airport Circuit Photos June 13, 2013

My friend Pete took these 4 snaps on Sunday as we entered the circuit pattern at Rochester.  I think they are great. When he emailed them over to me this afternoon,  I just wanted to leave work and go flying!

I think they show Rochester airfield looking very nice indeed! Naturally, one of the advantages of a high wind aircraft like a Cessna 152 is the great view you get below! Rochester Airports website is here by the way, check it out!

Overhead (1000ft QFE)

Late Downwind for runway 20

Base Leg for runway 20

Final Approach for runway 20

Hired Aeroplane and my First Passenger!

A great fathers day, not only did I spend a lovely afternoon with my family, but in the morning I hired my first aeroplane as a Private Pilot and also took my first passenger up for a trip around Kent. It felt amazing to do this and I feel very fortunate I have had the opportunity to learn to fly.

So today's milestone? Well, nothing too adventurous I might add but a C-152 (G-BNKV) from Rochester. Essentially I went from Rochester to Bewl Reservoir, to Rye in Sussex and over to Canterbury before heading back to Rochester. It took about an hour and the weather was good. Nothing like the gusts of yesterday which were quite challenging I'm told. One person in the circuit said they dropped 300 ft at Rochester. Cloud base this morning was about 2,500 ft down towards Rye but quite higher everywhere else.

The circuit of Kent was lovely, undeniably it is a beautiful part of the world from the air. My passenger (Pete) took some pictures which I hope he emails me this week so I can add them to my blog. Today I used a manual pilots log to chart my course but I also took an iPad and had the same course loaded in SkyDemon. I have to say it's very reassuring to look down at the iPad for a second opinion to see you are right on track. Yesterday, I ordered an iPad knee board accessory which should be interesting. Hopefully it arrives before next weekend. Next weekend I'm a passenger. Pete wants to do Shoreham, Rochester and Headcorn!

Today was a just fantastic day. I couldn't ask for anything more.

Logbook
16/06/13 C152 G-BNKV EGTO EGTO 10:00 11:00 1:00 1-1

HOURS = 46:35 DUAL + 17:30 PILOT IN COMMAND [P1]

28 Day Check Ride - Circuits

With the cloud base down to 1500ft this afternoon I was back in the circuit in G-BNKV for a check ride with Stuart. Rochester Airport was operating from runway 02 and what with the gusty conditions the approach into land was quite choppy to say the least! Basically the 02 approach has a ridge to negotiate which you need to clear at 500ft but then you need to descend over the trees over Buckmore park and then cross the motorway before reaching the runway threshold. Over the trees you can get thrown about and get ballooned up as I did today, and then when you clear the trees you hit the M2 and can receive quite a sink (as I did today). All went well considering the conditions though. 

I did five circuits in total, two standard 2 stage flag configurations followed by a full flap and then a flap less and then I finished off the session with a glide approach. I remarked to Stuart I was glad I was not a student learning circuits on a day like today!

Anyway it was so great to be back in the seat of an aeroplane again. I have to say, Rochester was looking lovely with its recently cut grass.

Logbook
09/06/13 C152 G-BNKV EGTO EGTO 13:50 14:30 0:40 5-5 FL, FF, Glide Approach

HOURS = 46:35 DUAL + 16:30 PILOT IN COMMAND [P1]