Lesson 5: Climbing Part 1 (Ex 7.1)

Today we covered climbing part 1, cloud base quite heavy at 2000ft so we went through it to 4500 for while where it was a lovely clear sunny day :). Practiced climbing, carb heat, T&P's carb off, full power, climb speed of 79 knots every 1000 ft weave or bob the nose down. Checking T&P's etc. Levelling out adjust pitch, wait for 100knots, just before throttle back to 2400rpm adjust pitch to get 100 knots. trim. Plenty of stuff to do :)
Went quite well. I performed the take off and landing again, James was pleased with the landing, he was hands and feet off :)

It was also my last lesson with James who is going off to Blackpool to fly twin engines for O.S. Maps after a month at Gamston getting his type rating. So next lesson is with Stuart whom ive not met yet.

All in all quite a good lesson, did a little bit more radio again, obtaining taxi and hold clearance, and ready for departure etc.

Lesson 4: Ex 6.2 Straight and level part 2

Quite a big day in terms of the new stuff i completed:

Performed my first radio chat (East Midlands Ground, G-CDON request radio check and taxi with information whisky)
Did the full take off - full throttle=, elevate at 70knots climb, bank left - rate 1 turn up to 2000ft.
Did the full landing, straight and level descent, towards the power station, rate 1 turn left onto the runway heading, descended nice and slowly, 2 stages of flap, 70 knots, touched down nicely slightly right of the center line (Runway 27)

The main excercise of the day - Straight and level was quite difficult to follow, remain at a certain altitude, change the speed to X and then trim it out. Involves adjusting pitch to get the correct speed, throttling back or forward to keep rpm in the correct place, PAT ??? Need to check this as James was telling me to adjust the pitch to gain the correct speed and then adjust the power.

I found i was chasing the plane too much, making too many modifications without lettng the plane settle down first.

We also had an bit of fun when James forgot to watch where we were going and the RT told us to call Coventry ILS as we were approaching them, a sharp 180 turn and a thanks and apology over the radio and we were sorted - nice one James :)

All in all a hard day, but a good one, take off, landing, and i did manage to trim out right near the end so james was happywe didnt need to revist straight and level again - so onto the next lesson :)

Lesson 3: Straight And Level (Part 1)

Well finally for the first time this year i managed to get airbourne. The gap in training showed a little as I had to refresh some basics in my own head. Weather was very cloudy, we spent most of the time hunting for some space, so got lots of turning practice in. Had a few goes at straight and level and it was ok, James said i had good control of the plane etc, but im sure thats we he says to most people ;)

We are continuing on with the remainder of straight and level tomorrow (weather permitting) as we didnt cover all the basics.
Started the FREDA checks today, quite complicated when trying to fly watch, navigate and listen to the radio, still im sure its like driving a car, the driving becomes second nature, its just a matter of watching out for "less able motorists", BMW and Audi drivers
:)

FREDA checks
F = Fuel, pressure, contents, correct tank selected
R = Radios on, correct Frequency set
E = Engines, temp, pressue, Ammeter charging and suction
D = HI aligned with compass
A = Alimeter set to correct QNH/QFE (Nautical Height, Field Elevation)

Failed Again!

Well, i phoned up the flying school before having time off work (im a contractor so loose money) they said flying was on. One step through the door of the flying school - no flying AGAIN!
Had a chat with James and the weather cleared a little and he said we could give it ago if i liked but it was probably a "suckers gap" ,so i said well im a sucker lets go for it. So i went and checked the place over and got freezing cold, came back in to get off and they said we couldnt go as the forecast said it was gusting to 45Knots.

I have to say the British weather is more than irritating me. This is the 3rd time this year its been cancelled which means i havent flown since the 5th December nearly 6 weeks ago!
Oh well, fingers crossed for next Tuesday, although i dont hold out much hope.

Oh and if things couldnt get any worse, James is leaving the flying school. Which i have to admit grates a little, as you are supposed to stay with an instructor for the duration of your training and i had all my lessons booked in for Feb, which we had to re-schedule with Stuart as of the 1st Feb.

Not a good day at all!

Almost!

Phoned the school up as the weather looked good but the wind a little high. They confirmed flying was on so i went down there checked over Oscar November, nearly finished and James came out to tell me that the wind was forecast to gust to 40knots and the insurance wouldnt cover this so we couldnt fly. :(

So we briefly went through the tech log and I sat and read the flying orders book and signed it - oh joy!
Lets hope next Tuesday is better. Also booked a load more lessons in for Feb, at this rate i might get in the sky some time soon
:)

Rain Stopped Play (Again)

Yet another lesson cancelled. We did some ground school today, James gave me 3 sheets EMA Airfield layout, Arrival and Departure routes and Basic radio crib sheet. We also went through the theory of Lesson 6 (Straight and Level Flight).
Reasonable day, not as good as flying but good to sort out some of theory, hoping tomorrow will be better.