Day 3
Arrived at the airport at about 0715, not much change in the weather, still very windy. Another different aircraft and none of the runways really favoured the wind, but we decided to use 09 and departed to the North West where we carried out Clean stalls, final stalls with full flap and base to final stalls. These were much the same as I’ve done in the UK although I was taught to recover from base to final stalls by using full power and top rudder. Over here the turn is continued at a slightly lower nose attitude with full power applied until the stall warner stops, at which point the aircraft is rolled level with ailerons and a Vy climb is initiated. The stalls all went fairly well and it was decided that we would look at emergency descents with full flap. I must admit that I have never done this before as part of my PPL, but I know some students who have. I quite enjoyed this part of the flight. We flew for about an hour, and then returned to Fort Pierce to change aircraft (strange scheduling here) the landing was fairly challenging, and at least the 3rd one was OK. Another new Cessna and we were off again to do some time under the hood. Again due to the conditions this was fairly challenging, but I must admit to being a bit rusty where Instrument flight is concerned. Then it was straight into PFLs, luckily for me when I asked each time is the engine on fire the reply was no, this made it a bit easier. The first PFL went really well but the second was a disaster. Even though I got all my checks in, and had a fairly good plan I some how managed to wind up heading the wrong way into wind, on what should have been my downwind leg. The Instructor made no comment, but chuckled to himself when on realisation I applied the power and went around. We returned to Fort Pierce and landed on 32. They only allow you to use the crab technique here, I did manage to get it on the ground but was glad to have someone sitting beside me. The wind is set to continue tomorrow but luckily it’s my day off. Hopefully it will be better on Monday as I start my CPL training proper at 0800.