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Thread: Are You Relaxed
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Old 29th September 2003 | 06:22
  #16 (permalink)  
vfr-uk
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 45
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From: London
Half way through my PPL training (on about 4th solo flight in circuit) I had an EFATO at 500 feet.

It was fuel starvation - and my fault (didn't change tanks and believed the fuel gauge that read "FULL" - despite me thinking "I'm sure I haven't changed over"). I didn't handle the situation that well - but I got the plane back down on the runway (after a very low level 'circuit'), and no physical damage done.

I was as white as a ghost and petrified in the air during the event - not at all how I imagined I'd react in that situation. A lot of contemplation about what could have happened - especially if it ocured on finals, left me very nervous in a plane....

I nearly gave up flying, and it took months before I got back up there - but now I've passed my PPL, and I just love flying again... and obviously that situation is well understood now (and well trained for) and I'd be much more in control if a similar thing ever happened again. [Actually, in a later flight the T-bar on the throttle of the warrior fell off in flight which was also a bit unsettling although obviously it was still flyable. A couple of people thought I was a bit over cautious for landing the plane for that reason....]

So - I got over it - but I still have the odd 'moment' if the engine splutters or makes strange noises - and I imagine that will stay for a while.

Overall I'd say my confidence is less than it would otherwise have been at this stage, and I'm really annoyed about it - but I'll just hope it fades away one day.....

It seems like your forced landing was really well done, and all ended well - so I'd much rather fly in a plane with you than someone that hadn't experienced it!
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