Another ToryBoy top tip...............
I find that when trying to transmit over the radio to a busy place like Farnborough or Brize, I often find I am stepped on or step on someone when there is a rush to speak with the geezer on the other end.
I have found a way to ensure this doesn't happen and will probably get shot down in flames for it but hey, it works for me.
If the banter is particularly rapid and you can't find a split second to get your message in, wait until the end of some communication between controller and a/c. Then, just press your PTT switch for a split second which will give a tiny carrier wave and put anyone else off trying to transmit. Then, if nobody else is transmitting when you release the PTT button, the airwaves are all yours!
Also, something happened to me recently that made me think. It had rained overnight and then frozen. I was off flying from a farm strip quite early and the wind was calm with the windsock pointing straight down. I opted for the downhill bias on the strip and was surprised on the take off run that I wasn't airborne by half way. I became airborne a lot later than I had anticipated and was wracking my brains for things such as "did I forget to apply flaps", or "have I left the carb heat on" etc. What had actually happened was that the wet windsock had frozen and wasn't showing the 5 knot wind on the runway that I had opted to take off with behind me.
Another one.........why fly everywhere at 2500 feet? Everybody does and if you stick to 2300 or 2700 you will find that you will have a lot less contacts coming at you.
Or...........with winter on the way watch out with those spats. They might look good but a light smattering of snow on the ground will soon fill them up on the take off run. Then, even after a few minutes flying around that snow will freeze solid and on landing you will be stopping rather quicker than you thought.
And...........similarly, if you decide to wash your plane one afternoon in the winter and then put it away until your morning flight, make sure the undrained water hasn't frozen overnight. A plane with lots of little ice lumps inside the airframe where the water didn't drain handles like a pissed giraffe calf. Having the smallest amount of water trapped inside the spinner can make the plane feel like an out of balance washing machine when you fire it up.
Having seen someone once start up their a/c with the towbar still attached I made a mental note from that day onwards to not let go of the towbar when it is attached to the nosewheel.
When landing at an unfamiliar airfield and on finals you have a far better view for where you might be taxying to for parking than once you are on the ground. I always have a brief scan of where I will be most likely asked to head for and on which taxiways when on a half mile final.
With the sun being so glaring just before it sets during the winter (and right in line with most "27" runways) I find it much easier to aim to touchdown just after sunset than with a bright fireball burning through the windscreen at me making me tempted to look sideways during the flare. Sometimes it's only a matter of minutes between a near on impossible landing and one with a perfectly clear view.
I think i'll shut up now