1 Day – 2 logbook entries
No, sorry, it’s not my solo but a very interesting and challenging lesson indeed. Because I am waiting for the weather to do my solo, it was agreed that I needed to do something else and get out of the circuit for now, because I have done a hell of a lot and need to do something else. So today, we decided to go to Blackpool.
Got all sorted and started checklists etc then parked into wind to do power checks etc. this is the thing, for the past 2 lessons now I have missed things in the checklist – I am too eager to get going and I miss a page out, or I say we are ready to get clearance when really I should be at 1800 rpm checking the magnetos! I think it is eagerness to fly, and next time I get in the aircraft, I am gonna slow down a little to make sure I don’t miss anything out – don’t wanna look unsafe! The thing is, I seem to recall saying something like this in an earlier entry, where I was missing things off the checklist – I need to work on this or it may just let me down on the check ride!
So on to the flight. We would leave the zone standard VFR via Seaforth, head out towards Maghull, then remain east abeam Woodvale and onto Blackpool. It was decided that we wouldn’t talk to Woodvale on the way there, but to try and contact Warton instead – so we did:
“Warton Tower Golf ####”
nothing………….
“Warton Tower Golf ####”
Ok, still no reply so we went over to Blackpool ATIs, copied the details, then stood by on their approach freq. This is the point where I could feel my legs tingling with adrenalin, because I knew what was coming up. Something which I had only done in a practical exam, which scared the sh*t out of me. The dreaded position report. Ok so my instructor went through what I needed to say briefly, and I remembered from the RT oral. I hit the PTT button and off I went:
Who we are: G#### is a PA38
Where we are from and where going: routing Blackpool to Liverpool
Any checkpoints: via Ormskirk (or currently overhead)
Our height: at 1600 feet
The pressure setting: QNH 1013
With ATIS: with information November
What we want: requesting flight information service.
Et oila! It all came out smoothly with no glitches like “errr” or “ummm”. I couldn’t believe it – I actually got it right! Approach quickly responded with out FIS. The way I done it was to remember the first 3 parts which are obvious essentials, then a quick glance at the altimeter, quick glance at kneeboard to get QNH (which no matter how much I remember, will always forget once I hit the PTT button) we have their ATIS and we want something! To be honest, it was ten times harder in the exam, because of 2 reasons, firstly, the information I was giving in the exam was false, i.e. made up for the purpose of the exam – I didn’t have any instruments, and I couldn’t visually see where I was, it was more a case of remembering the hard core speech. Secondly, there was more pressure on me in the exam to get it right in order to pass – ok I know you have to get it right in the air which is more important, but I am sure you know where I am coming from.
We then requested a join and set up for the landing – it was more difficult than I originally thought spotting the airport, I will always remember it is roughly south of Blackpool tower (the tourist attraction one!). I set up for the approach and got it all sorted. It was weird landing at another airfield, the runway was much shorter and much narrower – no room for too many mistakes! I ballooned it once – I flared and didn’t hold it for long enough, letting it come down to quick, then as I tried to keep the nose wheel up for a smooth touch down, up she went again! Bas***d I thought to myself, it is so frustrating knowing you have done a crap landing, when the last one the other week was perfect. Anyway, we departed right at the end of the runway and went to the GA apron to pay the £15 landing fee – bit steep I thought but the controller have a bloody tough job looking after 3 (or 6) runways. The airways just seemed constantly packed and aircraft were being told to hold and go around left right and centre. Too much to take in for now, so I had a wind down walking to the C point to pay fees.
Back to do a quick oil and fuel check then back in the cockpit for the full departure checks. We requested taxi and navigated through what seemed a complicated mass of holding points and taxi ways. I had the map of the airport on my lap which helped (it is essential of course) but it was still a mass of confusion. After the longest hold I have experienced so far, we got airborne. This time we were going to talk to Woodvale, as this would be more good practice in talking to different ATCO’s etc.
It all went well again from here, got the position reports sorted no problem and headed back to home base (no not the DIY store). We had a decent tail wind and got back before you could blink an eye lid – just as I would say “Kirkby in five” it quickly became “Kirkby in 3”! I have one question for you guys – I was gonna discuss it with my instructor after the flight but was on a bit of a high and forgot to ask. We asked for a JOIN instead of a REJOIN – what’s the difference?
The landing this time was good – I have had better, but compared to the one at Blackpool, it was good hehe. This lesson was fantastic, I had a great time and learned lots of new things. I think it is worth pointing out that the use of my newly acquired air band receiver has been of great use. I mainly hear people putting in position reports and am getting used to the style and context of RT – a great investment. A valuable lesson I learned today was get a pen without a bloody lid, and keep it either in your hand or extremely close by because it seemed like essay writing, the amount of stuff I had to write down. Kept arse**g around with the lid and this, that and the other.
Now I am just waiting for solo. I am at the point where doing circuits on a windy day is just a costly way of getting not very far, I may even cancel a circuit session if it is solo’able – what do you think?
Sorry for the long post – a lot to write as there was a lot to take in.
Safe flying all, and again, keep up the posts, which I do appreciate.
Lee