I've been away quite a bit lately, (including an 8 day and night non stop sail from Gibraltar to Croatia) so here's a quick update on my progress chaps!
I've now completed my solo consolidation (3hr 20 mins), and have done 3 navigational exercises, all of which passed without drama. A couple of weeks ago, I asked if we could do a couple of circuits around our house, which the "boss" agreed to, as long as it was as part of a navigational exercise He also asked whether I would mind of another student (not yet having completed his first solo) came with us, 'cos he wanted to switch from the Cessnas to the Warrior. My first reaction was "Oh my Gawd, not in front of one of my peers!!" but I did agree in the end......
To be honest, it was pretty good having someone less experienced than my self on board; he was in the back, with the instructor alongside me as usual, with me feeling quite the Captain!!!!. I somehow felt much more "on it", I guess because I did not want to screw up with someone else in the plane.
We took off (EMA), Zoned out to the South, and tracked to my home town (Daventry). It was a beautifully clear day, and all my calculations worked - my house came up on the nose. We did three circuits, with my wife seen clearly in the back garden recording it all. Sadly, she forgot to zoom in so it all looks a bit far away.
The return journey was also spot on, and I called for rejoin - told I was No 1 (for once), and called on final to find a pretty nasty crosswind. The landing was actually fine, and the other student was complimentary about my flying and in particular that I had found my destination in both directions!! Don't know if he's a contributor here, in which case he'll probably tell you something entirely different!!
I'm now moving on to further navigation, and some solo runs outside the EMA zone, for solo PFL's, stalls, and steep turns. I have to say, reading some of the reports about the Skills Tests recently taken, I wonder whether I'll EVER be able to do all that to an examiners satisfaction - still I suppose it's something I'll grow into, though it does sound VERY daunting!! Many many congratulations to those recently receiving their PPL's - really good news.
Safe flying all.....