Greetings all,
Today’s lesson (3rd recently, into 7th hour) was great fun. The topic was stalls in turns and climbs:
I was trusted to do the full walk around by my new instructor, including fuel tests and the likes, and once that was done we were ready to start up. Was quite pleased with my radio work, last lesson I kept forgetting to add the call sign, but not today!
Once we got to the holding point we continued with checks, called for departure clearance. After a 15-minute wait we eventually could go. Was rather pleased with my takeoff, but due to ATC instructions my instructor guided me away from the area. As we went north we did the normal – straight and level, turns in descends and climbs, glides etc. (Think it was to test if I could still do it!).
So, back to the real lesson, to make sure I hadn’t lost the technique we did a few stalls with the wings level, both clean and with flaps. Next we did one in a climbing turn, which was fine, and made my stomach go a little funny – great stuff! Finally I had ago at the ‘normal’ turning stall. Once again I thought this was okay – just apply lots more rudder! In some ways I found this easier to manage than a stall in the straight and level, as you don’t need to be so sensitive with the rudder.
Still haven’t experienced this “wing drop”, which at some point I’d quite like to. Unless I have but didn’t realise!
So as we headed home back to base I had a chance to have a good look out of the window, and admire ‘flight’. Didn’t have too much time to be in awe though, and pretty soon we were calling for a rejoin. Time to concentrate - lots of talking and listening to be done as well as keeping a good look out. We completed the “BUMS” check. I have completely forgotten part of it though, any one care to help? Brake. Undercarriage. M? S? Shamefully I’ve lost all recollection of the last two.
So anyway, we came onto finals, weren’t quite straight on the lines but I managed to get it across, and came to land. Whereas last lesson I flared a little too early, this time I left it a little to late, thus having a slightly heavy landing. Not dangerously though just a little rough!
So that was the lesson, once again great fun, really enjoyed it.
So until Friday that’s it! Next lesson – circuits, should be good.
Cheers all,
JW.