Data - well done my friend, excellent news - sounds like you did very well indeed
Thanks for taking the time to write that one up.
I have a couple of write-ups I suppose - the first could be called "Definition of a Bad Day". Neil (DiscoChocolate) and myself were due to head to Sleap to practice some circuitry, other than the fact that the weather to the south would not let us do so. So, we planned on doing some circuits at Liverpool instead, which ATC did not allow as it was busy (and it bl00dy was too). After a 30 minute hold, number one to take off - the alternator light started blinking, and the alternator needle was all over the place, kind of making a pulse. We had guessed it may have been an alternator failure, so taking no chances, we regrettably taxied back to shutdown. Looking back, it may have been the strobe lights that were causing the pulsing of the needle. Anyway, to top off a day that was already going bad, we went into Liverpool for lunch, only to watch Chelsea wallop us 4-1
That aside, the flight I had the other day would make up for this. I went to Blackpool on Monday (also to practice the low level route again) and I was made up with the way the flight went. We headed south and done a practice PAN on Shawbury, which went with success (Shawbury were excellent with us that day). Then the plan was to fly from Crewe, to Ashcroft Farm, then up the Low level. So, being somewhere near Wrexham, my instructor asked me to draw a line on the chart to Crewe, and guesstimate a heading, which I did roughly, and to my delight it took us right over where we wanted to be (have a look on the chart, it's where all the railway lines meet). Then left to Ashcroft farm and onto Manchester for the low level. This has worried me in the past, as I felt it quite difficult, but today would be the third time I would transit it, and it went very well indeed, I could pick out most things and felt comfortable knowing that I would be doing this on my own soon. So, northbound to Blackpool, and as expected was asked to route Southport Pier, to St Annes pier which went without problem. It was actually quite quiet today and we pleaded with Blackpool for an overhead join which went very smoothly. We had to remain clear of the northern side of the pleasure beach, as the conservative party conference was on - that was in the NOTAMS, but as we were coming from the south, it didn't cause a problem. After an extended downwind leg, we landed fine and went for a cup of tea.
On the way back to Liverpool, I suggested I do a stall, for practice - so that went well. Actually, my instructor sprung it on me as I was looking out to my left - he cut the power and raised the nose and promptly shouted "RECOVER" - which is what I did.
So, I am now sat here, checking the weather, hoping that I will be flying it solo within 2 hours, but it isn't looking so good. I really hope I can get it done this week, as I don't have many holidays left from work
Cheers,
Lee
