Thanks for all for the posts so far. It's useful reading about other people’s mishaps... it certainly promts additional though, and hopefully an extra check at the appropriate times!
I have about 18Hrs and on the day in question was a bit more tired than usual (justification
). I was intenting to do 1Hr solo but decided to ask my instructor to join me for a few circuits to practice flapless (low confidence level). I noticed during radio checks that I had difficulty hearing what was being said, both by my instructor and A/G. On downwind, frustation increased that I passed control to instructor and started abusing my headset. It was then that my hearing was restored and I, sheepishly, admited to my instructior that I was turning the volume control the wrong way
.
I learned: Double check volume on the ground and avoid changing mic boom from left to right side - the volume turns in a different direction on opposit sides!!!