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Old 1st April 2002 | 18:55
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BEagle
25 Anniversary
 
Joined: May 1999
: ATP+Mil
Posts: 27,399
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From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
Hi Tonks - was that you I hailed on Leu app last Wed?

The circuit should NEVER be taught other than by instalments. Since the last thing the student saw before Circuits 1 was probably Desc 2 and (hopefully) 'point and power', it makes sense to let the student fly the take-off, then demo everything up to and including roll out from the final turn. The bit after 'wings level, full flap, adjust attitude and trim to approach speed' is 'now point at the touchdown spot and keep that aiming mark - with the odd scan of IAS'. It goes 'Touchdown point - speed - touchdown point - speed........' Then you can move on to HOW to get there in the first place from the initial climb, then add the RT. The only new skill is the actual touchdown - but we want our students to be able to fly consistent circuits first!

Teaching the actual flare and touchdown is quite easy - so long as the student doesn't get tense or impatient! But it's a busy trip and flight instructors (civil) or QFIs in the military have to learn when to allow non-critical errors and when to take control at a late stage.

As a student you'll know when you're doing reasonably well because the FI will be feigning nonchalance - to get you ready for the moment when he/she says "That's it - I'm off. Do it yourself this time!"
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