PFL Practice for PPLs??
Hi,
I am wondering what you good folks think of the prospect of a fresh PPL holder carrying out PFLs by his/herself are? It was always my limit understanding that such practice is prudent at least and comes recommended by the relevant authorities from high untop. Is this correct?
The reason for my post is that I was prompted by an unforeseen break in the weather and with time on my hands and a plane on the ground I decided to go up for an hour or so and get some time in with stalls, ccts and some PFLs. My plan was to leave the area and do the stalls and steep turns and then go back into circuit for some glide approaches.
I duly went up to the tower (Air/Ground) to let them know the plan for my flight and that it was my intention to come back and do some glide approaches. I was then informed by the man with the clipboard that I was not 'qualified' to do this! Rather shocked that I had been breaking the law oft times before I asked him to explain and he went on to tell me that my licence (PPL) does not authorise me to attempt to land without power! Shirely this can't be correct? What is the difference in landing with or without power? He is, in my view, effectively telling me how to conduct my own flight. After all, the instructor from whom I hire the ac is more than happy with my exercise detail and has no reservations.
I should also make clear that I am fully aware of the implications an aircraft doing glides in the circuit might have by way of hindrance to other traffic. My circuit would differ to the general circuit pattern executed by others which are fit for 737s; mine would have been rather tighter. Traffic was not an issue on the day as there were no other aircraft inbound or in the circuit (nor was there by the time I landed) and had his reasons for saying no been due to traffic consideration of course this would have been understandable and not an issue. I have done this many times before at the field with other Operators on duty.
In the end up I done my practice using a field rather than the runway but I feel this is not as beneficial as I can't get down too low and who am I to say whether or not I would have made it in? Do other pilots practice using suitable fields and if so how low do you go? I would always be wary of getting to meet the CAA on a bad day as a result of some nimby and thus do not generally do PFLs away from the aerodrome.
I know doing glide approaches onto a runway is different to landing in a field with no power but I think the virtue of the exercise lies in attempting to aim to land on a certain area of the runway while denying myself the use power would help in the event I have to aim for a piece of grass when all else goes quiet.
Your thoughts? How do you recommend one should practise glide approaches/PFLs without an instructor on board? Was the man in the tower correct in his assertion that I am not qualified to do these holding only a PPL?
Cheers,
R