how to inspect ala in the air and on the ground?

[dreamed2fly]

how to inspect ala in the air and on the ground?

[FoolCorsePich]

In the air: With your eyes
On the ground : With your eyes and boots

[Ixixly]

Foolcorsepich: Hahaha, well put!

But for a more technical answer you can take a read of this CAAP, or better yet, ask your instructor/CP

http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/download/caaps/ops/92_1.pdf

[AbsoluteFokker]

ALA inspection in their air is part of basic PPL training.

You should have an awareness of how far your aircraft travels with lots of flap hanging out (taking into account adjustment for estimated headwind) so you can mentally count one-thousand, two-thousand, three-thousand etc. and get a good approximation for the airfield length.

eg.
60 knots = (just under) 31 metres per second.
70 knots nil wind = 36 metres per second.
80 knots nil wind = (just over) 41 metres per second.

If you're doing 70 knots nil wind for 20 seconds over the ALA then the length is about 720 metres long.

Don't forget your fudge factors too.

[chimbu warrior]

Absolute Fokker is correct, but as many ALA's are not equipped with a windsock, it is wiser to do a run in each direction and average the times to obtain an approximate length. It also enables a pilot to determine which way the wind is blowing (slowest run) and inspect the surface for any hazards or obstacles.

[Seagull V]

Finding Wind Direction
Carry out a constant radius turn around an object on the ground. You will have to constantly vary the angle of bank to maintain the constant radius. When the wings are level, however briefly, you are heading into the wind.

[Squawk7700]

Or... just look at your GPS :cool:

[gchriste]

Or the trees or water. When recently doing my RPL training the instructor pointed out that you could tell form the water in the nearby river. The calmest side was the side the wind was blowing from, i.e. close to the bank the water is protected from the wind. On the down-wind side, it cops the full force. Amazing how obvious it becomes once you know what to look for.

Remember the wind the GPS shows at 500ft cam be very different from on the ground.

[mikedreamer787]

Or... just look at your GPS

No! You do your timing as Mr Fokker explained above and then use the GPS as a tool to backup your estimates.

And yes the wind at 500ft AGL can be very different than on the ground. Years ago out in the real mulga we used to do it at 100ft which gave you more accurate wind components for landing and a very accurate LDA calculation.