Starting Circuits soon....
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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Starting Circuits soon....
So I'll be starting circuits soon as a student pilot with about 5 hours of flying time......
What are the things I should look out for, tips/pitfalls etc in doing them?
What are the things I should look out for, tips/pitfalls etc in doing them?
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Get your checks done early and learn them off-by-heart!
On downwind the BUMFFCH type checks are great.
Keep runway centerline after takeoff - especially when operating on parallel runways.
You'll love it
WWA
On downwind the BUMFFCH type checks are great.
Keep runway centerline after takeoff - especially when operating on parallel runways.
You'll love it
WWA
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Your final approach must be 10-11 miles in length with a three degree glideslope and flown at around 135 knots, ALWAYS!
Secondly, you'll get so much crap back by posting such a question on the internet that you'll just end up confused.
Listen to what your instructor has to say and do it. If things don't seem to click ask to have a couple of sessions with another instructor.
Have fun!
Secondly, you'll get so much crap back by posting such a question on the internet that you'll just end up confused.
Listen to what your instructor has to say and do it. If things don't seem to click ask to have a couple of sessions with another instructor.
Have fun!
Rolling out on downwind, set attitude, power and balance. Pick a feature in the distance as a heading reference.
Downwind scan - 'Heading, spacing, height, speed' - these are the 'performance' aspects of your attitude-lookout-performance cycle.
If one or more of these things is wrong, make a positive change (heading, power, attitude or whatever's needed), and continue your scan, monitoring how your changes are working.
Try and remember your settings each time, eg heading on downwind, base turn point, power settings etc. Then if it turns out to be a shabby circuit, at least you've got something positive to change next time round, AND you'll build up a good knowledge over time of what parameters work for your aircraft in varying wind conditions.
Know where all the traffic is (look and listen) and don't look inside too much to the detriment of your situational awareness.
Draw a little picture of a circuit and think about how different wind strengths and directions might affect how you have to fly (power settings, headings, angles of bank etc).
Enjoy! It gets easier.
Downwind scan - 'Heading, spacing, height, speed' - these are the 'performance' aspects of your attitude-lookout-performance cycle.
If one or more of these things is wrong, make a positive change (heading, power, attitude or whatever's needed), and continue your scan, monitoring how your changes are working.
Try and remember your settings each time, eg heading on downwind, base turn point, power settings etc. Then if it turns out to be a shabby circuit, at least you've got something positive to change next time round, AND you'll build up a good knowledge over time of what parameters work for your aircraft in varying wind conditions.
Know where all the traffic is (look and listen) and don't look inside too much to the detriment of your situational awareness.
Draw a little picture of a circuit and think about how different wind strengths and directions might affect how you have to fly (power settings, headings, angles of bank etc).
Enjoy! It gets easier.
Is this a wind up or are you serious with your question William OK?
You are paying good money for someone to instruct you, listen to what they tell you, don't try to know it all first, if you don't have confidence in your instructor find another one.
This is not the place to ask the sort of questions you are asking.
You are paying good money for someone to instruct you, listen to what they tell you, don't try to know it all first, if you don't have confidence in your instructor find another one.
This is not the place to ask the sort of questions you are asking.
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Mate just relax , the fact you have asked the question to me seems you might be getting a little a head of your self . The best advice i can give is to get your mind thinking ahead of the plane . start Planning things early , systematicaly once your airbourne , clean the plane up ( ie flaps ect ) concerntrate on speeds ie climb speed . once at 500ft concerntrate on still maintaining speeds and a gentle 15 deg turn ( rate one) to 1000ft then start thinking ahead , whilst maintaing spacing think about landing checks BUMFISH . THE INSTRUCTOR WORKS FOR YOU . your paying him and he will give you all the info you need my freind . the best way to fly is just to relax and think about whats going to be required of the plane before its time to do it .
Good luck With it
Good luck With it
Join Date: Nov 2006
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I agree with 27/09!!
I think you have to listen more, study more and ask your instructor more!!! He should be your source of answers!
No offence to fellow PPRuNe's but too many cooks spoil the broth!!
I think you have to listen more, study more and ask your instructor more!!! He should be your source of answers!
No offence to fellow PPRuNe's but too many cooks spoil the broth!!
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My main fault so far was to expect a magic formula to leap into my head when required. Relaxing a bit and looking at where I am reference the runway (duh) is suddenly working a lot better.
Would endorse the above comments about your instructor, you will learn more from the feedback from one circuit you fly than from months of reading stuff here.
Would endorse the above comments about your instructor, you will learn more from the feedback from one circuit you fly than from months of reading stuff here.
Join Date: Oct 2005
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I am a former CFI and CP. Just enjoy your circuits. Circuits are a combination of all you have learned to date, climbing, turning, straight and level and descending. Don't be concerned about your landings, when it all "clicks together" you'll know.Good luck
When you live....
Just remember the definition of a good landing is one you walk away from.
The definition of a great landing is one where they can use the plane again.......
UTR
The definition of a great landing is one where they can use the plane again.......
UTR
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Originally Posted by das Uber Soldat
please dont fly basair circuits.
thanks.
thanks.
. easpecially when the crosswind is strong.Join Date: Sep 2006
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I completed my first solo circuit about 3 weeks ago and have done about 1.5 hours on my own in the circuit so far.
When I was first learning CCTS, I found that making them just a little wider really helped me plan what I was going to do without feeling rushed. I turned on to crosswind at 600' instead of 500' to give me a little more spacing on downwind. Remember to use the trim... you'll fly better and smoother circuits. It also helps if you spend 30 minutes a day practising circuits in your head.. have a photocopy or printout of the flight controls infront of you if it helps...
Good luck & have fun.
RR
When I was first learning CCTS, I found that making them just a little wider really helped me plan what I was going to do without feeling rushed. I turned on to crosswind at 600' instead of 500' to give me a little more spacing on downwind. Remember to use the trim... you'll fly better and smoother circuits. It also helps if you spend 30 minutes a day practising circuits in your head.. have a photocopy or printout of the flight controls infront of you if it helps...
Good luck & have fun.
RR