From Zero to Forty Five - my PPL Diary
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Northants
Great read Mazzy - well done, and enjoy your flying overseas.
I feel much better tonight, spending two seperate hours in the circuit today, and it was great. Seems like I've cracked it (the landings that is!!). Today, it just all came together at last. There was a 6 to 8 knot crossswind, at 90 degrees to the runway, so it was not exactly difficult, but I finally got ther coordination of the rudder, ailerons and stabilator near enough right. The landings were all quite smooth even - can't believe it. I'm back again tomorrow for another couple of hours, so hopefully I can build on today and not regress.
Again, congrats Mazzy, and thanks again for your words of encouragement.
I feel much better tonight, spending two seperate hours in the circuit today, and it was great. Seems like I've cracked it (the landings that is!!). Today, it just all came together at last. There was a 6 to 8 knot crossswind, at 90 degrees to the runway, so it was not exactly difficult, but I finally got ther coordination of the rudder, ailerons and stabilator near enough right. The landings were all quite smooth even - can't believe it. I'm back again tomorrow for another couple of hours, so hopefully I can build on today and not regress.
Again, congrats Mazzy, and thanks again for your words of encouragement.
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Newcastle upon Tyne
Fantastic stuff Lee, great to hear how the progression is going. Seems a long way ahead for me at the moment but the circuits started on Sunday so I'm hopeful for a solo in the not too distant future. Fingers crossed.
Thread Starter
Spicy Meatball
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
From: Liverpool UK
Thanks for the kind words people 
Happyeater - I really am so glad to see you back on track, I was hoping you would! Good to see you posting again - please do keep us up to date.
Cheq - great innit
Well done and enjoy your new found talent 
Happyeater - I really am so glad to see you back on track, I was hoping you would! Good to see you posting again - please do keep us up to date.
Cheq - great innit
Well done and enjoy your new found talent
Fixed+Rotary (aircraft, not washing lines)
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Peak District, Yorkshire, UK
Mazzy, I noted the following point in your recent post
"As I looked down to remove my knee board temporarily, the airspeed started to bleed off. "
Do you always remove your kneeboard for landing? When I went solo first time a few weeks ago I was still having some landing issues and the kneeboard was in the way for my right hand handling flaps, carb heat, throttle etc.
So the instructor suggested I removed it and put it in the back. I did this and found it a revelation to have my right hand fully free. Two more T-And-G's and I was solo. I really found it to make an amazing difference.
Chequered - glad to hear that things are coming together!
"As I looked down to remove my knee board temporarily, the airspeed started to bleed off. "
Do you always remove your kneeboard for landing? When I went solo first time a few weeks ago I was still having some landing issues and the kneeboard was in the way for my right hand handling flaps, carb heat, throttle etc.
So the instructor suggested I removed it and put it in the back. I did this and found it a revelation to have my right hand fully free. Two more T-And-G's and I was solo. I really found it to make an amazing difference.
Chequered - glad to hear that things are coming together!
The Original Whirly
Joined: Feb 1999
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 4,327
Likes: 2
From: Belper, Derbyshire, UK
So why don't you all put your kneeboard on your left knee? 
I've always done that; you can still reach to write on it, and it's not in the way.
I've always done that; you can still reach to write on it, and it's not in the way.
Thread Starter
Spicy Meatball
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
From: Liverpool UK
It's strange really, it just seemed to bother me more on this particular landing - I'm not sure why though, perhaps it was too lose. It kept rolling to the right side and geting in the way of my arm which was operating the throttle. I only took it off once I knew I wouldn't need it again (or thought I wouldn't) i.e. after copying ATIS and tower instructions etc. I suppose I just wanted to have full concentration on the landing, as it had been a while sice I last solo'd 
Whirly - you posted same time as me I have contemplated doing this for some time, but never really got round to trying it. I will give it a go on my next flight. Does it not require more of a stretch to get your right hand over to your left?
Whirly - you posted same time as me
I have contemplated doing this for some time, but never really got round to trying it. I will give it a go on my next flight. Does it not require more of a stretch to get your right hand over to your left?
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: Smurph Castle
I normally find myself chucking my board at my passenger on final. It just irritates me! 
But mine was a home made knee board, and the home-made velcro knee-strap has recently come off.
Shoddy design!
But mine was a home made knee board, and the home-made velcro knee-strap has recently come off.Shoddy design!
PPruNaholic!
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 0
From: Buckinghamshire
I normally find myself chucking my board at my passenger on final
Andy
Thread Starter
Spicy Meatball
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
From: Liverpool UK
Hehe, I like it 
I actually got one of those baggage (suitcase) straps that you clip around the item - I cut it to the right length and melted the end's to stop it fraying and it is perfect - just fits round my oh so muscular leg ! 
I actually got one of those baggage (suitcase) straps that you clip around the item - I cut it to the right length and melted the end's to stop it fraying and it is perfect - just fits round my oh so muscular leg !
The Original Whirly
Joined: Feb 1999
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 4,327
Likes: 2
From: Belper, Derbyshire, UK
Does it not require more of a stretch to get your right hand over to your left?
Sit in a chair, and try it.
Joined: May 2003
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 900
Likes: 0
From: Surrey
My A3 kneeboard is on my left leg, but then I'm left handed. My nav kneeboard is actaully just a clipboard with a penholder clipped onto it so once I'm home I just chuck it and the map in the back.
I got my test booked this weekend!!
So nervous lol. Doesn't look like it'll happen tomorrow but sunday afternoon looks do-able. Any advice from the PPLers?? 
I got my test booked this weekend!!
So nervous lol. Doesn't look like it'll happen tomorrow but sunday afternoon looks do-able. Any advice from the PPLers??
Joined: May 2003
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 900
Likes: 0
From: Surrey
Well.........................
Had test today. My god, so tired. Totally exhausting experience. Didn't manage to pass, only managed to get a partial.
I basically totally screwed up my PFL, got disorientated and so tried to land downwind, and the field that I chose turned out to be pretty small, which I was on the high side, and whilst thinking what to do I managed to let the speed drop to about 55. Pretty damn annoyed about it since I know I can do better. Of about 30 PFLs that I've done this one was probably the worst. Also slightly mucked up my EFATO by not doing the checks. AND also manged to get confused about what to do with an alt failure
At least I get to now concentrate on just the emergencys and get them sorted. They were probably my weakest section going into the test and the pressure and nerves really showed that.
At least I got all the rest done. He said my nav was good, my RT was excellent, VORs all good. Steeps turns good, stalls ok, circuits ok.
Had test today. My god, so tired. Totally exhausting experience. Didn't manage to pass, only managed to get a partial.
I basically totally screwed up my PFL, got disorientated and so tried to land downwind, and the field that I chose turned out to be pretty small, which I was on the high side, and whilst thinking what to do I managed to let the speed drop to about 55. Pretty damn annoyed about it since I know I can do better. Of about 30 PFLs that I've done this one was probably the worst. Also slightly mucked up my EFATO by not doing the checks. AND also manged to get confused about what to do with an alt failure
At least I get to now concentrate on just the emergencys and get them sorted. They were probably my weakest section going into the test and the pressure and nerves really showed that.
At least I got all the rest done. He said my nav was good, my RT was excellent, VORs all good. Steeps turns good, stalls ok, circuits ok.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: Smurph Castle
Blinkz:
Never mind, mate, I managed to fail my driving test last week because of one, tiny, insignificant, but very inconveniently-placed, kerb
and they don't do partials at the DSA! Now I have to wait another 2 months for a second go!
At least 50% of the pilots I know got partials, maybe more. It's very common.
That PPL is so close you can smell it!
And (I venture to say) if you'd scraped through, it might not have focussed your mind on emergency procedures so much, so maybe one day what seemed to be bad luck will become good luck?
Andy - of course, that's an SOP!
Never mind, mate, I managed to fail my driving test last week because of one, tiny, insignificant, but very inconveniently-placed, kerb
and they don't do partials at the DSA! Now I have to wait another 2 months for a second go!At least 50% of the pilots I know got partials, maybe more. It's very common.
That PPL is so close you can smell it!
And (I venture to say) if you'd scraped through, it might not have focussed your mind on emergency procedures so much, so maybe one day what seemed to be bad luck will become good luck?
Andy - of course, that's an SOP!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: The noisy part of Papa 1-8 55 N 1 W
Blinkz
Blinkz : there is nothing wrong with being left handed I am as well
it is just a bit a awkward to reply to RT and write at the same time.
It is easier from the right seat cos the ptt's on the other side.
Best of luck nxt time you will do it !!
Dont listen to Happyeater he starts rumours about Aero Clubs !
Fly well .....
it is just a bit a awkward to reply to RT and write at the same time.
It is easier from the right seat cos the ptt's on the other side.
Best of luck nxt time you will do it !!
Dont listen to Happyeater he starts rumours about Aero Clubs !
Fly well .....
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Hampshire
Well,
After some 2 1/2 months of being grounded due to the weather, I finally managed to fly on Monday.
Thought I'd have forgotten how, but after 2 circuits my instructor got out and told me to do as many as I wanted.
I did 3 good ones and a go-around (runway occupied) and then decided to call it a day. Things were going too well and I didn't want them to take a turn for the worse!
Those of you flying circuits alone, I wondered how many you do at a time. I'm conscious of the risk of losing concentration after 5 or 6.
HH
After some 2 1/2 months of being grounded due to the weather, I finally managed to fly on Monday.
Thought I'd have forgotten how, but after 2 circuits my instructor got out and told me to do as many as I wanted.
I did 3 good ones and a go-around (runway occupied) and then decided to call it a day. Things were going too well and I didn't want them to take a turn for the worse!
Those of you flying circuits alone, I wondered how many you do at a time. I'm conscious of the risk of losing concentration after 5 or 6.
HH
Joined: May 2003
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 900
Likes: 0
From: Surrey
On my 3rd solo I did 13. I wasn't even thinging about coming down. On my 12th circuit after my downwind call the A/G came back with *so is this one to land?* and I replied *well I wasn't going to unless you've heard otherwise* since I knew my instructor was standing next to him lol. So made my 13th a full stop lol.
since I knew my instructor was standing next to him lol. So made my 13th a full stop lol.