The most protracted PPL ever?........
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General Handling section
I've made myself some general handling revision notes to help me visualise this aspect of the test. They are particular to me and particular to the C152 but I append them here for interest. (And I'd be interested in any comments! 
)
SKILLS TEST REVISION POINTS
·Slow flight
·Steep turns & recovery from steep spiral descent
·The 3 stalls
·PFL
·EFATO
·The 3 circuits
****************____________________________________________ _____________________________________
Revision sortie
Climb-out to c. 3,000’. Lookout during climb (’S’ turns) Level off – FREDA check.
Slow flight – at 50. From s&l: At cruising speed, reduce power (to, say,17-1800 rpm) and maintain height by gently raising nose to approximate attitude for 50 kts. As nose rises, asymetric thrust will cause right yaw – use left rudder to correct. Maintain height & heading. Trim for 50. From the climb: Maintain climb revs and raise the nose further to achieve approximate attitude for 50 knots. As nose rises, asymetric thrust will cause left yaw – use right rudder to correct. Maintain heading. Trim for 50. At 45 with flap. Add a little power & select 20° flap. Raise nose slightly to approximate attitude for 45kts. As before, left yaw will need to be prevented. To restore clean straight & level cruise apply a little more power, lower nose slightly and let speed increase to 60, still maintaining height & heading. Raise flap to 10°. Let speed increase to 65 then take away all flap. Set 2100 rpm, let speed settle and re-trim. FREDA.
Steep turns. 360 one way, level wings, settle down, 360 opposite direction. Examiner sets up spiral descent from steep turn – “Recover!” 1. Close throttle. 2. Level wings. 3. Raise nose & wait for speed to reduce to 70 and apply climb power.
The 3 stalls. HASELL check – Height, Airframe (flaps, loose articles), Security, Engine (carb. heat, ammeter, mixture rich, throttle friction, t.s & p.s, fuel on & sufficient, mags both, master on, primer closed & locked), Location (clear of: Active aerodromes, Built-up areas, Cloud & Controlled airspace, Danger areas) and lookout (clearing turns).
Clean stall. Reduce power to idle, slowly raise nose and keep pulling back until full stall occurs. At the full stall apply full power then lower nose slightly. Let speed increase to 70 then climb to recover lost height.
HELL check.
Stall in approach configuration. Apply carb heat and descent power, maintaining height. When in flap limiting speed set 20° flap. Apply forward pressure on control column to prevent over-rapid speed loss and allow speed to reduce to 65 kts. Trim. Gently raise the nose to allow speed to reduce. At the first sign of the stall (stall warner) apply full power, lower nose slightly and, as speed increases to 65 kts, put flap away in stages and resume climb at 70.
HELL check.
Stall in turn in approach configuration. All as above, except when the speed increases to 65 kts the wings can be levelled, then the flaps put away before resuming climb.
PFL. Trim for best speed, assess wind, find suitable field, plan descent. (Suitable: size, shape, surface, slope, sorround.) Fly the aircraft. Restart checks: fuel on, guages showing, carb heat off, mixture rich, throttle set, mags both, master on, try re-start. Fly the aircraft. Radio call: ‘Mayday, mayday, mayday; Lashenden Radio (or wherever), G-BNYL, engine failure, making a forced landing, X miles south of X, X’000 ft, heading X’. Fly the aircraft. Crash checks: fuel off, mixture LCO, mags off, hatches open, harnesses tight, passengers crash positions. Land the aircraft.
EFATO Nose down – gliding speed – trim. Pick field within 30 deg either side & commit to land.
Circiuts. Normal, glide, flapless. Flapless: extend downwind leg.
)SKILLS TEST REVISION POINTS
·Slow flight
·Steep turns & recovery from steep spiral descent
·The 3 stalls
·PFL
·EFATO
·The 3 circuits
****************____________________________________________ _____________________________________
Revision sortie
Climb-out to c. 3,000’. Lookout during climb (’S’ turns) Level off – FREDA check.
Slow flight – at 50. From s&l: At cruising speed, reduce power (to, say,17-1800 rpm) and maintain height by gently raising nose to approximate attitude for 50 kts. As nose rises, asymetric thrust will cause right yaw – use left rudder to correct. Maintain height & heading. Trim for 50. From the climb: Maintain climb revs and raise the nose further to achieve approximate attitude for 50 knots. As nose rises, asymetric thrust will cause left yaw – use right rudder to correct. Maintain heading. Trim for 50. At 45 with flap. Add a little power & select 20° flap. Raise nose slightly to approximate attitude for 45kts. As before, left yaw will need to be prevented. To restore clean straight & level cruise apply a little more power, lower nose slightly and let speed increase to 60, still maintaining height & heading. Raise flap to 10°. Let speed increase to 65 then take away all flap. Set 2100 rpm, let speed settle and re-trim. FREDA.
Steep turns. 360 one way, level wings, settle down, 360 opposite direction. Examiner sets up spiral descent from steep turn – “Recover!” 1. Close throttle. 2. Level wings. 3. Raise nose & wait for speed to reduce to 70 and apply climb power.
The 3 stalls. HASELL check – Height, Airframe (flaps, loose articles), Security, Engine (carb. heat, ammeter, mixture rich, throttle friction, t.s & p.s, fuel on & sufficient, mags both, master on, primer closed & locked), Location (clear of: Active aerodromes, Built-up areas, Cloud & Controlled airspace, Danger areas) and lookout (clearing turns).
Clean stall. Reduce power to idle, slowly raise nose and keep pulling back until full stall occurs. At the full stall apply full power then lower nose slightly. Let speed increase to 70 then climb to recover lost height.
HELL check.
Stall in approach configuration. Apply carb heat and descent power, maintaining height. When in flap limiting speed set 20° flap. Apply forward pressure on control column to prevent over-rapid speed loss and allow speed to reduce to 65 kts. Trim. Gently raise the nose to allow speed to reduce. At the first sign of the stall (stall warner) apply full power, lower nose slightly and, as speed increases to 65 kts, put flap away in stages and resume climb at 70.
HELL check.
Stall in turn in approach configuration. All as above, except when the speed increases to 65 kts the wings can be levelled, then the flaps put away before resuming climb.
PFL. Trim for best speed, assess wind, find suitable field, plan descent. (Suitable: size, shape, surface, slope, sorround.) Fly the aircraft. Restart checks: fuel on, guages showing, carb heat off, mixture rich, throttle set, mags both, master on, try re-start. Fly the aircraft. Radio call: ‘Mayday, mayday, mayday; Lashenden Radio (or wherever), G-BNYL, engine failure, making a forced landing, X miles south of X, X’000 ft, heading X’. Fly the aircraft. Crash checks: fuel off, mixture LCO, mags off, hatches open, harnesses tight, passengers crash positions. Land the aircraft.
EFATO Nose down – gliding speed – trim. Pick field within 30 deg either side & commit to land.
Circiuts. Normal, glide, flapless. Flapless: extend downwind leg.
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The Final Countdown
Storms have lashed the country the last few days and today (Sunday) is glorious. More systems are expected next week. My Skills Test is at 10 o' clock on Thursday - I just hope it coincides with one of these lovely VFR windows; but it's Britain and it's November so I know I'll have to be philosophical if the weather forces me to cancel.
On the other hand I've got a few advantages. I've met my examiner, and he's given me the route. It'll be Headcorn - Ford - Farnborough - which we won't get to because we'll divert to somewhere in south Kent for the general handling section. And we will route to Ford via Uckfield to get round the corner of the Gatwick CTR.
My feelings? Well, I'm going over and over checks and procedures, reading the POH, fretting about using the VOR because I don't feel very practised with it, wondering will he give me his weight in imperial or metric for the W&B calcs and have I got all the elements for the passenger briefing? They're Fowler flaps and differential ailerons, and I know how they work. The engine needs four quarts of oil, minimum.
Yes, those are my feelings! Nervous isn't the right word - the adrenaline is already beginning to kick in, though I'm still quite relaxed. I'm trying not to let the weight of the past 28 years bear down on me too much. It's amazing to think that I've spent exactly half of my life gunning for the PPL! All that time, all those thoughts and dreams (literally - have you ever had flying dreams, especially when deprived?) since before my now-grown-up kids were born. Since before I met my wife. It's an enormous period of time and so much has happened. Also, those delicious thoughts of the exciting world that lies beyond the Skills Test - I musn't think of that too much in case I fail and I feel the disappointment too keenly.
I'm popping down to the airfield today to get a snap of 'YL's panel to put on my computer desktop (apart from anything, it will help me with that blasted VOR) and to soak up some atmosphere. Mrs. KM will come too, on her mobility scooter, and I will introduce her to 'YL, the other lady in my life.
And then it will be back to a last few days of more revising and armchair-flying, healthy eating, early nights and no booze 'til next Thursday night.
On the other hand I've got a few advantages. I've met my examiner, and he's given me the route. It'll be Headcorn - Ford - Farnborough - which we won't get to because we'll divert to somewhere in south Kent for the general handling section. And we will route to Ford via Uckfield to get round the corner of the Gatwick CTR.
My feelings? Well, I'm going over and over checks and procedures, reading the POH, fretting about using the VOR because I don't feel very practised with it, wondering will he give me his weight in imperial or metric for the W&B calcs and have I got all the elements for the passenger briefing? They're Fowler flaps and differential ailerons, and I know how they work. The engine needs four quarts of oil, minimum.
Yes, those are my feelings! Nervous isn't the right word - the adrenaline is already beginning to kick in, though I'm still quite relaxed. I'm trying not to let the weight of the past 28 years bear down on me too much. It's amazing to think that I've spent exactly half of my life gunning for the PPL! All that time, all those thoughts and dreams (literally - have you ever had flying dreams, especially when deprived?) since before my now-grown-up kids were born. Since before I met my wife. It's an enormous period of time and so much has happened. Also, those delicious thoughts of the exciting world that lies beyond the Skills Test - I musn't think of that too much in case I fail and I feel the disappointment too keenly.
I'm popping down to the airfield today to get a snap of 'YL's panel to put on my computer desktop (apart from anything, it will help me with that blasted VOR) and to soak up some atmosphere. Mrs. KM will come too, on her mobility scooter, and I will introduce her to 'YL, the other lady in my life.
And then it will be back to a last few days of more revising and armchair-flying, healthy eating, early nights and no booze 'til next Thursday night.
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KM
Good luck and I hope for fine weather.
I've just been up in the Cub ,lovely day with just little wisps of cloud at 1000 feet .
You'll be doing the same soon
Lister
I've just been up in the Cub ,lovely day with just little wisps of cloud at 1000 feet .
You'll be doing the same soon
Lister
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Hi Kev,
After a no go because of the weather last Saturday, my test is also booked for this Thursday, so I'm keeping everything crossed for both of us!
Very best of luck! We might even hear each other on Farnborough East
Joel.
After a no go because of the weather last Saturday, my test is also booked for this Thursday, so I'm keeping everything crossed for both of us!
Very best of luck! We might even hear each other on Farnborough East
Joel.
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Hi Joel - welcome aboard! The weather looks really windy for Thursday - something like 20+ knots straight across the runway! 
Still, things could change........
Still, things could change........
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Thanks Kev,
It's no good - I can't think about anything else except the test! It does look like it'll be too windy tomorrow, but I'll keep wishing all the same
Joel.
It's no good - I can't think about anything else except the test! It does look like it'll be too windy tomorrow, but I'll keep wishing all the same
Joel.
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Joel - if the wind plays ball and we get up, I'm in a C152, G-BNYL, and I'll be routing past Shoreham on my way to Ford, at about 1230Z. I already have your a/c details from your pm.
Fingers crossed and good luck!
Fingers crossed and good luck!
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Thanks
Unfortunately it's a definite no-go for me - the wind's already gusting to 36kt at Shoreham, and although it's not perpendicular to the runway, it's easily far enough off parallel to put me outside crosswind limits. Hope you have more luck at you end Kev
Joel.
Unfortunately it's a definite no-go for me - the wind's already gusting to 36kt at Shoreham, and although it's not perpendicular to the runway, it's easily far enough off parallel to put me outside crosswind limits. Hope you have more luck at you end Kev
Joel.
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No go here either. Just looked at the Headcorn webcam this a.m. and the windsock was straight across the runway. I have re-booked for Thurs. December 6th. (It's a pain being free only on Thursdays.)
Mrs. Km was pleased as we got to walk the dogs!
Mrs. Km was pleased as we got to walk the dogs!
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Go for it...and dont look back!
I grew up in Portugal, at 16 came to Canada, between learning how to speak English and raising a family at an early age, all I could do was take the odd intro. flight and dream on...
In 79 I would drive by my local GA airport CYBW and look at the 172N's and see the price tag of 37K CAD and dream on...
I decided that I should feed the Kid instead of flying lessons...it was aparently illegal not to do so! Lucky him ...LOL he is 32 now.
Couple years ago I woke up after a night of drinking some Scotch and looked back at the last 30 years and realized that there were two dreams that I had not realised...learn how to fly a plane and make love to a woman that has since passed away (FFM).
That wont happen or would never happen...God have her soul!
That day, I decided that one was going to happen, after a lot of hard work for a ladd from Fatima, I got my PPL, have a beautiful 172SP (C-FARC)
in my own Hangar, and rent sapce to two others, (not bragging).
The message that I have for all that want a PPL, either on the way to a career or to have some fun, is never give up, work hard and remember that if you stop dreaming
you stop living!!!.
Sucess is the realization of a worthy goal.
Enjoy
In 79 I would drive by my local GA airport CYBW and look at the 172N's and see the price tag of 37K CAD and dream on...
I decided that I should feed the Kid instead of flying lessons...it was aparently illegal not to do so! Lucky him ...LOL he is 32 now.
Couple years ago I woke up after a night of drinking some Scotch and looked back at the last 30 years and realized that there were two dreams that I had not realised...learn how to fly a plane and make love to a woman that has since passed away (FFM).
That wont happen or would never happen...God have her soul!
That day, I decided that one was going to happen, after a lot of hard work for a ladd from Fatima, I got my PPL, have a beautiful 172SP (C-FARC)
in my own Hangar, and rent sapce to two others, (not bragging).The message that I have for all that want a PPL, either on the way to a career or to have some fun, is never give up, work hard and remember that if you stop dreaming
you stop living!!!.Sucess is the realization of a worthy goal.
Enjoy
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The fact that it has taken me so long to get to this point of being about-to-take-the-Skills-Test makes it quite within the spirit of this thread that it's taking me so long to get past the damn' thing! I have to wait until the 3rd (you were, of course, quite right, Ryan) before another attempt. And will the weather be glorious? 'Course it will..........
How about you, Joel? Any luck?
How about you, Joel? Any luck?
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Hi Kev,
My next test was booked for yesterday... and guess what? Yep. Cancelled due to the weather! Attempt four is scheduled for Tuesday the 1st... the winds seem to be dying down only to be replaced with mist and poor visibility... but I've got my fingers tightly crossed! I'm no longer nervous about the test itself, only the weather
I've booked a lesson for Sunday - it's been two weeks since I last flew, and not only do I miss it, I'm worried about getting rusty before the test! But hoping for two VFR days in quick succession for a lesson and a test seems like pretty wishful thinking.
Good luck for next Thursday! I'll report back on Tuesday
My next test was booked for yesterday... and guess what? Yep. Cancelled due to the weather! Attempt four is scheduled for Tuesday the 1st... the winds seem to be dying down only to be replaced with mist and poor visibility... but I've got my fingers tightly crossed! I'm no longer nervous about the test itself, only the weather
I've booked a lesson for Sunday - it's been two weeks since I last flew, and not only do I miss it, I'm worried about getting rusty before the test! But hoping for two VFR days in quick succession for a lesson and a test seems like pretty wishful thinking.
Good luck for next Thursday! I'll report back on Tuesday
Last edited by joelgarabedian; 25th Nov 2009 at 12:15. Reason: Didn't read Kev's post properly
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Thanks Kev, I didn't see your post last night, but I think you wishing me good luck did the trick! Awoke this morning to CAVOK and very light winds!
I felt pretty nervous as we taxied out - I hadn't flown for almost three weeks because of the weather, and the aircraft I normally fly is away for its annual, so I was flying a different Tomahawk than usual.
To cut to the chase, I don't think I flew any part of the test as well as I have in training, but it was enough, and I passed
I've got my fingers crossed for you for Thursday! Best of luck, and hopefully we'll be hearing each other on Farnborough East very soon! Let me know how it goes
Take care,
Joel.
I felt pretty nervous as we taxied out - I hadn't flown for almost three weeks because of the weather, and the aircraft I normally fly is away for its annual, so I was flying a different Tomahawk than usual.
To cut to the chase, I don't think I flew any part of the test as well as I have in training, but it was enough, and I passed
I've got my fingers crossed for you for Thursday! Best of luck, and hopefully we'll be hearing each other on Farnborough East very soon! Let me know how it goes
Take care,
Joel.
How about a write-up?