Tips for Qualifying XC
Thread Starter
Hey all!
Thankyou so much for your advice and encouragement. It really helped me out
I finally did it! My routing was one that has been performed numerous times before at Lydd. Route was from Lydd- Seaford VOR, Detling VOR, Southend- Canterbury, Manston, Ashford and back to Lydd. Approx 163nm with a flight time of around 1 hour 40 mins.
I ended up having the AOPA form to fill out. Both landings and airmanship at both aerodromes was 'GOOD GOOD'. Would of liked an excellent thrown in there somewhere but thats good enough I suppose!
Weather was very nice. One chap mentioned the vis being approx 25/30km's, Cloud base of around 4,000 feet, but a few I had to dodge that were hanging around 2,000.
Hmmm, what else needs to be ticked off the list...
Lewis
Thankyou so much for your advice and encouragement. It really helped me out
I finally did it! My routing was one that has been performed numerous times before at Lydd. Route was from Lydd- Seaford VOR, Detling VOR, Southend- Canterbury, Manston, Ashford and back to Lydd. Approx 163nm with a flight time of around 1 hour 40 mins.
I ended up having the AOPA form to fill out. Both landings and airmanship at both aerodromes was 'GOOD GOOD'. Would of liked an excellent thrown in there somewhere but thats good enough I suppose!
Weather was very nice. One chap mentioned the vis being approx 25/30km's, Cloud base of around 4,000 feet, but a few I had to dodge that were hanging around 2,000.
Hmmm, what else needs to be ticked off the list...
Lewis
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Relax and dont worry too much!
My two pennines worth - Main thing is relax as far as possible and dont get too stressed out by the prospect.
It is worth just remembering that the plane wont fall out the sky if you forget the odd Freda check or delyaed in switching the tanks (might do for too long on this point). Just remember your fall back line features to check against should you get lost, i did mine around the South West so had plenty of coastal features as backup. I think for peace of mind even a basic GPS like an etrex will be a bit of a comfort blanket.
I wish you all the best with it and i am sure you will find it exhilirating, dont get too hard on the brakes after touch down, like i did and lock the blighter up for a stretch!
It is worth just remembering that the plane wont fall out the sky if you forget the odd Freda check or delyaed in switching the tanks (might do for too long on this point). Just remember your fall back line features to check against should you get lost, i did mine around the South West so had plenty of coastal features as backup. I think for peace of mind even a basic GPS like an etrex will be a bit of a comfort blanket.
I wish you all the best with it and i am sure you will find it exhilirating, dont get too hard on the brakes after touch down, like i did and lock the blighter up for a stretch!
Join Date: Apr 2008
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hi.
The best advice i can give it to be prepared. have all your aerodrome charts ready, and if your really nervouse make notes, for example draw the circuit on it for the expected runway. You could also try and write down on your kneeboard
QFE _______
QNH ______
and simply fill in the blanks as you hear them. it's much easier than writing it at the time and it illiminates any confusion.
Dont for any reason be tempted to take a GPS. if you couldnt do it you wouldnt be doing it.
In my opinion the GPS has a single role in GA and that is to be used as such things as DME's (of course not for use in IFR, but the information is allways usefull. and at a fraction of the cost.)
All the best. You'll have a ball and it will feel so good when you park back up again at the end.
J
The best advice i can give it to be prepared. have all your aerodrome charts ready, and if your really nervouse make notes, for example draw the circuit on it for the expected runway. You could also try and write down on your kneeboard
QFE _______
QNH ______
and simply fill in the blanks as you hear them. it's much easier than writing it at the time and it illiminates any confusion.
Dont for any reason be tempted to take a GPS. if you couldnt do it you wouldnt be doing it.
In my opinion the GPS has a single role in GA and that is to be used as such things as DME's (of course not for use in IFR, but the information is allways usefull. and at a fraction of the cost.)
All the best. You'll have a ball and it will feel so good when you park back up again at the end.
J
Join Date: May 2001
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When i did mine in California, I just got my camera out and took a million snaps. Forgot all about boring checks and the like. Had a bit of a shock when a War Bird flew past about 100m off, opposite direction, same level - I suppose I should have been keeping a better look out but hey, this was fun! I distinctly remember thinking "that was close" but that was in the days before other traffic scared me.
When I landed at the first airfield, there was no one there, so I went to the Cafe, I walked in, the place went quiet and I said "anyone here with a pilots licence". Some old boy replied "sure do sonny, ATP"...."Can you sign this please mate"....and he did.
Next airfield I collared an ATC bloke as he was entering the tower. "How was your landing" he asked "Excellent" I said...and thus it was so
it was a great day out, the return leg was along the coast so I just enjoyed the view....
Now where did I put my Violin......
When I landed at the first airfield, there was no one there, so I went to the Cafe, I walked in, the place went quiet and I said "anyone here with a pilots licence". Some old boy replied "sure do sonny, ATP"...."Can you sign this please mate"....and he did.
Next airfield I collared an ATC bloke as he was entering the tower. "How was your landing" he asked "Excellent" I said...and thus it was so
it was a great day out, the return leg was along the coast so I just enjoyed the view....
When I did my QXC almost 30 yrs ago, I was taught how to navigate properly by an instructor who knew how to navigate properly
) might come and read the link, so no harm in more advice being added.
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Ok GQ you have a point so my 3 pieces of advice based on a lifetime of flying would be
1, Be very wary of any advice given in an internet forum
2, Always identify each waypoint with at least two unambiguos independent features and align them by bearing to the way point.
3, Read one again
1, Be very wary of any advice given in an internet forum
2, Always identify each waypoint with at least two unambiguos independent features and align them by bearing to the way point.
3, Read one again
Thread Starter
Since me and my mate first started driving when we was 17 we drove all around the UK and went up to inverness in his classic Mini and i insisted on using maps. 2 years later and still use the map and pencil when it comes to journey planning, (i've turned down a GPS...or as the commoner's call it 'sat-nav' as a present many-a-time!) as good old fashioned navigation never would do you any harm and is good practice for when your airbourne i think. At least you won't be driving over a cliff as some people do
I think once I have my PPL or CPL in the bag I may however invest in a cheapo unit so that I can get some spatial awareness with regards to airspace and will stop me looking down at that damn map
I think once I have my PPL or CPL in the bag I may however invest in a cheapo unit so that I can get some spatial awareness with regards to airspace and will stop me looking down at that damn map
