QXC Flight *Nervous* !.........Advice needed !
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kent UK
Age: 70
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QXC write-up
Memphis_bell, there's some good advice here, particularly about using Google Earth. I did just that to prepare for mine, and it paid dividends. I too was really nervous but my instructor's confidence in me gave me confidence. However, he told me afterwards that he had other instructors all over the place, primed to listen out for me! Also, it has since struck me that the route my school uses (Headcorn - Goodwood - Lydd - Headcorn) is really easy, thanks to the proximity of the English Channel!
It was about three years ago, and I wrote about it here: http://www.pprune.org/private-flying...ml#post4408221
Good luck!
(BTW have you done a practice run first?)
It was about three years ago, and I wrote about it here: http://www.pprune.org/private-flying...ml#post4408221
Good luck!
(BTW have you done a practice run first?)
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Middle England
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Having got lost on my first QXC leg (and being bailed out by a sympathetic controller), my two penneth is
1. Make sure that you've got a good waypoint some 6-10 mins from the airfield and then make sure you pass it in sight and on time. After that, you can be reasonably confident that the rest of the leg will go to your plan and you probably won't be exposed to the horror of trying to reconcile unfittable landscapes to your map. It's a good feeling when you pass it, even for me now many hundreds of hours later. If you do get lost, then tell someone quickly. If they have a radar and some airspace to look after, I can assure you that they'll be absolutely delighted to give you a squawk and a bearing.
2. Keep the aircraft flying at a good speed - don't let distractions cause you to lose airspeed and risk the two nasty S things
3. My particular favourite, which my instructor drilled into me. Panic slowly.
1. Make sure that you've got a good waypoint some 6-10 mins from the airfield and then make sure you pass it in sight and on time. After that, you can be reasonably confident that the rest of the leg will go to your plan and you probably won't be exposed to the horror of trying to reconcile unfittable landscapes to your map. It's a good feeling when you pass it, even for me now many hundreds of hours later. If you do get lost, then tell someone quickly. If they have a radar and some airspace to look after, I can assure you that they'll be absolutely delighted to give you a squawk and a bearing.
2. Keep the aircraft flying at a good speed - don't let distractions cause you to lose airspeed and risk the two nasty S things
3. My particular favourite, which my instructor drilled into me. Panic slowly.
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: South-East, United Kingdom
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I did mine about 6 years ago and I still remember it like it was yesterday. The best thing you can do is make sure you are fully prepared.
Make sure your PLOG has all the information you need, and note frequencies which might be able to help you (London Information, D&D, local airports which might have a radar service, the Farnborough LARS service if your in that area). Also, take copies of plates for all airfields en route so you can call them and look at their runway information in front of you. Also make sure you know the nuances of your route (danger areas, MATZ, gliding sites, large towns for VRP). Make sure you ask about the potential joining instructions for your destination.
The more you can do on the ground, the quicker you can make use of it up in the air, and the more confident, relaxed and successfull you will be
Make sure your PLOG has all the information you need, and note frequencies which might be able to help you (London Information, D&D, local airports which might have a radar service, the Farnborough LARS service if your in that area). Also, take copies of plates for all airfields en route so you can call them and look at their runway information in front of you. Also make sure you know the nuances of your route (danger areas, MATZ, gliding sites, large towns for VRP). Make sure you ask about the potential joining instructions for your destination.
The more you can do on the ground, the quicker you can make use of it up in the air, and the more confident, relaxed and successfull you will be
