Good stuff everyone!

I'm booked in for my QXC tomorrow! Weather looks a bit dodgy, but it might turn out nice. I've got Wednesday to fall back on too if it doesn't happen tomorrow.

Anyone got any tips for me on my QXC?

Kookabat's tailwheel solo
 

Congratulations! Bet the Citabria went up like a lift without an instructor in the back! Nice weather too.

:D

(I hope to be out there on Saturday.)

You must feel like a kid all over again after the first solo - well done! (still jealous) ;)

All the experiences/difficulties/concerns that are being posted are classic and I promise you all that soon it does just 'click' into place. By no means are you/we an expert, but you will soon be able to think about other tasks (radio, nav etc) without having to give 100% concentration just keeping it flying straight.

I cannot believe I got my license on March 4th 2006, just over 1 year ago - where has the time gone? On Sunday I completed my SEP renewal (compulsory hour with instructor in second year) managed 4 landings and a completely none standard trip over to where I work (Deeside). Left the zone normally at Chester, switched over to Hawarden (who are usually closed at 1630 on a Sunday!) flew right around their zone (Deeside is right next to Sealand gliding field) then headed back in none standard via Neston. My first landing was good apart from the fact I ended up about 75 light years off the centreline on final approach! I did correct it though for the rest, the stonking crosswind didn't help :D

Best wishes
Lee :ok:

Oxford Aviation CD for sale
 

just watched the oxford aviation CD for Metearology and after watching once through passed the exam so its for sale as new. RRP £43 but i only had it a week so I think £30 is a reasonable price. PM me

HOUR 4 - Straight and Level ii

Well today the weather was fab. taxied out and took off by myself and climbed to cruising altitude remembering more to use the rudder. Did some zooming about for a bit and then came in to land. I got within about 20ft of the runway surface but veered off over the grass so in an instant i heard "I HAVE CONTROL" once again and after a quick adjustment we landed safely. I was really angry and frustrated at not being able to land but i spose it will come with time.

The main thing I noticed was that it took me a good 15-20 minutes to get used to the aircraft. maybe I had just finally mastered the rudder with turns but i started to feel like I was riding a motorcycle and feeling more at one with the aircraft. it clicked after a certain amount of time and I remember feeling the same with other lessons too.

I wonder then If it would be more beneficial to have two 2 hr stint twice a month rather than one lesson a week? each lesson I waste a good 15 minutes settling into the plane and relaxing into fluid movements etc. Can a more experienced pilot give me some advice on this?

stevoneil,
I am not a very experienced pilot but passed my licence last May,
Have flown around 39 hours since then.
I booked 6 lessons ,2 Friday,Saturday and Sunday right through my course,couldn't fly all of them because of weather ,and it took me from August 2005 to May 2006,total 53 hours.
I think if I had only flown once a week it would have taken a lot longer.
Can you manage more ,or is time or finance limiting factor?
If money, maybe borrow it and pay back afterwards?
I whacked mine on the plastic and paid it off as quickly as possible!
Good luck with the flying
Lister:)

Steve - I would imagine that once a week is better than 2 hours every 2 weeks. Apart from the fact that continuity of lessons is better, it is proven that after 20 minutes of concentrating, your mind takes in much less information, and after an hour it's a lot less still. 2 hours of constant concentration is a lot! That's my opinion anyway.

I finally did my QXC! Yay! Blackpool - Hawarden - Caernarfon - Blackpool. Had SUCH a great time, it was awesome! I've done a bit of a report here if anyone's interested.

So, after a fair old briefing from the instructor, I went and checked the aircraft out. I remembered that I hadn't booked out with ATC, which wasn't a good start, so I went back in to the club and did that. After doing my checks, I started her up and spoke to ATC, but the radio was incredibly quiet, even with all the volumes turned right up to the max, which was a little worrying. However, on I went, and I was soon up in the air talking to Warton. The radio was very quiet, and even with a noise-cancelling headset, it was sometimes barely readable at climb/cruise power.

The rest of that leg went pretty well. The landing at Hawarden wasn't bad, but the control column on this aircraft was stiffer than the one I'd flown for the last few sessions, so it was a bit of a 3-pointer when I suddenly realised it wasn't pulling back as quickly as I'd like :} - taxi went fine, and as I parked up, shut down and got out, I noticed the Airbus Beluga sat right overy the other side of the field again! I went and paid my landing fees, had a quick chat to the people in the tower then went, did a quick check around and started up again. As I was taxiing out, the Beluga was backtracking on the runway for takeoff, which was nice! I got an excellent view of its takeoff whilst I was doing my power checks.

Again, this leg went fine, a bit of a longer one this time. For the Menai Straits area inbound to Caernarfon, we have to be at 1400' or below to avoid the Valley AIAA. It's a bit unnerving, flying over quite an expanse of sea, but it's nice to see the land slip underneth you again. My overhead join into Caernarfon was a bit of a mess, as my radio was still being unclear and they like you to do it at just 1300' and circuits at 800 feet. Also, it's an Air/Ground station, which I only used once before. However, once I was settled into the downwind it was fine, and after getting a wind readout I pulled off a greaser onto Runway 20, with a Cherokee following closely behind me. The taxi in was fine, though it's very different parking up on grass! Lots of power needed.

I went up to the tower to pay my fees, and then into the Caernarfon flying club to book in/out and grab a coffee and some chocolate for well-needed energy! After a quick break and a chat, I headed out to the aircraft again. Phoned mum from the aircraft to tell her that I would be a bit late back, which she thought was very weird! Started up the aircraft again, and headed out to the holding point. Noticed on my mag check that the left mag was dropping quite low, but nothing too bad. After a bumpy backtrack, I was given the wind by the A/G station again. Full power, and a bit of back pressure to keep the pressure off the nose, and we were rattling down 20. The guy in the tower gave me a cheery goodbye and I was off again on the final leg. Again up the Menai Straits, back round to Point of Ayr, and then back into Blackpool. The arrival procedure into Blackpool was a bit messy again, because it was very busy and my radio was still playing up. I think it was a fairly new controller too, as I read 2 instructions back incorrectly because I could hardly hear them, but she didn't pick up on them (I know this because my instructor was also in the circuit at the time and he could hear everything). I was fairly unsure of what she wanted me to do, but I managed to use a bit of guesswork and common sense to position myself on the opposite side of the airfield for a right base to runway 28. After that the landing was fine, and I taxiied in and shut down where I'd left off. In a way I was tired and glad to be back, as the last part had been a bit of a drag, what with concentrating for so long, but on the other hand I was pumped and wishing it was 4 hours ago :}

I also took a few photos on my trip, all from the air. Some of them came out a bit bright, but they're not bad to say they were very quick ones taken through sunglasses on a small compact! I decided not to take the dSLR on this trip :}

I've decided not to put them on this forum, but if anyone would like some I can email them to you as a .zip or separately.

Also, if the weather's good (which it looks set not to be) I plan on doing my flight test this next week. I've got another hour of solo flight to do, to make up my 10 hours, and I'd like to do a quick revision flight with an instructor. 2 written exams (R/T and Human Factors) and I should be ready for the flight test. Not got my practical R/T license booked in until after easter, so I can't apply for my license until then, but at least everything else will have been done.

Thanks for reading, sorry if I went on a bit :}

It's all your fault.
 

Thanks to all you lot I'm going to be broke for the foreseeable future.

Have just booked my 2nd lesson.

Finally couldn't resist anymore, largely owing to this thread. But I have to say this flying stuff is just fantastic!

I've got my first proper lesson on thrusday (so far I've had an hours trial) At the mo the forecast is for snow and strong winds - typical!!

That's precisely what you need to get going :ok:

Woot - good job on your QXC. Do try and get those exams done, especially the RT ;)

Hi Sue - where are you flying from, Liverpool/Hawarden...............?

I am taking my barbers Father in Law flying on Saturday, he's never done it before and can't wait - he's in a model flying club, so I am planning on converting him to proper flying :E

I fly models too before you shout at me for that comment :p

Hi Mazzy.
I'm going from LPL, it was a toss up between the two as Im pretty much central to both but though it would be better from a proper international ariport (tho plenty of landings at Hawarden as they're cheap!)

Sue, I was born in Wallasey, Mill Lane!!

Lee, I will be up your way around Easter (7th to 13th April) if you fancy going up for a quick spin or something (and I still owe you a pint!!!) :) Let us know if you are available?

Small world BRL!

BRL, my mother might have delivered you (A Midwife at Mill Lane:ok: )

I lived in Wallasey (St Georges Park then The Oval) for 20-odd years

A sense of family in the diary - bless ;)

BRL - yes, it will be the nicest tasting pint in the world - good things come to those who've had to wait :p :ok: :ok: Look forward to meeting up, perhaps Mariner, and anyone else who would like to join in - all welcome :cool:

Thanks a lot! I've finally done all of the written exams, I just have the practical radio to do and then that's the groundwork done! That's booked in for April 17th, but it's looking like I won't be getting my flight test done before that anyway.
What is a landing costing you at LPL? When I went to Hawarden in a PA-28-140 it cost £18, which seems quite a lot in the scheme of things, but I'm not sure.

£18? Surely that's only for non members? At Liverpool I pay less than £8 per landing, only as I am member of LFS (saying that the amount of time it can take you on some days to get back, kind of makes up for it) :rolleyes:

How about this then. Drinks in Liverpool or Manchester (might be going to see the Concorde in the day) on Monday 9th April?

Time will be evening and the place to be decided, indicate where you would like to meet up if you want to.

April 10th Mid sixties!!!! Was she there then????????? :)

Liverpool's good for me chief, however, if you really prefer Manchester (boooooo) then I can drive. There's a place at mine for the night if anyone needs it - only £45 including continental breakfast :p

She was there from '66 till it closed so possibly BRL. She says she only delivered Evertonians though ;) :E

Can't make Mon 9th unfortunately, will be darn sarf. Happy birthday for the 10th BTW BRL!

woottsbj25 - LPL is £7 or £10 (depending on flavour) for members - think its around £22 otherwise

So Mariner9, now we know who to blame for all the bluenoses round here :)

:ok: First Solo this morning!:ok:

All went well, little worried by a funny metallic tinking noise during the circuit until I worked out that the spare belt had dropped down beside the seat - just relaxed and enjoyed myself from that point on.

Happy Easter all...

Well done Miraz, we can see that smile from here! :D

Congratulations.... :)

A few more updates:-

2nd solo flight - after a few dual circuits, my instructor hopped out and sent me off for a few on my own again. Very busy circuit with a few aircraft making really big circuits - I followed one Tecnam that was abeam the threshold as I turned downwind, and still had not turned downwind when I reached the threshold despite my slowing to 85kts downwind. Net result - 3 go arounds in an hour due to the spacing going to hell.
Also had my first birdstrike on downwind - can't tell you what it was, except that it looked huge and glanced off the top of the leading edge of the wing after I tried to dodge above it - evidently it decided to climb too. Fortunately no damage to anything other than my trousers...decided to call it a day after that.

3rd solo flight - first flight without an instructor onboard at any point, just pick up the keys and go. Just beginning to think I can handle flying the circuit solo, when the tower decides to reverse the circuit direction and I realise that I'm not sure how to deal with it, so I opt to do a full stop and re-enter the new pattern once it is established again. I sit on the ground for a few minutes cursing quietly and adding more things to the ever-growing list of things that I know that I don't know but should. The rest of the circuits go relatively smoothly - there is almost no wind and the airplane seems to want to float for ever on each landing.

I had a lesson cancelled yesterday due to poor weather, so I was missing my fix for the weekend. My normal instructor doesn't work Sunday's, so I called up another flying school to try flying a tail dragger instead. So I found myself inelegantly climbing into a Citabria this afternoon after being shown round the beast.
Had an absolute blast of a lesson - off to the training area, and few turns and stalls to get the feel for it and back to the field for some circuits - squeezed in 7 circuits as the light was starting to fade all in less than 50 minutes!
Such a different experience from the PA28's....I drive away realising that I'm hooked and will have to go back for more.

Ahh Miraz you have now been bitten by the tailwheel bug... and it will not let go!!! They certainly teach 'real' flying out there - how to 'fly' a light aeroplane, rather than how to 'operate' one.

Green, blue or orange (my favourite is the blue one - I have it for an hour tomorrow morning in fact)?

The orange one....enjoy yourself this morning

That'd be cos the green one is up on bricks!!! as I noticed wandering through the hangar this morning.
This'd be a familiar view for you then?
http://www.geocities.com/kookabat/citabriafinal.jpg
:ok: (that's the back of my ugly mug - my mate had the camera)

Stop making me jealous!

Well done on the solo flying - you sound like you are getting some good experience in there, which will all pay off in the future.

I have thee most fantastic picture ever from my flight on Saturday - I'll try and post it as soon as....

Cheers
Lee :ok:

Kookabat - so that what it looks like in daylight...was a bit darker for me - lovely way to end the day though.
http://www.miraz.com/gallery/d/3885-1/IMGP1659.JPG

My other half didn't believe that I would fit in the "silly little plane" as I am a little on the large side - she took this pic as I wandered off to pre-flight with a ladder clutched in one hand.
http://www.miraz.com/gallery/d/3840-1/IMGP1644.JPG

Well, finally passed my checkride today! Yay!

Flight went without a hitch, and had a fantastic examiner. It's taken quite a while (18 months) but I finally found myself taxiing back and the examiner saying "Aaaaand that's a pass" :} :}

Just gotta wait a couple of weeks for the CAA to send my stuff back, then I'll be off!

Well done you!
Now you can go off and start the real learning process!
Congratulations:D

Just a quick line to say well done for keeping this thread going Lee.

Hope the world is treating you better than of late.


Safe flying

Gontek:)

Woohoo....tail dragger solo today after 3 flights and 2.5 hours, followed by a damn near perfect sunset - just beautiful.

Perma-grin now firmly in place...seems a shame to have to go to the office tomorrow :)

Took me about 5 hours in the Citabria to solo. Beat the pants off me Mr Miraz!!

Congrats! When dya wanna go for a burn with me?? :} :ok:

my second lesson!
 

Hi everybody.

Well, it would appear I'm joining this club! After five consecutive weather cancellations, I finally got my second lesson in (the first was a jolly in Cornwall nearly a year ago).

successfully achieved: primary and secondary effects of controls

must pay more attention to: getting a feel for using the rudder to maintain balance and compensate for things inducing yaw (like power changes). I just don't "get" it yet: unlike elevator, aileron and power, it's not intuitive for me.

For the full blow-by-blow account, see the blog: http://mp-technical.com/ftd/?cat=1

cheers,
mtw

Why have I missed these posts! :\

Firstly Woot - very well done. Your first passenger will bring it all home :D

Tek - thanks mate - things are getting better thanks, would still like to be flying more but now I am in my second year, I am managing to keep current and still find victims. Hope all is well with you ;)

Kook - you can ask me that either when I go to Aus or you come here :p

Mike - trust me, in a few weeks time you'll look back at the post you made and wonder why the hell you asked such a question. I did that all the way through the PPL, right from wondering how to say "Golf Sierra Alpha goodbye" all the way to imagining what it must be like to fly a plane for 3 hours by yourself. Fear not, they are all good questions :8

Hope you are all doing good - time is flying :)

Best regards
Lee :ok:

Flying in Spain!
 

Had my first lesson yesterday with Fly-in-Spain in Jerez. Revised effects of controls, then moved on to straight-and-level flight. Took a bit of practice to maintain attitude and re-trim when lowering/raising 10 degree flap, but nothing in the air was especially difficult - until it was time to level off from the descent into the zone at 1000ft, and everything got waaay too fast and bumpy for my brain... shortly followed by "I have control" in my headset.

The most difficult thing, perversely, is taxying! I think there's something funny about the shape of my feet that makes it difficult to apply enough force on the toe brakes, so any attempt at braking is usually accompanied by total loss of directional control...

I hope that I'll figure out a technique that works. Back in the sky this afternoon!

Taxiing
 

Initially,I had great problems keeping straight on the runway when taxiing,I even tried using the yoke as steering wheel!
Then they let me play about taxiing for 20 mins or so, when they were not busy,and that cracked it.
Best thing was they didn't charge me!
Same as the taildragger course,first of all lots of over input with controls and then suddenley you get it,or most of it;)
Good luck
Lister:)

That's a very smart idea. Might try that one if I'm still having trouble after another couple of lessons.

Had another lesson today, and the taxying is coming a little more easily now (but not easily enough for the instructor to give me control anywhere near the other parked aircraft, after we landed!). Climbing and descending is all going to plan, and 20 degree turns too. All that lies between me and pilothood is... a heap of overconfidence after today's great lesson to embarrass myself with in front of the CFI, tomorrow :}

http://mp-technical.com/ftd/?cat=1

Good luck and happy flying, everybody.

mtw

rudder co-ordination
 

Well it turned out that my lesson yesterday wasn't with the CFI after all, but a different German instructor. I now understand some of the comments that people have made on other threads about the lack of English fluency getting in the way of effective instructing at Fly-in-Spain. Well, there's nothing I can do about it other than make the best of it. And I did learn a lot yesterday!

The lesson was extremely demanding, and it was my first exploration of rudder co-ordination. At last, I am starting to understand the Great Mystery of the Rudder (bear in mind that I started my flying on flexwing microlights!). I'm getting it right a little over half the time - but I'm finding it very difficult, especially since the response is very very asymmetric. Left rudder never needs more than a feather-light dab, and right rudder needs constant pressure with a hefty shove if I want to actually bank in that direction. I understand that the propellor slipstream introduces some bias, but do you think that's normal for a C172 at moderate power settings?

The other problem yesterday was nausea from the sharp banking exercise that we started the lesson with. It wasn't incapacitating, but once it had started it never really went away, and it was extremely distracting and uncomfortable. It was all very hard work.

And now, it's time to do it all over again! Happy flying.

mtw