T6Harvard wrote:@tommyp1441 , good to see you back at it! Sounds like a couple of very useful lessons there. It's a great feeling when you get back into your stride, isn't it?
How's the studying going?
( I got a poster from RIAT of the Belgium F16 in display colours - I got it for my niece )
I wish I could be as positive about the flying as I am about studying - but last weekend's lesson has given me the kick up the backside I needed.
Started early on Saturday, lots of house prep (Mrs P was away for the weekend so managed to get the house to stay tidy for 48 hours!) before leaving the house at 0900, arrived at Rougham for 0930 and the weather looked GREAT - certainly compared to the last few weeks. Still a bit of a breeze but mostly down the runway this time as opposed to a perfect cross-wind. Clive (instructor) had arrived early doors in his RV so had a little dribble over that, then pre-flight, brief and up and away.
Couple of normal circuits, then flapless and EFATO drills for a good 45 mins. Then Clive called over the radio to the office to bring out his coat. 'Don't you flipping dare' I seem to recall was the rough translation of my response. However, I had no say in the matter, and I now have my first 0.25 as PIC.
I was really surprised at how different it feels without a body sat next to you - more elbow room, a little more relaxed (aside from the terror at being left on my own) and the added lightness made for a different handling experience too. Ironically, after 45 mins of quiet circuit-bashing, as soon as it was my 'turn' to go solo, we had the air ambulance fly through 'our' airspace, a couple of aircraft join to land, and also left the radio on to listen in to Norwich approach. However, all good prep for real life I suppose.
I can only say I'm disappointed in my landing - it was a little heavy and a little too sideways for my liking, having put in 7 spot-on landings beforehand...and predictably this was the only one caught on camera. However, I'm reassured by a friend of mine who flies for BA that he makes bad landings too - but crucially I know I was slightly too slow, and conscious of not putting in too large control inputs to correct - a learning experience to be sure.
So yes, a severe kick in the back bottom to get cracking on with studying for the exams - the new groundschool portal looks fantastic, so hoping this will help supplement the apps and books over the coming weeks.
34 hours to go...