[TopCat]

I'm disappointed with how well I fly nearly all the time

Well your 'show off' take off was the talk of the Club last week

Really? What were they saying?

"What the hell does that idiot think he's doing?", perhaps?

[T6Harvard]

I'm disappointed with how well I fly nearly all the time

Well your 'show off' take off was the talk of the Club last week

Really? What were they saying?

"What the hell does that idiot think he's doing?", perhaps?

It was a classic clique reaction - "Did you see that Grumman? He wants to be careful doing that. Remember when I (insert their own flying reminicesnce ), now that was good."

Hilarious.

[TopCat]

Well your 'show off' take off was the talk of the Club last week

Really? What were they saying?

"What the hell does that idiot think he's doing?", perhaps?

It was a classic clique reaction - "Did you see that Grumman? He wants to be careful doing that. Remember when I (insert their own flying reminiscence ), now that was good."

Hilarious.

For the record, I'm always very careful doing that.

Stalling and spinning in would spoil the effect somewhat.

[T6Harvard]

Monday's lesson was one about decision-making, and then groundschool

It was raining and gusting 25kts, about 8kts xwc. Although I started the pre-flight as instructed, I saw sense before undoing the tie -downs! 

The aircraft I was sent to check out was behind a twin that would have to be dragged away. I did the lights and pitot heat check, fuel for contamination, then clambered up and dipped tanks - found 3 gals port and 5 stbd! Then it started raining again. Still windy, cloud base low.  More rain approaching from the North. I looked at the tie-downs and thought 'nope, not untying those and tying them back on in 5 mins time'.

 I went back into the office and asked my instructor whether we were actually going to fly in what looked like a very small weather window.
He gave me the choice.
I scrubbed.

Went back out and put her to bed.

Back inside, where it was a lot warmer, I told my Instructor the ac needed fuel and asked for some groundschool

There followed an excellent EFATO briefing, including the possible need to fly under the pylon cables after the end of RWY26 if engine failed below 500' , Emphasis on not turning back at that height. Food for thought on the objective, options, and decision-making in case of EFATO. Also looked at the process for aborted TO, and loads of info on PFLs and turning points etc.

Then we had a chat about a couple of aspects of my circuit flying. I have never had feedback about my TO (except from my first instructor who thought I was rubbish but never actually advised on what I should do to improve . I have improved, thanks to proper teaching ).  Seems my TO is fine, some tips about xw and avoiding nose-wheel shimmy, but fine.

I was relieved that the things my Instructor picked out as sometimes missing optimum in circuit were exactly as I knew myself. None particularly problematic but we want it all as good as possible, don't we?

A very valuable day.

So, fired up with enthusiasm I have devoted some time today to wrestling the whizz wheel, mostly calculating wind drift. We seem to be coming to an agreement

(Yes, OK, I think it's an ingenious and adorable thing #weird )

[Duncan M]

Deciding not to fly in poor conditions.........sign of good captaincy.

[Milty]

Sounds like you have a good instructor now @T6Harvard. Good to get something positive out of a cancelled lesson.

I’m pretty sure that Friday is going to be a write-off for me this week.

[T6Harvard]

@Milty . I'd say Friday is a day to stay tucked up in bed!

Even Monday looks as though the roads may be dangerous, nevermind the flying. I'm on weather watching mode but with not much hope

[ericgreveson]

Sounds like a good decision! It can be tempting to want to go for it especially if you've been waiting a while... I haven't managed a lesson for about a month now (last 4 or 5 cancelled due to wind, every weekend!) and it looks like both slots this weekend are going to be cancelled too. I went in to the airport last weekend out of hope, since they were actually flying first thing on Saturday, but as soon as I got there it got up to 30kt gusts and there was no chance.

Using the time to get ready for the last few theory exams - I am tempted to try Comms, Nav and Flight Planning this weekend if there is no flying! Strangely the question bank on EasyPPL seems smaller for Flight Planning than other subjects - I keep getting the same (or very similar) mock exam questions, so not sure how well prepared I am for that. I have to admit that I love the whizz wheel too... something very satisfying about using a slide rule instead of a calculator, maybe this makes me some kind of engineering hipster but I don't mind!

[T6Harvard]

Instructor's advice

[T6Harvard]

Aaaaagggghhhhh. Canc due wx. Again.

I was down at the airfield yesterday, in glorious sunshine, for a social and jolly nice it was too. But it'll be 4 weeks without flying next week

I've scheduled chair flying every day this week so I don't forget how!

[TopCat]

Aaaaagggghhhhh. Canc due wx. Again.

When was your lesson? Birmingham is currently

METAR EGBB 281120Z 19007KT 140V230 9999 BKN024 10/07 Q1022=

[T6Harvard]

Lesson at 13:30

East Midlands METAR
Wind 170° 12kt. Visibility 10km or more. Clouds broken 1300ft. Temperature 9°C, dew point 7°C. QNH 1021hPa.
TAF
40% probability, temporarily from Monday 12:00 till 21:00: Visibility 4000m. Rain drizzle. Clouds broken 600ft.

Airfield rang to canx.

I checked the airfield webcam - showing the cloud and rain spots on lens

All part of the experience....

[Milty]

Was going to like your post, but it doesn't seem appropriate. We need a dislike option. Or I'll just resort here to a 'harrumph' on your behalf.

Tried chair flying a while ago but it seems unnatural to have elbow space. I suggested to Mrs M that we could squeeze into the cupboard under the stairs together but she got the wrong idea.

[T6Harvard]

[TopCat]

East Midlands METAR
Wind 170° 12kt. Visibility 10km or more. Clouds broken 1300ft. Temperature 9°C, dew point 7°C. QNH 1021hPa.
TAF
40% probability, temporarily from Monday 12:00 till 21:00: Visibility 4000m. Rain drizzle. Clouds broken 600ft.

It is of course expressly against the Law, to use (let alone post!) auto-decoded TAFs and METARs.

Don't let me catch you doing it again. Or any of the other students.