Sat Apr 16, 2022 12:39 pm
#1907899
Just wanted to share. Any feedback welcome.
An interesting lesson today, flown in low wind conditions, blue sky, but thick haze layer going all the way up to 3000ft +, so no horizon.
Good points:-
+ I flew! I look forward to each lesson like a five year old looks forward to Xmas
+ My second take-off and landing. Feeling more confident each time. Pigeon step progress, but progress none-the-less
+ Better (more confident, better speed control, more stable) taxiing, and control on the ground, including on the runway.
+ I continue to improve keeping my head outside the cockpit. Easy to spot because my accuracy and anticipation improves along with this
+ Take-off was more stable both along the runway and in the climb. Soft field. Made a relatively nice job of the initial transition to ground effect (my favourite bit), the climb out was fine, but speed and heading control need more practice, more trim, etc.
+ Practicing each stages of circuit at altitude and away from the airfield. I was well prepared, and had my BUMPFICH down, much to the delight of my CFI. Coming to terms with pitch for speed and throttle for ROD was interesting, and fun to do.
+ Ok crosswind rejoin, and downwind leg
+ Ok base turn, albeit a little imprecise
+ Turn to final was a little late but I was able to correct it quickly and smoothly
+ Reasonably trimmed, and for only my second go felt comfortable in maintain a stable approach until the threshold (see below)
+ Managed not to balloon on the flare this time, to a fair touch down, and continued to fly the plane until exit
+ Confident taxi back to school
Bad points:-
+ Whilst better at the radio, not confident, and often get the terminology wrong eg "Ready to depart" rather than "Ready for take-off". Only use the term take-off when on the runway. Now I know.
+ Silly errors - not anticipating balloon enough when engaging flaps, not holding the nose up enough when decelerating for the white arc
+ Brain freeze or clouded thinking - simple stuff like practicing circuit stages and not anticipating the 90 degree heading... not because I didn't know, but because I am trying to process all the other things I am doing, and not getting ahead of the aircraft.
+ Landing - as we crossed the threshold the wind got swirly and a thermal updraft pushed us quite a bit, I over-corrected but got back in line with the numbers and continued the landing, with help from the CFI. Dissappointed that I needed that support, as dealing with the bumps will be good practice for me, but it is early days.
I felt I should've done better, so was a little annoyed with myself. On the other hand, I felt my control on the ground, and in both take-off and landing had improved significantly since the first time. Far from ideal, but better. Perhaps I should work on my communication with my CFI too. Letting him know when I need a little more time to think about something, or retry something, maybe? I also felt like I was proceeding too slowly through the checklists, but maybe I was overthinking this... not sure.
An odd one today. But.... I flew! I did the take-off and the landing! Writing this helps me process my thoughts I guess. Always keen to hear your thoughts, tips, and feedback.
An interesting lesson today, flown in low wind conditions, blue sky, but thick haze layer going all the way up to 3000ft +, so no horizon.
Good points:-
+ I flew! I look forward to each lesson like a five year old looks forward to Xmas
+ My second take-off and landing. Feeling more confident each time. Pigeon step progress, but progress none-the-less
+ Better (more confident, better speed control, more stable) taxiing, and control on the ground, including on the runway.
+ I continue to improve keeping my head outside the cockpit. Easy to spot because my accuracy and anticipation improves along with this
+ Take-off was more stable both along the runway and in the climb. Soft field. Made a relatively nice job of the initial transition to ground effect (my favourite bit), the climb out was fine, but speed and heading control need more practice, more trim, etc.
+ Practicing each stages of circuit at altitude and away from the airfield. I was well prepared, and had my BUMPFICH down, much to the delight of my CFI. Coming to terms with pitch for speed and throttle for ROD was interesting, and fun to do.
+ Ok crosswind rejoin, and downwind leg
+ Ok base turn, albeit a little imprecise
+ Turn to final was a little late but I was able to correct it quickly and smoothly
+ Reasonably trimmed, and for only my second go felt comfortable in maintain a stable approach until the threshold (see below)
+ Managed not to balloon on the flare this time, to a fair touch down, and continued to fly the plane until exit
+ Confident taxi back to school
Bad points:-
+ Whilst better at the radio, not confident, and often get the terminology wrong eg "Ready to depart" rather than "Ready for take-off". Only use the term take-off when on the runway. Now I know.
+ Silly errors - not anticipating balloon enough when engaging flaps, not holding the nose up enough when decelerating for the white arc
+ Brain freeze or clouded thinking - simple stuff like practicing circuit stages and not anticipating the 90 degree heading... not because I didn't know, but because I am trying to process all the other things I am doing, and not getting ahead of the aircraft.
+ Landing - as we crossed the threshold the wind got swirly and a thermal updraft pushed us quite a bit, I over-corrected but got back in line with the numbers and continued the landing, with help from the CFI. Dissappointed that I needed that support, as dealing with the bumps will be good practice for me, but it is early days.
I felt I should've done better, so was a little annoyed with myself. On the other hand, I felt my control on the ground, and in both take-off and landing had improved significantly since the first time. Far from ideal, but better. Perhaps I should work on my communication with my CFI too. Letting him know when I need a little more time to think about something, or retry something, maybe? I also felt like I was proceeding too slowly through the checklists, but maybe I was overthinking this... not sure.
An odd one today. But.... I flew! I did the take-off and the landing! Writing this helps me process my thoughts I guess. Always keen to hear your thoughts, tips, and feedback.