Tue Dec 07, 2010 7:54 pm
#918180
Sunny Side Up
Kim Taylor tells us how Pilot X takes delivery of his own brand new aircraft and makes the first flight to his very own airstrip. The sun is really shining for Pilot X
Pilot X was feeling smug. He’d been flying what some people called ‘proper aeroplanes’ for many years, but had recently been persuaded to try a fixed-wing microlight. He was impressed – very impressed. The performance, economy and simplicity appealed to him, particularly at his time of life, now there were a few grey hairs on show. The simpler NPPL and medical requirements, together with the lower operating costs, meant that he’d been able to fulfil his lifelong dream of owning his own aeroplane. No more tired club aircraft! If he could fly a more complicated, heavier aeroplane, then a microlight must be easy, obviously. In fact, Pilot X decided that all this talk of a conversion course would be a waste of time and money. What more did he need to learn?
He was not the sort to make do either. If he was going to own a microlight, it would be the fastest, most comfortable and fully-equipped he could get. He’d found a field in which he could prepare a short strip and build a hangar, and now he was set up to fly whenever he wished. Having pored over magazine articles and internet sites, Pilot X had chosen his aircraft some time ago and today was
a big day – he was to collect it from the distributor’s airfield. The weather was even playing ball, with no cloud, superb visibility and only a light westerly breeze.
His shiny new aeroplane was there, waiting, as promised by the dealer. It bore his personalised registration and had all the extras he’d ordered. Reluctantly, he accepted the more experienced pilot’s offer of a few circuits to familiarise himself with the aircraft. He knew that this man would still be trying to pressurise him into having some formal conversion. He would surely soon see that that Pilot X didn’t need it. This was a lighter, simpler aircraft for goodness sake – it must be easier.
The excitement of his first flight was magical. The lively climb rate followed an impressively short take-off roll – shorter farm strips were going to be easy. In the circuit, they were catching up and almost overtaking some of the older club aircraft – this pleased Pilot X – he’d made the right decision, despite some scepticism from his fellow pilots. Yes, his approach and landing were rough, but he was new to this type and these aircraft were strong. ‘Come on,’ he thought. ‘Let me get away from here and off to my new home strip.’
The dealer tried, one last time, to get Pilot X to agree to a conversion course. He failed, and he watched as the expensive little aeroplane, with only its new pilot on board, leapt into the air.
Picture perfect
Pilot X was beaming. He was flying his very own aeroplane, going to his very own airstrip and hangar. What more could he wish for? It was early winter and by the time he arrived at his new airstrip the sun was low in the cloudless sky. The bright orange, brand-new windsock still indicated a light westerly. The shadows of the hedges at either end showed clearly against the freshly-mown grass, which was still shiny from the rain showers earlier in the day. He flew his carefully prepared circuit – designed to keep the neighbours happy – lowered the flaps and established himself on final. Although he’d read the Pilot’s Operating Handbook, Pilot X was damned if he could remember the exact trimmed approach speed. No matter, he knew roughly what it was and he added a few knots to be on the safe side.
This should be straightforward. He trimmed for his first final with his brand-new aircraft on his very own strip. Fantastic! But... there was just one problem. The sun was full in his face on this heading and he was having difficulty in seeing ground detail in the glare. ‘So much for planning an east-west runway,’ he thought. ‘It will have to be an easterly approach then – only a few knots tailwind – bound to be all right.’
Pilot X executed a text book go-around and established himself on final for 09. The world was going by a little more quickly, but at least he could see properly. For the first time the new strip looked a little shorter than he’d anticipated and he wasn’t losing height very quickly. He wished he’d learnt to sideslip his new aircraft. He decided that he’d have to dive the height off instead – besides, the extra knots would be an insurance against his vagueness about the recommended approach speed. ‘This little aeroplane really is fast,’ he thought, as he crossed the threshold hedge. Even with the throttle fully-closed, the sink rate was not what he was expecting – he was floating on. He was now quite some way along the runway length, so he raised the nose further. The little plane abruptly surrendered to the principles of flight and touched down very firmly. Pilot X was shocked at the sudden stall close to the ground and instinctively applied the brakes... hard. The aircraft immediately began to snake on the wet grass. The far end hedge was now very close.
Pilot X had read about the ‘loud silence’ that follows a massive collision and was now experiencing it. The engine stopped abruptly as the propeller was choked by the dense hedge which wrapped itself around the plane. There was a smell of brand new aeroplane, expensive leather seats, hot oil and fuel.
He fumbled for the master switch and fuel shut-off valve – at least he remembered those. There was no fire, yet, but he knew he must get out quickly. The design of the aircraft had protected him from serious injury but he was bleeding from his broken nose. The door opened easily and he fell from his aeroplane. The farmer, who had come to see the brand-new aircraft arrive at its newly-prepared home, sprinted across to the wreckage.
As the door opened, a sheet of paper wafted from the cockpit in the light wind. The farmer caught it and handed it to the stunned pilot, just in case it was important. It was a brochure from the airfield he’d just left – amongst other things; they offered a type conversion course. With no hull insurance, Pilot X definitely wasn’t going to need it now.
Clearly Pilot X should have taken the conversion course, but what are all the other factors he needed to consider and what could he have done, in order to prepare for this important day?
Kim Taylor tells us how Pilot X takes delivery of his own brand new aircraft and makes the first flight to his very own airstrip. The sun is really shining for Pilot X
Pilot X was feeling smug. He’d been flying what some people called ‘proper aeroplanes’ for many years, but had recently been persuaded to try a fixed-wing microlight. He was impressed – very impressed. The performance, economy and simplicity appealed to him, particularly at his time of life, now there were a few grey hairs on show. The simpler NPPL and medical requirements, together with the lower operating costs, meant that he’d been able to fulfil his lifelong dream of owning his own aeroplane. No more tired club aircraft! If he could fly a more complicated, heavier aeroplane, then a microlight must be easy, obviously. In fact, Pilot X decided that all this talk of a conversion course would be a waste of time and money. What more did he need to learn?
He was not the sort to make do either. If he was going to own a microlight, it would be the fastest, most comfortable and fully-equipped he could get. He’d found a field in which he could prepare a short strip and build a hangar, and now he was set up to fly whenever he wished. Having pored over magazine articles and internet sites, Pilot X had chosen his aircraft some time ago and today was
a big day – he was to collect it from the distributor’s airfield. The weather was even playing ball, with no cloud, superb visibility and only a light westerly breeze.
His shiny new aeroplane was there, waiting, as promised by the dealer. It bore his personalised registration and had all the extras he’d ordered. Reluctantly, he accepted the more experienced pilot’s offer of a few circuits to familiarise himself with the aircraft. He knew that this man would still be trying to pressurise him into having some formal conversion. He would surely soon see that that Pilot X didn’t need it. This was a lighter, simpler aircraft for goodness sake – it must be easier.
The excitement of his first flight was magical. The lively climb rate followed an impressively short take-off roll – shorter farm strips were going to be easy. In the circuit, they were catching up and almost overtaking some of the older club aircraft – this pleased Pilot X – he’d made the right decision, despite some scepticism from his fellow pilots. Yes, his approach and landing were rough, but he was new to this type and these aircraft were strong. ‘Come on,’ he thought. ‘Let me get away from here and off to my new home strip.’
The dealer tried, one last time, to get Pilot X to agree to a conversion course. He failed, and he watched as the expensive little aeroplane, with only its new pilot on board, leapt into the air.
Picture perfect
Pilot X was beaming. He was flying his very own aeroplane, going to his very own airstrip and hangar. What more could he wish for? It was early winter and by the time he arrived at his new airstrip the sun was low in the cloudless sky. The bright orange, brand-new windsock still indicated a light westerly. The shadows of the hedges at either end showed clearly against the freshly-mown grass, which was still shiny from the rain showers earlier in the day. He flew his carefully prepared circuit – designed to keep the neighbours happy – lowered the flaps and established himself on final. Although he’d read the Pilot’s Operating Handbook, Pilot X was damned if he could remember the exact trimmed approach speed. No matter, he knew roughly what it was and he added a few knots to be on the safe side.
This should be straightforward. He trimmed for his first final with his brand-new aircraft on his very own strip. Fantastic! But... there was just one problem. The sun was full in his face on this heading and he was having difficulty in seeing ground detail in the glare. ‘So much for planning an east-west runway,’ he thought. ‘It will have to be an easterly approach then – only a few knots tailwind – bound to be all right.’
Pilot X executed a text book go-around and established himself on final for 09. The world was going by a little more quickly, but at least he could see properly. For the first time the new strip looked a little shorter than he’d anticipated and he wasn’t losing height very quickly. He wished he’d learnt to sideslip his new aircraft. He decided that he’d have to dive the height off instead – besides, the extra knots would be an insurance against his vagueness about the recommended approach speed. ‘This little aeroplane really is fast,’ he thought, as he crossed the threshold hedge. Even with the throttle fully-closed, the sink rate was not what he was expecting – he was floating on. He was now quite some way along the runway length, so he raised the nose further. The little plane abruptly surrendered to the principles of flight and touched down very firmly. Pilot X was shocked at the sudden stall close to the ground and instinctively applied the brakes... hard. The aircraft immediately began to snake on the wet grass. The far end hedge was now very close.
Pilot X had read about the ‘loud silence’ that follows a massive collision and was now experiencing it. The engine stopped abruptly as the propeller was choked by the dense hedge which wrapped itself around the plane. There was a smell of brand new aeroplane, expensive leather seats, hot oil and fuel.
He fumbled for the master switch and fuel shut-off valve – at least he remembered those. There was no fire, yet, but he knew he must get out quickly. The design of the aircraft had protected him from serious injury but he was bleeding from his broken nose. The door opened easily and he fell from his aeroplane. The farmer, who had come to see the brand-new aircraft arrive at its newly-prepared home, sprinted across to the wreckage.
As the door opened, a sheet of paper wafted from the cockpit in the light wind. The farmer caught it and handed it to the stunned pilot, just in case it was important. It was a brochure from the airfield he’d just left – amongst other things; they offered a type conversion course. With no hull insurance, Pilot X definitely wasn’t going to need it now.
Clearly Pilot X should have taken the conversion course, but what are all the other factors he needed to consider and what could he have done, in order to prepare for this important day?
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