Passion for Learning

Aircraft: C172
Registration: C-GYWN
Dual Time: 0.9 Total: 46.9
Solo Time: 0.0 Total: 13.1 

Today was to be my class 1 phase check and sign off day.  It did not turn out exactly as planned but did reveal some decent information.  Since my Pre-Flight Test was done by a Class IV instructor there is a requirement to have a Class I sign off on the recommendation for flight test form.  In order for this to happen there are a few simple requirements.  First, this Class I cannot be the designated examiner for the candidate and secondly I must make them impressed enough to want to sign!

As you know from my previous flight my biggest weaknesses are in forced approach setup and in certain procedural items.  I also have a hate-on for clouds.  I arrived at the club and noticed something funny in the squawk book.  ”YWN, Engine would not start”, under disposition is “Started engine” or something to that effect.  Made me chuckle but then I remembered that YWN can be a tricky girl to get going in the morning.

So I went out and began my pre-flight.  All went smoothly except there was no checklist in the aircraft.  Not a problem as I have my own but…. when it came time to perform the passenger briefing I was ill equipped reciting from memory.  I began my taxi to runway two seven and while rolling along felt a bit fast.  (Kathy would later tell me yep, TOO FAST!)   Runup and take off were per norm and soon we were climbing up into a clear area surrounded by solid overcast all around.  We flew near the practice area but it was socked in from 1200 – 3000 MSL.  We then flew towards the east, hoping for enough clearance to see the ground and be able to practice forced approaches.  No dice here either.  We filed a PIREP and then returned to Rockliffe.

As I was overhead the field at ~1600′ Kathy smoothly pulled the power to idle.  In a flash I had the carb heat on, nose up trimmed for 65 KT.  I then began my 360 circle turn to land but in my hurry to get around to “see” the runway ended up FAR too high.  No amount of slip would salvage this one (how typical!).  

We went around, this time pulling the power on the downwind.  We would have come up short.  It’s almost like I have this conversation  in my head each time. “Ok Mike there is the spot, just a little bit longer now, ok TURN!” and then hopefully I timed it well.  I would learn later that there is a far better way to gauge this glide and that is by doing it during the base leg instead of on downwind.  This way you can SEE better where you are going and make corrections in time.  

So all in all we spent 4 trips with engine outs, the last two were perfect.  I just need practice.  ”DOORS CRACKED, FLAPS 40, MASTER OFF, FUEL OFF!”  I have to make the call outs.

So we went to the clubhouse and Kathy said that I flew well and that if Mat’s ready to sign. she is as well.  I don’t think that “I” am ready just yet,  I think that a couple of hours in the practice area solo will rub the rust off and then I will be great at these forced approaches as well!   So we’re not done yet, but we’re really close!

 

 

Tags: Dual, Forced Approach

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 16th, 2008 at 5:07 pm and is filed under Flight Training PPL. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.