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Lesson 68: A Switcheroo

Sunday, August 31st, 2008

Aircraft: C172
Registration: C-GBRI
Dual Time: 0.0 Total: 46.9
Solo Time: 0.7 Total: 13.8 

I have been booking all my flights in one of the three “Top” aircraft at the RFC. My favorite C-GYWN is full of electronics including a GPS and is smooth on the flaps.  The trusty C-GQUO has taken me on a few X/C flights has a smooth throttle and logical standard layout. The third N model is C-GQQV which is the twin sister to QUO but has a couple of differences.  I find that QQV idles far too high and regardless what the instructors say, floats longer because of it!  That is 3 of the 4 November models at the club.  The last and wildest bird is GBRI.  BRI is a former float plane that has been converted back to wheels.  She still has the cross members that block some forward vision.  BRI is special in that she has NO navigation equipment at all.  A simple and decent VHF comm and a transponder.  That’s it!  You can’t even call it a stack, more like a “short stack”.  This is great because there is less to break but is not great if you get lost and need a GPS… (Who would NEED that?!!)  

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Lesson 67: A Classy Signoff

Saturday, August 16th, 2008

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!

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Lesson 66: A Pre Flight Test

Saturday, August 9th, 2008

Aircraft: C172
Registration: C-GYWN
Dual Time: 1.9 Total: 46.0
Solo Time: 0.0 Total: 13.1 

Due to my stellar performance last week, Mat has been pushing that I am likely ready for my flight test.  Although I have yet to finish my Kingston cross country solo this was not a concern.  Apparently there is a mechanism in place where I could do my flight test with that solo cross country still outstanding.  I will still need to do the flight but would do so with the pressure off.  That was good to know.  I have enough Dual hours to qualify but am short about 1.5 instrument.  I also am short a bit on the solo X/C time but all of this is so close that I would be splitting hairs to worry about it.  Since my wedding is approaching fast Mat made the good call to fast track my test.  If I can get this out of the way then there would be less pressure in the upcoming months.

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Lesson 65: Getting Back on the Horse

Saturday, August 2nd, 2008

Aircraft: C172
Registration: C-GQUO
Dual Time: 1.3 Total: 44.1
Solo Time: 0.0 Total: 13.1 

This weeks flight began on a different note.  I knew that I had fallen off the horse and needed a lift.  I KNOW that I can fly an airplane, I just needed the confidence to be able to relax enough to prove it.  So on Thursday I made a booking with Mat and then sent him this email:

 

Sorry to drag you into the club so early Mat but It was the only opening.  I booked us for a 1.5 dual Saturday morning at 8:30. 

Ok so since my solo X/C attempt I feel as if I’ve fallen off the horse and it is hard to get back on.  This was further reinforced by my flight on Sunday prior to my written, (let’s just summarize by saying that I was tense and behind the aircraft and it did not go well!)  (The written on the other hand went great!!)

That said I know that yer the man to get me back in the saddle again.  I had a couple of ideas in mind so that we don’t come unprepared!

1:  Short and Soft -   We fly out to Pendleton or some other small grassy strip and do some work on a REAL short/soft field.  I know it’s not on the PTS but it seems like fun and might give me some decent real world feel.

2:  Busy and Long – I have been to CYOW only once and it was at around hour # 3.  I would like to get more dual experience dealing with ATC and working in controlled airspace. 

Those are the two I came up with,  during these flights perhaps we can go over what is making me so tense and get over that anxiety because I hate to think I’m THIS close and yet so far. 

So let me know what you think and I’ll leave the ultimate choice up to you. 

Thanks!!

 


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Written Exam, DONE!

Sunday, July 27th, 2008

I %@#$ing PASSED!!!!!  

That’s right, you read it here first I am now 50% of the testing closer to obtaining my full PPL.    The Rockliffe Flying Club has recently been able to administer the TC exam right in house.   After passing all of the Aerotraining series and using the Dauntless Software Exam Prep tool.  I felt that I was ready.  

After proving my worth I was able to get signed off and sat to write the exam.  The exam room is located in the clubhouse near Tony’s BBQ.  This would play out later.

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Lesson 64: Shake, Rattle and Roll

Sunday, July 27th, 2008

Aircraft: C172
Registration: C-GYWN
Dual Time: 0.4 Total: 42.8
Solo Time: 0.0 Total: 13.1  

After my last attempt to fly, today was supposed to be simple.  It was my back to basics flight.  I simply wanted to tear around the circuit a few times and just FLY.  Unfortunately this was not to be my day.  Winds were moderate and directly down the runway making for what should be decent flying conditions.  No clouds to mess with and I was booked to do them solo.  

As I pre-flighted everything looked great.  YWN is a fine bird and she’s in good shape so there was little for me to squawk about.  I went inside to wash my hands and on my way back to the aircraft passed Steven Hyde.  I asked him if he was busy and if he wouldn’t mind coming up “for a couple”.  He said no problem and off we went.

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Lesson 63: IFR Rhymes with Don’t Fly Far!

Saturday, July 12th, 2008

Aircraft: C172
Registration: C-GQUO
Dual Time: 0.0 Total: 42.4
Solo Time: 0.8 Total: 13.1

I was excited, damn excited if I had to describe it.  I had my plan in hand, and the aircraft was ready!  I went over my flight planning with Ryan, my first encounter with him and that went well.  I had already filed the flight plan with WX Brief and walked out of the clubhouse with a smile.  During pre flight I noticed that I could not see any oil on the dipstick at all.  Hmmm.  I KNOW how to read a dipstick but of course I did the typical thing, put it in, pull it out, look, scratch head.  Repeat.  I then obtained a cloth and dried that stick bone dry, then put it in again.  There was but a fine drop on the very end of the dipstick.

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Lesson 62: Long Cross Country Dual

Saturday, July 5th, 2008

July 05, 2008

Aircraft: C172
Registration: C-GQUO
Dual Time:  1.3 (CYRO->CYGK)  
                   0.8 (CYGK->CNL3)
                   0.7 (CNL3->CYRO)    Total: 42.4
Solo Time: 0.0 Total: 12.3

 

The day was simply gorgeous!  Some small puffy clouds but nothing too terrible.  Pre flight briefing with Simon was a breeze.  He knows his stuff so well that he probably sized me up as I walked in the door and therefore did not have to dwell on too many questions.  He asked the important one “Is Rica coming with us today?” I figured SURE!!  This was a double happy for me.  Since “I” did not invite her I was not going against Mat’s earlier denial of her on board during my training and since “I” LOVE to have her aboard, it made me almost giddy.  Now on to the serious business!  I knew we would be overweight so I made sure that the aircraft was less than full and only topped it to the 30 Gallon level checked with my trusty paint stick dipper. 

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Lesson 61: A Thumb Held at Arm’s Length Subtends 4 Degrees

Sunday, June 15th, 2008

Aircraft: C172
Registration: C-GYWN
Dual Time: 0.0 Total: 39.6
Solo Time: 0.7 Total: 12.3

My flight Sunday was simple in nature.  I wanted to go out to the practice area and practice forced approaches.  In Canada (and elsewhere I’m sure!) this is one of the many emergency procedures that we practice.  Out of all the things that can be “hard to do” this one should be simple yet seems to cause me the most difficulty.  

Saturday was a waste for flying,  the air was smooth but the visibility was only 4 miles.  Instead of spending money I did some dry run “procedure training” whereby I sat in the cockpit of a C172 and went over the drills.  Passenger briefings, emergency flow checks.  Checklist usage.  It was a great 60 minute reinforcement and it cost $0!  Saturday afternoon I returned to the airport with Rica in tow for her to fly in GYWN for her “Co-Pilot’s Course lesson #1″.   Since the rear seat was empty, Simon invited me along so I was grateful and got some cool video.   This was also the first time I ever flew with Simon!  

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Lesson 60: Many Approaches, Differing Attitudes

Sunday, June 8th, 2008

Aircraft: C172
Registration: C-GQQV
Dual Time: 1.5 Total: 39.6
Solo Time: 0.0 Total: 11.6

This morning I saw that we would have a bit of wind to contend with.  With the GFA showing Thunderstorms arriving later in the day there was a window of opportunity which was closing fast.  We would have plenty of time to do the planned lesson though easily.  I had booked 1 hour with Mat from 8-9 then 1 hour solo from 9-10.  I assumed this would get me going on circuits and if possible at least one forced approach in the practice area.  As I pre-flighted I noticed the tanks were nearly empty.  There was 6 gallons in each wing.  Not enough for my comfort so I dragged the plane over to the pumps and began filling it up.  

Mat came over and told me that his next booking cancelled therefore we could get in a “good lesson”.  I was happy about this and we agreed the plan would be to go to the practice area, perform full procedure forced approaches, do a diversion then head home.  

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