Straight and Level with some Ups and Downs
First up, an apology; the lesson was a few days ago on Friday and I’m a little tardy in getting it typed up, so I apologise if I’ve forgotten anything.
I’d booked two lessons this week, since I wasn’t sure I’d be able to take one next week and wanted to cover the possibility of bad weather and going without a lesson for a couple of weeks. As it turned out, this was a good plan since Tuesday’s was cancelled.
Happily the weather looked for Friday’s lesson, and I woke up expecting to be flying; I thought that I’d done pretty well so far with only one cancellation due to bad weather and was worried that this run of good luck had to come to an end.
Looking out of the window in the morning left me a little nervous, a dark cloud had settled over Birmingham despite the weather claiming to be quite clear skies for most of the day. And then the phone rang, and was my instructor calling; I feared the worst.
Happily it was good news! The student booked in before me had cancelled and John wanted to know whether I wanted a double lesson. I jumped at the chance; I’ve wanted a little more time in the air and here was the perfect opportunity to get it.
Arrived at the start of the slot, John had already written up the briefing on the board but first sent me out to do the walkaround. Today was in Victor November again, my favourite of the two Robins I’ve flown so far. Took my time doing the walkaround, and found it much easier to remember what needed checking this time. In fact, the only thing I forgot was to check the Stall Vane whilst checking the lights so I had to check that separately before switching the battery off for the external checks.
The briefing went by pretty quickly, having learned the books I was able to answer the questions and follow the plan for the day’s lessons, so John was happy to get in the air and see how things went. Today’s lesson was to be flying Straight And Level, with different power settings and then with flaps extended.
Walked out to the plane and got on with the checks while John got himself strapped in. Full fuel tanks today, so no need to wait for the refuelling. Engine didn’t want to start the first couple of times, since this was her first flight of the day, but was running soon enough. It was then time for the Radio call, which I was to make this time.
“Wellesbourne Information, Golf Whiskey Alpha Victor November, Request radio check and taxi instructions for local. Two people on board.”
The reply came back and I jotted the details down on my kneeboard. The take-off instruction was a little unusual, we were to hold for Runway 05 with Runway 23 in use; John explained that we would be asked to backtrack up the runway and turn around for take-off.
Taxied to the holding point and performed the steering, brake, rudder and into-wind engine checks along the way. We were held at the holding point other aircraft took off and landed, and then instructed, as John said would happen, to backtrack up the runway. He warned that it was very likely that while doing this we’d be asked to get off the runway and hold on the crossing one while another plane landed, and sure enough this happened. He took the controls briefly to taxi us to safety.
Followed through on the takeoff again, a little more hurried this time due to the shorter runway but largely the same as last time; and we headed off to the South again.
Lots to learn today, especially in setting the aircraft’s power, speed and attitude by feel rather than by studying the dials while manipulating the controls. More revision on trim settings and the limitation and operation of flaps.
Several exercises on the main topic of the day, selecting and holding a straight and level flight; various power settings were used, and also the use of flaps. I found the job much easier today, trimming is becoming more natural and I’m having a much easier time judging the necessary attitude for the plane.
Yet more introductions; weaving to clear the space under our wings, FREDA checks and the use of carb heat.
And since we had plenty of time, and I seemed to be getting the hang of straight and level flight, we did some introductory work on the next two exercises; climbing and descending, holding an airspeed while performing both.
Towards the end of our lesson, I spotted a PA-28 off to our right holding position with us; but it shortly disappeared completely. We assumed that they’d seen us as well, and changed direction.
We headed back to the airfield and performed an overhead join, entering the circuit as usual; when I spotted the PA-28 again. Again it was on our right, and seemingly in the circuit except much tighter and faster. In fact, its circuit was so tight that it was in finals before we were, and in the end we performed a go-around to avoid landing on top of it.
A thoroughly enjoyable lesson, not too long or too short and a good amount of material accomplished.
P/UT Hours Today 1:15, Total 3:35
