Lesson 14, steep turns ... G-fun :D !

Lesson: 14

12/VI/2010

• Lesson time: 0.8h


• Total time: 11.5h


• Location: EGAD


• Aircraft: G-BNKR (C152)

I had a bit of break away from flying. My last flight was bit over month ago. So bit nervous, will I remember the drill ?

Got to the club just before 9, Anthony was already there. Got out of the 'instructors room'. I could see CFI was a bit puzzled as to which runway to choose, as wind was changing a lot.

I sat down, and Anthony told me that circuits are not going to be possible Today - I thought, great, so no flying. But no, turned out, we could do a bit of flying, but we have to go high up - air is much more "smooth" there. I am to do some steep turns. Well, always welcome new things.

Went out to do preflight, and soon Anthony joined me to ask me, if I wanted to fly C152 or C172. Apparently I was booked for C172. But C152 was free, and I do remember that I booked for C152 anyway (had it written down on my iphone when I booked). He went away, just to join me moments later.

Here's pic from apron cam, of me doing preflight:



You can even see some sun shining of my bald spot on top of my head :P

I was amazed how quickly I got back to reading the checklist, everything went very smooth.

As usual, taxing to the hold, and than across the runway was done in a serpent's style, but you wouldn't believe how uneasy it is to control an aircraft on the ground. After all, it wasn't designed to be driven, but was designed to fly.

Rolled to 26-34 hold ( see EGAD chart here in PDF ). Due to me being rather slow (other do the power check list very quickly from memory usually), we let guys past us, and than I did power checks. Much quicker than usual, because I already know what's coming next. And where's what.

Entered active, and backtracked it. It is funny how they always insist that I turn on the very last patch of asphalt. It is understandable, but with my still sloppy taxing skill, makes me slightly nervous.

I turned the aircraft around, and asked Anthony with grin on my face "you're ready for this?". It has been a while, so I could expect everything. Plus, I knew that the air is quite turbulent Today (gusts to 20kts I believe). I pushed the throttle, counting 1-2-3 whilst doing it. And off we went.

It doesn't bother me anymore as much as it used to, when wind tries to push you down, despite the fact that you are trying to climb up. But it is some interesting feeling. As usual, my climb out was crap. I still have to learn how to take off in straight line, rather than be blown away. Sometimes I think, it would be nice to have a rear view mirror on an aircraft (and horn, so you could scare off people wondering around the apron ). So here's my climb out, and first circuit bit profile. Cringe if you must. Advice is welcomed :P

(btw, here's the whole gps track )



As you can see, I got blown to the east quite a bit. For some reason it always happens. Perhaps because it is hard for me to follow reference point, whilst nose is up (since you see just a blue sky). My other suspicion is that I just turn to the right instinctively. Dunno. I guess it is just a matter of practice.

For the record Anthony tried to tell me about it, but he gave up I guess. We did quite an overpass, over scrabo tower. and than left circuit to south south east for some G-pressing steep turns :D

Usual trip is up to mount Steward, than switch radios over to Belfast approach, request basic service. Usually they say, not to go above certain height. This time, we climbed to 2600. I was doing quite well, oddly enough. Maybe apart from the fact that I started to level us out too quickly, and ended up loosing some height due to lack of airspeed (APT acronym, lookup my first lessons on that).

Anthony demonstrated the exercise. Basically, due to way wings work, lower wing is quite a dragger. Also, the lift component is really working under quite an angle. So for these reasons, you need to pull back, in order to stay on the same height, and add just a tad bit of power. I did it two times to the left. Anthony said he is really pleased with result. For the next one, he covered my 6 pack, thus forced me to look outside. To my amazement, this one was the best one so far. Even tho, I glanced at the instruments, I would mostly look at the attitude indicator. Just to make sure I am in 45 deg turn. Cos I have the tendency to go back to 30 or less. Basically, the idea is that you enter the turn, as you go past 30 deg, try to pull back so that you are on the same height and if you see that the nose tries to drop add just a bit of power to counteract. After that, pick a point on dashboard (or between screws on the cowling), and keep it there. Pretty simple.

Than we tried few right hand turns. These were trickier. When you do left turn, you are below horizon. On the right turn, you feel like you are on the top.

Anthony than demonstrated 60 deg turns, and also quite quick descending. Quite frankly, a this point my G-O-Meter told me I was nearing my physical limits plus we had to start to head back to the airport so I passed on offer to try it myself.

On my way back, Anthony wanted me to try to talk with belfast approach. But he passed on second thought. Also, asked me if I did any exams yet. I haven't. I don't even have medical yet. And I know time is pressing, and I should have at least airlaw and medical if I ever want to go solo around circuit. He also mentioned that there is going to be radio course pretty soon, and if I was interested. Of course I would! As for the airlaw, I would love to see course with airlaw as subject too. So far I've been scoring 60% on airquiz at most. Which is pretty poor result if you ask me.

Nearing the airport, I setup the approach configuration. Anthony helped a bit, and I did my best to land. But for some reason he took over about 300ft from the runway. I am still convinced that I was able to do it, but due to the winds probability of us going around was over 40%, and I guess he didn't wanted to chance it. Oh well, plenty more chances to do it ahead of me.

Once landed, I again was given a chance to get us back to the apron. On our way back, on RWY22 we passed C172 running on diesel (JET-A). Apparently, some photographers flying around. Diesel engines are making more and more market share in GA these days. Probably JET-A will no longer be so cheap once they get a major chunk. After all, some people live very well of our taxes, and there's tons of tax in fuel (even avgas)....

Got back to reception, to renew my UFC membership, and pay for the lesson. As it turned out, there's two "foreigners" training at the club, and they have our names sticked on top of the monitor - to make sure our names are spelled correctly. Embarrassing to be honest, slightly. I do promise, that if I ever get local citizenship I'll think about changing my name to Johnston or something simpler for everyone here to spell ;)

To summarise, it was nice to get up and fly. I did enjoy it. Never had such a grin on my face when paying 90 quid for 45 minutes in the air :) Serious fun.

• Route: RWY 34


• Milestones: pressing some Gs, 45 and 60 turns :D


• Exercises covered: 15


• Weather: clear skies, very windy tho - especially below 1500 ft.