Ups and Downs

(Sorry - this is a long one)

So after having such a good day on Monday - the rest of the week hasn't been so great. First off the weather hasn't been great originally we wanted high clouds to do more recovery from stalling and incipient (almost) spins which just wasn't becoming and so Tuesday and Wednesday were scratched from the flying point of view.

When I got out to the airfield on Thursday I learnt that I was going on a check ride with another instructor which would consist of 3 circuits, a normal flapped, a flapless, and a glide approach. If I proved that I could manage these i'd be allowed up solo into the circuit. But I messed it up.

I spose I wasn't really comfortable with what I was doing, the normal flapped was fine enough I've done enough of these to be happy with what i'm doing but in fairness the other two I've had less practice with and so just not completely certain about speeds and turning points.

The major thing I was picked up on was speed control on finals (jus before landing). Generally the idea is to keep the speed constant at a certain speed all the way down the glide path and then slowing slightly by raising the nose to touch down. To make this easier trim is used to take away most of the force needed on the control stick. So the idea is you get it trimmed and then you've got far less work to keep it constant. I think my biggest hassel was I forgot about trimming it and so was working far harder to keep it on, and failing miserably. Too much speed isnt great but handleable but too little speed brings you closer to stalling, which, when being close to the ground........IS NOT GOOD

- In truth I wouldn't have given it to me so I understand why he didn't

So since then I've been up in the circuit for nearly 3 hrs now and I think its all certainly helped. My speed control on finals is now far better, still don't think its perfect, but its certainly far better then before. Also since i've been concentrating on glide and flapless approaches im now far happier about the processes of the two. So
we'll see little more practice on Monday maybe and then hopefully I can nail the checkride, not to mention scare myself silly and head off on my own for my first solo flight :-)