March 27 - JUST Solo Circuits!
Flying solo takes on new meaning when you’re solo right from the get go!!!
Up until today, I had been flying dual/solo, which means I would start in the plane under the watchful eye of my seasoned instructor, then, after a few circuits, I would drop off my instructor and fly a few more circuits on my own, practising what he had taught be or asked me to focus on.
But today, due to a variety of circumstances, including the fact that I had been solo within the past few days, I was sent up on my own, without the safety and security blanket of any dual time first.
WOW!
It was kind of a nerve-wracking experience. I had no idea! It wasn’t as though there was anything new or unexpected really, but there is just something about being completely independent right from the moment you step out onto the apron, that forces you to really exercise your skills and knowledge, and it truly builds your confidence!
Out of about seven landings, five were decent, more or less smooth at least, and two were spectacularly awful – one was way off to the right of the runway (usually I tend to lean a little left, both in my political views and in my landings, it seems); the other occurred when I landed on the downwind wheel first.
I would say that a refresher in crosswind landings would be in order, along with a feedback session from my instructor, while observing me fly the circuit.
Hopefully Saturday.
Up until today, I had been flying dual/solo, which means I would start in the plane under the watchful eye of my seasoned instructor, then, after a few circuits, I would drop off my instructor and fly a few more circuits on my own, practising what he had taught be or asked me to focus on.
But today, due to a variety of circumstances, including the fact that I had been solo within the past few days, I was sent up on my own, without the safety and security blanket of any dual time first.
WOW!
It was kind of a nerve-wracking experience. I had no idea! It wasn’t as though there was anything new or unexpected really, but there is just something about being completely independent right from the moment you step out onto the apron, that forces you to really exercise your skills and knowledge, and it truly builds your confidence!
Out of about seven landings, five were decent, more or less smooth at least, and two were spectacularly awful – one was way off to the right of the runway (usually I tend to lean a little left, both in my political views and in my landings, it seems); the other occurred when I landed on the downwind wheel first.
I would say that a refresher in crosswind landings would be in order, along with a feedback session from my instructor, while observing me fly the circuit.
Hopefully Saturday.