Sept 18 - Pre-Solo Practice Area
In an effort to get me prepped to go solo to the practice area, Lari simulated a comm failure (we talked about how to enter the circuit at City, supposed to be mid field but since solo students can't go north across the city, some mods need to be made... also sqwak 7600 to indicate to tower there is a comm failure) and some engine trouble, so I could practice precautionary landing. I was amazed at how quickly we began to lose altitude, and therefore how imminent the need to find a suitable field becomes! I picked a field and we did a COWLS check (see previous lesson) -- it was "okay", but for the hydro lines nearby... I am still learning how to accurately judge the height of such things, and therefore I was hesitant to descend too much too soon, which left me TOO HIGH for the field. Argh! I could have landed, but it would have been pretty bumpy, hehe.
We also practised slow flight, stalls and steep turns, which, along with making all radio calls, will be what I do when I go solo. Now that I have done these things a few times, I totally need to review these three exercises in my FTM, and visualize them in more detail.
Right now, I can imagine my first foray into the practise area on my own will consist largely of sheer amazement that I am still in the air and not in Buttonville or Oshawa's airpsace, lol!
We also practised slow flight, stalls and steep turns, which, along with making all radio calls, will be what I do when I go solo. Now that I have done these things a few times, I totally need to review these three exercises in my FTM, and visualize them in more detail.
Right now, I can imagine my first foray into the practise area on my own will consist largely of sheer amazement that I am still in the air and not in Buttonville or Oshawa's airpsace, lol!