I Left at 08:00 BST and arrived at hanger 12 just before 09:00. As i arrived all the aeroplanes were being taken out ready for use for the days activities. Getting the air school ready for the day – nice bulldog and Cessna is fully equipped with auto pilot and is completed with full glass cockpit.
Sortie 1 – 1hr – 05mins – 10:00 – 11:05 – 5 circuits 1 landing to full stop – G-BSSC
I would be flying with Julian today as Jack was having a day off. I was booked to fly 3 sorties. During the first pre-flight brief, we spoke about doing circuits, did the walk around and once the fueling truck had filled G-BSSC to full I took my seat. Pre start checks, clear prop then rpm set to 1200. once all the checks were done, I tuned to com 2 which is Norwich ATIS (air terminal information service) listening to the info on this freq saves the controllers having to pass them to me as this airport is an international airport and is fairly busy.
Once I wrote down all the info, requested radio check and taxi clearance, reading back runway in use, QNH, information letter -eg K, T or whatever was on the ATIS.
Taxi along A to holding T then waited to be cleared to A2 past – holding point of runway 27. – Power checks then cleared to take off right hand circuit….first landing was a little bumpy but it was my first one of the day – the remaining 4 were ok not brilliant but ok – only one of the landing was good. Once we completed the 5 circuits, I did 1 landing using the flaplass approach – then landed and parked back at hanger 12. During the de-brief, got to understand what I should be thinking about to bring all the elements together to make landings much smoother.
During Lunch, spoke with the East Anglia Daily News who were sending a photographer at 3pm and I would be doing the interview by phone tomorrow or the day after..read up on steep turns as that would be my next exercise. Sat with Allan and Rob who the work experience chap and spoke about music, life of rockstars, Norfolk and generally joked about bits and bobs..had time for a cuppa tea then Julian called me to the briefing room…
Sortie 2 – 13:30 – 14:35 – 1hr – 05 mins G-BSSC
Once we were started and all RT request to taxi made, we made our way to runway 27 and got cleared to right hand circuit. Just before leaving Norwich tower we practiced an emergency landing and simulated an engine failure at 500 ft – I kept completely calm and was fine with it – key to this is to maintain glide speed of 75kt straight way. Afterwards We headed on a heading of 330. once I had the north sea on my right and the flat lands of Norfolk to my left and below me – julian took me through how to carry out steep turn at both 45 degrees and 60 degrees. G-forces are twice that at 60 deg turns where the stall speed is increased by 41%. I got the hang of left hand steep turns but took a few goes to do steep right hand turns. I was surprised by how much back pressure is needed to maintain lift and maintain altitude. Once I got a good feel for coordinating steep turns we did a few spiral dive recovery. Back to Norwich and landed to full stop.
Had photo shoot with EDP and I found that Julian used to work for them as a photographer. Like me he loves photography and flying.
Sortie 3 – 16:00 – 17:00 1hr G-BSSC
Back to circuits. it was the first time I followed several traffic ahead. See pictures below. We held for nearly 20 mins whilst ATC was dealing with landing and take off traffic including many helicopters. Cleared to take off but now left hand circuit flying over a bit of Norwich – see these pics. I had rob sit in the back on this flight and he has taken these nice images. It was something new to think about to fly a left hand circuit although this would be the default at most aerodromes. Wasn’t the best first landing and we did have to extend downwind a little as there was traffic on ILS approach.
I lined up behind and was a little high – once we were airborne – ATC changed runway to 09 so we made a right turn and rejoined base for runway 09. this change made me have to refocus and my final approach was high and I must be carefull to not bank and turn beyond 15 deg as you lose steep very fast and could get stall and spin which you do not want at 600 ft…landed on runway 09 and flew a left hand circuit. Made one more touch and go then I felt that we had done enough for the day so made RT call to say that we would land on the next approach – all in all a brilliant day. I learnt a lot and experienced many types of circuit approaches. Tomorrow I fly with Jack and I hope he will see that I have learnt something.
Me on short finals, almost on the centre – note the height i am at…
Norwich from the air – just see the cathedral
Tonight I will be doing a practice exam paper for the aircraft general and principles of flight.
Oh and I also met Paul, who is currently studying his IMC rating. He is the other disabled student that the flying school has taught and he is a pilot now – he actually is a part owner on the aeroplane that I am training on. I will be staying in touch with him and hope to fly with him one day – perhaps I may even do a questions in the air interview on his pilot training experience.
Getting closer to my first solo.
