Lesson 28: Solo XC
Wow what a day.
Last night I didn't sleep too well because of the heat and also thinking too much about my flight today, this was annoying because I had to sleep in a little longer this morning and therefore didn't feel particularly good.
Anyway, I arrived at Blackbushe and started my preperation in the clubhouse assuming that I might get to do my solo XC today, I planned the route, fuel, checkpoints etc. Whilst waiting another student was there preparing for his qualifying cross country we both were listening to pilots returning hearing if the haze was ok today. Apparently the haze was really bad this morning but it was getting better and better.
Antonio returned with his previous student and an interesting story, he was flying with his student in the local area practicing steep turns and stalls. They were flying with Flight Information Service which should warn of any aircraft in the immediate vicinity. During the flight he looked to his right and saw a huge 4 engined jet heading straight at them and at about 200 feet away, he immediately grabbed the controls and yanked the stick back to climb the jet passed just below them within a few feet! That qualifies as an Air Prox report. The Grumman AA5 they were flying had right of way and it is likely the jet never saw them and were probably flying with GPS autopilot (No TCAS??). Scary.
After everyone had finished discussing this incident I am given the OK to solo. One kind geezer buys everyone a chocolate covered icescream so I sit there briefing with Antonio and another instructor and another first time solo XC student whilst the icecream melts all over me. Eventually, Matthew the other instructor tells me to go wash my face as I am covered in melted chocolate and he can't take me seriously.
We run over all the things I need to know such as lost procedures, airspace rules and rejoin instructions. I demonstrate enough knowledge for him to sign me off to fly solo so all is good. The other solo student is flying the same route so he sets off first and I hang out awhile.
Walking out to the aircraft I am feeling a little apprehensive but also eager to do this, a few nerves are healthy as they focus the mind and if I didn't feel apprehension it would likely be a sign I am over confident (which is a bad thing). I carry out the checks carefully and soon am on my way. Once I am in the air the nerves dissappear and I get a sense of elation that here I am doing this.
The wind calculations today were difficult because everywhere is reporting variable wind direction, therefore I instead chose to fly the magnetic heading and check early on to see if I am tracking my marked line on the map. I make a good radio call to get Flight Information Service (FIS) and proceed to my next checkpoint. I am slightly to the right of track so I adjust to bring myself back to track and then decrease my heading slightly as it appears the wind is pushing me out a bit. The rest of my checkpoints appear where they should and at the correct times. I reach the first waypoint, loop around a bit overhead to make sure then restart the navigation to my next waypoint.
During the flight I frequently carry out FREDAI checks, probably too frequently! and maintain a good look out. I also get some unexpected radio practice when I am asked to state my current position and my intentions from there (I was squawking with the transponder so I found that odd as earlier they had confirmed identification and my position). The radio today is really busy, alot of traffic is around and on this leg in particular I see a number of different aircraft and gliders.
I reach my next waypoint ok and begin to circle around, the haze is now better and visibility has improved alot. I am really enjoying just circling the waypoint and get a feeling of total freedom. I request MATZ clearance for the final leg home and receive a reply "Roger, GOLF LIMA SIERRA", hmm inconclusive so I request again and keep circling, after awhile I don't get a reply so instead decide to skirt around the MATZ and remaining in sight of my track. I climb also to 3200ft to avoid some heavy traffic around the popham airfield because looking around I can see many aircraft around 2,000 to 3,000 feet (apparently there is a fly-in going on at popham hence the very busy skies).
Once clear of the MATZ I return to my intended track and soon sight Blackbushe in the distance, I get rejoining instructions and carry out an over-head join. I inform Blackbushe Information I will do a touch-and-go and come in to land. My landing is a greaser although the moment I touch down I hear some very strange noises from the wheels like a rattle sound the aircraft also tries to veer to the side of the runway.. despite heavy rudder input, crap, I quickly apply full power and lift the nose to do an unexpected short field take off. I do a go around and thoroughly check the brakes then call downwind to land, I decide to hold off landing till at slowest possible airspeed so on late final I keep some power on and allow the aircraft to float a foot or so from the runway with full flap, the airspeed drops off to around 40 knots and I touch down very smoothly. Once again the aircraft makes a horrible noise from the wheels and I can feel alot of vibration it still wants to veer but this time I expect it and counter with full rudder and brakes. I taxi off the runway all the time with this bad sound.
Once back at parking slot I shutdown and take a look at the undercarriage, there is nothing obviously out of place but I have to report this anyhow. I go into the club house and am greeted with a handshake and questions about the flight, I am still feeling totally pleased and a similiar feeling to my first solo. I report the problem I had when landing and the aircraft will be examined. I also hear a previous student earlier today flared at 200 feet and had a hard landing in LIMA SIERRA which may be the cause of this problem, when I did my checks and taxi before I didn't notice anything amiss though.
Anyway excellent fun, I hung out for quite awhile at the club chatting with Antonio and enjoying the sunshine and the moment. Tonight I think I will have a couple of beers to celebrate. :-)
Last night I didn't sleep too well because of the heat and also thinking too much about my flight today, this was annoying because I had to sleep in a little longer this morning and therefore didn't feel particularly good.
Anyway, I arrived at Blackbushe and started my preperation in the clubhouse assuming that I might get to do my solo XC today, I planned the route, fuel, checkpoints etc. Whilst waiting another student was there preparing for his qualifying cross country we both were listening to pilots returning hearing if the haze was ok today. Apparently the haze was really bad this morning but it was getting better and better.
Antonio returned with his previous student and an interesting story, he was flying with his student in the local area practicing steep turns and stalls. They were flying with Flight Information Service which should warn of any aircraft in the immediate vicinity. During the flight he looked to his right and saw a huge 4 engined jet heading straight at them and at about 200 feet away, he immediately grabbed the controls and yanked the stick back to climb the jet passed just below them within a few feet! That qualifies as an Air Prox report. The Grumman AA5 they were flying had right of way and it is likely the jet never saw them and were probably flying with GPS autopilot (No TCAS??). Scary.
After everyone had finished discussing this incident I am given the OK to solo. One kind geezer buys everyone a chocolate covered icescream so I sit there briefing with Antonio and another instructor and another first time solo XC student whilst the icecream melts all over me. Eventually, Matthew the other instructor tells me to go wash my face as I am covered in melted chocolate and he can't take me seriously.
We run over all the things I need to know such as lost procedures, airspace rules and rejoin instructions. I demonstrate enough knowledge for him to sign me off to fly solo so all is good. The other solo student is flying the same route so he sets off first and I hang out awhile.
Walking out to the aircraft I am feeling a little apprehensive but also eager to do this, a few nerves are healthy as they focus the mind and if I didn't feel apprehension it would likely be a sign I am over confident (which is a bad thing). I carry out the checks carefully and soon am on my way. Once I am in the air the nerves dissappear and I get a sense of elation that here I am doing this.
The wind calculations today were difficult because everywhere is reporting variable wind direction, therefore I instead chose to fly the magnetic heading and check early on to see if I am tracking my marked line on the map. I make a good radio call to get Flight Information Service (FIS) and proceed to my next checkpoint. I am slightly to the right of track so I adjust to bring myself back to track and then decrease my heading slightly as it appears the wind is pushing me out a bit. The rest of my checkpoints appear where they should and at the correct times. I reach the first waypoint, loop around a bit overhead to make sure then restart the navigation to my next waypoint.
During the flight I frequently carry out FREDAI checks, probably too frequently! and maintain a good look out. I also get some unexpected radio practice when I am asked to state my current position and my intentions from there (I was squawking with the transponder so I found that odd as earlier they had confirmed identification and my position). The radio today is really busy, alot of traffic is around and on this leg in particular I see a number of different aircraft and gliders.
I reach my next waypoint ok and begin to circle around, the haze is now better and visibility has improved alot. I am really enjoying just circling the waypoint and get a feeling of total freedom. I request MATZ clearance for the final leg home and receive a reply "Roger, GOLF LIMA SIERRA", hmm inconclusive so I request again and keep circling, after awhile I don't get a reply so instead decide to skirt around the MATZ and remaining in sight of my track. I climb also to 3200ft to avoid some heavy traffic around the popham airfield because looking around I can see many aircraft around 2,000 to 3,000 feet (apparently there is a fly-in going on at popham hence the very busy skies).
Once clear of the MATZ I return to my intended track and soon sight Blackbushe in the distance, I get rejoining instructions and carry out an over-head join. I inform Blackbushe Information I will do a touch-and-go and come in to land. My landing is a greaser although the moment I touch down I hear some very strange noises from the wheels like a rattle sound the aircraft also tries to veer to the side of the runway.. despite heavy rudder input, crap, I quickly apply full power and lift the nose to do an unexpected short field take off. I do a go around and thoroughly check the brakes then call downwind to land, I decide to hold off landing till at slowest possible airspeed so on late final I keep some power on and allow the aircraft to float a foot or so from the runway with full flap, the airspeed drops off to around 40 knots and I touch down very smoothly. Once again the aircraft makes a horrible noise from the wheels and I can feel alot of vibration it still wants to veer but this time I expect it and counter with full rudder and brakes. I taxi off the runway all the time with this bad sound.
Once back at parking slot I shutdown and take a look at the undercarriage, there is nothing obviously out of place but I have to report this anyhow. I go into the club house and am greeted with a handshake and questions about the flight, I am still feeling totally pleased and a similiar feeling to my first solo. I report the problem I had when landing and the aircraft will be examined. I also hear a previous student earlier today flared at 200 feet and had a hard landing in LIMA SIERRA which may be the cause of this problem, when I did my checks and taxi before I didn't notice anything amiss though.
Anyway excellent fun, I hung out for quite awhile at the club chatting with Antonio and enjoying the sunshine and the moment. Tonight I think I will have a couple of beers to celebrate. :-)
posted by Chris @ Thursday, August 18, 2005
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