Lesson 10 - Stalling

Even though I got over 8hrs sleep I still felt groggy, like I do normally on any weekend morning. It's almost like I save my sleep until the weekend, except I sleep over 8hrs per day on weekdays too! Yes people I'm worse than a bear, I hibernate 11months of the year.

Pilot's log book

Whilst my friends are getting used to the idea, that's when I say “I'm flying” to them and they don't respond with a “where you flying to?”, of me disappearing at least one day of the weekend, I'm getting used to the flying. Today was my 10^th lesson, that's a log of 8hrs to be precise, as lessons don't really mean much as a lesson can be as long as you want it to be, and things went surprisingly well, and I mean well! I taxied much smoother to the runway, I took off for the second time with more control instead of being swept away by the crosswind along the runway, and I actually landed for the first time (albeit instructor aided) very smoothly!  Of course today being a bright sunny clear and minimal wind day helped, a lot!  Today I surprised both my instructor and myself!  I'm now thinking I lifted the bar unnecessary for following lessons, (Izzy you idiot!).  

As we did a post flight review the instructor did say to me, “you did well, I was worried about you”. And I knew exactly what he was trying to say as I was worried too; that I wasn't quite cut out for this as I struggled to remember everything, battled with the trimmer which I still “faff” about with and really had no sense of control of the aircraft. I have to also admit, today was the first time I didn't actually feel nervous inside the aircraft, it certainly took me long enough. I wonder if it's just a one off and next week I go back to my cave girl style flying – push this, nope, what does this do, what was I suppose to do here, what was that again, oh crap I forgot to check something... What does this do again? Uh, I've forgotten.  Can't remember.  

Only the first of seven manuals (textbooks)

So today after only 15mins of flying and having already reviewed everything I've learnt so far – flying straight and level, gliding, trimming, use of flap, climbing, descending and turning, stalling was introduced to me. I suspect like everyone else, when the word “stall” is applied next to a vehicle the thoughts of an engine going ka-putt (out) pretty much comes to mind! I was today so corrected. In aviation terms (in short) it means, not having wing control. Another words, when you turn the steering column there is very limited if any movement at all so you can't turn, and/or you feel (because you don't) have control of the aircraft. Of course that's just the summarised version of it, I still have to read the chapter on stalling in my manual to know the implications in detail.  Oh the joys of flying also comes the joys of studying and memorising so many things.  But as I keep a smile on my face and pat myself on the back for a good lesson today, I head home with today's notes in hand.  

Lesson 6 - Gliding

Ok, after lesson 3 I knew pretty much that I really don't like the idea of going down, so my next immediate task is to get that "sinking" feeling under control.  Mentally I needed to tell myself that when the engine is "idle" it does not mean I will instantly fall out of the sky!  Now having gone through it I would describe it as you putting your car suddenly into neutral (no gear) and leaving the car to coast along the road until it finally stops, or increases speed if your going downhill. 

A great day for gliding

Today's lesson consisted of 2 parts - climbing and descending.  The climbing part was fine, the descending not so much, as my mind battled against the idea that no power (i.e. no acceleration) doesn't mean everything suddenly stops working instantaneously.  Though the lesson of climbing and descending in itself is pretty simple, just remember to do your checks before, during and after your maneouvres, this lesson if you hadn't got the gist of it by now, was more mental for me.  Hopefully something I can get over soon, really don't like the feeling that I'm going on roller coaster rides every weekend, bleh.. 

   

Just checking!

Ok, so so far (4.5hrs logged) I've learnt that I'm not at all relaxed while in the aircraft as I still feel overwhelmed by everything -control checks, aircraft check, taxing check, fuel check, in the air post checks, between exercise checks etc etc. 

My handy checklist

From my last post I've also learnt that I've got to get that "sinking" feeling under control everytime I have to point the aircraft downwards.  "Down does not mean crash", I will repeat this to myself many times!  So yes going back to checks, even in such a small aircraft, the Cessna 152 all over the world as the model type for training new pilots, the checklists are absolutely endless.  Before I even start the engine I have to check the entire aircraft internal and external, followed by the control checks i.e. that they are working.  After that I have another set of checks after I start up the engine. 

I can then move the plane towards the runway where I'm to take off.  Moving the plane on the ground is called taxying.  Taxying is quite hard to control at first as you have to steer the plane using the foot pedals and controlling the throttle (speed).  At this point your steering column is completely useless to you.  At first I kept turning the steering column just out of habit.  Then I got used to pushing my feet. 

Inside the cockpit

Just before I join the runway I have to manouevre the aircraft so it faces into the on coming wind.  From there I have to do another set of checks.  After that I then check with control tower that its ok to go.  Once you get the go ahead you join the runway.  To take off you fly the direction is the wind is blowing.  To land you do the opposite, so you land into wind.  As you move the aircraft into the correct position you can then take off.  As yet I have not had my first take off, which I'm actually quite thankful for at the moment! 


After you get to 1,000 feet/cleared all ground obstructions you then start to do other checks etc to get to where your going.  Every 500ft I'm suppose to do some checks, the type again depending what I'm doing at the time, and every 10-15mins I have to do a FREDA check, which is mainly to check your engine and instruments are working properly.

Then as you come back in for landing you have to do certain checks.  Then after you land another set of checks before switching off the engine.  Tired?  I know I am!  Luckily though, as a student I have a prompt (the instructor), and of course the trusty help of my checklist.  Though you were only £5, such an invaluable tool for the amount of checking one has to do in an aircraft.  Can only imagine how many more checks I have to do when I move up an aircraft size!?

     



   

Lesson 3 - Flying straight and level

And did I panic?...

I associate it with getting on a roller coaster ride, up to the point where I'm strapped in and going up the highest point I'm fine, it's the down I hate as I left my stomach back at the peak!

So this is my 3rd lesson.  The 1st lesson was fun as it was just a get to know the aircraft type lesson so nothing much going on.  Last week was my 2nd lesson and my instructor let the information rip.  Blah blah blah....  Datum altitude.  Altimeter, landing lights, roll, yaw, rudder, breaks, fuel check.  Over whelming was definitely a good word that day, along with faster-talker, I could barely keep up.  

So this week I wasn't sure what was coming, especially since my instructor is off on holiday and I'm flying with another.  As usual the first 10mins is in the brief room giving a summary of what we were to practise in the air for the day's lesson.  Today, flying straight and level.  3 things had to be remembered - altitude, level and speed.  Instuctor: "Any questions", Me: "uh.. No."  Instructor: "Then's let's go" and out we went as I tried for the first time the plane checks; taxiing the plane to the runway using the rudders and breaks, and then finally, taking off.  Woo hoo ~~~  

So everything was going well as I practised straightening out the aircraft using all the controls and doing all the checks as necessary.  That was until we came to the part where I had to straighten up the aircraft to the correct altitude after slowing down.  Next thing I knew the aircraft began nose diving, at least I thought I was nose diving, down and all I could see were the trees and ground ...

And did I panic?  I only found that I had withdrew my hands off the steering column and saw the land below as the plane began to nose dive.  As the instructor looked anxiously at me, "I have control" he confirms as he takes control of the aircraft and I let go of his arm.  Instantly correcting the plane and lifting it to the correct altitude the instruction turns to take glimpses at me, "are you OK?"

Looking back at the less than 10 second scenario that just unfolded, I had found that I let go of the steering column, grabbed the instructors arms and let out a scream...  Ahem  -_- ''''''''  %#&#*^£%!!!!!.....

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In my defense I did warn the instructor well in advance that I don't like going down, it makes me queezy, still, just like a roller coaster ride.  I was later told that the aircraft began to dip downwards because yes the aircraft had to be slowed (less throttle) for example like coming in for a landing but slowing the speed too much means there wasn't enough power to keep the aircraft from "falling out the sky" as it were.  This is otherwise known as stalling speed.  Ok!!!!! That's good to know, I won't do that again!

Coming in for landing again I was allowed to control the steering column while the instructor controlled everything else.  This time I was more prepared for what was to come and actually enjoyed it second time round.

As the engine turned off I breathed a sigh of relief.  What an overwhelming lesson, do checks, look outside, correct the altitude, am I flying straight, check the speed.  All these checks were put on loop as these things had to be consistently and constantly observed until the plane has safely landed.  There's so many things it was absolutely overwhelming, but I survived.  What was especially cool was I got to try some new stuff and found that my sense of the controls is pretty good, definitely down to years of playing arcade games i.e. the proper motorcycle and driving arcades where your sitting on the equipment and having to control them.  Oh, and having driven a car for over a decade helps too!  What I needed to work on is handling the control delicately, not like a angry hippo trying out ballet, but despite everything it was a good lesson today.  If nothing else, I learnt to be gentle with the throttle!