Circuit Work
Wow what a surreal last few months it has been. New Zealand like every other country has been battling Covid-19. New Zealand used a 4 stage lockdown methodology with Level 4 being the most restrictive and Level 1 the least. The country went into full lockdown (Level 4) on 25 March 2020. Level 3 came into effect 4 weeks later on 28 April 2020. Then came Level 2 on 14 May 2020. Under Level 2 we can fly again so I booked my instructor.
Alas not everything was going to be roses. Either I, or my instructor had work commitments, or the weather played havoc. Long story short: I managed my first lesson after 3 months on Saturday June 06 (yep D-Day!)
The weather was fine and crisp and almost zero wind. We went over the items I needed to work on again during groundwork, then it was time to get airbourne!
Today was pure circuit work as this involves all the manoeuvres in one package.
Needless to say, it took me a while to get the feel back. The first circuit wasn’t the flashest, but that is to be expected after such a long break. Once I settled down and relaxed, I got some excellent circuits in. I was stoked that I can find the points to turn again and look out relative to the airfield. Downwind was bang on for all but 2 runs. The last few circuits I was really enjoying being back in the cockpit and I was hitting the mark well.
I feel I am coming along in leaps and bounds. I have learnt a lot about being “almost robotic” and flying the plane rather than it flying me. Now that pilots can fly again, hopefully I can get more sessions in. However, that is always dependant on Instructors availability and the ever fickle weather in New Zealand.
I’m loving my flying again. It’s great to be able to come back from a session feeling I have achieved rather than being frustrated and tense at failing to hit my personal goals.
Until next time….
For more Blogs and Digital Photos go to https://walshephotography.com