Blog – Circuits 18/03/2023
Today was “back to the future” time, doing circuits in the Tecnam to get that muscle memory back.
A bit of a mixed bag to be fair: mainly with consistency. I need to hit the same reference points, on speed and set up.
My ideal right-hand circuit is:
DEPARTURE: (060 M)
Power to Max
Lift off at 55Kts
Climb at 60kts (Top of the Dash on the horizon)
Flaps up at 200ft AGL
Continue climb at 80kts (top of the Compass on the horizon)
Turn to crosswind at 500ft AGL (Standard rate turn)
CROSSWIND: (150 M)
Climb at 80kts
Continue climb to 1000ft AGL
Aiming point = Southern tip of Ponds
When runway at “4 o’clock” 90deg turn downwind (Standard rate turn)
DOWNWIND: (240 M)
Climb at 80kts
Once at 1000ft AGL level off (Level Attitude, Power to 4500rpm,Trim)
Aiming point = “Arrowed Treeline”
“Tip of the wing on runway”
Radio call
Downwind checks
Abeam the Threshold, Power to 3500rpm & raise nose to stay level
Once in the white arc (below 68kts First Notch of flaps ie “3sec burst”)
Speed 60knots
With runway at 4 o’clock turn base and start 90deg descending turn (standard rate turn)
BASE: (330 M)
Descend at 500ft/min
Maintain 60kts
Aiming point = “Ag Buildings”
Runway should initially be around “eye height” out the window
2nd notch of flap (3sec burst then check)
When runway around 2 O’clock turn onto final (standard rate turn)
FINAL: (060 M)
Height should be 500ft AGL
Descend at 500ft/min
Maintain 60kts
Full flaps (3sec burst then check)
LANDING:
Descend at 500ft/min
Maintain 60kts
Stable approach
On Centreline
Reduce to idle over the threshold
Over the aimpoint, look down the runway
Transistion to slow flight
Raise the nose gently
Use right rudder to remove P-factor
Hold off
Maintain centreline
Maintain longitudinal direction
Touchdown at 40kts
As you can see, there is a lot to do during circuits!
Some of these I do well, but others not so much. I was pleased with my foot work on the rudders so I didn’t get issues with P-factor. Just need to be consistent and not over think it. Relax and enjoy the flying.
I’m determined to take the lessons from today and be better next time.
Bring it on!
Aircraft: ZK-DOY (Tecnam P2002 Sierra)
Total Time: 0.8
Landings: 5
Go-arounds: 1
Visual Approaches: 6
Until next time….
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Blog – Circuits 18/03/2023