Blog – FLWOP & Circuits 4/08/2024
Today’s mission was to demonstrate consistency to the CFI in both forced landings and the standard circuit pattern. If I did these well it could be the gateway to solo missions into the training area.
After a nice standard take-off on 06 seal, we climbed up to 3000ft heading to the low flying area.
My CFI set me up for the first forced landing from 3000ft.
I had no problem selecting a field then advising my CFI of the 1500 foot area and 1000ft marks. However, my old mate inconsistency had come to play…
Once again I was cramming, flying too close to the field and not taking control of the aircraft with authority. On the plus side, I was hitting my marks at correct speed and height. I had all the checks and radio calls dialled in at the correct time as well.
I was also actioning all those little issues from my last flight: checking my speed, trimming well, relaxing my grip on the stick, checking that I was “within the white arc” for speed before deploying flap and deploy flap in stages. On most attempts I could make the field, but on others I would have overshot. My CFI was still pleased with the effort.
Once we had completed several FLWOP, I radioed intensions and set up for an overhead join back at the airfield.
I flew a great line, descending to 1500 feet agl and joining “crosswind”.
I turned nicely onto downwind, and abeam the 06 threshold I slowed the aircraft to 60 knots.
I did a textbook approach today, deploy first stage of flap o downwind, second on base, and third on final. I was on glidepath and on speed: Nice! I also did a nice buttery landing to finish.
Another, challenging session. Some things are getting better, but other issues crept in. Frustrating to say the least.
I am so close to getting this procedure down, and so so close to moving into more solo work away from the circuit. I just need inconsistency to take a hike.
Until next time…..
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Blog – FLWOP & Circuits 04/08/2024