Blog – Simulated Instruments 08/09/2024

Today was nice and fine though the wind was a gusty from the West.
W departed NZMS from runway 24 and climbed to 3000ft above training area for more Instrument flying & continuation of compass turns. These are done at a “Rate 1 turn” which is a gentle balanced turn of around 10-15deg which takes 2min to do a full 360.
The winds aloft were 20-30kts and were buffeting me quite nicely, and with the Foggles on it made for quite the challenge. Foggles are glasses that are partially ground to simulate fog or cloud conditions. All you can see is your instrument panel. After being told to not fixate on your instruments during a VFR flight, your FI is now insisting that you do!

My FI took care of safety and the Radio so I could concentrate on the exercise.

My compass turns today were much better. I was scanning the instruments better and keeping a good eye on speed and attitudes.
I used the “heading bug” on the Direction Indicator to confirm my turns which made things way easier. Still it felt very weird to concentrate on the instruments so much.

We split the session up with some EFATO (Engine Failure After Take-off), and a FLWOP (Forced Landing Without Power)
We also added “Unusual Attitudes” to our session. This was a real eye opener.

Basically with the Foggles on, I shut my eyes and put my head down. My FI then throws the aircraft around so I get disorientated. I then open my eyes and have the task of putting the aircraft back to straight and level. Not as easy as it sounds.

In a nutshell the procedure is:
If climbing and loosing airspeed, Lower the nose and apply full power.
If descending and increasing airspeed, raise the nose and throttle to idle.

I travelled back to NZMS circuit and started setting up for the landing, treating it like a forced landing without power.

After reducing speed I turned onto final and trimmed up for 70kts.

The engine was at idle due to the wind and it kind of felt like we were hovering at some points.

I crabbed down final and over the aim point I added some left rudder to straighten the aircraft and applied right aileron to stop any drift. I landed nice and straight on my upwind wheel and on centreline. I kept the nose up and it gently dropped the nose onto the runway. “Not bad” I told myself, “you’re getting better at this”.

I taxied along the runway and exited.

Once off the runway, I turned off all the extra lighting, the fuel pump and raised the flaps.

We then taxied back to the Aero club via 28.

I’m enjoying my flights more and more as I get experience and confidence up. Both myself and my instructor are seeing good progress being made today.

Next flight is with the CFI, to prove I’m safe to go solo in the training area.

Happy Days!

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Blog – Simulated Instrument 08/09/2024