Blog – Glide Approaches 30/03/2024

Flying was very hard for me today. I was not doing well at all and was having difficulty with everything.

Remaining in the circuit, my FI pulled the throttle to idle abeam of the 24 threshold and requested I demonstrate a glide approach and landing.

We are using runway 24, so first off I set the aircraft at best glide speed which for the Tecnam is 68 kts. But I just couldn’t stay on speed or height. I was all over the place. My flap settings were late and I was off track. Urgh!!!

My landings were awful too with a crosswind of 12knots. I didn’t input any aileron so skidded across the runway every time. I was not pretty and I was getting more and more frustrated and my flying just got worse.

Today was one to forget. I couldn’t bring the aircraft onto a good final.

We all have bad days but I was really bad. What the heck is going on with me today?

Once we finished up and shut down the aircraft, my FI gave it to me straight. I was in total agreement. I was crap today. I couldnt really blame the crosswind as I should be able to correct for this and land on the upwind main wheel. I was gutted. I was a falling into my old bad habits and butchered it.

I still need to get my head in the game. Get my feet going more and get more aileron and rudder going for the cross wind. A day to take the emotions out, analyse, and correct for next time.

Enough said!

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Blog – Glide Approaches 30/03/2024