& a smoke. What did I learn this time?Last flight I had was Saturday morning (beer much later).
Takeoff 05:45 no wind. Usual right hand out. Why? Seems every time I take off, I have a right hand out, I don't fight it, it suits me in case I have altitude & need to get back. There may be some weathercock, maybe its many training circuits all right hand out - but I think its engine torque? Am I right?
Second note - Calm conditions at ground - expect sport >100ft up & through inversion. Every time a coconut, it seems worse when its "calm" than when there is a surface breeze. Its not so bad on take off but of more concern on finals at the destination (06:15)(in this case Middelburg). I always check the windsock overhead & the windsock is now jumping around like politicians around a bribe. I prefer to land at the very beginning of the runway (tar) rather than half way down as the turbulance is worse over the runway.
Preflight before take off, push the trike right backwards 90% into the taxiway, Check thottle before start, its not down why? I just checked it! The instructors steering & throttle training bar, when turning the trike hard hits the throttle lever (aquillas have this on the left under the seat). Its not fully open but somewhat above idle. Learning - obvious but that could also affect you on landing - check throttle lever is down before start & landing.
Take off (right hand out, this time a lot harder & bumpy - I don't fight it, just fly the trike.) Up to 6500-6800 ft. Awesome very smooth but I am moving fast.
12 minutes back vs. 30 odd out - Must get a GPS - you know it is happening but can bite you if you have a fuel situation.
Over the dam - full throttle & still descending - we know thermals are there but so are the downdrafts & just as powerfull, I have altitude, just press on through but if I was 2 up & low - brown trouser moments.
Landing same as MBG choppy descent but I took a longer final greased the landing.
Another discovery, landing in crosswind, you can "twist" the cart towards the runway using the A frame, there appears to be some play at the hang point on all the trikes I have flown.
I am looking forward to flying again, & I hope to gather more experiance, I am probaly going to look at working on the left hand outs.
