Some cheetah training time under the belt - done

[johnsa]

+ 1.4 = 30.4 this morning. Quick impromptu flight to Springs for a touch and go - then onto Heidelburg for a touch and go then back home to Petit via nigel. Nice little flight. BUT the weather she's coming.

Solo or with the instructor?

[Stephan van Tonder]

With instructor, but me doing most of the flying( he will only interfere where I'm making a mistake and at this point only mostly on the last few feet of the landing sometimes) . I actually enjoy the time spent with him and I'm constantly still getting tips and learning a lot. Flying solo may be great but I'm rather happy having him around at this point. We discuss scenarios, what if's, constantly looking at where you go if the donkey quits now etc. Options around built up airports (like climbing for altitude within gliding range of the runway) etc etc. As I explained about his insurance he has to be in the plane and it doesn't cost me anything extra so why not get the most out of it while I can. The time you spend with a highly experienced instructor is over soon enough and the way it's going currently I'll rather have the best training I can get my hands on. Flying on your own early on is where one often learns bad habits and I'd rather avoid that as well.

[johnsa]

I agree try to get the best training good luck and fly safe. Start building your database of softness around the airports

[Stephan van Tonder]

+ 1.6 = 32 this morning. Landings becoming a lot better now. Out of the 25 this morning only really screwed up the last one.... AARGH. Still put it down without interference from the instructor but it wasn't pretty.... Kind of forgot to keep some right aileron in for the crosswind on the very last so drifted to the left of the runway - caught it but then was a bit skew - bouncy bouncy to the right then fixed it and held her. Was not a landing to be proud of. But I guess it happens.

[GLIDESLOPE]

Steve , I think nearly two hours of touch and goes is a bit much for one session . You are bound to have one iff'y landing eventually , anybody would , so dont be too hard on yourself . 1.6 hours is a long time to concentrate ! Keep up the training . Good luck !

[Stephan van Tonder]

Friday was + 1.3 again. More x-wind landings. They are becoming better and we are now working on chipping away those 15 hours solo required.
Thanks Glideslope - yes it does become a bit hard to concentrate towards the end of a long session but this is the one thing I want RIGHT. Don't want to slam a plane onto the ground like I seen some guys do - they must be smooth transitions - not arrivals. Trying my best to be the best I can be and maybe a little bit better

[Stephan van Tonder]

+1.2 this morning. Eish - Simulated engine out emergeny landings. Not my favourite but they have to be practised. 1000 ft AGL doesn't give you much time - much less at 300 ft. But did a couple of planned ones and did a couple of basically real ones onto the runway. Then also did a simulated short field take-off over obstacle. With this morning's DA we would not have cleared a hanger high obstacle at the end of a 500m runway. Density altitude is a BITCH.

[Stephan van Tonder]

Storm and rain this morning so no flying. Did some grounds school. Starting to get the withdrawal shakes and getting grumpy at home so will try again tomorrow morning before my wife kicks me out of the house. Hope the weather plays with.

[Stephan van Tonder]

+1.6 this morning. More polishing of landing work. Fekkit couldn't keep the ball in the middel this morning. Plane came back from major inspection and somehow I think the aileron trim got affected - had to constantly hold the right wing up.
It was a tough session and in the end I had a cranmp in the left leg. But it was a good session. Straight from there to the Avcom safety presentation. THAT was fantastic and should really been have attended by more more people (although there wouldn't have been space for them). It was an eye opener in a big way and we learned a lot about SASAR and the poeple running that - I take my hat off for their dedication.

[Stephan van Tonder]

I have a conundrum. I love the rain but for the first time feels annoyed because it kept me grounded this whole week
Going away for a couple of days and hope that we can resume training on monday.....

[Trikenut]

Do you have more pics of the latest flights?

[johnsa]

Let us know on monday with pics.......

[Stephan van Tonder]

FINALLY !!! first time since the 8th of november. Got to the field this morning and it's all misted in. Settled down with a cup of coffee and decided there will be no flying. By 06:30 the wind came up and 10 minutes later the field was clear. Managed 1.1 hours before I had to call it a day and go to work. Was good though to be back in the air again. Slowly chipping away on those solo hours now and flight test is not too far off in the future. Sorry no time for piccies. Also left the camera at home in any case.
Wednesday next.

[johnsa]

Why not go for the skyranger?

[johnsa]

Why not go for the skyranger? It seems to be better and cheaper....