METAR: KXXX 292014Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM OVC021 00/M04 A3015 RMK AO2 T00001042
It was another cloudy, overcast day today, but that was alright, because today was about pattern work. After yesterday’s excitement of power-off landings and slips to landing, I wanted to try to put it all together. The first normal landing was not excellent. Again the flare was a little high and I took the power out too late and this one was flaps 25°. We ended up taxiing back all the way from the end of the runway. The second one I wanted to try flaps 40° to see how it felt. That one felt much smoother on the transition to slow flight, although I forgot to add the second notch on base and ended up adding both on final, so it wasn’t too great a landing. We exited on the second taxiway. I have a goal to try to make the first one. On the way back we were talking over that landing, “do you have an aim point or are you just trying to make the runway?” I have had the idea of the aim point yesterday, but the first two I was mostly just trying to get the runway and the centerline. “I’m the same, I’m mostly just trying to make the runway. So just add a little more, next time try to use both the centerline and the aim point.
With each landing I was keeping the centerline better and better. The takeoffs were getting straighter and straighter. By the third landing I was able to start tracking my aim point. “29 and the line.” Reacting to the number rising or falling in the windshield, only glancing at the PAPI, easy corrections to get back to center. A few mistakes with each landing, correcting not quite right with the rudder, but each time getting stronger and stronger.
We tried one slip to landing the wind was calm and and on runway heading so it really didn’t matter which way. Right aileron left rudder. The plane drifted left and it took some coaxing to bring it back to the runway. The sink is so fast and you want so much to do the wrong thing – pull back. Take out the cross controlled inputs and the plane will level out. I was over the left side of the runway and already over the threshold so no time to think about flaps – no flap landing. I landed straight enough but it took a lot of rudder and nose wheel to regain the center line. “Normally you’d practice slips at 3000 feet and slips down for long time.” Maybe that will help, practicing that maneuver with a lot of altitude to try to get a feel for it…if ever these low ceilings and overcast skies clear up.
My instructor demonstrated for me a maneuver he calls, “the impossible turn.” If when climbing out, on a cold day with a strong downwind, there is a slim chance to make the runway. We climbed past the 1300 feet we would normally turn cross-wind and got to about 1500 feet. “…traffic, Archer three five kilo turning final runway one one.” The trick with this was keeping the banks not too steep or it would cause too much drag while keeping the airspeed around 76 knots in order to achieve best glide speed. Only after the runway was sure to be made did the flaps come out. Throw in a few seconds of confusion and indecision in an engine out situation, a warmer day, or a day with unfavorable winds and it would have been impossible to make the runway. We made the glide slope but the tree near the end of the runway looked awfully close!
By the last pattern I was feeling great about my takeoffs and landings. It’s a wonderful feeling seeing the runway center line straight ahead and under you on rotation. It’s also great seeing that center line stay right under the airplane on roll-out, seeing that 29 stay in nearly the same spot, and to be able to adjust to any of it’s movements in front of you. What a difference a few practice sessions makes. “I would clear you to solo.” It’s just a matter of the medical paperwork to come in now! Consistency can be both good and bad. If you’re consistently doing the wrong thing then you might be reinforcing bad habits. On the other hand, it’s great to hear your instructor say that you’re very consistent especially when you’re doing things right, and that the outcome of the practice gets better and better each time!
And this time I have video!
FencerPTS 