New job

Cleaning the leading edges of wings/stabilizer and propeller of aircraft...result-better appearance and improved aerodynamic performance

So to help lower the cost of my flying lessons I decided to help out at my flying school- cleaning their fleet of Cessna 172s...a job that is in demand all year round-by summer its removing the bugsplats (the result of an unfortunate meeting between a fly and an aircraft) and come winter-the splatters of mud kicked up from a grass runway.

But I very much enjoy this job,as it is satisfying and working around aircraft in an exciting and friendly environment.

Through the lens

Just a selection of a few favourite shots from a recent visit to Heathrow...I dont think they came out too bad, considering the camera is embedded in my iPhone!

Revision and sun

Just a short blog entry. Such an beautiful day, well actually a beautiful week weatherwise, shame I was working most of it- but got to finance those flying lessons somehow! Sat in the garden attempting some revision- for the last two PPL exams-phew! But constantly the sky is noisy and littered with dozens of aircraft- drones from light GA aircraft, jets beginning their descents into Heathrow and Gatwick airports and turboprops from the Channel Islands-but I like it-I feel privileged to see so many aircraft from my home.

Flying without an engine

A Robin DR-400 aerotug towing us to 2500ft above the Hampshire countryside

Last Tuesday I had go at gliding at Lasham Airfield, one of Europe's premier gliding centres. After a quick safety briefing on the ground, the aerotug took us to 2500ft where the rope was disconnected and the glider left to gently turn inside a rising thermal. During the flight I was shown the the proper gliding attitude and airspeed, followed by the effects of the controls-climbing,descending,turning and flight close to the stall. Obviously the main differences to the powered flying I am used to is the absence of an engine-no mixture and throttle to worry about, this makes it alot quieter, although the rush of the airflow around the canopy breaks any eerie silences.

The airbrake was another feature different to a small GA powered aircraft,used to create drag and increase the rate of descent by disrupting the lift over the wing. I found the glider which was a German built K13 to be very responsive, and the increased amount of rudder needed quite pronounced- the large wingspan of a glider incurs alot of adverse yaw and aileron drag so rudder is used to coordinate all turns.

The K13 glider at rest

I will certainly be doing more gliding alongside my PPL course- as it not only develops your general handling and flying skills but its great hitching a lift with mother nature as you have to be able to recognise areas generating thermals therefore lift. A good challenge!

Another one bites the dust...

Just completed yet another exam- Aircraft General Knowledge and Principles of Flight achieving 80%. Pretty pleased with that. It certainly helps studying this exam later in the course as I was able to relate to many questions having seen it for real in the aeroplane. Very useful if your a visual learner!

3 down 4 to go

The' flying navigation classroom' inside a Vickers Varsity, an ex RAF training aircraft

Without any flying in the last two months (sadly, bit frustrating-but what can you do with the wonderful British weather!) so I was committed to bury my head amongst books on navigation. Just over a month later and navigation is now done...not the easiest exam by no means, but interesting and practical. Progressing well, look forward to flying soon and getting back into it, hopefully if we get some settled weather...

First Solo

'Oscar Alpha' after one fantastic flight

Turning up to the Aeroclub on Friday, I thought I was in for another ordinary lesson. Three circuits and one EFATO (Engine Failure After TakeOff), I was instructed to make a full stop landing and my instructor said those stomach dropping words, 'I'm going to send you solo now,...'

Well what an experience, all that training and 'circuit bashing' paid off and I felt confident, happy and calm during the 7 minute long flight. As my own 'autopilot' kicked in, it was only on crosswind leg that I realised just exactly what I was doing-flying this marvellous little aeroplane all by myself! What a confidence booster! I was very surprised how quickly the machine accelerated with just one soul on board. I then made a fairly decent landing on runway 32L, not perfect, bit of a balloon before touchdown- but I managed to control it and hold off nicely!

Overall I was pretty damn pleased with my first solo to say the least, not just the fact that I'd reached this milestone but also the fact that I was ready for it, so I could remain confident and enjoy every minute of the experience.

Next up-building solo hours in the circuit and finish Navigation theory...