My Flying

I had rather an interesting day today at the airfield and also learnt quite a bit.

The day started off very overcast with low blanket stratus clouds at around 3000 ft AGL, very light isolated drizzle and a light south westerly.

The CFI was eager on taking the Motor Falke on a cross country engine-on flight, but with the objective of trying to get the lowest engine tacho time by making use of ridge and what ever other lift could be found coupled with the shortest flying time. He invited me along and I eagerly joined. The route would be from FAUH to the Cockscombe airstrip and then over the mountains to Jansenville then back to FAUH.

The journey started off low, so as to stay below cloud, and into a light headwind. When we reached the mountains the fun began with some seriously low ridge riding to make as much use possible of the little ridge lift that there was. By the time we arrived the strip the clouds prevented us from flying over the mountains so we needed to take the long route (about a 20km detour around Cockscombe) and then onto the flat-ish lands to Janseville. From there we headed straight back to the airfield. The whole flight took 2h15m with an average speed of 100 kph, which is pretty darn good for the Falke.

I learnt rather a lot about cross county power soaring, a bit of navigation and just how stiff and sore one’s bum can get while sitting in the Falke with its paper thin cushion and reduced leg room. The part I enjoyed, and feared, the most was the first half an hour when we soared the ridge at really low altitudes. What I also particularly liked is that because this was my first time over the mountains and towards Jansenville, I now know the lay of the land so much better lapa side of the mountains.

When we arrived back the wind had switch more southerly and was blowing a good 10 knots. The Twin Astir was busy being winch launched from 26L. The soaring opportunities were pretty non existent and I decided not to go through the effort of getting the Single out and opted for a ride in the Twin, a plane that I have not flown in nearly a year and also my first winch launch in over three months.

During my first flight I seriously felt like a fish out of water. The controls of the Twin feel so much more different to that of the Single's. The main area of difference is the way elevator feels as it is a lot less responsive. This is way far up the list, followed by heavier inputs needed for the rudder and the really slow roll rate. Anyways, the landing went of well and I felt much more comfortable during the second flight.

So there you have it. A good aviation Sunday for the cost of two winch launches and shorts flights in the trainer : 113.75ZAR and a free two pax ride in the Falke.