My Flying

Unfortunately this is the second week in a row we have had no instructor. A number of students and the other duty members were at the airfield and all went home disappointed.

I at least had a nice 50 minute P2 flight in the Falke. The plan was to head to the dam in the Rockland's valley, but the Northerly was not co-operating and our ground speed was thus slow, we therefore turned back. We then spent about 15 minutes watching a C152 practising landings before it was our turn.

No instructor, no winch driver, no comment.

Fortunately an off duty instructor arrived and he was happy to send me solo without a check flight. A nice confidence boost.

The wind was starting to pick up and was gusting a bit from the South-West. The take off went well but my first circuit, a touch 'n go, was yech. Needed to add some power on finals as I was a bit too far out and low. First time I have ever needed to do that. I think the wind was a little stronger than I first expected.

Anyways after the touch 'n go I headed for the ridge and noted that the air was very bumpy. On the way there I noticed that the vario was showing a good 2m/s up and then I realised, hey dumbass, there is lift up here. Found a nice thermal and managed to gain a few hundred feet. The only problem is that it pushed me over the airfield and the circuit and I decided to move as I might have started getting in people's way.

Second landing went off much better as I had more height and turned based earlier than before. About a few metres out from touch down a gust knocked the plane about and upset my rhythm a bit so my flare was pretty bad and there was a nice bounce. But I brought her down safely.

We spent the morning assembling the newly arrived Blanik L13 which will be used as our trainer while the Twin Astir is being repaired. Actually a very nice look aircraft and a lot lighter than what it looks. I think it's light weight will allow it to perform better in our weak thermal conditions.

By the time the Blanik was completed the day was half over. I took two very enjoyable flights with the instructor in the Falke. The first was a 30 minute flight, basically 20 minutes one way and 10 minutes back, one touch 'n go and the landing. My first landing really sucked and I was very disappointed in myself. I however consoled myself with the fact that it has been two weeks since my last flight.

The next landing went off much better and two hours later I performed three faultless circuits, with the instructor during my second flight of the day. As it was getting dark we decided to call it a day.

Unfortunately no flying today.
That's two weeks in a row now.

METAR (Actual)
FAPE 291100Z 25031G45KT 9999 FEW048 19/06 Q1010 NOSIG=

FC TAF - 6/9 hours
FAPE 290900Z 291021 25035G55KT 9999 SCT030 BECMG 1618 25020KT
TX21/12ZTN12/21Z=

Next week we should receive a Blanik L-13 on loan to replace the Twin Astir while it is being repaired.