Start PPL on the 28th

[ecain63]

Here's the video. GoPro makes it look a lot lighter than it actually was. Lol

http://vid251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/niacuk/...

[longintheleg]

Awesome stuff mate and it seems like you're really picking it up.

Thanks for sharing the video.

[CharlieCrocodile]

Time it right and you should be able to get your night rating done at the same time!

[ccr32]

Pre-landing checks - bum-fich has always stuck with me!

B - brakes - pressure in pedals; parking brake off
U - undercarriage - fixed in the Robin, so no worries!
M - mixture - rich
F - fuel - fuel master on; pump on; pressure in the green; contents; correct tank selected (again, can't get that last one wrong in a Robin)
I - instruments - T&P's in the green
C - carb heat - hot (10 secs, set cold, hot when descending, cold again when cleared to land on final)
H - hatches and harnesses - secure

and

Landing light on - doesn't really fit in with bum-fich, but I remember it anyway

I'm sure there are a hundred and one ways of remembering the above procedures, but the above seems to work for me

[ecain63]

ccr32 said:

Pre-landing checks - bum-fich has always stuck with me!

B - brakes - pressure in pedals; parking brake off
U - undercarriage - fixed in the Robin, so no worries!
M - mixture - rich
F - fuel - fuel master on; pump on; pressure in the green; contents; correct tank selected (again, can't get that last one wrong in a Robin)
I - instruments - T&P's in the green
C - carb heat - hot (10 secs, set cold, hot when descending, cold again when cleared to land on final)
H - hatches and harnesses - secure

and

Landing light on - doesn't really fit in with bum-fich, but I remember it anyway

I'm sure there are a hundred and one ways of remembering the above procedures, but the above seems to work for me

Thanks for the idea ref remembering pre-landing checks. I've got my head in the books this week so hopefully i'll have it weighed off ready for my next sessions.

Eddie

[mattdaniels]

ccr32 said:

I'm sure there are a hundred and one ways of remembering the above procedures, but the above seems to work for me

My one is CL-BUMFFITCH

Carb heat on
Landing light on
Brakes off and pedal has pressure
Undercarriage down/fixed
Mixture fully rich
Fuel ok and sufficient for a go around
Flaps set as appropriate
Instruments - DI and compass aligned
Temperatures and pressures in the green
Carb heat off
Hatches and harnesses secure

[ccr32]

mattdaniels said:

ccr32 said:

I'm sure there are a hundred and one ways of remembering the above procedures, but the above seems to work for me

My one is CL-BUMFFITCH

Carb heat on
Landing light on
Brakes off and pedal has pressure
Undercarriage down/fixed
Mixture fully rich
Fuel ok and sufficient for a go around
Flaps set as appropriate
Instruments - DI and compass aligned
Temperatures and pressures in the green
Carb heat off
Hatches and harnesses secure

Ah, I did think there was a 'T' in there somewhere, and now that makes sense! I've normally recently aligned DI and compass during the normal/regular FREDA's so don't have it as a specific step in my pre-landing's, also owing to the fact that (providing all is well!) I can see the runway when flying downwind so have a general idea of which way I'm going

All good fun though.

Matt - out of interest, as a PPL holder, do you practice any unusual approaches on your own/with pax, flapless, glide, etc? I was just thinking the other day that I haven't done them in a while but didn't think it would be right to subject my passengers to an 'experiment', so to speak...!

[ecs]

On the subject of checks - when you flip the switch for the flaps, do a check to make sure they're down and symmetrical and say 'flaps down and symmetrical'. The circuit breaker for them is right by your instructors knee (in an HR200), and speaking from experience, they like to do sneaky things like pulling it if they think you're not checking!

[mattdaniels]

ccr32 said:

Ah, I did think there was a 'T' in there somewhere, and now that makes sense! I've normally recently aligned DI and compass during the normal/regular FREDA's so don't have it as a specific step in my pre-landing's, also owing to the fact that (providing all is well!) I can see the runway when flying downwind so have a general idea of which way I'm going

All good fun though.

Matt - out of interest, as a PPL holder, do you practice any unusual approaches on your own/with pax, flapless, glide, etc? I was just thinking the other day that I haven't done them in a while but didn't think it would be right to subject my passengers to an 'experiment', so to speak...!

Actually I'm not a PPL holder - I completed all the flying in the syllabus and the QXC but didn't finish all the ground exams, then the flying club went bust, then my exams expired, then I got a girlfriend so lost my weekends, yadda yadda woe is me.

But I think that if I do ressurrect it and get my ticket I would do some unusual approaches and PFLs just to keep on top of things, but not with PAX on board.

[muppetdave]

Not a flyer at all, but what an interesting/inspiring read. Keep it up and congrats on your recovery.

[bentley01]

ecs said:

On the subject of checks - when you flip the switch for the flaps, do a check to make sure they're down and symmetrical and say 'flaps down and symmetrical'. The circuit breaker for them is right by your instructors knee (in an HR200), and speaking from experience, they like to do sneaky things like pulling it if they think you're not checking!

Good piece of advice and one you should keep with you no matter what you go onto fly. We call it closing the loop. Flap 9... make selection and then close the loop by checking flaps are 9. Doing this might save you from making a huge mistake somewhere down the line.

[JBACON01]

Surely you would feel if the flaps had been selected or un-selected?

[CharlieCrocodile]

JBACON01 said:

Surely you would feel if the flaps had been selected or un-selected?

Yes & no, early on during the PPL course there's so much going on in the circuit that you probably wouldn't feel/notice the flaps going down as you're concentrating on the checks, radio, nailing the approach speed & lookout. Later on in the course you get the checks done sooner so it gives you time to check the flaps. On the HR200 you can also hear the flaps motor running through the headset, my instructor did the same trick where he pulled the fuse so it was clear that something was wrong as I didn't hear the whine.

That's my experience anyway, at the start of the course I'd still be doing the checks on late downwind so on the turn to base I was still mentally busy.

[VernalEquinox]

JBACON01 said:

Surely you would feel if the flaps had been selected or un-selected?

Maybe if you're only putting on a smidge and aren't really in tune with the feel of the aircraft. But yes, you'd rather hope so.

[ecain63]

Booked in for my next lesson on Saturday morning, all being well with the weather. I've got a different instructor this time as JB is away for the weekend but i'm sure the change of personality won't alter the course of my learning. I just hope he's as keen for me to take control throughout as JB is.

Ref the checks. I think they are sinking in now. Ive written them down numerous times so hopefully i'll be able to picture them when needed.

Eddie

[CharlieCrocodile]

Have you thought about going to the airfield and just sitting in the aircraft to practice the checks? They shouldn't charge you for it. I did it when converting to a 172 & PA28, made life easier as the layouts are different.

[anonymous-user]

CharlieCrocodile said:

Have you thought about going to the airfield and just sitting in the aircraft to practice the checks? They shouldn't charge you for it. I did it when converting to a 172 & PA28, made life easier as the layouts are different.

Works well, or if that's inconvenient, a large poster/picture of the panel(s) usually works better for me than lists. Google images of the various panels can help.

[ecs]

CharlieCrocodile said:

JBACON01 said:

Surely you would feel if the flaps had been selected or un-selected?

Yes & no, early on during the PPL course there's so much going on in the circuit that you probably wouldn't feel/notice the flaps going down as you're concentrating on the checks, radio, nailing the approach speed & lookout. Later on in the course you get the checks done sooner so it gives you time to check the flaps. On the HR200 you can also hear the flaps motor running through the headset, my instructor did the same trick where he pulled the fuse so it was clear that something was wrong as I didn't hear the whine.

That's my experience anyway, at the start of the course I'd still be doing the checks on late downwind so on the turn to base I was still mentally busy.

It was a mistake I made/was making while only a few hours in. When you're quite green, there's a lot going on and it's seemingly easy to miss!

[PanzerCommander]

el stovey said:

CharlieCrocodile said:

Have you thought about going to the airfield and just sitting in the aircraft to practice the checks? They shouldn't charge you for it. I did it when converting to a 172 & PA28, made life easier as the layouts are different.

Works well, or if that's inconvenient, a large poster/picture of the panel(s) usually works better for me than lists. Google images of the various panels can help.

I can confirm that this does work. I don't fly but I do drag race and I spent time sat at home on the driveway practicing the run (albeit without the car running) procedure, right up to the point of staging the car (I am sure the neighbours thought I was mad) as I don’t have a light tree to practice with. It really helps burn it into your mind, so much so that you even remember if you miss something.

Anyway, reading this thread with interest as I may do my PPL some day (if I ever stop racing that is ).

[fizz47]

Love this thread - and is spurring me on to get started to do the same...( the cost is the main factor holding me back)


Anyone know or recommened and flying schools in the Essex (epping) area?