I spent 80% of her sight looking outside instead of flight instruments (as per the previous lesson)

After a good 2 hrs of theory and Climbing, I had my chance to fly. We revised on the Straight and Level Flight which I failed miserably last week and also got a chance to put Climbing skills in practise.

This time, I felt better maneuvering the aircraft with rudder pedals to the take-off position. I was able to use the rudder pedals well and the power to control the speed. This time though, as I experiment using my brake, I ran into trouble – almost ran into the grass (again!). However, overall, I started to get better at stirring the aircraft with rudder pedals.

I was better at my Straight and Level. This time I did spend 80% of my time looking outside and only 20% of my time looking at the performance instruments display . Well that’s because I had no options! My instructor covered up the instruments display!!

I got used to getting the right picture for my Normal, High and Low Speed to fly Straight & Level. I was able to known if I was heading in the wrong direction or when my wings were not level. It took me awhile to be able to stir back to the correct heading though. I also managed to practise my Climbing (Normal, Max Rate, Max Angle) and Descending (Glide, Powered/Cruise).

I made slight progress on my Straight & Level as I got a feeling of how far should I trim. Although my instructor mentioned that I should do this quickly when I set the Straight and Level, Climbing, Glide position instead of taking time for each actions. Mind you there’re a dozen or so things you need to do within seconds. I was still getting used to the sequence and the numbering (Power settings whether it’s 80, 75 or 60 kts and attitude 1 or 2 fingers, 0 fingers, -3 fingers etc). He also mentioned to have more confident in telling the aircraft to do what I wanted it to do – be firmer with the control columns, etc.  I was absorbing all his feedback and promised myself to redeem them in the next lesson.

At the end of the de-brief, I asked my instructor on my learning progress rate compare to his past students. He told me, some students take longer to learn and get used to things and some pick it up quicker. I felt a bit down because when he said some students take longer to learn, he was staring at me!!! Arrghhh….! Then I told him If I ever get my PPL (Private Pilot License)…then my instructor quickly corrected and said that it’s not a matter of IF but WHEN. He said his students always graduated with flying colour and he has full confident in me. He told me that I have the typical ‘Engineer Graduates Syndrome’ where I ”over-read” things in my training manuals in too much details. He said I have made progress from the last flight I did.

I will rehearse the sequence of setting up Straight and Level, Climbing, Descending BY HEART!! So that this will come naturally when I go for my next lesson!!!!!

Related posts:

1. 2nd Hour of Flying – Straight and Level Flight
2. First Classroom Lesson – Flying
3. Flying Theory’s driving me mad!
4. First Instructional Flight – Learning to fly
5. Royal Flying Doctor Services (RFDS)