Tuesday 8 December 2009

Second Training Day

Got back up in the air today, the weather yesterday was unsuitable for flying.  Raining and windy so no go.

Today, back in the same aircraft, a Diamond DA-20.  First was the briefing then the aircraft inspection – basically a walk around check to see if any bits are falling off, looked fine so on to the engine start procedure.   The Instructor then got me to taxi out to the runway (well, it’s a sort of runway, narrow and curved).  There is no steering on the Aircraft so you use brakes on each wheel to steer around.  Took a bit of getting used to but soon got the hang of it.

Then onto pre-flight checks and then line up for take off.  To my surprise, the Instructor told me to take off – first for me on this type of Aircraft and on that narrow, curved runway….   Once in the air, climb to 500ft, turn 90 degrees, climb to 1200ft, another turn, clear Gatwick airspace then up to 2500ft.  Flight took us over Kent towards Maidstone, Rochester and Paddock Wood

Lessons today were climbing, descending, turning level and turning while climbing and descending plus some basic navigation.  Exercises 5, 6, 7 and 8 for those who are interested.

Navigate back to Redhill then descend for final approach – then hand over to the Instructor for landing.  I think it will be a while before I do a landing – might even have to wait till the proper Runways open again.

Instructor was happy with my progress and signed me off to move on to the next stage.  Just got to get the next lesson sorted now…

Pictures of the cockpit below taken just before the flight.

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