Climbing and Descents

Another early start but a beautiful morning in the Yarra Valley, with no wind, little cloud and nice blue sky's. This was my second training session with Dean as Will is still sick, although I am booked in on Monday with Will so hopefully he will be recovered by then.

More of the same really although I was left do perform a full external inspection for the first time, and the instructor left a little 'time-bomb' which I picked up on. The fuel cap on the right hand wing was not secure.

We focused a climbing, turns and descents, which as previously discussed require power, attitude, speed and trim (exception is straight and level which requires attitude, power, speed and trim). Made it up to 4500 feet which was great, any higher and we would have been in controlled air-space and likely come into contact with a Qantas Jet. Not a good idea.

The pre-and-post flight checks were a little rushed and I would have preferred more time on them, but the intent was really to get in the air and practice manoeuvres.

Managed my first radio call which was a relief, probably sounds stupid but the idea of speaking to air-traffic-control is actually quite nerve racking. I am sure I will get used to it.

Start up and taxi to the runway is getting much easier, as is my control of the throttle, breaks and taxi back from the runway after landing.

We took off with one-level of flaps which is normal for the Jabiru, and at 250 feet AGL (above ground level) retracted, this is 500 feet about sea level (MSL). Landing is also achieved with 1 level of flaps.

I am starting to become more aware of the training area and the location of points if interest, such as Mount Dandenong and the Steels Creek Hill, which I know now is 5K from the Airport and a good place to advise ATC of your intention to head towards to airport.

I should also note that during takeoff I noticed the 'slipstream' effect where the air that is pushed back towards the air-craft (thrust) causes the plane to yaw slightly to the left, to counteract you need to apply right rudder to remain straight during take off.

So that's it until the next lesson.