1.4hrs solo – Pattern work/landings, steep turns
I decided to take advantage of the last of weather forecasted to be nice for a few days, and spend some solo time with 40H. This would be my first solo time in this 172, one that I was just becoming comfortable with, so I was feeling a bit tense all morning.
Knowing that McMinnville would be busy on such a nice day, I decided that would be good place to practice pattern and landing work, and would give some time in-route to practiced a few steep turns.
When I arrived at McMinnville it was busy, and had a great time making a few trips around the pattern before the return trip to Twin Oaks. I decided on a bit of a zigzag return course, just to enjoy the view for awhile.
I entered the pattern a Twin Oaks, but came in a little fast, and really floated, ending with a bounce. I knew my instructor was with a student in the runup area at the other end of the runway, and hoped that he was distracted with that, and not watching me.
I didn't want to end with that, so off I went for another trip around. This time I was still a bit fast on short final, but remembered that 40H has an additional 10 degrees of flaps. The last 10 degrees helped to slow me down, though I did still float a bit. At least this touchdown was pretty smooth, and good to end the day on.
I still need more work with the flaps on this. In the 172 I've had most of my training with, the flap switch is notched for each 10 degrees, with 30 degrees total travel. In this 172 the flaps switch is held down approx 3 seconds for each 10 degrees, with 40 total. I may be counting too fast.
This last picture is the shadow of a contrail left by a jet far overhead. The shadow was visible as a dark line through the haze, as well an on the ground.
No comments:
Post a Comment