We have just passed the halfway point in the first of 3 phases in Southampton. To be honest there isn't really a lot to talk about during this simulator phase as we are basically just learning how the Airbus A320 works. So far we have been learning how to fly the various different approaches and departures using standard instrument procedures out of UK airports.
The basic phase is mostly fixed base. We only do 2 flights with the full motion switched on in the basic phase, these are for upset recovery. This means putting the plane into unusual angles of bank and pitch and then recovering before the plane falls out of the sky due to slow speed or breaks up due to overspeed. The first of the upset recovery was good fun. The instructor put the plane into unusual nose high and nose low attitudes and then we had to recover back to level flight. This was quite fun with the full motion switched on as it felt a bit more realistic. We also did a landing with the full motion on which went better than expected with a smooth landing.
We have also started flights with an engine failure. We did one flight with the engine failing in flight and another with it failing on taking off. This is quite tricky the first time we did it as an engine out creates a massive yaw (if you could imagine a see-saw with 2 people in balance and then one person jumping off, that is the effect you get when one engine fails but left and right as oppose to up and down on a see-saw). The way to counteract the yaw is to use the rudder and then use the trim to release the pressure off your legs. I was surprised at how much force was needed and my leg started to shake the first time. Every time you adjust the thrust, you need to adjust the amount of rudder input, so the trick is to get into balance and be stable as quick as possible so you don't need to adjust the thrust setting.
The next thing for us is to start learning more and more emergency procedures and high altitude upset recovery. Koffin corner is a term often used in high altitude which is where the overspeed and the stall speed meet meaning you can't go faster and and you can't go slower, not a nice place to be!
I wont be updating the blog as often as NZ as there isn't much to report about and there aren't any mountains to take pictures from down here. Here are some pictures of our training since our return to Southampton, I wont put a description as they are pretty self explanatory.
