Continuing on from my last post where we had just completed upset recovery, we then continued to fly from different airports around the UK like Leeds, Prestwick, Manchester and Heathrow to name a few. We were then introduced to single engine operations. First of all we had a flame out during cruise and then we had to return to the airfield and land safely. Having one engine creates a larger yawing moment which we then have to correct using rudder and then to relieve some pressure from our legs you can use rudder trim. Quite a lot of force is required when you make a large change in thrust, quite a few times my leg was shaking trying to keep the rudder steady. The trick on the approach is to try and get the aircraft stable and trim set and only make minor adjustments, otherwise large changes require changes in thrust which requires changes in trim and has a knock-on effect and you are constantly chasing the aircraft. We were then given engine failure during take off which is interesting because you are at full power setting and then one engine quickly cuts out creating a huge yawing moment.
After the single engine operations we had a high altitude upset recovery and then we were introduced to LOFT (line orientation flight training) which is basically short routes from one airport to another. We then practised the different entries into each airfield like we were doing at the start of training. Then we had to couple that with engine failures. Up until now the fuel quantities had been frozen on 5 tons but the last few flights the fuel was flowing so that we had to manage the fuel quantities left and make sure we landed with the legal requirement still remaining. It's not so easy when you have a lot of things being thrown at you all at once. It is a very busy process for both pilots!
Then the test came and thankfully it went well. Me and Jack had different routes. I was up first going from Liverpool to Birmingham. A very busy route and everything felt like it rushed up on us! Jack had Birmingham to Leeds which felt a lot less rushed for both of us. Overall the flights were good but not our best performance to date. We had both passed and we have both earnt our first stripe on our epaulettes. The key word that came out of basic phase which we will have to practice in the next 2 phases is ANTICIPATION! Everything moves so fast that you literally have to think that much further ahead.
The next phases are the intermediate and advance phases. The intermediate consists of 10 sim sessions where we will be practising more failures and emergency situations. I am also paired with Alex for the final phases. The advance phase is then more LOFT flights with the emergency procedures and only consists of 11 sim sessions with the last session being our final licence skills test. Then we will have roughly a month off before heading to the desert to fly the real thing. Scary to think that we are so close!
We have done a little bit of exploring around the Hampshire area. We went to Winchester and explored a bit of the traditional town. We also went to the New Forest for a bit of a walk with the wild horses. Also went to Portsmouth to check out the boat yard.
Next post will probably be after my intermediate test in a few weeks time. If you put your email address in the box to the right it will email you to tell you when I update with a post rather than you check back all the time.
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| More upset recovery |
