Soloed today

[Nefj40]

Kinda scary in the gusty cross winds.

[M Towsley]

Re: Soloed today

Congrats Dave, a day you will always remember!

[Guest]

Re: Soloed today

congrates Dave!

Kinda scary and thrilling flying alone that first time isn't it?

Dave

[Nefj40]

Re: Soloed today

congrates Dave!

Kinda scary and thrilling flying alone that first time isn't it?

Dave

Yes, yes it is.

It was a long time coming.

[Carrieve]

Re: Soloed today

The airplane really performs differently without that instructor in the right seat doesn't it.

[Nefj40]

Re: Soloed today

It startled me on the first takeoff. My mind was racing around so much that I hadn't considered how it was going to react without that dead weight in the other seat.

[Nefj40]

Re: Soloed today

I've got a new found respect for you guys and gals that fly t-crafts in the "bush." Spot landing, that's damn near impossible. A cool fall day with zero wind, but final is over a highway and when everything is perfect a thermal from the road catches you and now you're 100 ft higher than intended. Nose down and you're now @ 70 over the numbers. I've got a lot of learning to do.

[3Dreaming]

Re: Soloed today

I've got a new found respect for you guys and gals that fly t-crafts in the "bush." Spot landing, that's damn near impossible. A cool fall day with zero wind, but final is over a highway and when everything is perfect a thermal from the road catches you and now you're 100 ft higher than intended. Nose down and you're now @ 70 over the numbers. I've got a lot of learning to do.

Unless you are on the slow side already you are better off picking the nose up too slow the airplane down a little bit instead of lowering the nose to get down. This will give you a steeper angle of descent because of your slower ground speed and higher descent rate. The other thing is the Taylorcraft slips really nice. If you are not using slips already get your instructor to fly with you and practice anywhere from just a little slip to a controls against the stop slip. They are fun, and can help you nail that spot landing. Also when you are ready for your checkride the examiner will like seeing that you have that extra control over the airplane.

[Nefj40]

Re: Soloed today

I'm not super comfortable using slips when I'm by myself yet. I have played with them at altitude, just not when I'm close to the ground.

[Pearson]

Re: Soloed today

Dave,
I am sure you have heard that your license is only a license to learn. You are smart to not do anything in your plane you are uncomfortable with. Try going up to an altitude you are comfortable with and practice side slips. You can find a long section of straight road to use as an imaginary runway. I am sure your instructor showed you how to slip, so just go up and practice what you were taught. You will have to hold it for several seconds before it will become apparent whether or not you are staying aligned with the road. I am sure that if you spend a few minutes each flight practicing, you will feel comfortable slipping your way down closer to a runway. Even then, it is important to stay within your comfort zone. And always remember, the go around is your friend. That is another maneuver that should be practiced. Try it while you are at altitude over the road practicing your slips. It is not as easy as you might imagine, especially if you are trimmed down to a low airspeed.

[3Dreaming]

Re: Soloed today

I'm not super comfortable using slips when I'm by myself yet. I have played with them at altitude, just not when I'm close to the ground.

Like Richard said don't do anything that you are not comfortable with. Slips to a landing and go arounds are both things that are required to be taught to a student before solo. I like my students to be real comfortable with slips even though they are flying an airplane with flaps. If they don't need them that is fine, but it always nice to have it in your bag of tricks. They are a real good way to help you get down. With the Taylorcraft if you master the slip then mastering the landings will not be far behind.

[Nefj40]

Re: Soloed today

Thanks for the advice, and I really do appreciate it. There is a night and day difference between a Cessna 150 and a Taylorcraft. It's like relearning to fly all over again. I was more confident at 10 hours in a 150 twenty years ago than I am at 30 in a T-craft today. Maybe it's just wisdom (or caution) that's came with age.

[Pearson]

Re: Soloed today

I've got a new found respect for you guys and gals that fly t-crafts in the "bush." Spot landing, that's damn near impossible. A cool fall day with zero wind, but final is over a highway and when everything is perfect a thermal from the road catches you and now you're 100 ft higher than intended. Nose down and you're now @ 70 over the numbers. I've got a lot of learning to do.

Dave,

The trick is to get behind the power curve so that the throttle controls altitude and the yoke controls airspeed. Go up to a comfortable altitude and slow down to about 5 - 10 mph above stall speed. If you are holding a constant altitude, you will probably see a power setting about 15 to 20% below a normal cruise setting. But if you slow down even more, you will need even more power. Vary your airspeed down to just 4 - 5 mph above stall, while maintaining altitude. Notice the amount of power it now takes to fly even slower than before. While you are holding altitude and airspeed about 5 mph above stall - pull the power back 200 rpm and maintain AIRSPEED now. You will be starting down in a nice gradual descent, just above stall speed. If you want to increase the descent rate, do not reduce back pressure on the yoke. Instead, decrease the RPM just slightly. You are now using the throttle for altitude control and the yoke for airspeed control. Once you practice it a little, you will be a lot more comfortable on short final allowing the airspeed to reduce closer to stall speed as you approach the runway. Just don't let it get too slow and drop you in like a rock. If you enter the flare 5 - 10 mph above stall, it is a nice coordinated pull on the yoke as you pull the throttle off. Once you get it, there is no better feeling. Just make sure you are proficient at altitude before you try it down low. You ease into it as your skill level increases. My personal technique is to not trim below 60 mph. That way the force in my left hand on the yoke, gives me an idea of where I am as far as airspeed. I practice my stalls the same way. I know the amount of force when I am at stall speed and can compare it to the feel as I enter the flare. If I have to go around, I am already trimmed to my best angle of climb speed, 60mph for my plane.

[Gerald McKibben]

Re: Soloed today

I soloed in a Cessna 140 a long time ago. Nobody told me to expect the radical difference in takeoff performance. I thought I had to hold the same climb airspeed I was taught, and the steep angle startled me somewhat. Sure didn't take long to get to pattern altitude.

[perryv1]

Re: Soloed today

My son Tom soloed in the T today
Im sure his Grampa is smiling