Finally after 3 long weeks I finally had PPL Lesson 12 at Cranfield Flying School: Circuits.
My morning lessons was cancelled but by the afternoon the weather had cleared up enough to allow the afternoon lesson to go ahead, thankfully!
When I arrived at the school I sat my Meteorology and Communications exams which I am delighted to say that I passed ( 75% meteorology, 100% communications).
As I thought after 3 weeks I was rusty, which is annoying because just as I was starting to get the flare right on the landing I had an enforced break due to the weather being rubbish.
After a quick brief we went out to the plane where I got to test out my David Clark H10-13.4 for the first time (review coming later).
Surprisingly my circuit is actually pretty good even in the 12kt cross winds that we was facing today.
I have my downwind check learned but I really need to get the others down and fast because my first solo is quickly approaching.
Once again the landings were ‘firm’ and one was a bounce.
However towards the end of the lesson it was coming back to me. My issue is that as soon as I cut the power I was trying to flare and hold it.
I learned towards the end that I need to wait and the final landing was super smooth.
As we were flying in strong crosswind I also had to learn crosswind landings. This brings the rudder into play on the landing to then put the plane straight as you need to come in at an angle to combat the wind.
I will imagine the wind will still be pretty strong tomorrow so I will get some more practice of this in.
We managed 6 take of and landings before the darkness put an end to the fun.
I am back up the school tomorrow for two lessons which is a good thing as I managed to walk away with the keys to the aircraft! Whoops.
Hopefully my landings will click and I can get closer to my first solo which I feel is a pretty big thing for any student.
