A long holiday then bad news. Richard my instructor developed a blood clot on his lung so was grounded. He is doing well but obviously cannot fly or instruct.
Soloflight have been trying to get a replacement instructor since and today was to be my first lesson with Paul the new Instructor.
As it had been over two months since my last lesson it was to be a general refresher.
Today I would be flying Romeo Lima, she was parked over on the grass so it would be difficult taxi over to the hard surfaced taxiways.
After finishing my basic checks, Paul went off to find some oil, my checks showed that she was only just above minimum and that with a warm engine.
I had finished up and strapped myself in when Paul arrived back and topped up the engine oil.
While Paul got in and strapped himself in I turned on the master switch and the second radio tuned to the ATIS. Weather was few at 1200 feet and scattered at 2500, QNH 1003 with information Romeo.
Paul told me to treat him as a passenger and that I would be doing everything. I finished my basic checks, started the engine and after I was happy got clearance to taxi to holding point Bravo but to give way to the Cessna.
Taxing across the grass was a slow and tricky event but I was soon at Bravo, power checks complete and I was cleared to take off. I was soon air born and heading towards the Humber bridge. I was cleared to only climb to 1300 feet due to traffic.
It was not long before I was handed over to Radar, I waited to get a word in edge ways as they seemed very busy. Before I got in Radar got to me and asked me my intentions.
“Humberside Radar, currently at 1300 feet heading for 2000 feet, request flight information service.”
I was cleared for this and informed that my QNH would be 999, and that I had traffic inbound towards me at 2300.
Paul advised me to stay at my current height until we spotted the traffic, this I did a few moments later. At my height at 10 O’clock! So much for 2300. I climbed up to 2000 feet and headed for the Bridge.
We flew along the Humber for a short while and Paul gave me some challenges. First maintain height but slow it down, then slow some more with one stage of flap, I was warned not to loose any height. Then a slow 180 degree turn first one way then the other, then back again. Then same again but slower still with a second stage of flap. Some more turns and finally the third stage of flaps. Slower still, now very gentle turns.
With that done I increased the power, and as the speed increased removed the flaps. Now for something more exciting. Paul asked me for a 30 degree bank and 360 degree turn. Then a 45 degree turn. That took a few attempts to get right, but I soon had the knack again.
Then it was time for some circuits. First landing no problem so the second Paul decided to give me a challenge, not to let the wheels touch down until we were parallel to the fire engine taxi route. I was a little long and I flared a little to late but close. The third and last landing was a very long final and a touch down on the numbers. We had to extend due to traffic. I mucked this one up, rounding out two high then allowing us to bounce on the runway back into the air. I got control again and got us down. Paul joked he would have to charge me for two landings for that one.
We taxied back to the hanger and Paul debriefed me. I was angry with myself for letting that last landing to get away from me, but Paul assured me that my landings were fine and that it was evident that I knew what I was doing and where I was going wrong. He would have no problem with sending me on Solo.
So heres looking forward to next week. Hope the weather gods smile on me!