WEEK 50: SIMS, 1ST CESSNA FLIGHT & A HIKE #37

Airline Prep

Week 50 was certainly one to write home about. I had my final three sim flights for this phase in three days followed by my first real IFR flight in the Cessna 172.

The sims consisted of VOR/DME holds and approaches, GPS holds and approaches and lesson six was a review of everything covered so far which was a very hard and intense lesson.

VOR/DME holds and approaches went better than I expected to be honest. I'd had a long break between that lesson and the previous one so there were elements that were rusty but I was expecting it to be a lot worse. I had spent a lot of time preparing for that lesson though by reading the radio guide, learning checks and knowing pretty much exactly what's going to happen over the lesson by visualising it. The preparation certainly helped. I had to do an instrument take off then enter the hold at Hamilton and carry out an approach, do a missed approach then repeat the process. I also had to start including the appropriate radio calls and checks in this lesson which was an extra challenge but because I had a pretty good idea of what to say and do it freed up some much needed capacity. Those are things you want to be able to do without thinking, otherwise it's very easy to fall behind the aircraft. So there was a lot going on but it was fun and I enjoyed it.

CP116 relaxing by the pool at the local hotel

GPS holds and approaches was actually pretty hard I thought, having heard that it was probably the easiest sim. It was only one hour long so there was time for just one take off and approach. The GPS is great in the sense that it basically tells you what course to fly, when to turn and for how long. You just need to correct the heading depending on the wind. The hardest part is probably programming all the information correctly into the G1000. When you're on the approach you're meant to get the appropriate plate out and brief what you're going to do. I found this really difficult to do properly as I was fighting turbulence on an already sensitive sim and trying to fly as accurately as possible. It was just hard having to take my eyes off the screen for a few seconds to read a plate. I'd then go back to the screen and be off track by a few degrees so I came away from that lesson thinking I could have done better. It was by no means disastrous but certainly not my best performance.

Lesson six was a review of everything covered so far and was two hours long so I was prepared for a tough time. I went into the part task trainer (PTT) before the lesson so I could get used to setting up the G1000 equipment which I knew would make my life a lot easier in the sim. The PTT is just a static sim with no projector which is designed for cadets to go in and use in their own time to get used to certain techniques or like me, the G1000. I think it's well worth using for getting used to the screens but for actual flying techniques I'm not entirely convinced how helpful it is. But it did a good job for me because I felt a lot more confident setting up the equipment and operating it during the flight.

The PTT

I had to start the aircraft up as if it was a real flight this time, going through the full check list, radio calls etc. I was asked to do an instrument departure then enter the VOR/DME hold at Hamilton, carry out a VOR/DME missed approach, then do a GPS arrival and approach which included a couple of laps of the hold as well. I'd spent a fair bit of time visualising and going over this flight the evening before so I had a good picture in my mind of what was coming up next. I'd learnt my calls and checks so I came out of the lesson feeling fairly happy with myself. I'd also organised my plates a lot better than the previous flight so I found briefing much easier this time. As they say, p*** poor preparation makes p*** poor performance.

Later that day my Mum and Step-Dad had to go back to the UK which was sad. I was lucky to have the amount of time off with them to be fair so I'm very grateful to CTC for giving me that time. I'd managed to show them around the airport the evening before which was pretty cool. Sadly I couldn't take them flying though so that will have to wait until I get back home.

Mum and I in the Cessna

The next day was so exciting because I had my first proper IFR flight and it was in the Cessna 172 which I've never flown before. I think this flight is a bit of an introductory to the aircraft. I did the take off and an instrument departure and was just asked to do some VOR tracking around Hamilton. There was hardly any wind so the task was quite easy compared to what I'd been doing in the sim. I then did a few entries and laps of the hold which was pretty cool, although I totally screwed up my initial radio call to Christchurch control. They gave me a list of instructions which I understood but I couldn't remember it all to read back so I just replied "wilco", which was far from good enough for the poor controller having to put up with me. oops! I thought I flew the holds ok. However, we got caught in a few nasty down draughts in a big cloud which was right over the airport which made it very difficult to fly accurately. At one point I had full power and ten degrees nose up and we were descending at about six hundred feet per minute, NOT GOOD! When we were above cloud though it was smooth as anything and just so beautiful. To my surprise I got to do the VOR/DME approach and landing. Considering it was my first time in a Cessna I thought it was pretty good. It felt so good being back in the air and flying for real. It had been a long time!

In the hold above Hamilton

Cloud surfing

Setting the heading bug

Finals for 18L

Clearways on Finals

Over the weekend I played cricket for my local club and we won comfortably which was good. I opened the batting and if I'm honest, struggled a little bit against a ball that was moving miles off a typically poor New Zealand wicket.

Myself and a couple of friends decided to do the Tongariro alpine crossing on Sunday. The weather was perfect and we got some spectacular views! We left Clearways at 6am, stopped for breakfast in Taupo and arrived at the Mangatepopo car park at about 10am. We set off from the base at about half past ten and climbed to the highest point on the trail and back down. It was extremely hard work and my legs are suffering today but it was so worth it! We must have walked about 23 km. We got back to the car at about 5:30 pm and arrived back at Clearways just before 8:30 pm. It was a long day but wow was it a good one! For anyone coming out to New Zealand this has to be done! Wear trainers or walking boots, give yourself plenty of time, have plenty of water, sun cream and snacks to keep you going and have a few extra layers in case it gets cold. Apparently during the winter you need to go with a tour guide because there's lots of snow and ice and the weather can change quite rapidly. It was hard enough in the summer with no snow or ice in sight but must be great fun.