Hello all
There is a reason this diary hasn’t been updated for a while and it’s because I hadn’t flown for two weeks. The exhaust problem was set aside, then the aircraft was being used for a check and test, which then turned into bad weather, followed by a regular maintenance check, exhaust change then an unscheduled double gearbox change. I flew the aircraft back last Wednesday. The school couldn’t have really leased the spare as PETS was at BFC also for maintenance.
So I flew twice on Wednesday and once on Thursday. Friday was better weather so MEP and CPL students should have got their fill whilst I had an appointment to see the AME for a renewal.
Here’s a brief summary
Day 19
Wednesday 25th July
1st flight
Flew down in the back of the DA40 to pick up the DA42. Saw an interesting demonstration of the KAP140 autopilot including the unit negotiating the ILS glideslope. Single-pilot ops is demanding and seeing how the AP can be correctly used in anger is a lesson in itself.
The intention was to fly back dual to Halfpenny Green with a hold/approach at Gloucester. But I think this got scratched eu to some worse weather coming in from the West and possibly for time also. So a few holds back at the Green, an approach to 34 then x-wind join for 16.
2nd flight
Slightly derusted, we repeated the 247 QDM from WBA then 010 to SWB VOR route. Slightly disheartened that we are still as it were in the play pit but good for practise nonetheless. Seem to recall parts of the hold and procedure were very bumpy as we passed though Cu.
Day 20
Thursday 26th July
A proper route. HG-BCN-L9 airway-ALVIN-GST DCT for hold/NDB DME approach then back to HG i.e. WBA DCT
A few firsts today. First time in Class A and IFR. First IFR flight plan. First time speaking the lingo to ATC in the airways.
So we departed the Green and routed direct for the Brecon (BCN) VOR at FL80 (semi-circular rule) The GPS came in handy for avoiding the Credenhill and neighbouring D147 danger area without creating a huge dogleg.
Given we had some extra time with a large wind vector on the nose and largely smoothish VMC, I tried playing about to get the ideal pitch angle for 135 knots and setting the trim. This seemed to take a lot of playing about with. I would be interested to read any flight test reports on the DA42’s longitudinal stability!
London Information were given the full TRPACER call (yes we are india mike charlie another first) and helpfully gave Cardiff a bell so we could join L9 at Brecon. They came back with the frequency to call and a squawk to use. Well done SwanFISes!
Obvious but good little tip given was to recognise how far the airspace is from BCN then give enough distance to give Cardiff a call. No problems with the handover and we climb another 1000ft to FL90 and head East to ALVIN.
At some stages we pass through cloud and also predicted freezing altitude at FL90 was bang on the money. The ice check becomes real and I call it regularly even if it doesn’t warrant a full Ice-FREDA run-through. Still behind screens and a hood, apparently what ever was trying to attach itself wasn’t succeeding.
The RT comes fast, I’m passed from Cardiff to Bristol, then Filton before – finally – going over to Gloucester. Just as well as I hadn’t planned for all these frequencies but can now just about quote them from memory.
Three in the hold at Gloucester meant we went around about three times, tracking was roughly okay but given the joining angle to the hold axis when coming in from the SW, I probably should have anticipated for it a bit better. Tracks were okay, especially on final track which I was happy with, but the G1000 was at times showing a 40 knot wind so the 1 minute legs have to e adjusted. I have since been reminded that it is a 1 second adjustment for every knot on the nose or tail.
Back at the Green for a vectored NDB/DME approach the final approach track was a bit off largely because we were (simulated) right-hand engine only and I wasn’t put the boot in enough to correct.
Overall I was reasonably happy with the RT at this stage, holds need some work, the descent profiles worked better Thursday versus Wednesday, but still need to get the altitude sorted. Suggested scan maybe Alt>DI>pitch>speed? To assist in ergonomics, I have also purchased a bendy plastic A5 ring binder to stick all the plates in – the plan is to balance the binder on my left leg and A5 kneeboard on my right. Sadly the stick interferes with lap space.
Apparently we may do the Gloucester route again on Monday.
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