Training Flight - Part 1

I went on a flight with Jean-Claude, the Chief Pilot, to practice some maneuvers in preparation for the Hop Tour. After the briefing, I performed the pre-flight check of the F-HGUY. We boarded, started the engine, and taxied to holding point D10. There were no issues during the engine tests; we contacted the tower and took off from runway 10.

We began our departure heading south, starting with a left turn at a 45° bank angle. Then another one to the right. The goal is to maintain altitude and anticipate movements to exit on the correct heading. Next, we initiated a stall – fuel pump set to “on,” carburetor heat set to “hot,” and engine speed at minimum. I pulled back on the controls to maintain a horizontal trajectory and waited for the stall to occur. Then, I moved the stick forward to recover, and went to full throttle. The altitude loss was approximately 300 feet.

Then came some slow flight turns. To return to the airfield, Jean-Claude asked me to use the loudspeaker and handheld microphone. I now understand why a headset was invented! It’s difficult to hear the controller’s voice over the engine noise. Difficult, but not impossible. Once aligned with the runway, we simulated an engine failure – glide speed of 135 km/h – and returned to the runway.

We increased power and completed a circuit for a precision landing. The goal is to touch down the wheels on a pre-determined point. I managed it on the first attempt, hitting the target area on the runway (the two large white stripes). We’re heading out for another circuit, this time on Runway 14. The final approach for Runway 14 is merged with the final approach for Runway 10, so you need to turn slightly before the threshold of Runway 10 to line up with Runway 14. I landed after the marker 14, so we had to go around again! On the second attempt, I landed on the marker. We braked and taxied to the club parking area.

Debrief of this flight

Flying with an instructor allows you to perform maneuvers that you wouldn’t normally do. It also helps refresh your knowledge and refine your piloting skills for increased safety later on. The work of an instructor is just as important before as it is after obtaining a PPL (Private Pilot License).