Just got back from my second flight. This time I was in Piper Warrior G-BSAW as the Cessna was in for maintenance. It started of with a more in depth talk on the effects of all the controls building on from last time. Then we went out to the aircraft, quick walk round with the checklist and got strapped in. After starting the engine I taxied out to runway 10 where we did the power checks, again still followng the checklist. Takeoff was at about 60 knots, slightly faster than the little Cessna I was in last time. Immediately after getting airborne it was obvious it wasn’t going to be so bumpy! We turned left towards Wolverhampton, I caught a quick glimpse of Ounsdale School as we passed over Wombourne then followed the M54 West towards Telford. Ahead I could see a big hill sticking up in an otherwise flat landscape, The Wrekin! Overhead this we turned South towards Bridgnorth and the airfield.

On the way I was taken through all the primary and secondary effects of the controls at both high and low speeds. Then went through and practiced trimming the aircraft at various attitudes before moving onto the effects of flaps. This was a slightly more strange feeling then everything so far; as I pulled the flap lever up (it’s similar to a handbrake on a car) the plane shot up as more lift was generated. Going back down the opposite happens, if you put the flap up in one go it causes a small drop in altitude.

After this we were heading back towards the airfield to join for landing. Away in the distance towards Wolverhampton it looked a bit grey, there was a threat of storms like yesterday and it had started to get a bit more bumpy. On the final approach we were a bit high, I was still doing most of the flying with the instructor guiding it in places and suddenly we hit the ground with a small bump, hold the brakes on and turn off to the right to taxi back to parking.

Another good flight! Hoping to have another booked soon, possibly next week.

Today, I took the first step towards becoming a pilot! I flew a Cessna 152, G-BNMF (as pictured below) from Halfpenny Green Airport. I arrived at the flying school a few minutes early, and was briefed by the instructor on the effects of the various controls of the aeroplane and what we would be doing once we got airborne. After this, we went out to the aircraft and I was strapped in the left hand seat. Once I had familiarised myself with the controls from what we had been talking about inside, I turned the key and started the engine. After testing the breaks, I was shown how to taxy and made my way to the runway.

C-152 G-BNMF

Once at the runway holding point, there were some final checks to make sure everything was ok before we received clearance to take off. I slowly pushed the throttle all the way forward and felt the engine propelling the aircraft down the runway. After a few moments, the wings were starting to generate lift and we made it into the air with a bump.  The altitude indicator started slowly moving clockwise indicated we were climbing, passed 400, then 500 feet and upwards. It was evident at this point that the air was quite turbulent, and I was advised this was due to thermals as it was quite a warm day. Still in control, I was instructed to turn back towards the airfield to fly overhead and on towards Wombourne. We flew over Wombourne and I could see the Ounsdale field, and the village green and Baggeridge ahead. Then I saw the side of my house looking down the road. We flew a couple of circles over the house then headed out towards Dudley. On the way, I was shown how to do balanced turns using the rudder, climbing and descending. Before I knew it, we were over Bromsgrove following the M5 South, then turned back towards the airfield. Next I was shown the effects of adding and removing power, and introduced to using trim. It was still very bumpy so it was quite difficult to do anything!

After all this, I turned back to the field and we joined the circuit overhead with a descent on the deadside. As there was a few minutes left the instructor decided we would do some circuits, so reported final behind another aircraft. He was barely off the ground before we touched down, and the crosswind made it quite difficult but I landed it (with a bit of assistance) and we took off again back into the circuit. As we were climbing out I noticed a glider up above, obviously taking advantage of the thermals I had been feeling all along. We turned downwind, then final and were advised that the glider was orbiting just ahead. Another landing, then I taxied back to the apron and shut down. First flight over!

I hope to be booking some more lessons soon!

Taxiing In