Trial Lesson

Thursday 28th March 2019

So the day finally came round for my trial flight.  I had to work in the morning and after finishing there and having a spot of lunch, I arrived at the airport about 20 minutes early, so I sat in the car and waited.  I had arranged to meet Dave, my instructor, at 1.00pm.  As the time approached, I walked down to Clifton Aviation and upon entry, was was met by the receptionist, who was very welcoming and had me complete some paperwork to make a me a temporary member of the flying club so that I could fly one of their aircraft.  As I was completing this, Dave arrived.  I also had to watch a 10 minute briefing video about safety aspects and a quick overview of what would happen in the fight.  Whilst I did this, Dave took the opportunity to start an inspection of the aircraft we would be flying.

Once complete, Dave talked me though what would happen and gave an overview of what we would do on the flight and started to explain things like the circuit.  I think I should I have been taking notes as there was so much going on that most of it went in one ear and out the other.  Fortunately, I had been watching lots of YouTube videos on flying so a lot of what was being said seemed quite familiar to me.  

After a fairly lengthy preamble, we made our way out to the aircraft.  This was a Piper PA-28A 161 Cadet Reg G-BWOH also known as a Piper Warrior.

We walked around the aircraft and Dave explained some of the things he had done on the pre-flight check.  Things like fuel levels, tyre slip marks, oil dipstick and the fuel test valve.  

Once sat in the aircraft we went over the controls, re-affirming the effects, rudder pedals, brakes, the yoke, carb heat lever, trim control for elevator and rudder, throttle, dials etc.  Again, this was a lot to take on board for a first flight, so I think I can be forgiven for not remembering it all.

Dave went through the checklist for the start procedure and, after working out that you need to press the key in when turning to start the aircraft, we were under way.  We taxied to the fuel pumps to top up with fuel which, apart from putting an earth strap on the aircraft, is the same as filling a car, just using Aviation Gasoline or AVGAS. 

We then lined up on runway 27 and off we went.  I was concentrating so much on what was going on around me that I didn't even feel like we were off the ground.  It was much more gentle than my gliding days when I was pulled in to the air on a reverse winch system!

 This is a couple of me at the controls:


This is my instructor, Dave Lewins.


A view out of the cockpit.


As I had flown before, albeit a few years ago, Dave was happy to go through a lot more with me than he would a full ab initio pilot, so we covered a lot of ground.  This is a list of what we covered:
  • Straight and level flight – using reference points on the plane and the horizon to maintain level flight
  • Left and right hand turns and how to maintain height, showing that the fixed point of reference is different for left and right turns.
  • Power climbs using the throttle
  • Demonstration of stalls and how to recover from them
  • Demonstration of engine out landing procedures – looking for fields etc
  • Circuit and landing – using visual reference points for turns and controlling the speed etc
  • Talked through the landing
  • Steering the aircraft on the ground with the rudder pedals 
Total time in the air 1.05hrs

 We then taxied back to the school hanger and did a final shut down of the plane.

 This me at the end.



Cost:
Warrior Self Fly Hire                          £150.37
Landing Fee                                        £12.49
VAT                                                     £32.57
Total                                                    £195.43

After the flight, we had a debrief and Dave took me down to his Ground School, Eagle Flight Training to show me the books and revision guides he recommended.

Summary

So, did I enjoy it?  Well to be 100% honest with myself, yes, but not as much as I thought I would!  However, there was so much going on in such a short time that I don't think I had time to 'enjoy' it.  All the things I was being told, all the things going on around me, all the things going on in my ears (ATC etc) and all the time, trying to enjoy the experience!  It was never going to be an enjoyable pleasure flight!!

Will I do it again?  Well that is the subject of my next post.

Totals

Purchases:

Trial Flight £195.43

Total Costs = £226.14
Total Hours = 1.05


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