Constructive Criticism or Negative Attitude?

I am trying to critique my performance after every flight. I don't know if I am being too harsh on myself. 


This week I started to record the audio from the cockpit. Listening back has made me realise that I am forgetting key information about the manoeuvres I am supposed to be flying. As a result of this, I sat down this evening and listened to the  entire hour of the recorded audio. I made bullet point notes for each manoeuvre performed during the up and coming stage 1 check ride. 


When I recommenced my JAA training back in Ireland in July, I had a much more positive attitude towards reviewing my lessons.


Maybe it's time to focus more on the positive? Let the fact I made these notes today be the start of a more positive attitude towards analysing my performance. 

Lesson 9

DATE: 30th January 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288  
ROUTE: CHD -> {Southern Training Area} -> CHD
DURATION: 1.1 hour
LANDINGS: 3
TOTAL TIME: 8.4 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)


Lesson Summary - Departed 22R for the south training area. Ran through the required items for the stage 1 checkride. Back to the circuit for 2 touch and goes with simulated engine failure on the downwind.


Key Learnings - Judged the approach profile better on the simulated engine failures. Need to revise the emergency checklists. For a real life engine failure, will need to find a spot and stick with it. Quick thinking needed on determining the approach path. For the power off stalls, I was allowing the nose to drop too far. Need to focus on the climb out profile post the stall recovery (first notch of flap as soon as the VSI deflects).

FAA Class 3 Medical

Today I visited a local FAA Medical Examiner. I have to admit, it's much easier to obtain an FAA medical endorsement compared to one from the JAA.


Next up will be my stage 1 check ride. All going well, I should solo in the next week.

Lesson 8

DATE: 28th January 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172N N734HC  
ROUTE: Circuits at CHD
DURATION: 1.0 hour
LANDINGS: 8
TOTAL TIME: 7.3 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)


Lesson Summary - Wind 340/9kts. Circuits on 04L. Normal and glide approaches.


Key Learnings - 8 landings in the one hour. Good confidence builder with the 90deg cross wind. Screwed up a few radio calls but it didn't take away from flying the aircraft at all times. Good experience learning about the longer crosswind leg and  shorter base due to the wind direction and strength. Put the flaps in too early on one of the glide approaches which would have meant not making the runway in real life. With the stronger wind, was able to correct for speed and altitude at various points in the circuit.


liveATC Audio - http://tinyurl.com/872hkvn

Obama visit

#POTUS visited my work Wednesday, however my attempt at capturing a decent photo of AF1 failed.


Obama departed KIWA at 1900L on runway 30R. This was too far away for my cheap camera to capture any decent image.


Here are a couple of photographs that I snapped at various points throughout the day.

Lesson 7

DATE: 24th January 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288 
ROUTE: CHD -> {Southern Training Area} -> CHD
DURATION: 1.1 hour
LANDINGS: 3
TOTAL TIME: 6.3 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)


Lesson Summary - Departed 22R. Climbed at V = 75/80/90kts.  Simulated engine fail. Nailed the approach. Ground reference manoeuvres. S turns. Turning around a point. Two more simulated engine fails. Back to CHD for Touch and Go's on 22L. Switched to 22R for the final landing.


Key Learnings - Confidence grew after nailing the first simulated engine fail. On the next one, took too long choosing a suitable landing area. Struggled to understand the purpose of the ground reference manoeuvres at first. S turns and turning around a point were easier to comprehend. Slight cross wind on approach. Nailed 2/3 landings.


liveATC Audio - http://tinyurl.com/6vwfdpq

Grounded by a TFR........

Due to fly Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday this week. However, the FAA has decided to post a TFR for Wednesday in the Phoenix area which will prevent me from flying. No it's not because of my landing's, but due to the fact there is a VIP in town.

This TFR may give me the opportunity to see AF1 for the first time ever. The airspace around KIWA and KCHD appears to be in lock down Wednesday evening. From the NOTAM information, I think #POTUS will be flying in and out of KIWA. In addition, it's a chance to see the support aircraft that follows  #POTUS.


Based on the following statement in the TFR text, I definitely won't be flying Wednesday!

C. The following operations are not authorized within this TFR: flight training, practice instrument approaches, aerobatic flight, glider operations, seaplane operations, parachute operations, ultralight, hang gliding, balloon operations, agriculture/crop dusting, animal population control flight operations, banner towing operations, sightseeing operations, maintenance test flights, model aircraft operations, model rocketry, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and utility and pipeline survey operations. 


Italic text and image courtesy of the FAA TFR website