1st Cross Country

This week I had an early start for a cross country flight from KCHD to KTUS and back (Tucson International Airport).


Planning for this flight started the night before. I pulled out the sectional and determined some headings and distances. I arrived at the airport at 07:30L and started to pull the weather data. I then finished off the nav sheet. We then filed our VFR flight plan with 1-800-WX-BRIEF. Wow, what a service!


By 08:45L I was in the aircraft ready to start the flight. 

The plan was to fly CHD -> TUS -> RYN -> CHD. For the first leg to TUS we flew using dead reckoning. Had issues with radio on the way down, so we didn't bother filing for flight following. 


My first flight into an International Airport was just amazing (okay, I have flown once into EGNT which is international). KTUS is a hive of GA, Civil and Military traffic. 


After departing KTUS, we flew to RYN (8 miles west of TUS) and then onto KCHD. We filed VFR flight following with TUS DEP. Received this service all the way back to KCHD. Signed off with PHX APP once we had KCHD in sight.


Many lessons learnt during the flight. Work load was high especially on the radio. For my next flight, I know how to manage my kneeboard, charts etc more efficiently. I will also be more confident talking on the busy frequencies.


Selection of audio from the flight
TUS CLEARANCE DELIVERY audio
VFR FLIGHT FOLLOWING audio


Selection of photos from the flight

Tri-fold - Try-harder!

You can't accuse me of not being prepared for my first dual cross country. I had everything except the kitchen sink (that would have thrown off the weight and balance!).

I bought a tri-fold knee board back in 2000 but never used it. Thought I would check it out this week. To be honest, it was ditched during the taxi out. Everything just felt cluttered. I couldn't get full deflection on the control yoke. There was sufficient space for my E6B, pencil, student certificate and my flight plan. But that's it.


I found it easier to place the E6B in the side pocket near the primer. I then used a white A4 size clipboard with my nav log on one side and the appropriate sectional on the other side held on with a large paper clip. The airport taxi diagrams slotted in nicely behind the nav log. My pencil remained in my top pocket and the plotter slotted nicely underneath the sectional. I ended up using two maps for the flight. One was the Phoenix Terminal chart (for the departure) and the other was the Phoenix Sectional (covering airspace down to Tucson). The one not in use was placed n the back seat where I could easily reach when needed. A side note, having the sectionals folded correctly back on the ground at the flying school was important to help keep the time off the controls to a minimum during the flight.

Maybe, it's because I am tall, but I just can't see the tri-fold working out for me. I'm going to stick with the clip board for the next couple of flights. The tri-fold needs to try harder!


Compare the two pictures. I think I have well and truly spring cleaned my navigation tools.

Cross Country 1

DATE: 28th March 2012

AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288   

ROUTE: CHD -> KTUS -> KRYN -> CHD

DURATION: 2.5hrs Dual

LANDINGS: 3

TOTAL TIME: 27.7 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)

Lesson Summary - 1st dual cross country.

Next Lesson - 1st April (2nd dual cross country)

getmypplcast #005 / Night Flying

Audiocast

This audiocast covers my first Phoenix Class Bravo crossing at night! Flight lasted 1.7hrs. Route = CHD, KPHX Bravo transition, DVT, SDL, FFZ, IWA and back to CHD.

The Flight - 20th March 2012 / C172N N734HC 

Direct Link 

getmypplcast #005

Solo 7

DATE: 26th March 2012

AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288   

ROUTE: CHD -> {Southern Training Area} -> CHD

DURATION: 0.9 hrs PiC

LANDINGS: 3

TOTAL TIME: 25.2 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)

Lesson Summary - Solo flight practising stalls and steep turns.

Next Lesson - 28th March (1st dual cross country)

Night Flying - Class Bravo transition

For many wannabe Pilots, there is a burning desire to transition bravo airspace across the top of a major international airport.


In 2010 I had the pleasure of sitting right seat in a C172 over the top of KSFO during the day (N84695 in the photo.

This week I had another chance, but this time I was in the left seat of a C172N . On Tuesday evening at 1915L, we departed 22R at CHD and proceeded to climb west to 3500'. At that point we called Phoenix Approach on 123.7Mhz with the transition request. 


http://www.upload-mp3.com/files/339116_fznop/Bravo%20RT.mp3


The Bravo transition was approved.

On the other side of the bravo we descending into Deer Valley for a touch and go. For the rest of the flight we flew to SDL, FFZ, IWA and back to CHD. I will release the audio from the cockpit soon.

Lesson 20 - First Night Flight

DATE: 20th March 2012

AIRCRAFT: C172N N734HC   
ROUTE: CHD -> Class Bravo -> DVT -> SDL -> FFZ -> IWA -> CHD
DURATION: 1.7 hrs
LANDINGS: 5
TOTAL TIME: 25.3 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)

Lesson Summary - First night flight. Departed 22R and climbed through class Bravo to 5500 MSL. Touch and go at DVT. Taxi back at SDL. Transition through FFZ and a stop and go at IWA before returning back to CHD for circuits.

Next Lesson - 28th March.