Performed my 2nd circuit training today.
Sometime before this, I neglected to mention that I had moved onto circuit training last week - and it was quite enjoyable!
Once again, it was a windy day with winds of 15 knots, likely gusting to 25 knots from 210°.
A note to self - I must invest in a knee pad. My old friend “task-saturation” is present, and while in cockpit I found it challenging to remember the wind speed and, even worse, the QFE!
Today’s session involved more practice on circuit training, with the added element of “engine stall” on take-off training. (i.e. throttle off shortly after takeoff, and learning to glide the plane while looking for a place to land)
I felt that my performance on these few items hadn’t improved much from last week. However, I’m glad that I caught myself making these mistakes (at least I’m more aware this time):
Taking off with a high enough nose attitude (pull, baby, pull)
Not maintaining my heading - crosswinds didn’t help, but I lost track of where the wind was after a turn
Not allowing the aircraft to settle after setting throttle and attitude, overcorrecting when gusting
Maintaining an altitude of 1000ft, caught myself sinking to 800ft while doing landing checks on downwind.
Keeping to the runway centre on takeoff
Landing on the left wheel (I have video evidence)
Flicking the flaps-up toggle too hard, causing it to flick down to 40° flaps on turnaround (NOT GOOD)
Maintaining AIRSPEED
Forgetting to keep lookout when turning in circuit
On final, forgetting to push carb-heater in at 300ft (to prepare for turnaround in any landing)
On a positive note, I feel that I performed better than last time in the following areas:
CBUMFICHH on downwind - finally memorised it and it helped speed things up
Adequate handling on final approach (considering strong crosswind)
Finally, upon realising i was too low on base, I had the conviction to just throttle up to maintain altitude (I reached it early as it was a long circuit due to noise abatement!)
Always cleared the pylons
