2/11/13: Flight Lesson #9 - Steep Turns & First Area Solo

Early start this morning arriving to Archerfield at 6am.  My instructor today, Mick advised we'll be doing the Steep Turns lesson and time permitting my first area solo! : -)

Completed my pre-flight inspection on 24-8229 and taxied to run-up bay for runway 28R departure to the East.  It was before 7am at this point so I'd be departing under non-towered CTAF procedures, making the necessary radio calls.  ATIS reports as Zulu outside tower hours.  Runway 28R (bring right) is a right-turn circuit during tower hours however in non-towered hours, I'd be making a standard left turn onto crosswind then left again onto downwind, departing East by extending the downwind leg.

I flew out towards Mount Cotton while Mick was pointing ground references to determine my location.  Very smooth flight with calm winds... lovely  :-) 

The aircraft location determines what maximum altitude I can fly (to avoid Class C airspace), radio frequency and transponder code.  Archerfield is Class D airspace in towered hours and Glass G outside these hours.  Mick showed me how to determine I'm clear of the Class D boundary so I can then switch my radio frequency to BNE Radar and set transponder to VFR 1200 + ALT.

South of Mount Cotton, I commenced a climb to 2000ft, as I was now in the Class C 3500 step meaning 3500ft and above is Class C airspace.  We flew out near Heck Field (near Ormeau) and Mick advised how to track back to the East inbound approach point for an Archerfield arrival.  He then demonstrated how to do a steep turn (ie about 60 degree bank angle turn).

Steep turns are 95% visual manoeuvre.  Predominately looking out the front window to maintain bank angle and pitch, while occasionally glancing at the instruments and also having a lookout for traffic.  Before commencing a steep turn, like any turn, you have a good lookout.

The process for a steep turn (left or right) is basically:

1. Wings level, throttle at cruise and aircraft trimmed, select a reference point on the horizon
2. With co-ordinated aileron and rudder, quickly establish a 60 degree bank
3. When passing 45 degree bank, apply full throttle
4. Neutralise aileron and rudder
5. Maintain required back elevator pressure throughout the turn to maintain pitch
6. Also apply slight opposite aileron throughout the turn to avoid the over-banking tendency
7. Maintain work-cycle throughout turn - visual bank wedge, pitch, instruments (turn co-ordinator inclometer, airspeed & altitude) & traffic lookout
8. When horizon reference point comes into sight, apply opposite co-ordinated aileron and rudder bringing back to wings level with the nose pointed at the reference point
9. Immediately reduce throttle back to cruise setting

The trick throughout this 360 degree steep turn manoeuvre is to maintain a consistent airspeed, altitude and bank angle.  You should feel your bum push down directly into the seat pulling about 2G.

I did about 2 left steep turns and 3 right steep turns.  Mick was happy with that so he said, "Take me back to Archerfield".  Following the Logan river took me to the Pacific motorway, following in North took me past the Logan Hyperdome, Ikea and finally Target in Springwood.  Made the inbound radio call and was given join final 28R approach instructions.

Maintaining 1500ft until inside Class D, I commencing my straight-in approach abeam Mount Gravatt from1500ft, reporting final to ATC.  Cleared to land I got her down safely and taxied back to the apron.

Mick hopped out and said, "Go have some fun"  :-)  He suggested I practice a forced landing and a few steep turns (taking a rest in between turns unless I wanted to spew)  :-)

My first area solo!!  :-)  Officially another flight, I wen through the same process again... checked ATIS, radioed for taxi clearance, did my run-up checks and took off on assigned runway 28R (right-hand turn onto crosswind now).  Extending my downwind leg tracking about 088 degrees, I kept a lookout for the ground references and ensured I was inside Glass G airspace and on the correct radio frequency and transponder code depending based on my location.

I flew (solo!) back out to Ormeau/Pimpama area and did a couple of left and right steep turns.  Practiced a simulated forced landing ok, performing a go-around at 500ft when it looked like it was going to be a satisfactory emergency landing.

I tracked back towards Archerfield using the ground references as taught and made my inbound call.  Straight-in approach for 28L.  Got changed to 28R on final and landing her down... slight float on landing though.

Taxied back to the Eastern apron... first area solo done!!  Yay!  :-)

Different feeling to the first circuit solo as you're flying for a lot longer period and obviously away from home base.  First taste of freedom  :-)

Next lesson will be another area solo and I'll probably throw in a few touch-and-gos on arrival to keep up the circuit skills.

Until next time, have fun and fly safe!  :-)