Very early start this morning scheduled to arrive at Archerfield at 5.30am. I arrived 10 minutes late unfortunately, and on arriving, saw David on the apron just starting up an aircraft with a student on board.
Luckily he hopped out and we had a quick chat, with David asking me what I'd like to do in the training area this morning. I said I'll practice some steep turns, a forced landing, cruise profiles and low level 500ft flight following the Logan river (to practice turns) taking me to the inbound approach point. David said that sounds fine although do follow the Logan river at 1000ft.
David left with the other student to practice circuits, while I started my pre-flight inspection on J170 24-7984. All looked fine during pre-flight except the right wing fuel cap did not seem fully secure. I was able to pull it out by holding the vent tube. I searched the cockpit for the special Allen key to tighten the fuel cap. Not finding one, I text David hoping he'd check his mobile during circuits. I decided to wait back in the main terminal building for David to return. Didn't have to wait long until David was back on the ground. I mentioned the pre-flight issue to David saying I wasn't comfortable flying with the fuel cap not fully secure. I found a key in the other aircraft, tightened the cap up and David departed again with another student.
On searching my aircraft again, there was actually a fuel cap key hidden in the side pocket... whoops! :-) Well, know for next time eh?
Pre-flight done, jumped in my aircraft plugged in my headset and set up the GoPro camera. By this time, it was still non-towered hours so made my CTAF radio calls departing runway 28R (left turn onto crosswind) for a departure to the East extending my downwind leg.
Arriving out the to training area, I started with some medium level turns to warm-up then got into steep turns performing these at 2500ft. Completed a forced landing climbing back up when reaching 500ft. Tracked towards the Logan river at 1000ft and followed the river towards the Motorway. Before reaching the Motorway, I climbed to 1500ft and turned towards my inbound approach point. Experienced a few lumps and bumps on this leg of the flight :-) As the aircraft was needed back at Archerfield, I ran out of time to do some slow level flight but will do this next area solo with some stall practice as well.
Arriving at the East inbound approach point, I made my radio call receiving straight-in approach clearance for runway 28L. Stuck full flaps in a bit earlier as I was a bit high when joining final. Very happy with the landing! Unfortunately ran out of time to do some circuits on arrival... next time.
Exited the runway, made my call to Ground for taxi back to the apron. Ground advised Brisbane Radar said my transponder was not squawking mode Charlie (altitude) correctly? I departed the zone on 3000 + ALT switching to 1200 + ALT once over the Pacific & Gateway Motorways. Coming back to Archerfield, I set my transponder to 3000 + ALT straight after making my inbound radio call. I'd be very surprised if I infringed any Class C airspace, so not sure what the problem was? I didn't hear my call sign on BNE Radar whilst out in the training area. I mentioned this to one of the Instructors and they said they'd follow it up.
An enjoyable flight making it 1.9 hours area solo to date. I need to have a minimum of 5 hours area solo but probably better to get 6-7 hours under my belt to build up the confidence.
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| GPS tracking of my area solo to the Eastern training area - 9/11/13 |
Until next time, have fun and fly safe!
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