1/2/14: Cessna 162 Skycatcher Endorsement Flight

Lovely day for flying and trying out the new Cessna 162 Skycatcher (registration 24-8329) my flight school has recently acquired (with another one on the way)  :-)

The Skycatcher is Cessna's entry model aircraft into the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category.

Picture of a Cessna 162 Skycatcher (not 24-8329)

I believe Pathfinder usually use either a Jabiru 230 or Cessna 162 for the cross-country endorsement navigation flights, so today before I get stuck into my navs, I'm doing an endorsement flight with an Instructor in the Cessna 162 (24-8329).  To start getting familiar with this aircraft, I'll be flying out to the training area, do some manoeuvres and head back to Archerfield with some circuits on arrival.

Prior to today's flight, I've read through the Pilot's Operating Handbook, Garmin G300 Guide and completed an endorsement questionnaire.

Due to wind conditions, we got clearance to take-off from runway 04R for a departure to the East.  This meant extending my right crosswind leg to track 088 degrees to the motorways crossing to leave Class D YABF airspace.



C162 spacious and comfortable interior

Once out in the training area, I did some cruise, Vy and Vx climbs, power-off and power-on stalls and some 30 degree turns.

I setup for a glide descent back down to 1500ft tracking to Target for an East inbound arrival to Archerfield.

Archerfield Tower gave me circuit joining instructions to join left downwind 10L and maintain 1500ft (i.e. Tower switched me straight to runway 10L whereas normally they give you join downwind 10R instructions then Tower switch you to 10L when nearing the aerodrome).

Coming into the circuit, I completed some hot laps in the sleek Skycatcher  :-)

Circuit #1 - 10L normal touch-and-go
Circuit #2 - 10L normal touch-and-go
Circuit #3 - 10L flapless approach touch-and-go
Circuit #4 - 10R glide approach touch-and-go (Tower changed me to 10R so extended by 10L base leg)
Circuit #5 - 10L short-field landing full stop (Tower changed me back to 10L so made left crosswind after circuit #4 10R touch-and-go)

C162 Garmin G300. "Stoke" used for aileron/elevator control

My next flight will be the start of the next chapter of my flight training... RA-Aus cross-country endorsement!  :-)  This is an endorsement on top of my RA-Aus Pilot Certificate, allowing me to flying anywhere in the country outside of controlled airspace.

My first navigation flight lesson is booked in for Sunday 23/2, a few weeks away as I'm going to Melbourne in couple of weeks, but should be plenty of time to do the required flight planning.

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