Landings and Lasergrade

[DrBenny]

In my continuing saga of pilothood, I FINALLY took the IR-A written Monday after having read and studied over a stretch of half a year. I passed, which was nice considering I am about halfway through the training. The reward was an hour of touch and goes. I had just flown this past Friday (on a long X-C, with some approaches), and had done some crosswind landings, but I thought flying today might help solidify things.

I did seven landings of all kinds today. By the last few, I had them smoother. I figured out that with just me in the plane, and half fuel, I really had to fly final no faster than 60 kts (or be prepared for a long time in the flare). Any faster, and when I'd level out, I'd actually balloon a little, due to extra speed. And of course that sets up the "add a touch of power, reflare, kill power" cycle. By myself, if I fly at 60 kts, and smoothly flare to level, I won't balloon, and from there it is easy going.

Next up is the long IFR X-C which will also satisfy the requirements for the comm X-C. (I plan to get the private multi, however, after the IR.)

Oh, and BTW, I got a 100% on the written. How boring.

 

[DanTheMan]

hey doc,
the IR x-country won't satisfy for the comm x-country. The long comm x-country has to be done SOLO, and the dual comm x-countries have to be done VFR.

 

[DrBenny]

Ooops.

 

[Aussie]

100% on the written?
Damn, at least you know you absorbed the information you were studing!!

Good on ya!

 

[DrBenny]

Thanks, Aussie. I also know, though, that DPEs don't really care if you get a 100%. The local guy looks at your results only long enough to determine if you did actually take the test, and what areas you were weak on. I know that for the IR, I'm in for a good 2 - 2 1/2 hours for the oral portion, anyway. So I have to study.

That test is going to be a tough one, too, because around these parts (MD) I've got the big-daddy TFR, the ADIZ, the class Bravo (where I'm based), etc.

Make a mistake around here and you don't just fail your test, you also get to see a fighter up close!

 

[DrBenny]

I should add that the landings were in the 172, not the Skylane. 60 kts is for short fields in the Skylane, and it is quite different than the 172. For normals in the 'Lane, I like 70 on final, if it is just me and some fuel.

 

[Dazzler]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks, Aussie. I also know, though, that DPEs don't really care if you get a 100%. The local guy looks at your results only long enough to determine if you did actually take the test, and what areas you were weak on.

[/ QUOTE ]

That wasn't true for me. My DE saw that I got 100% and consequently only had a 30 minute oral exam. So it all depends upon the examiner.

 

[Minnesota_Flyer]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks, Aussie. I also know, though, that DPEs don't really care if you get a 100%. The local guy looks at your results only long enough to determine if you did actually take the test, and what areas you were weak on.

[/ QUOTE ]

That wasn't true for me. My DE saw that I got 100% and consequently only had a 30 minute oral exam. So it all depends upon the examiner.

[/ QUOTE ]

My IR examiner looked at my score on the written (99%) and said: "Uh, oh. Now I'm going to have to ask you the hard questions." He didn't seem to be kidding, either (he very kindly didn't fail me for not knowing the maximum number of aircraft which can be serviced by a VORTAC/VOR/DME at any one time! I still haven't figured out the answer to that one!!).

MF

 

[Ralgha]

[ QUOTE ]
He didn't seem to be kidding, either (he very kindly didn't fail me for not knowing the maximum number of aircraft which can be serviced by a VORTAC/VOR/DME at any one time! I still haven't figured out the answer to that one!!).

[/ QUOTE ]

Damnit man, now I have to go find the answer to that question!

Somebody please tell me first.

 

[roundout]

i don't think the VOR/VORTAC has a limit of users for the VOR portion of the facility. DME has a limit of 99 users. above 99 users, the ground "transponder" defaults to whoever has the strongest airborne interrogator, so bigger aircraft and closer aircraft get service.