Flying IFR - Lesson 54 - Drat

Well, for Lesson 54 someone moved me back to 88J with the touchscreen GPS.

Not good, so I was able to get N1689H with the auto-moving seats, messed up turn coordinator and all that, but at least it had a 430W.

Since the wind was out of 130 it was off to Flint.  It was also kinda bouncy out so that added to the fun.

Did the VOR 18 Circle to 9 approach full procedure, and it went rather well, was a little high on final due to making a tight turn in but would have been a do-able landing.  Did it nicely even after getting delayed to do it due to traffic.  So far, so good.

Then did the VOR 18 Circle to 9 approach again, but by vectors. overall very good but on the circle I went above 1400 feet with the circling minimum at 1300 feet.  Actually then made a really great approach and figured out where to begin the turn to base, so something was learned anyways  Unfortunately going over 100 feet above minimums is not good, technically a fail.

Then back to Pontiac for the ILS 9R which I handled rather perfectly. 

Then the RNAV 9R at  Pontiac and Detroit Approach started vectoring me everywhere but the approach course. First towards it, then away, then towards and away again.  Fun with traffic management.  As I did it, Rocky made it a partial panel approach and it was ok, but again i was kinda high on final.  Did a decent landing even so.

Well, with screwing up the circle approach I can't do the practice check-ride yet so I'm rather annoyed and frustrated.

This will never end.

That's 1.8, 1.3 simulated, 4 approaches, 1 hold, and 1 landing.

Flying IFR - Lesson 52 - Finally It Actually Went Well

 Today winds were out of 110, so Runway 9R and 9L would be used at Pontiac.

Rocky stated we would do the VOR 18 circle to 9 at Flint and then back to Pontiac for the ILS 9 and the RNAV 9 as that's what the examiner tends to do when the wind is blowing in that direction.

Got stuck with N1869H again as that's all that was available.

Seat of course slipped, and the turn coordinator's a tad funky, and yoke not rigged straight, but if I can fly that I can fly anything.

Took off and headed to Flint. 

Kept everything really well under control, good scan, good altitude and heading control and doing all the things I'm supposed to do. The air was mostly calm, but then very choppy in spots with no rhyme or reason.

Flint was insanely busy.

Got sent to the VOR and to expect the approach, but didn't get cleared for the approach.  Got to the VOR and was still not cleared in.

Learned something new:  If you're told to expect the approach, then once you hit the VOR you should fly out on the VOR outbound radial (basically 180 degrees from the inbound course)  until they call you in.  Did not know that but I do know it now.

Then I did a very nice VOR approach, solid, on the altitudes, excellent chop and drop descent profile, not allowing it to exceed 100 feet and not dipping below, then did the circle and that went well.

Went missed and back to Pontiac and did the ILS and it went great, did it all quite well. 

Then out for the RNAV 9 and it all started well, was going great, Detorit Approach asked us for best forward speed, and we were about to do partial panel. . . and then Tower had us break it off due to traffic and do an early sidestep to 9L. So, no partial panel practice but everything was quite nice and a great landing.

Considering I was going to hang it up if this lesson went bad, that it went very well is good, I suppose. Apparently, if I do another this well Rocky will schedule me for a mock checkride then we can schedule the actual checkride.

That's 1.7, 1.1 simulated instrument time, 3 approaches, 1 hold, and 1 really nice landing.