After a little break from flying (three weeks in the States) I booked in a two hour session with MFS to refresh myself yesterday. The preflight briefing I asked my instructor to go over the recent CASA changes I have been hearing about on Downwind and also in the mail. The main change as you all would be aware is requesting clearance to cross any runway. 

So my instructor suggested we do one hours circuit training comeback for a break and go out again to practice short field takeoffs and landings.  

The active runways were 31L and 31R this is the first time I have taken off on these runways so all the reference points for the circuit are new to me. This was also good practice for the new procedures on crossing the runways, Moorabbin ground frequency was very busy!

 We made sure we knew our position at the airport thanks to the onboard map and made the appropriate radio calls.

 The circuits were fine, I was surprised how natural it all came back to me, my instructor commented on how well I was flying considering the break I had. On downwind we practiced the precautionary cruise as there was a bit of traffic in the circuit. It's nice to know I have a good understanding of the flare and I wasn't "crashing" onto the tarmac. So we got a few standard approaches and a flapless approach before we were forced to land because it got busy with three planes waiting to enter the circuits at the holding point. 

After taxiing back and a little drinks break (well needed as a two hours of circuits is boring and tiring!) we went out to practice short field take off and landing and thankfully the circuit quietened down all was well until my instructor said he was pretty confident with my flying and he wanted to see me take command on the plane fully while he enjoys the ride. Oh sh*t was the first thought in my head and everything I knew about the configurations went completely out of my head, I did well with following traffic and the radio calls but completely baulked the approach for landing! 

 Maybe next time, because it was really flattering to hear I am doing so well, I think next time I would be more prepared for that and not freak out!