It’s been a couple of weeks since I had some flying training done. It was the second session of circuits to practise my landings. For the first time since starting my training I felt confident with the plane, with the pre-flight checks pre startup checks. I knew what I was doing and the task required from me. Circuits, on the flare before the landing don’t ever push forward!
After a reluctant cold start up in TAK (required a couple of tries and priming) we made our way out to the runway. We heard a call to Moorabbin Ground a request for departure for a “big bird” near the end of the runway. After the run-up checks were completed and we taxied to runway 35R we saw the big bird, a giant helicopter about to take off rotors going and all. Looked a pretty sight to see that helicopter in action and I can’t for the life of me tell you what type of copter it was. My instructor said it’s a pretty old machine but a sight to see going. I had to agree. We both wanted to watch it take off as we taxied but that was not to happen, probably still warming up.
After pre-takeoff checks I made the radio call. I have to say I am much more confident and comfortable with using the radio now when a couple of hours prior I dreaded the radio calls. With a Cessna on final we were told to hold position. As the Cessna landed we were then told to line up. After confirming both calls to Moorabbin Tower (one after the other) we were cleared to take off. After memorising what was required in a circuit I was pretty confident with what I was doing and my instructor noticed this, keep the runway heading and best rate of climb, fuel pump off at 500ft, climbing turn to crosswind, level out at 1000ft, turn for downwind, Radio call. The plane was consistently being pushed off the desired downwind heading (and it finally dawned on me there was a crosswind) making my position a little too close to the runway which resulted in a very short turn for base and then to final. I noticed the crosswind now with the plane having a right nose attitude. We were originally cleared for a touch and go but Moorabbin Tower ordered us to perform a full stop as the “big bird” had taken off when we were late downwind. With the correct configuration I managed to land the plane and apply the brakes albeit in an uneven fashion. The tower came through saying we could proceed and take off again just as we had slowed enough to turn off the runaway. It was interesting to hear the conversation over the radio afterwards with the tower seeing and confirming we had already left the runway. So we had to contact Ground for our clearance for more circuits, having only done one was not enough!
We did three more circuits in the time we had left and I came out of it more confident with controlling the plane now. I am getting most of my landings correct, I still need to pull up more on the flare to ensure I land with the main gears first and not nose first! Another thing to I had to remember on any leg of the circuit the plane can veer off the desired heading due to crosswind on the day. Happy with the results I was eager to book in another circuit session next week! I think I am starting to get the hang of things finally!

My instructor will be taking some leave in June and he thinks I am well on my way to achieving GFPT upon his return late August where we can have some real fun with Nav training. I can't wait!