Thanks Alley and I will

No worries Mini. Let us know how you get on.

Hi Mini,

Welcome!

I can't add anything to the flying tips you have already been given. I have 200 hours and very much still learning. I'm doing my PIFR at the moment so still have the instructor pointing out my short comings. (Yes I know I went off track when I looked down at the chart!)

If it helps, I'm also trying to improve my golf. Its a lot a cheaper than flying but you are never happy with your game and always hope you can do better.

Keep working at it but always remember it really is FUN!

Cheers Eric

Thanks very much for sharing your experience Eric. You're right - it's fun !!

I had a lesson today and did really well. My instructor asked me, so, what did you do differently to be able to make such progress from last week and the weeks before? I told him that I received great tips, encouragements, comments from the guys at downwind forum . All credits to you guys! Thanks!!! I'm doing my first circuit lesson tomorrow ! Will keep you updated.

mini

Excellent!!

How did your circuits go?

Hi Braysie,

Thanks very much for asking, you beat me to it - was about to post after lunch.

It went surprisingly well (considering it's my first) . My instructor high five-d me after the session.

I practised a couple times by using a line of road in the training area (just to get the hang on the circuit procedure without traffic) and then did 3 take offs and landings at the real deal at the airport. Everything went really well despite us having to follow another plane in front doing a very wide circuit path.

I expected me to have a brain freeze (due to the many things I have to do during circuit) but it came as if I've done it before. Kudos to the blog post of methylnick here at the Downwind forum. I read his first and second circuit blog post and imagined it in my head every time I got a chance.

Being my first circuit, things are not perfect - I still climbed a little bit when I made my turn (as opposed to keeping it at 1000 feet as required by Moorabin Airport Circuit procedure).

Additionally, I cannot get a grip on the landing part. I have yet to notice the piano key heading up, down or still. Nor everytime my instructor asked me whether my approach is too high, too low or just right - I still cannot tell that it's either one of those. Any tips on how to know on base leg that your approach is too high, too low or just right? Also any tips on base leg when to turn to ensure you're right at the center line?

Last question for the day, this is in regards to going back from the training area to the airport (not necessarily with Moorabin Airport) but other airports. I still find it hard to identify landscape. Any tips on how to get a grip with this? It's not as if I get a chance often to stare the landscape from birds eye view .

Thank you all for your support and as always, I welcome comments, feedbacks, tips .

mini

A quick update since the day I started my lesson (in which I was struggling) - I flew Solo yesterday . It didn't register in my mind that I flew Solo until I reached the crosswind that there's no one sitting next to me. It happened so fast I didn't really have time to think that I was flying Solo . I landed safely and it's a really good feeling. I wonder how long will this grin going to last .

Laddlemini,

Really chuffed my blog has helped someone, that's why I posted it

Another reason is to keep it fresh in my mind too. Yet to write about my recent navex sessions after a long hiatus.

Congrats on the solo! It's the best feeling ever.

As for the approach to landing, my take on it is from Tait's book, when approaching the piano keys should remain steady while you are looking out. It shouldn't be moving up or down with respect to the nose of the aircraft, which means you are undershooting or overshooting the keys respectively.

Hope this helps, I am still learning myself so would be happy to be corrected.

Nick