Lesson 14 : TAG with Darick

Saturday Jan. 31. 2009
Chris is out of town until Wednesday, so I flew with Darick Saturday afternoon at 4:00. It was mostly more of the same : practicing the touch and go circuit at Winder.

I did learn 3 new things:
(1) A new trick : short field takeoffs. On a short runway, or any take-off situation where you need to climb out as quickly as possible, a short field takeoff is an option. As opposed to a regular takeoff where you build speed on the runway and gradually climb out at an angle, in a short field take off you pull up early and then level off just above the ground. "Ground effect", as it is termed, is the layer of air just above the ground that acts as a cushion. You build speed in ground effect (as opposed to on the runway) and then climb out.

(2) A different circuit. Chris has me fly a faster circuit, that resulting in a higher altitude final. Darick has his students fly a slower circuit, lower altitude final. Neither is right or wrong. They are simply different styles. Flying both circuits helped with my comfort level in estimating distances.

(3) I used the ALS for the first time. Granted I am training for VFR - ie no reliance on instruments. But it was neat to watch the runway ALS lights telling me "too high, too low, just right".

Visibility deteriorated from the time we left LZU to the time we returned. So it was hard to see the airport. I got to watch Darick use the ILS to assist our approach to the LZU field. That was neat too and I'm looking forward to learning the instruments. Still, that's a ways off.

Next flight is Sunday (Wedesday was not possible) with Chris.