Training Flight
Took CF-NZB up for a quick flight on Monday after thanksgiving. It was convective - broken above 5,000 - and there was confused wind. It had been six weeks (work has kept me busy) since I was in the air and I was a bit rough on the take-off. I mostly just wanted to get up.
The battery definitely needs replacing. The voltage was 12.2 the first time the masters came on. It recovered to 12.1 after starting. It had fallen to 11.4 by the time the takeoff run started. The gear came up ok, but of course the circuit breaker popped before the gear up light came on. I have become inured to this now - which can't be a good thing. I switched the gear to neutral and ignored it. Reset it and made the up light good after the battery had a chance to charge up.
Took 4,000 feet in the practice area and did some steep turns. The area got busy and then medivac helicopters (plural - can't be good) started flying off the Lougheed highway. Went up the river towards Chilliwack and practiced some canyon turns. Hard to believe how fast that aircraft can turn when you give it a notch of flaps like that. Very turbulent on the return at lower altitude. Had to reduce power and speed as I was actually lost control from time to time - moderate turbulence!
On my way back the traffic was getting very busy. Medivac helicopters inbound to Langley, trainers in the practice area, people in the circuit. I was vectored very wide in right downwind for 01 - barely inside the control zone - to allow some slower traffic to get in. Held the approach to 72 knots and it was a calm and uneventful landing. It is astonishing what a difference a few knots makes.
After landing the battery voltage was only 12.1 volts. Really, that battery must be replaced.
Felt very good to be flying again. Six weeks is too long to be idle.
The battery definitely needs replacing. The voltage was 12.2 the first time the masters came on. It recovered to 12.1 after starting. It had fallen to 11.4 by the time the takeoff run started. The gear came up ok, but of course the circuit breaker popped before the gear up light came on. I have become inured to this now - which can't be a good thing. I switched the gear to neutral and ignored it. Reset it and made the up light good after the battery had a chance to charge up.
Took 4,000 feet in the practice area and did some steep turns. The area got busy and then medivac helicopters (plural - can't be good) started flying off the Lougheed highway. Went up the river towards Chilliwack and practiced some canyon turns. Hard to believe how fast that aircraft can turn when you give it a notch of flaps like that. Very turbulent on the return at lower altitude. Had to reduce power and speed as I was actually lost control from time to time - moderate turbulence!
On my way back the traffic was getting very busy. Medivac helicopters inbound to Langley, trainers in the practice area, people in the circuit. I was vectored very wide in right downwind for 01 - barely inside the control zone - to allow some slower traffic to get in. Held the approach to 72 knots and it was a calm and uneventful landing. It is astonishing what a difference a few knots makes.
After landing the battery voltage was only 12.1 volts. Really, that battery must be replaced.
Felt very good to be flying again. Six weeks is too long to be idle.
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