Final Tune Up (21 March 2008)

Today we flew the A36 2.1 hours for the final check before the CFI checkride.

I flew from VVS to FWQ and there was a thin layer of clouds at about 2000' AGL as I flew north to FWQ. I used the short field landing technique there and didn't need the brakes to make it to the tie down spot.

We talked for a while in the restaurant then headed out to the airplane. We flew over to "Lazy 8 Alley" near AFJ, where smokestacks make perfect reference points for the 90, 180, and 135 degree points.


I did some clearing turns and then a chandelle -- they were nearly flawless with MAP at 18", 2300 RPM, and a steady back pressure to maintain about 13 degrees pitch up.

Then onto Lazy 8s. The hardest part is being patient and not rushing the maneuver. With 17" MAP, 2300 RPM, 122+/- KIAS entry speed, there's a very slow gradual pitch up and increasing bank. The AFH says that at the 45 degree point the airplane should be in maximum pitch up (about 10 degrees in this PAC) with a 15 degree bank.

The bank angle does not reach 30 degrees until at the 90 degree point while the nose is falling through the horizon and the airspeed is lowest. So the rate of roll is very slow -- 15 degrees of bank while applying 10 degrees pitch up, then slowly release the pitch up back pressure while rolling the additional 15 degrees.

Reverse the procedure after the 90 degree point -- gradually decrease pitch while taking out no more than 15 degrees of bank to the 135 degree point. From 135 to 180 pitch down 10 degrees, roll out from 15 degree bank to level momentarily and then head in the other direction.

I practiced a few of these, then took a break and did some steep turns. Using trim help tremendously. I entered at 18" MAP, 2300 RPM, rolling into the turn I gave one 1/4 turn of trim and increased power to 20". That seemed to do the trick as airspeed, attitude, and altitude remained within tolerances.

After a few of those back for a few more lazy 8s. These were better with only slight corrections needed here and there.

Then I searched for some pylons -- found a cell tower and a mine building and used those. The 8s on pylons were a bit of a challenge as the surface winds were light but convection was increasing. I kept the airspeed around 105-110 which made the manuever rather simple.

Then over to AFJ fro some touch and go practice. There was a Cherokee doing 747 patterns, but except for one a bit too slow short field landings they were better. The right seat proficiency is coming along.

Then back to FWQ for a fairly nice landing -- straight, gentle, stall horn, centerline.

After lunch I flew back to VVS. I executed a perfect short field landing on 32, but of course that was from the left seat.

So now I'm completely signed off and will just practice until the test!