We had a lot going on this last few days. That was a pretty busy week indeed, starting with two days of absolutely crap weather (windy, low clouds forming an overcast layer just above the 500 foot mark, and to make it even better, some rain showers pretty much everywhere in this part of the country).Perfect weather to do the instrument flying bit of the CPL course. Although we were flying instruments in actual instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), we did use the screens as we popped out of the clouds eventually, enjoying (well, when backseating) some nice sunshine whilst people below us were enjoying some rain ...
On the way back of those two flights, we got the chance to do a Radar Vectored ILS, and break out from clouds around 700ft, with the runway magically appearing in sight right in front of us. The feeling resulting from this is really intense, it really is a huge joy after some really tough work keeping the plane on the glide path and centred on the localizer to pop out of the clouds and happen to be correctly aligned and at the correct height.
As Steve and I booked our MCC (Multi-Crew Co-Operation) course at European Skybus on the 737-200 Full Flight Simulator (full motion), we got the chance to get our hands on her for a circuit from London Stansted. We now can't wait to get started with that last part of the training (which should take place sometime between December and January).
Wednesday was the first Test Profile, a two hour flight to Blackbushe (just North of Farnborough, on the edge of London). The way out was made up from two planned legs (visual navigation) with a Matz penetration (Boscombe), joining the circuit pattern at Blackbushe, doing some flapless approach, engine failure after take-off, one engine go-around (N-1), then departing through the overhead to then fly through Farnoborough's ATZ on a diversion leg (unplanned navigation) towards the Coast, doing some radionav position fixes on the way. Then came the general handling part, where we had to show some stalls recovery, steep turns, engine fire drill and emergency descent. And finally, on the way back home, some instrument flying (with the screens), partial panel, unusual attitudes recovery, and VOR tracking (HSI/RMI). Just before joining the circuit pattern at Bournemouth, we had to deal with an engine failure (simulated) and land on one engine.
Thursday, a much more relaxing flight (in a way) practicing general handling, instrument flying and NDB tracking.
And on friday, another Test Profile, to Dunkeswell this time.
If we get along with the weather, both Steve and I should have our 170 test on monday and the CPL skill test should follow within the next few days. Fingers crossed.
Steve flying the approach on the 73
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