Well, after a frustrating couple of weeks - the weather over in Tauranga was TERRIBLE two weekends ago when I was there to go up in the Cub and last week's competition practice was canned because JGP was "stuck" in Napier - I got up this afternoon for a few circuits in WAM (C-172R). Ideal weather, too, variable 3-5Kt wind, dry and no cloud to worry about.
I did six circuits and all went pretty well. Three normal, one glide, one flapless and a go-around. I scored myself 90-95%; I drifted up to close to 1300 feet on a couple of downwinds (Hamilton circuit height is 1200') and the last landing was a touch hard. I was trying for absolute precision and snapped the throttle shut to land on the right point so that's why it was a little hard - if it had been a genuine short-field it would have been a good landing - I had all but stopped in about 300 metres and had to throttle up to get to taxiway Echo which is the usual light aircraft entry for 18L. So, all good fun and WAM behaved very well. As I've said before I actually prefer WAM to JGP because, although JGP is the better performer, WAM feels steadier and is far more docile in a go-around - yes, I know, Euan, if you are reading this, we could debate that infinitum.....
There was an interesting visitor at the Club today - NZ Warbird Harvard 1052 which was parked when I set off and went for a brief flight while I was up (and was the reason for my go-around as he was landing on 07 when I was short final for 18).
This will be my last flight for a wee while as we are off to the UK for a few weeks - catch you next month.
So, a few photos from today to finish.... |
| North American Harvard 2A, NZ1052 (ZK-MJN) on the WAC flight line |
 |
| "52" closer up |
 |
| A152 Aerobat ZK-NPL visiting from New Plymouth |
 |
| Our own WKF just landed, son of a work colleague in left hand seat |
Haha just read this Barry. Docile in the go around, well that's down to two factors: 1) the manual flap selector in the 172M which means when you initiate a go around you need 3 arms to manage everything comfortably. Fortunately for me I have big hands so I can hold the flap selector and the throttle with one hand (well, thumb on the throttle and fingers on the flap switch). And 2) JGPs power to weight ratio is such that at full power with full flap deployed there is a huge pitch up moment you need to strain against until you can trim it out.
ReplyDeleteWith my smallish hands an extra arm would be handy in JGP!!! I can cope with the pitch up because I know it is going to happen (must come as a real surprise for first-timers!!) but need to let go of the throttle to work the flaps. Thanks Euan
ReplyDelete