STUNNING MORNING!

Sunday 22nd May

What an absolutely wonderful late autumn day for flying.  Having been back from the UK for two weeks now, I was well over the jet-lag and "fit to fly".  And, after all the rotten weather of the past week, the sky was clear, light southerly (about 3-4 knots cross wind on 25) and the Super Cub (ZK-TOW)was all ready for me to preflight when I arrived at 0930.  Instructor Pete had two flights in the Stearman first so I hung around the museum for a while and watched the Yak and Stearman come and go.  I also met up with the former owners of TOW, who have the hanger next door and had a bit of a chat.

Pete returned and we got in - a bit of a squeeze for Pete in the rear seat - not too bad for smaller me in the front and off we went.  The taxi out was OK, keeping straight with rudder and trying to anticipate the turns and the weather-cocking into the wind, together with managing the heel brakes on the Cub just inboard of the rudder pedals. (You really need those brakes to steer while taxiing!)

My take off roll was pretty fair, managing to keep it straight, but shortly after lift off I drifted a bit to the left, into the wind and Pete picked me up on that.  Otherwise, it was OK, turning right at 1000' to track along the southern edge of the harbour over Omokoroa and out to Katikati.  On the way there, Pete took control and did a couple of turns (looking at the log sheet, the cub hadn't flown for a couple of weeks so maybe checking all was well) and then handed over to me asking for a few turns left and right as we made our way West.  I wonder what anyone watching from the ground thought seeing this little plane turning 90º one way, then back 180º, then 360º, etc.  Once over Katikati, Pete got me to do some steep turns.  Not bad, the left turns were better than right but would have been OK for a PPL test, I thought.

Then it was back to the field with a clearance to join right hand downwind (non-traffic side) for grass 25, number one.  This approach was good, no flaps (same for all approaches today), 75 mph on base, slowing down to 65 on final, too high, close throttle a bit, keep the nose down, 60 over the threshold, hold off, stick coming back, letting it settle, throttle closed and, Hey!!, not a bad 3-pointer.  Keep straight with rudder, then throttle up, stick forward, hold attitude and off she flies again.

Next touch and go was not so good.  I was a bit high on base and closed the throttle too much ending up low and slow on short final.  More gas and not a bad touch down but I used a somewhat enthusiastic jab of right rudder and only just got it back under control with a bit of help.  (Note to self: although you can't be lazy with the legs the Cub needs a subtler pair of feet on the rudders than the Stearman).

So, a final circuit, pretty fair approach on height and speed but I closed the throttle a tad early and bounced a bit on touch down.  Kept it straight on roll out, though, and then Pete hinted I should get some brake on and get off the runway without too much delay.  

1.0 hours in the logbook and a thoroughly enjoyable flight.  I am starting to feel more confident with the taildragger and looking forward to the next flight.  Thanks, Pete, great fun!  Have booked again in 3 weeks - can't wait!!!

Cub in the low morning sun