After trying to fly every weekend since being given 'partial sign-off', althought eh forecast was for solid rain, the morning looked OK, murky, but little wind and easily 1000' cloudbase. Plus I had an email from one of the other group members who said he would probably finish earlier than his booking.
So I set off for the airfield hoping for at least a session of solo circuits.
As it turned out, the other member was out of currency according to group rules and was having a refresher session with 'my' instructor. I had a quick chat as they shut down. Roly confirmed it was good enough for me for circuits, so off I went. For once there was also plenty of fuel.
However, the wind was 130/9kts on runway 09, so some crosswind, but it was a steady wind. But runway 09 meant the 'long march of death' around to C1 for 09 - the other side of the airfield. So I carefully taxied around, taking care to keep the stick in the right position for the wind as I navigated the taxiways.
Line up and start the take off run. Allow into wind aileron and remember that I am lighter than I have ever been, so the plane will be a lot more sprightly. It was and the tail came up quickly, but I caught it in time and got enough rudder in to stop the swing. Before I knew it we were up and flying - you really don't rotate in the RV6, it tells you when it wants to fly and you'd better go along with it!
I am now getting used to the rapid rate of climb and we quickly gained the 1000' circuit height as I swung around crosswind for 09 with left hand circuits. I was behind one of the flight schools PA28's so held the revs back to somethin like 1700 rpm to keep a nice sedate circuit speed so I didn't chew his tail off in front.
I though about what I needed to do and did the downwind checks. Power right back and allow the aircraft to slow so I can get flaps on. Two stages in and 80 kts IAS on final. Let the speed bleed back, a bit high, less power, speed maybe 70-75 - damn, I wanted 65. Plane pointed a bit right to allow for the crosswind. Over the hedge. I was a bit fast and left the power on a bit too long. Round out, kick straight, feels like I am level, 3-point position and we touch - not hard, but a bit of a 'Spitfire bounce', control it and down again, bigger bounce this time - I don't like this - rather than risk a third and even bigger bounce, I push the throttle and the RV responds immediately as I do a go-around.
As I climb out I call 'go around' and clean up. Climbing out to circuit height, I figure what went wrong. Too much energy - a bit too fast, left the throttle on too long and didn't fly level long enough (or at all really?) to bleed the surplus off. OK, lesson learned, truy again.
Next time, better approach and speed, but again a bounce, and another, not as bad and probably could have controlled the third one, but decided to power up and 'get out of Dodge' again.
OK, getting boring now! Analyse what yiou are doing wrong and deal with it - you know what to do, why aren't you doing it? Tried not to beat myself up and vowed to make this a good one. Just get the airspeed right, fly level and the plane will settle itself - you know how to do this!
Third approach was better and speed was good. Fly level and hold off, hold off, three point attitude and we touch. She doesn't bounce this time, but I feel the tail wheel starting to bounce - damn, c'mon Steve, anchor the stick back in your nuts - you know better than to let the tail flap like that. I get it back in my nuts and sure enough, the tail stays stuck! Clean up and off we go again.
This time, the tower issues a general broadcast as the clag closes in even more and light rain starts to spatter the canopy. This isn't a passing cloud, this is the steady claggy rain that was predicted. I am very keen to get a few circuits in now no that I have cleared the cobwebs. I debate about a couple more circuits but decide against it and tell Gloucester on the downwind that this will be to land as I am starting to get wet up here. The last thing I want is to worry about the weather, crosswinds and landing - too many risk factors at this stage.
I set up for landing and manage another good one (not great, but good). I roll all the way to the end and vacate at A2.
What a bummer, I was just getting into that.
Once again, I realise just how important it is to consolidate your learning with solo flying as you don't realise just how much feedback you are getting from your instructor even when he is saying and doing nothing - that in itself is of course feedback!!! Of course what I must develop is my own internal voice advising me.
All in all a good session and I learned a lot. I think I will need at least two more serious solo sessions in suitable weather and wind to really nail simple landings and get the consistent and develop my own internal voice, before going back to Roly for 'the crosswind challenge'!
