|
Flying Lesson 26
|
Tonight's lesson was supposed to be in IFR conditions to compete my instrament requirements. The day started out with a merky sky and the short-term forecast called for 96% overcast with low ceilings. For reasons obviously beyond my control, the sky decided to clear up quite a bit before lesson time. It was still overcast but not like it was supposed to be. We had to break out the foggles... yes the permanently fogged up glasses used for IFR training. They do the job but I was hoping for real IFR conditions which wa why I planned my lesson for this day. We went ahead with the lesson and started off by climbing to 5000 feet. My instructor informs me that although we have no destination in particular, we are going to go ahead and do some navigation practice and find our way to a VOR under the simulated instrament conditions. First off, he wanted me to take him to the Hazelton VOR (HZL). Never been there personally but with a map in hand I was able to enter the proper code into our VOR, center the OBS needle, and begin flying toward our makeshift destination.
|
|
Flight over Harveys Lake, PA (Picture taken on another lesson under VFR conditions) |
During the flight to Hazelton, my instructor had me change altitudes on que to demonstrate my ability to do so. We ended cruising at 8000 feet for a while which incidently was the highest I had ever ascended. All this time I was flying with the foggles on which makes the entire process of navigation and map reading a bit more tedious. We eventually arrived at the Hazelton airport and turned a course toward another VOR at Lake Henry. He wanted me to navigate there so I was more than happy to oblige, after all, I'm a champ when it comes to these VOR's. They are handy gadgets and I feel comfortable using them as my main navigational tool. Once again we practiced numerous climbs and descents on our way to the Lake Henry VOR. Once we arrived and my indicator switched from "to" to "from" I set a course for a return home. But this wasn't the end of this lesson. There was one more surprise waiting before we ended the lesson...
|
Once we were over the field, we ran out of fuel (hypothetically of course) and it was time for an engine out landing. This didn't go smoothly and I'm glad it was just a simulated engine out situation. I'm not sure if we would have ended up in trees, the lake, or someone's living room but I do know that we weren't making it back to the runway. I'm not afraid to admit I need more practice when it comes to emergency situations such as this. Overall it was a great lesson though. My final landing came in darkness and it was one of my best night landings to date. Next up however is my Lasergrade knowledge test. That's all I've been able to think about lately, burning the midnight oil (old saying from college; not sure if anyone uses it anymore) and studying every chance I get. I would like to ace this test and it's coming up soon.
|
|
