Different Failures and Precautionary Landings

I had some very early flights with Matteo and then Daniel, again we focused on emergency situations. This included what to do with engine failures at takeoff, fires inside and outside the cabin.
Precautionary landings were performed at a long field. First thing would be checking the field (either circling it, or crossing it) before joining the downwind. Approach checks were all performed as in a normal circuit, making sure we were around 1000ft AGL at the "supposed" threshold.

Going to Zurich and Finishing the PPL(A)

I got the job I interviewed for last January. I am currently wrapping up things in my current job and will leave tomorrow. I plan to stay here for the weekend and then I am off to Florida for a 2 week vacation. Unfortunately this means my PPL(A) training will be interrupted, thus I have chosen to be here for a full week, after Florida, dedicated just to flying and studying. This means that Evelyn will not be able to cover me as she works just part time and Mario will finish with me (hoping weather is ok...) upto section 10, which deals with preparing for the practical exam.
I am off to Florida, where off course a few flights are to be done. There I will have some time, I hope, to study for the theoretical exam. I will take this at Gruyere on the 19th of March. Why? Proximity to where I will be that weekend.

Brescia to Lugano

On this trip we followed the same reverse route, taking off LIPO RW32, then right to VOR (117.70), outbound R335 to Brescia City. We quickly left Monti TWR and connected to Garda APP (124.45), telling our position and shortly after left them and joined Milano Information with the same warnings to keep out. We headed to TZO 280 inbound, by intercepting it with MH 265. Right at the VOR (reporting position to Milano), and off to Como, looking for a glider airport in the woods at SRN R040. We then intercepted Saronno VOR (SRN 113.7) at 45' at outbound 182 that takes one to Capolago. We left Milano, and reported to Lugano CTR for landing. We performed a straight in approach through Morcotte to RW01, smooth landing with quite a bit of N wind.

HSI with VOR showing inbound track 115

Navigational Flights with Instruments to Brescia, Italy

Today we had again a very strong north wind (16kts), though a bit less gustier then yesterday. We took off RW01, right 2000ft, to E and then to Capolago, where we left the frequency (120.25). We then reported to Milano Information (124.92) and described our intentions of flight. After Como we headed 145 in order to intercept the inbound Track 115 of Trezzo VOR (TZO) at R145 DME 13. At the VOR we headed left R145 for 15 NM (DME 15, Ugori) and then 85 to Brescia, first leaving Milano Information and reporting to Garda Approach (124.45), before leaving them at Brescia City to report to LIPO TWR (119.40) where we performed 4 right handed circuits with landings. last landing followed visiting the airport, and being escorted by the "follow me car" to our parking spot. We went through customs, paid fees (not bad for the size of the aiport, and as many landings allowed after paying one), filled our flight plan and were back on our way to LSZA.


On our way

Main topic today was using the instruments, especially the VOR and DME. But there was quite a bit of talking, here a summary:

Milano Info, HBPPV
>
HBPPV
P28A
VFR from LUGANO to BRESCIA
@ CHIASSO 3000ft
routing via TZO
estimate TZO @ (1305)
>

Then they told us to stay out of the Milano Linate, and Bergamo zones. This was repeated for Garda Approach, changing places and estimates.

Precision Landings over LSZA, Touch and Go's with Turbulence

Today was windy and gusty... and really not nice. With N wind we used RW01, we would first circle abeam TWR, before imitating engine failure. We then had to position around 1000ft AGL at the treshold. Emergency check, fuel, selector, pump... we performed 4 landings under very bumpy conditions, with the last one we were pushed to the grass next to the RW. Yeah a go around would have been better.
Next flight took us back on a fight against the wind and bumpy conditions. We performed 6 landings, there being downthrust and upthrusts, and changing winds we had to fight. We preferred being high and only using flaps 2 at the end. We also wanted to be a bit higher with IAS to have better control.
I was glad to be done (and sea sick) but I had to at least experience these conditions before.

HB-PPV a Piper Archer II: stalls, spirals, steep turns and landings

I flew today HB-PPV the newer Piper from the Avilu fleet. Our task consisted of flying outbound W, Luino and on to Lago Maggiore as a training ground. There we performed steep turns (45-60 degrees) left and right, making sure we would pull on the elevator as we turned to keep the same height. Our next exercise consisted of spirals: we would power off, and achieve glide speed before gliding down on 45' down. Around 500 feet should be lost per circle. Important again was to keep the speed (70kts) and turn angle by pulling on the yoke's elevator. We then went onto stalls, power off and keeping the same altitude (with and without flaps)... the same was done on turns.

The later class consisted of 6 landings and one go around in order to get a bit used to the Archer II (PA28-180).

ATIS LSZA

Flight Samedan - Maloja - Lago di Como - Lugano

The return flight we did through Italy. After a few pics @ LSZS we took off RW03 and climbed all the way, continuing at downwind up to 7500ft. We reported at W, and left the frequency shortly after. At Maloja we performed another orbit and took some pictures, it was a funny site as this is where my my CH ancestry comes from. We continued at 7500, though there is a huge drop after Maloja pass.

Over Maloja and Silssee

We also realized that it was going to get really hazy and not very visible when getting to Lago di Como. At Chiavenna we turned left towards Gordina and onto Lago di Mezzoca, where we started our decent to 4000ft, to be reached at Menaggio. Unfortunately Lake Como was very hazy, usually beautiful scenery. At Menaggio we turned right onto Porlezza, tuned into LSZA ATIS and before reaching Lugano lake contacted LSZA tower and requested landing. We reported again at E, and were told to join downwind as a Fly Baboo was also approaching. We extended our base and made a long final, before touching down at LSZA.

Cross Country Alps Flight to Samedan (San Bernardino & Julier Passes)

We left this afternoon for Samedan (LSZS) from a hazy Lugano (visibility 5km). Being allowed to bring a passenger, I asked Karin to be our private photographer and flight hostess :) The flight took us northbound through N to Ceneri, where we turned right towards Bellinzona and levelled off around 8000ft, and then right again towards Roveredo (into valley). Six minutes later we reached Mesocco, where we turned left towards the San Bernardino Pass.

Over San Bernardino

At the pass we made an orbit in order to get used to how to come back in case the other side of the pass does not look good (towards the pass at 45'). We crossed and at Hinterrhein continued towards the v at the end of valley (070), on the way there we went towards Spluegen, checked the ski resort and approached that pass, where a 180' turn was done returning to the valley.

Near Spluegen

Following the Flight Plan

At the junction we turned N towards Thussis, when reaching it we went shortly right towards Tiefencastel, starting our climb to 9000ft for the next pass. At Tiefencastel up towards Bivio and there left to the Julier pass.

View of the Julier Pass

Another orbit was done here to imitate a return and then we crossed and started our decent towards Silvaplana, then circled Silssee. We reported to Samedan Tower and continued with a straight in approach towards LSZS, cleared at W and then reported on final.

Over St.Moritz

We performed 3 landings. Stopping for a hot chocolate at the airport's restaurant.

Visual Approach Chart (VAC) for LSZS

At the Engadin Airport

Solo Flight Section over

Today I went for 3 flights: 1st consisted of landings with the
instructor. She then gave me the green light for touch and go's. I went
for 8 landings, which seemed really smooth. Problem I was having of
sometimes going back after the flare was gone... I taxied back to
parking E and I was offered to do another class. 5 landings. This way
the solo landing section would be completed. It was also the last time I
would be flying HB-CDH for a while. Now HB-PPV is to take me with more
power over the Alps. First a class to get used to it, and then to
Samedan (LSZS).

See you soon Cessna DH...

2/2/2005 First Solo Flight

I guess solo-ing is the equivalent of losing your virginity in flying. You are sweaty, are not sure if you are doing it right, and well you really enjoy it as well!
The afternoon was a bit windy, and I was just scared the weather might delay this even longer... a few dual landings were performed and it was very choppy. But after 5, the teacher contacted the tower and told them to be prepare for the student's 1st solo flight.
Well, never been so glad to have my teacher out of the plane :) took off and went through the normal procedures... was supposed to do 3 landings but ended up asking to do another one.
Off course we celebrated with some glasses of prosecco later on...