We were originally due to take this exam before the Christmas break, but quite a lot of students opted not to - the reason most probably being to have extra revision time over the holiday, especially as we didn't have any other work set to do. I chose this option, as it seemed to be sensible enough...

I found parts of the subject matter more relevant to general aircraft handling - the explanation of why the aircraft climbs, from a physics point of view, for example, was one of those moments where you go "ahh, THAT's why we do that!". Likewise the proper use of control column to control angle of attack, and therefore airspeed, helped me understand what was really going on, rather than a "monkey see, monkey do" approach.

Having taken the exam when I felt comfortable with it, when I felt I was actually ready, was in my view better than taking it on a set date. Especially as I got 95%. I was therefore a little irritated when the staff announced that in future everyone MUST without exception take the exam when they say so.

Of course, that approach may have a positive side - a deadline concentrates the mind as someone famous said once. However....I feel that I'm mature enough not to mess around, and actually study for the exam rather than putting it off till the last minute. But IMHO, setting down this edict is a knee-jerk reaction at best, and might actually damage results by forcing people to exam before they're ready.

But then again, if you're still 3 exams short of where you should be, you might need a kick up the arse....!

11 Jan 06 - Local Training Flight from Denham - Much excitement, and inadvertant aerobatics

With the post-Xmas alcohol fully drained from my system, and my post-NYE program of gym and healthy food well under way, I was looking forward to learning stall recovery. If I known what we'd get up to in-flight that day, I might not have been so keen.....

The flight outward was fine, we climbed to 5000ft, the highest I'd flown yet. After I'd carried out my briefed manoevers, consisting of basic stall recovery in the clean, unbanked configuration, we changed over in mid-again again. The act of swopping between the front and back seats had been tricky last time, and this time it was VERY interesting! After I'd clambered in the back (unknowingly unplugging Seji's headset as I did so) Virun climbed into the front. To expidite his passage, he grabbed what he thought was the panel coaming. As it turned out it happenend to be the control column......and he pulled it all the way back! Cue the aircraft climbing steeply as Seji tries to tell Virun to let go (through an unplugged headset) as he is still halfway over the seat. Meanwhile, my seatbelt still isn't plugged in, so I'm trying to sort that out.

After Virun lets go of the column, Seji levels off "with extreme predijuice", so I experience negative G. So does my map - I was especially aware of this as it wass floating alongside my head......

Fortuantelly the incident ended without serious repercussions. I had my doubts about changing over in mindair though. But! the days aerobatics were not over, as Virun dropped a wing during his first stall, putting us into a spiral dive, and losing 1000ft of altitude in the process. We recovered without problems, but I must admit I was more than a little apprehensive (and a little curious) as Virun prepared to stall for a second time. My fears were unfounded though, as Virun performed his second and subsequent stalls just fine. Good stuff.

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