Learning to Fly - Hour 46 and Solo

On Wednesday morning I rang Rob to see if he could fit me in for a few circuits, but as always the wind was in the wrong direction. However, the day after said Rob could be OK, “I’ll have a look at the Tafs.
 
That evening Rob Rang and we sorted out an early shoot at 0800hrs.  Up at six and out on the road by 0645, things are good, clear skies and sun.. OOOOOOOOOOOH Shit, right in front of me on the M1 a fecking lorry takes the rear of a corsa off, M1 now at a standstill.
 
Some 40 mins later I am moving again and I finally arrive at Plaistow’s at 0810hrs. Rob is putting Gunny together, “where you been, we were meant to be up by now, Sorry mate got court in a RTC”, emm said Rob, get that wing sorted out and lets get going.
 
Soon we were off and flying in beautiful clear and calm skies, the view was fantastic looking down towards London. However Rob’s view of my ASI was not good; as I was approaching to slow for RW33, come on GT 60mph for the approach, how many times, err sorry Rob, like some dork I replied.
 
Bong Bong down the run way we bounced, ok stop taxied off and let’s do it again. This we did two more times, until Rob was satisfied with my landings.
 
OK GT, I want you to do three circuits and then I want you to fly out to Bovingdon, do two circuits of the Airfield and return and stop for the day OK, yep boss, I understand.
 
Within a few minuets I was airborne and tracking towards Bovvy, on a heading of 270ish. This was what I have been working for, the feeling of freedom, and achievement, even though I still have a little further to go to get my licence, really felt good.
 
On Route I trimmed Gunny up for 65mph on the ASI, which seems a little trickier than two’s up, but found the sweet spot and on we cruzed towards Bovvy. Moments later we were over Bovvy and circling like a massive buzzard, the views were great looking over towards Berk Hampstead and the Chilton’s.
 
Whilst circling Bovvy I spotted a plane coming to wards me so I turned right, he kept going ahead, I dipped the old wings, but had no reply, are well I thought, and continued round to pick up the 90 degree heading back to Plaistow’s.
 
 
In the distance I could see the airfield so I rolled off 400ft off the altimeter for Plaistow’s QFE, now dropping down to meet the downwind leg I called up “Plaistow Traffic, Student Pilot, G-GT, joining from the west, for downwind on runway 33”, I was soon on the downwind leg, and carried out my checks, and turned onto base. Still loosing height, and watching the approach and the runway, I turn onto finals. “Plaistow Traffic, Student Pilot, G-GT, Finals runaway 33”.
 
A little bit of power, and bar slightly forward, wow we were doing sixty, as we flew through the gap between the trees, off with the power, bar back slightly, oooh shit I am going over to the left, so I positively moved the bar to the left, which brought Gunny back on line. As we bled off airspeed, Gunny began to sink but again we bounced down the runway, I know why but I cannot seem to stop this fault at the moment….
 
We taxied off to the grassed apron and carried out the shut procedures..
 
Things to work on for next time.
 

1. Should have gone into the overhead. Approach the Airfield over head at 2000ft QFE, descend over the dead side, and turn to cross the threshold at the cross wind leg, and join the down wind leg then, not like what I carried out on route back from Bovvy.

2. Approach speed, needs to be sixty, pressure on the bar, be it forward or back depending on the wind. Nevertheless, I need to polish this area up soon to stop kangarooing down the bloody runway.

 
Apart from that, good day, no a fantastic morning flight, I’m well chuffed
 
Happy Landings
 
GT & Gunny Flexwing