Well 3 circuits later I am legally current in the Pa28 200R. The conditions were trying, 10 knots on the ground, 35 knots at 2000 feet and a nice fat sheer zone in the middle where you are trying to fly. Approaches were better than expected, checks were all there when needed, but I've noticed a new sensation creeping in which I have never experienced before, which is a sense that you are falling behind the plane mentally. Normally you need an instructor in that detached zen-like state of calm to look over at you and say after seemingly spending most of the circuit gazing wistfully out the window, "you're a bit behind the plane aren't you?"
It was certainly an odd feeling to notice it myself. I ended up verbally coaching my approaches and that seemed to help. I guess I still had some spare brain capacity tucked away which kicked in when needed.
It was certainly an odd feeling to notice it myself. I ended up verbally coaching my approaches and that seemed to help. I guess I still had some spare brain capacity tucked away which kicked in when needed.
Comments
I agree Barry, but every time you experience a day like that, your personal minimums come down just that little bit more. Still, I give you cudos for doing crosswinds in the Arrow - I am too afraid of sideloading the gear to try it, but thats not to say I wouldn't do it if I needed to.
I find it's not so much the cross wind itself - I have been fine with a steady 12 knots before - it's gustiness and variability that is the problem, particularly with a bit of shear close to the ground which can make it "interesting"
Next time you are up in a 172 try doing crosswind glide approaches, they'll put hair on your chest if its gusty. :-)
ATPL