This class was very informative. I learned a lot about aircraft systems as well as multi-engine aerodynamics. The class was very challenging. The only thing I might change about the class would be the online quizes. The quizes become busy work as the answers the in the back of the book and inevitably we end up reading for the answers instead of content. I liked the scenario based training, really gave us a chance to use our decision making skills and explain why we are making the decision we are making.
I thought it was very beneficial to go look at the airplane and see the systems that wer explained in class.
I have mixed feelings about blogs, sometimes they are very helpful and other times they become busy work that little learning occurs from. I think overall they are a good resource for students to share their insight.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Seminole Observation flight
Aircraft: Seminole
Instructor: Digrazia
1OCT2011
I was able to observe a multi-engine flight with Mike Digrazia and his student. It was a particularly interesting as two students were observing so the airplane was 30lbs lighter than max gross weight. This situation allowed for the multi-engine pilot to use decision making in take off distances, accelerate stop distances, climb gradients and so on in order to make a successful go no go decision.
The flight was rather uneventful. Since the airplane was so heavy we did not do an engine shutdown. I was able to observe normal operations and an emergency decent. I never noticed how anxious passengers can be sitting in the back and the pilot's presence can really determine how comfortable passengers are.
The student was very thorough in checklist which put me at ease. Every input can be felt in the airplane and so it reinforced the idea that small smooth inputs are best when controlling the airplane. Flying a heavier airplane requires more planning and much more trim. I noticed the more trim was used the easier the airplane wanted to respond since the pilot wasn't trying to use a lot of force in order to make inputs.
The last thing I noticed was that airspeeds were higher. Because of this, things were happening quicker than in single engine airplanes so decisions and checklists needed to be completed early and in a timely fashion to stay ahead of the airplane. This will be one of the characteristics of higher performance, heavier airplanes that pilots need to become used to. It appeared to be easier to get behind the airplane quickly if planning and efficiency wasn't present.
Instructor: Digrazia
1OCT2011
I was able to observe a multi-engine flight with Mike Digrazia and his student. It was a particularly interesting as two students were observing so the airplane was 30lbs lighter than max gross weight. This situation allowed for the multi-engine pilot to use decision making in take off distances, accelerate stop distances, climb gradients and so on in order to make a successful go no go decision.
The flight was rather uneventful. Since the airplane was so heavy we did not do an engine shutdown. I was able to observe normal operations and an emergency decent. I never noticed how anxious passengers can be sitting in the back and the pilot's presence can really determine how comfortable passengers are.
The student was very thorough in checklist which put me at ease. Every input can be felt in the airplane and so it reinforced the idea that small smooth inputs are best when controlling the airplane. Flying a heavier airplane requires more planning and much more trim. I noticed the more trim was used the easier the airplane wanted to respond since the pilot wasn't trying to use a lot of force in order to make inputs.
The last thing I noticed was that airspeeds were higher. Because of this, things were happening quicker than in single engine airplanes so decisions and checklists needed to be completed early and in a timely fashion to stay ahead of the airplane. This will be one of the characteristics of higher performance, heavier airplanes that pilots need to become used to. It appeared to be easier to get behind the airplane quickly if planning and efficiency wasn't present.
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