Today the wind speed and direction allowed for us to begin practicing the circuit with a series of “touch-and-go’s”. A touch and go involves landing, a short ground roll, the application of full power and takeoff. It is a great way to practice takeoffs and landings in a short amount of time. A normal circuit only takes about seven minutes to complete, but I am here to tell you that a LOT happens in those seven minutes. Landing checks to perform, radio calls to be made, and always an ear for what the controllers are telling you and other aircraft.
Contrary to popular belief landing is pretty easy – one way or another you’re coming down. Making a GOOD landing, on the other hand, takes some practice. Cherokee 140s are tough little planes and their landing gear must be even tougher to handle the abuse we put them through. Final approach – keep the numbers above your windscreen by increasing or decreasing power. Keep your speed at 69 knots – raise or lower the nose. Now watch how the runway expands in your peripheral vision – level the wings. Focus on the end of the runway – raise the nose. Not too much! Watch the runway expand again – raise the nose again and wait for the flare. Touch down, ground roll, full power and away you go again. Climb at 75 knots. Seems so easy doesn’t it?
Again, the winds picked up in the afternoon and my instructor and I decided to cancel our afternoon booking and wait it out until tomorrow.
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