Lesson 8

Rectangles aka learning circuits.

Due to the cloudy conditions we weren't able to do advanced stalls again this week. I suppose me and incipient spins just aren't meant to be. As long as I can get in the air I'm happy, because before this I'd only been flying once in the past month due to weather.

Instead I was to be introduced to flying the circuit pattern. In case you dont know, the circuit is a 3D flight path around a runway that is used for keeping the traffic flow arriving and departing from an airport orderly and safe. It is essentially rectangular in shape, usually with turns to the left, and the downwind leg is usually flown at 1000ft above the surface.


For training purposes the circuit pattern is used to practice takeoffs and landings, and to stitch together the basic manouvers learned so far into a more realistic sequence of events. Although a challenging prospect, I've been keen to get into this process because it feels like a next-step of sorts, and will give me the opportunity to practice and practice my flying skills until I hopefully become very comfortable at the controls.

To get started we went out to the training area to fly an imaginary 'circuit'. My trusty instructor told me that this was his preferred way of introducing the circuits, as opposed to flying it around the actual airstrip the first time around. The reasons for this are many. Not only is the actual circuit busy with traffic, but radio calls will have to be made, as well as actual landing approaches and takeoffs, all of which will distract the student from the basic task of flying the correct headings and altitudes during climbs, turns and descents. Also, if you much up your circuit pattern and drift too far away from the runway (which I would have done for sure) you have to fly away from the aerodrome and come back via a reporting point.

So off we went to the training area. My 'ground level' was to be at 2000ft and my 'runway' on a North/South heading, so that my initial climb would be to the north, then 90 degrees left to West at 500ft, then 90 degrees left to head South for the downwind leg at 3000ft. Toward the end of the downwind leg I had to perform a pre-landing check, then slow the Skipper down by reducing throttle and lowering the flaps. Then as I descended I turned 90 Degrees to the East on the base leg, then turning North at 500ft above and in line with the 'runway' and hopefully ending the final leg at 2000ft and levelling out.

It was busy, and very challenging. I did feel like I got the hang of it, and it was helpful to be able to repeat the pattern a few times over to improve my co-ordination and practice getting the turns and altitudes accurate. It was also good to be able to do it away from the airstrip so that hopefully next week I won't make a total fool of myself when I practice in the real circuit.