Prior to going flying yesterday with Brad, we talked a bit about soft / short field takeoffs and landings. We had done one of each prior, but that was more of a demonstration than anything else. For takeoff, the procedures are very similar for both soft and short fields, with a few obvious differences.
After talking about it for a while, we headed out to the plane to try some. We started the day with a short field takeoff. I didn’t do so shit hot, but I’m sure I’ll get better with practice.
We headed out to the practice area and practiced a few forced approaches. I still need to force myself to review the procedures, especially the part about dialling in 7700 on the transponder. D’oh!
After the forced approaches, we headed off to Carp to do some precautionary landings. The first one wasn’t too great, but the second one was good. My soft field landing at Carp was horrible, not soft at all! Like I said, a little practice and I should be ok.
After a couple of precautionaries at Carp we headed back to Ottawa. We attempted another soft field landing (didn’t go so well) and then a short field for the full stop.
It was feakin’ hot in the plane the whole time, but that’s because Brad thought it would be fun to ‘simulate flight test conditions’ where you’d be sweating and nervous. I didn’t realize he was doing it until the flying was over. I’ll get you back for that Brad! :)
More flying tonight hopefully, and then I’m supposed to do my cross county to Cornwall this weekend. Currently the weather doesn’t look too good but I’m hoping that will change.