|
Tuesday, November 11
Flight 05: Ground Reference Maneuvers
By Brady Lane at 8:45 PM
Flight log to date Hours flown: 5.1 | Days since I started: 28 | Cost: $957.70
I've said before that turns are fun. Well, doing them low to the ground is even more fun!
Today I was introduced to ground reference maneuvers. We flew these patterns just 600-1000 ft. above the ground, which makes for an incredible view!
We brought along a GPS data logger so you can see exactly what we did and how good/bad we did them (they're animated in the video above)...
My task was to fly these patterns, adjust for the wind (which is trickier than it sounds), while holding altitude.
The high wing and big windows make the Remos an incredible plane for these maneuvers. I'd be interested to hear from some of you what it's like to do these in a low wing plane. How much does a low wing limit your view?
19
comments:
View
|
Posted by
@ 06:17 PM, November 13
Brady I LOVE the output from your GPS datalogger... I want one! What datalogger did you buy, how much was it, and how easy was it to use? Are you importing the data into Google Earth? Your S turn track is very impressive, by the way!
|
|
|
Posted by
@ 06:52 PM, November 13
I really like your instructor. He has a great personality and manner for teaching!
|
|
|
Posted by
@ 08:05 PM, November 13
Jason tell us what video equipment you are using that has such good image stabilization and how to audio hookup to the headphones. I, like others, am in training too and want to capture some of my cockpit time to replay later. Thanks.
|
|
|
Posted by
@ 10:48 PM, November 13
This is great! I'm also learning how to fly right now (in Wisconsin no less) and watching Brady's videos is like re-doing my lessons ... for free! Awesome! The GPS tracking is an excellent additon. Really drives home the points.
|
|
|
Posted by
@ 12:21 AM, November 14
Very neat GPS data output. I'll be watching for your comments on how you did this and the camera setup you have. I'm guessing any ol' GPS with route data and Google Earth as one way of doing it. I'm enjoying your series and can't wait to complete my airplane project so I can learn how to fly the darned thing.
|
|
|
Posted by
@ 09:09 AM, November 14
Remember, the wind does NOT push the airplane! EVER,,,,,,,,,, once it is in stable flight. (excepting GUSTS, or large changes, etc). Consider a balloon flying at 50 mph over the ground,,, in the basket of the balloon, there is NO wind, it is completely calm. You are flying in a BLOCK of moving air, it is the same for an airplane,,,,, the wind is not pushing the airplane etc, you are as one! Yes, you will need to compensate for the effects of this when doing circles around a point etc, but when you bank into a headwind it does not push up on the exposed undersides of the wing etc, you are flying in a calm..... moving block......... of air. Upwind, downwind, crosswind, as far as the wing is concerned, it is the same,,,,,,,,,,,, considering your track over the ground,,,,,,,,, well, that is another matter. A GREAT book to read and understand these concepts in depth,,,,,, "Stick & Rudder" by Wolfgang. printed in the 40's and still applies today. Great job on flying, I am sending your links to friends, some are in training, others are still dreaming,,,,,,,,,. Thank you for sharing,
Respectfully,
Kraig :)
|
|
|
Posted by
@ 09:20 AM, November 14
Pretty much any handheld GPS unit will perform as a GPS data logger. I only have experience with Garmin’s, but basically you download the GPS data (NMEA) to your computer, then upload the information to Google Earth. Older Garmin’s like mine use serial output which newer laptops don’t have. You can buy a Serial <-> USB adapter, but the cheaper ones won’t work. The MCT U232-P9 with the Philips chipset work perfectly. DISCLAIMER: I sell these adapters as well as cables for Garmin GPS at www.MisterGPS.com. Google for the cable, or buy one from a fellow EAA member (351620). I'm President of the Orlando Chapter 74.
|
|
|
Posted by
@ 09:59 AM, November 14
Adam: In my research for purchasing a GPS data logger, I narrowed it down to two options—the AMOD AGL3080 and the Columbus V-900. I went with the later because it has some additional features, like bluetooth capabilities. However, after using it for this flight, I'll be returning it for the AMOD because the Columbus is not as compatible with my Mac operating system as their marketing made it sound. (I had to use a friend's PC to download the data). If I was on a PC, I'd probably keep it. I'll be testing the AMOD on future flights, and will let you know how it works.
Mike: I like Jason's teaching style as well. Now I know why selecting a good instructor is so important.
Charles: We are using two lipstick cams, one mounted on the dash in front and one on the window just behind us. There are many manufactories, but ours are from raceoptics.com. To record audio, I'm using a Y-cable to split the intercom audio so I can feed one line to my headset and the other to a digital audio recorder (Edirol R-09). After each lesson, I synch the two video feeds with the audio and edit away.
Michael and Scott: Thanks for your comments. I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the videos. Scott, what are you building?
Kraig: Thanks for your feedback and for sharing this blog with others who are interested in learning to fly. Hopefully it will get them excited to begin and introduce them to some of the things they'll be doing. Thanks also for your explanation of wind.
Jim: Thanks for chiming in and sharing the link to your site. Thanks also for leading a local EAA chapter - do you have any sport pilot students in your chapter?
|
|
|
Posted by
@ 10:46 AM, November 14
Stick with what works for you - if it helps you visualize (and execute) the maneuver to think of the wind as pushing you, that's all that matters. I’m enjoying following your experience as well - stirs up warm fuzzy memories of my own flight training, and REALLY makes me want to get in the left seat again. Glad you’re having fun!
|
|
|
Posted by
@ 10:58 AM, November 14
I use GPSVisualizer.com & my bicycle GPS, which has a barometric alitimeter. I you want to tie video/GPS together. VeoGeo.com both are free www sites the best part of Google Earth is the 3D, tip the track on its side & watch your approach to landings- GPSvisualizer.com has that option - choose 'attached by a wall' vs. clamped to the ground
|
|
|
Posted by
@ 11:47 AM, November 14
Great idea Brady, to document your flight training for all to see.
I'm a 400+ hour private pilot who loves to fly and I work at an FBO in Arizona where we are a Remos dealer and also conduct flight training in the Remos G3 and in Cessnas.
I was just today sent a link to your blog and have watched everything you've posted to date. Will keep up with your progress and have already begun sending out links to people who share your passion for flying and want to learn.
Sounds like you've made a great choice in Jason as your instructor. It's so important to have one that knows his stuff and that you have a good relationship with. Where he'll really shine is when he helps you get through the parts that are causing you frustration. It'll happen. My biggest challenge was S turns.
And remember this: There are three secrets to perfect landings. The problem is, no one knows what they are.
Keep up the good work and good luck with your flight training.
|
|
|
Posted by
@ 04:33 PM, November 14
This is a great idea and i'm enjoying following your progress. Im currently just coming to the end of my Private pilots licence except in Scotland. I was interested in your mentioning 1000ft as low!! Normaly the highest I can get over here whilst flying is about 3000ft and thats only on the really good days! Funny how different it all is over there, keep up the good videos.
|
|
|
Posted by
@ 11:27 PM, November 14
Hi Brady.
It was nice to see you got to fly again. Here in Michigan, we have had quite a few days that were not VFR. Rectangular patterns help practicing airport patterns. Slow flights are good for two reasons #1 is helping you practice landings, #2 is when you are in the airport pattern you can delay your time without going around the whole airport if you have to wait for some one ahead of you. You are doing a great job. Paul Aseltine
|
|
|
Posted by
@ 01:10 PM, November 15
I have 500+ hrs and still find it easier to do maneuvers in a high wing rather than a low wing. The wing blocks your view in a low wing, especially with turns around a point.
|
|
|
Posted by
@ 07:14 PM, November 16
Looks like your reading assignment for this flight in FAA-H-8083-3A "Airplane Flying Handbook" was: Chapter 6: pages 6-1 to 6-9
Available for download from the web, allowing for key word searches and for others to follow along with your reading assignments!
http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aircraft/airplane_handbook/
Suggestion: Perhaps, for each flight, post the weather conditions (METAR).
They can be obtained from:
http://adds.aviationweather.gov/metars/
and choosing from the popup menu up to 36 past hours to get the reports from during your flight.
The home page for this weather resource is:
http://www.aviationweather.gov
|
|
|
Posted by
@ 07:38 AM, November 17
Tammy, great idea about posting the weather for the flights....and it ties into Brady's next ground lesson...Weather! The time for Brady to start learning about how to make the go, no go flight decisions based on his own analysis is coming soon.
|
|
|
Posted by
@ 10:08 PM, November 17
awesome....can't wait till your next flight. I have been "weathered out" the last few trips I have booked, but still enjoy watching your flights.
However you what they say, much better to be on the ground wishing you were flying then in the air wishing you were on the ground.
Enjoy the process and have fun!
|
|
|
Posted by
@ 01:36 PM, November 18
Thanks tons for uploading these videos. Cant wait till next week. I am 18 and hoping to get my PPL soon, and so I can only hope I find an instructor as good as yours!
Best with the flying,
Alex
|
|
|
Posted by
@ 03:01 PM, November 20
The ground training sessions are integral to flight training. Will you be continuing to indicate each one and the topic(s) covered in your excellent "Earning My Wings" blog? ...looking forward to the weather ground lesson post, for example.
|
|
EAA STORE
