CAVOK -Visibility greater or equal to 10 km, no cumulonimbus, no cloud below 5,000 ft or highest minimum sector altitude (MSA) (whichever is the greater) and no weather significant to aviation.
Despite things being very quiet on the work front I needed to go flying. Apart from the flying school that I fly with I'm also a member of a club operating a TB-9. I haven't flown with them since getting my PPL in October so it was about time I got a PPL checkout. My instructor was available, the weather was CAVOK and the aeroplane - finally - has just gotten a fresh CofA. Time to go flying then.
I'd actually done a bit of planning for this flight. Last week, in anticipation of an upcoming check-out I spent some time in the aeroplane on the ground. I ran though the various check and took a copy of the checklist. I also dug out the POH to get the V-speeds. I made notes of the necessary figures on my kneeboard. This little preparation made today so much more enjoyable. There was no hesitating looking for switches and it's far more confidence inspiring (for me and the instructor) when I know what speeds I should be flying in the circuit. If I start flying different types on a regular basis I think I may put together aircraft notes for the various types and maybe a blank laminated one for once off aircraft.
I had forgotten what handling the TB-9 was like. Compared to the Grob 115 the TB-9 is a much heavier aircraft. Turning the TB-9 on the ground takes much more pressure on the the rudder pedals, the Grob, no more than a touch. In the air, the TB-9 climbs much faster than the Grob with two aboard. The TB-9 rides the air much more solidly than the Grob, presumably because of a higher wing loading. The Grob though is a much lighter handling aeroplane. Very light control pressures are required to get the Grob wheeling around the sky - the TB-9 is more ponderous.
Do I have a preference? I'm not sure yet. I need to do some more time in the TB-9 to be able to make that disticntion - but I am looking forward to it.
In a moment of inspiration I gave my instructor the GPS to play with - something to keep him distracted in case my flying had gotten too rusty. As it happened, it hadn't. It was a great day to go flying, it was great day's flying and quite a respectable landing. It was only a 30 minute flight out in the local area. I flew a VOR tracks and then came home. I'd hoped to get some circuits in but there were already three in the pattern when we got back so I've agreed to go flying with my instructor next week for some circuits before he signs me off fully. I know it was decent flying on my part but, in the circuit the TB-9 can get ahead of you a lot quicker than the Grob so a few circuits will be a good idea including some flapless and glide approaches.
For now I'm just happy to have been flying. I needed that.
This Reese fella just has to be the son of Bill. I saw him at the Saskatoon Air show. I knew him and yet I did not. Later it dawned on me:Yes this has to be Bill's boy. Bill flew/flies too. He lived in some hick town not far from Melville SK the last time I heard. Aside from the regular airlines I have not see the inside of a real airplane for 4-5 years when I flew a "Mooney" at Moose Jaw. (Meili) Some day ,this Summer , I'm gonna fly if I can convince Reese. I think I can
Posted by: G.H.VanKampen | February 16, 2008 at 03:23 AM
I owned a TB-9 for five years before trading it for the RV-6 that I have now. Once you get used to it, I think you will like it very much.
They're wonderful airplanes, and very undervalued in the US market. One day I realized that I had just spent 5 years flying around at 98 knots with three empty seats, and that's the day I decided to get something more appropriate to the kind of flying I do. If it hadn't been for the RV, I would have kept the Tampico for a long time.
Posted by: Daveg | March 11, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Hi Dave, thanks for the comment, I'm a regular over at the 'chronicles.
Yeah the TB9 is nice - I've actually got 50+ hours in ours but I finished my training in the Grob so it had been a while.
Since this post I've brought my extraordinarly supportive other half flying in the TB - it's a very solid, passenger friendly aeroplane. I'm with you though, most of the time it's three empty seats.
I'd very much like an RV but my first plane is going to be a newly restored Luscombe. It will be good fun, a real education and most importantly affordable.
A mechanic acquaintance of mine is trying to get me to buy his -4 .... tempting if I had the cash!
Posted by: David | March 11, 2008 at 02:44 PM