Bittersweet. This is how I’d describe my specially arranged Friday morning flying session. I’d specially organized this to get some flying in when (a) the wind isn’t howling across the runway as it is wont to do in Jhb in August and September and (b) it isn’t so hot..
But the best laid plans of mice and men…. it was a beautiful morning. Preflight was fun as the morning rush of BizJets, KingAirs, and the Scheduled 737s took to the air – always interesting to see how they differ in initial climb performance – the B200s and C90s not so stellar compared to the B350s, and the BizJets, well…. they all look pretty smart on climbout.
We started up ZS-JAB and let her warm up as we did the pre-run up checks and watched the stream of departing traffic. But when runup time came… There was an alarming decrease in revs and a very rough engine on the right magneto only, no drop on the left – uh oh, this plane had a dead magneto. Well, there was no way we were going flying in her this day. So we taxied back to the ramp dejectedly, and checked her into the Hangar. Where, of course, they couldn’t replicate the problem. Another student flew her an hour later – no problems whatsoever. So that was a bit weird. But I’m happy we stayed on the ground.
As someone pointed out to me – it’s better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air than in the air wishing you were on the ground…. And learning to deal with disappointment of cancelled flights is part of the game – good training for when I’m the one making the call on whether we go or don’t go…
This enforced grounding meant that I could exercise the privileges allowed me by my newly minted SPL(A) – writing exams…. due to all the delays in getting medical and SPL sorted out, I’ve been studying hard for Air Law which I need to have passed to go solo. I was booked to do the exam on Friday – so I set off to give it a crack. Which I did. and I passed – 97%! I cannot recommend the PPL mock exams from Swales highly enough – a lot of what I expected and had seen before came up – but even if it hadn’t I would have been ok – because I really put a LOT of effort into the Air Law studying. I know stuff that I will no doubt never use – but it ended up being a LOT more interesting than I thought.
All in all, a good week. Air Law done, SPL(A) obtained, no flying but hey, I can fly any time… Like tomorrow for instance….. (weather permitting)
