Date: 04/10/2012
Time: 17:55 - 18:40 (16:55 - 17:40 GMT)
Aircraft: Eurostar EV-97 - G-CEDV
Eurostar Refresher
I know I won't be flying this weekend (see G-UFOX), and Thursday night doesn't look too bad, although it has been a bit windy. I haven't flown the Eurostar for ages, so my plan is to go for a bit of a refresher. I slip out of work at as the evenings are drawing in now.
I checkover and get the plane out. I stick some fuel in it and soon I'm lining up on 21. During climbout there is a little turbulence from the Black Woods but not too bad and soon disappears with height. I head off to the north and re-familiarise myself with the controls as it has been about ten weeks since I have played with them. Soon because natural. I try some steep banked turns and have the gratification of the twitch as I go though my own wake turbulence - must have got that right. I then decide to practice circumnavigation a fixed point - not too bad, but it wasn't the wind that makes it difficult, but the restricted view downwards (compared to the C-42). Then down to Whitchurch and then back to the airfield for some circuit practice.
I join from the overhead and am chasing Steve and his student around the circuit - better slow it up for separation. I do a couple of touch-and-go's which go well. The third circuit I do a full stop landing, but it is imperfect - rounded out a little high (but OK), so I have to have another go to satisfy myself.
Probably the last chance for an evening flight this year.