The forecast today was for interesting weather and it did as it promised. I decided that the weather was going to be just above what I have tried before with Hotel Sierra and too bad for a long journey, so I was going to do some circuits. The actual weather went from 10 mph to 19.8 mph and 30 degree crosswinds to 60 degree crosswinds, and then back again, and I had FUN!
The first session only lasted 35 minutes and I scared myself a couple of times. By the end of the 35 minutes, I had done 6 take-offs and landings and I was shaking and bathed in sweat and grinning from ear to ear. Let me say here and now not all the take offs and landings were pretty, but they were character building with the gusty conditions.
On the last circuit, the Medway test pilot, Martin, was also flying and asked over the radio if he could come and have a go in Hotel Sierra after he had finished on the new SLA, of course I said yes. After I had finished a cuppa to calm my nerves, I went down to the hangar to get the second headset and he landed the SLA, so we got into Hotel Sierra and I took off and then handed control over to Martin. He did a few turns and a stall and said he liked the handling etc and then we did a few landings. Martin also showed me the best way to bring Hotel Sierra in on very gusty conditions – fast with no flaps! Great fun.
So, only about 50 minutes all told, but an instructional day and I have come home with a very contented feeling and to a nice steak and half a bottle of Red Wine.
