No flying – thanks to a murky warm sector air, curling down from storm Floris. So lets start with a very detailed Met. briefing from Mark Courtney. We now know about F214 and F215s, and that 'BR' can be remembered by “baby rain”!
Mark then led us to the classroom for an essential session on launch failures – push forward and WAIT, which we then practiced in the Club Simulator - That wind sock is a real pain in the middle of the airfield!
DSGC Simulator, Mark teaching Jack launch failures (Mark Courtney)
After lunch, back to the classroom – the circuit and understanding why we do upwind circuits at North Hill to avoid the clutching, and prelanding checks. Very appropriate after 'yours truly' had earlier tried opening the air brakes by pulling golf ball in the Sim! (ed: golf ball is the yellow cable release in the Club Simulator).
Still no sign of the cold front - so back to the cinema (simulator). Much circuit practice getting the airfield angle about right and looking out for the crosscountry boys sneaking in over Dunkeswell fast and low.
And for the finale – Steve flying us all upside down over NHL! Some of us left the cinema feeling a bit airsick, but the pouring rain had stopped and Mark promised us a cracking day flying tomorrow.
Thanks chaps and Vicki- really good use of a bad weather day. - Chris Cooke (first time blogger)
