microlight flights lessons exercise 12-13 circuits

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Exercise 12-13 Circuits

12-13 The Circuit12-13 The CircuitThe Take Off Circuit And The Take Off Circuit And

LandLand

AimAim

To safely take off and climb the aircraft into a To safely take off and climb the aircraft into a position on the downwind leg at circuit height. position on the downwind leg at circuit height.

Also to land safely in the event of engine failure Also to land safely in the event of engine failure after take off or at any time in the circuit, and after take off or at any time in the circuit, and

to decide against and take appropriate action if to decide against and take appropriate action if for some reason continuation of the take off for some reason continuation of the take off

would be un-safewould be un-safe

To fly an accurate circuit To fly an accurate circuit and carry out a safe and carry out a safe

missed approachmissed approach

This exercise cannot be fully covered This exercise cannot be fully covered in one flight exercise. It is broken down in one flight exercise. It is broken down into a number of briefings and flights. into a number of briefings and flights. Plenty of practice will be required to Plenty of practice will be required to build up the skills to solo standardbuild up the skills to solo standard

The CircuitThe Circuit

Active side


Into wind take off

THE STANDARD INTO WIND TAKE OFFTHE STANDARD INTO WIND TAKE OFF 11. Checks complete, clearance obtained, line up and select a . Checks complete, clearance obtained, line up and select a

reference point well ahead. If the runway is short select abort reference point well ahead. If the runway is short select abort point.point.

2. Brakes off, apply smooth power2. Brakes off, apply smooth power

3. Keep wings level and bar neutral, keep steering straight 3. Keep wings level and bar neutral, keep steering straight with nose wheel- not by steering with wing.with nose wheel- not by steering with wing.

4. As flying speed is approached smoothly move the bar 4. As flying speed is approached smoothly move the bar forwards to take offforwards to take off

ChecksChecks During the take off run aurally check that full power has been During the take off run aurally check that full power has been

achieved, if in doubt abort the takeachieved, if in doubt abort the take off. Also estimate the off. Also estimate the expected take off point for the prevailing conditionsexpected take off point for the prevailing conditions..

The Climb OutThe Climb Out


Into wind Glide approach

The Standard into wind glide approach and landingThe Standard into wind glide approach and landing 1.Turn Finals line up on the extended runway centre line make sure nose wheel straight 1.Turn Finals line up on the extended runway centre line make sure nose wheel straight

2.When you intersect the gliding angle towards your chosen aiming point, lower2.When you intersect the gliding angle towards your chosen aiming point, lower the nose adopt the glide the nose adopt the glide

3. Attain correct approach speed3. Attain correct approach speed

20ftHold off

Look well ahead down runway to maintain perspective

Ground effectGround effect

Half Wing span

• 7. once on the ground keep steering straight and brake 7. once on the ground keep steering straight and brake gently only if necessary. Re-turn the bar to the neutral gently only if necessary. Re-turn the bar to the neutral

position. On the smooth surface aerodynamic braking may position. On the smooth surface aerodynamic braking may be used by moving the bar back from the neutral positionbe used by moving the bar back from the neutral position


Cross wind

THE CROSS WIND TAKE OFF THE CROSS WIND TAKE OFF AND LANDINGAND LANDING

1. Estimate the cross 1. Estimate the cross wind componentwind component

And ensure it is within And ensure it is within limits check the pilots limits check the pilots hand book. P.O.Hhand book. P.O.H

15 degree off runway heading= crosswind 15 degree off runway heading= crosswind component ¼ of the wind strengthcomponent ¼ of the wind strength

30 degrees off runway heading= cross wind 30 degrees off runway heading= cross wind component ½ of the wind strength.component ½ of the wind strength.

45 degrees off runway heading= cross wind 45 degrees off runway heading= cross wind component¾ of the wind strengthcomponent¾ of the wind strength

60 degree or more off the runway heading= 60 degree or more off the runway heading= cross wind component 1/1 of the wind cross wind component 1/1 of the wind strengthstrength

Keep steering straight start the Keep steering straight start the run with the into wind wing run with the into wind wing slightly down as airspeed builds slightly down as airspeed builds level wingslevel wings

A cross wind will cause drift A cross wind will cause drift after take off, so lift off cleanly. after take off, so lift off cleanly. Hold the aircraft firmly on the Hold the aircraft firmly on the ground during the take off run ground during the take off run then lift off cleanly and then lift off cleanly and positivelypositively

Once the aircraft lifts off it will Once the aircraft lifts off it will yaw into wind . Do not resist yaw into wind . Do not resist this but keep the wings level, this but keep the wings level, the aircraft will assume the aircraft will assume approximately the correct drift approximately the correct drift angle. Adjust slightly if required angle. Adjust slightly if required once the aircraft is established once the aircraft is established in the climb. To maintain runway in the climb. To maintain runway centre line during climb outcentre line during climb out

Crosswind landingCrosswind landing1.1. Land into wind if possible if not-Land into wind if possible if not-

2.2. Estimate cross wind component Estimate cross wind component as before ; ensure within limit as before ; ensure within limit if not land somewhere else.if not land somewhere else.

3.3. Turn onto finales allowing for Turn onto finales allowing for head or tailwind on base leg head or tailwind on base leg and get established on the and get established on the runway centre line allowing for runway centre line allowing for driftdrift

4.4. Check nose wheel straightCheck nose wheel straight

5.5. Increase airspeed slightly above Increase airspeed slightly above for normal approach. This will for normal approach. This will reduce drift anglereduce drift angle

Continued crosswind landingContinued crosswind landing66. . Round outRound out slightly lower than normal, slightly lower than normal,

make short hold off try to land on back make short hold off try to land on back wheels with bar slightly forwards of trim to wheels with bar slightly forwards of trim to keep airspeed up and reduce drift angle. if keep airspeed up and reduce drift angle. if difficult conditions turbulent may be useful difficult conditions turbulent may be useful to carry a little power to keep airspeed up to carry a little power to keep airspeed up and prolong the hold off.and prolong the hold off.

7.Touch down7.Touch down back wheels first will yaw back wheels first will yaw straight on runway, try to hold nose wheel straight on runway, try to hold nose wheel up and touch nose down gentlyup and touch nose down gently

8. 8. Lower into the windLower into the wind slightly and keep slightly and keep steering straight. steering straight.

Some trikes can land flatSome trikes can land flat . As the aircraft . As the aircraft lands it often will not be straight and tends lands it often will not be straight and tends to snatch and track in the direction that to snatch and track in the direction that the trike is pointing . This can be reduced the trike is pointing . This can be reduced by aligning the nose wheel with the by aligning the nose wheel with the direction that the aircraft is tracking [down direction that the aircraft is tracking [down the runway hopefully] As the aircraft the runway hopefully] As the aircraft touches down it will then align with the touches down it will then align with the tracking direction and the nose wheel can tracking direction and the nose wheel can be straightened.be straightened.

Do not use this technique on aircraft that touch Do not use this technique on aircraft that touch down main wheels first with nose wheel down main wheels first with nose wheel well in the airwell in the air

Airfield considerations for cross wind Airfield considerations for cross wind landings with possible turbulence of landings with possible turbulence of

hangershangers

The turbulence crossing hangers can throw a trike it can sink or cause wing drop possible stall be aware at all times


Short field take off

Take offTake offThe short field take off is aThe short field take off is a procedure which is carried out when procedure which is carried out when

obstruction clearance on take off is considered critical. The object obstruction clearance on take off is considered critical. The object being to obtain the shortest take off distance and achieve the being to obtain the shortest take off distance and achieve the

steepest angle of climbsteepest angle of climb

IF IN ANY DOUBTIF IN ANY DOUBT

If in any doubt whether obstacles can If in any doubt whether obstacles can be cleared safely do not attempt to be cleared safely do not attempt to take off in the first place de-rigg and take off in the first place de-rigg and trailer to a safe site or home or wait trailer to a safe site or home or wait until better weather conditions.until better weather conditions.

There is always another day to fly There is always another day to fly safety firstsafety first


Short field landing

Short field landingShort field landing


Soft field take off

.Soft surfaces sand boggy or long, wet grass usually reduce the aircraft’s acceleration during the takeoff roll so much that adequate take off speed might not be attained if normal take off techniques were employed

Front wheel digging in

Take OffTake Off1. During the take off hold the bar fully forwards1. During the take off hold the bar fully forwards2. Lift as soon as possible {at a lower speed than normal}2. Lift as soon as possible {at a lower speed than normal}3. Hold the aircraft close to the ground in the level attitude and 3. Hold the aircraft close to the ground in the level attitude and using the ground effect accelerate to a safe climbing airspeed using the ground effect accelerate to a safe climbing airspeed before adopting the climbing anglebefore adopting the climbing angle


Soft field Landing

LandingLanding1.1. When the landing surface is sift or the grass is long, the approach When the landing surface is sift or the grass is long, the approach

should be set up in the normal way, for a power or glide approachshould be set up in the normal way, for a power or glide approach

2.2. The touchdown should be made softly at the minim possible ground The touchdown should be made softly at the minim possible ground speed therefore land as close as into he wind and hold off as fully as speed therefore land as close as into he wind and hold off as fully as possible touch down at the lowest possible airspeedpossible touch down at the lowest possible airspeed

3.3. During the ground roll keep the control fully forwards o stop the nose During the ground roll keep the control fully forwards o stop the nose wheel from digging in.wheel from digging in.

4.4. Do not use brakes.Do not use brakes.

5.5. If the field is very soft, stop the aircraft, get out and walk the field If the field is very soft, stop the aircraft, get out and walk the field before taxiingbefore taxiing


Missed approach go around

Missed approach go AroundMissed approach go AroundReasonsReasons

1.1. Runway obstructionRunway obstruction2.2. OvershootingOvershooting3.3. Too close behind another landing aircraftToo close behind another landing aircraft4.4. Strong turbulence or poor pilot controlStrong turbulence or poor pilot control5.5. Making continuation of landing will make Making continuation of landing will make

it unsafeit unsafe

Aircraft obstruction

1.1. Make the decision earlyMake the decision early2.2. Open the throttle fullyOpen the throttle fully3.3. Raise the noseRaise the nose4.4. If runway obstructed by another If runway obstructed by another

aircraft taking off ,moveaircraft taking off ,move5.5. Of runway and fly parallelOf runway and fly parallel6.6. On airfields with no dead side On airfields with no dead side

move to the live side but move to the live side but beware of the other aircraft beware of the other aircraft turning across youturning across you

7.7. If all clear and at circuit height, If all clear and at circuit height, at the upwind leg of the runway at the upwind leg of the runway turn on to the cross-wind leg turn on to the cross-wind leg and rejoin the circuit on the and rejoin the circuit on the down wind legdown wind leg

Aircraft taking off

11


Circuit Emergencies

Engine failure at low levelEngine failure at low level

Abandoned take off Abandoned take off 1.1. Close throttle and bar neutral in pitchClose throttle and bar neutral in pitch 2. Brake firmly if short distance 2. Brake firmly if short distance

Engine failure after take offEngine failure after take offFailureFailure at very low level (10ft)- Use accurate pitch control to bring at very low level (10ft)- Use accurate pitch control to bring

aircraft down to hold off height and land aheadaircraft down to hold off height and land aheadFailure Failure at 50 to 100ft- lower nose to glide attitude immediately and at 50 to 100ft- lower nose to glide attitude immediately and

land aheadland ahead

Engine failure after take off

Take off roll

Lower nose to glide angle

Land Ahead

Engine failure at 50 to 100 feet

Failure at 200ft to 300ftFailure at 200ft to 300ftFailure at 200 to 300ftFailure at 200 to 300ft –lower nose to glide angle –lower nose to glide angle immediately. Land straight ahead if possible. If runway immediately. Land straight ahead if possible. If runway is insufficient and large obstacles make landing is insufficient and large obstacles make landing beyond dangerous, either S turn to bring the landing beyond dangerous, either S turn to bring the landing point closer. or turn to land cross wind in a clear areapoint closer. or turn to land cross wind in a clear area

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TURN BACK-unless at least 500feet Agl and the end of the runway is still underneath the aircraft or very close behind. Do not attempt to land downwind unless wind is extremely light

Engine failure in circuitEngine failure in circuit1.1. Lower nose and adopt Lower nose and adopt

the gliding attitude the gliding attitude for minimum sink.for minimum sink.

2.2. Pick the safest Pick the safest available landing area available landing area and position to land and position to land into wind.into wind.

3.3. Do not attempt to Do not attempt to make it back to land make it back to land at the aerodrome at the aerodrome unless it is the safest unless it is the safest optionoption

4.4. Prepare for this by Prepare for this by noting suitable noting suitable landing areas before landing areas before the engine stops and the engine stops and mentally rehearsing mentally rehearsing the procedure for the procedure for every position around every position around the circuitthe circuit

Aborted landingAborted landing

If you land longer than expected and If you land longer than expected and doubt exists on whether you will be doubt exists on whether you will be able to stop before the end of the able to stop before the end of the runway, try to make an early decision runway, try to make an early decision and apply full power promptly and and apply full power promptly and take off again. If there is not enough take off again. If there is not enough runway left then brake firmly( wheel runway left then brake firmly( wheel and aerodynamic braking) Switch off and aerodynamic braking) Switch off the ignition and gently steer away the ignition and gently steer away from obstaclesfrom obstacles

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Departing and joining the circuit

DepartingDeparting

JoiningJoining

Down wind joinDown wind join

If the runway in use and circuit direction is If the runway in use and circuit direction is ascertained prior to entering the ATZ a ascertained prior to entering the ATZ a

downwind join may be used.downwind join may be used.

1.On the initial approach to the Aerodrome keep to the 1.On the initial approach to the Aerodrome keep to the upwind sideupwind side

2. Aim to be established on the down wind leg abeam 2. Aim to be established on the down wind leg abeam the upwind end of the runway. Approach this the upwind end of the runway. Approach this position ideally at 45 degrees to the downwind leg. position ideally at 45 degrees to the downwind leg. Keep a very good lookout and give way to aircraft Keep a very good lookout and give way to aircraft already established on the circuitalready established on the circuit

Base leg and Final joinBase leg and Final join

Circuit AirmanshipCircuit Airmanship

Plan AheadPlan Ahead LookoutLookout Right of wayRight of way Wake turbulenceWake turbulence ChecksChecks HandlingHandling

microlight flights lessons exercise 12-13 circuits

Documents

wind wing

wind strengthkeep

cross wind componentand

wind strength30 degrees

wind strength60 degree

runway heading

extended runway centre

bar neutral