Instrument End of Course Check Complete

Date: 01/27/2010
Time: 18:30 PM
Point of Origin: Troutdale, OR (TTD)
Destination: Troutdale, OR (TTD)
Flight Hours: 2.0 Hrs
Flight Info: This was the final portion of my Instrument end of course check which included steep turns, stalls, unusual attitude recovery, DME arcs, NDB tracking and 3 approaches. The maneuvers were completed in the southeast practice area over Mulino airport. The first approach was the ILS into McMinnville, The second approach was the VOR into Aurora. The third approach was the NDB back into Troutdale.

Thoughts: The flight last night was a bit rougher then the previous one on Monday. This was my first experience flying with Zach and was definitely a good one. He is now the third instructor involved with getting this one EOC check done. I had not worked on the maneuvers for a while due to so much practice flying approaches recently but I was able to recall them from memory and perform them to standards. The approach into MMV was good up until the last bit when I got off of the localizer a bit and had to make a quick correction to get back on. The other two approaches I was very happy with.

The winds around Troutdale caused a few bumps as we were heading out to the practice area. Once we were able to climb up to altitude things smoothed out quite well though. Winds were light at both McMinnville and Aurora.

All in all it was a good flight and I’m glad to be signed off to take my Instrument Checkride!

Instrument Refresher Flight

Date: 01/25/2010
Time: 18:15 PM
Point of Origin: Troutdale, OR (TTD)
Destination: Troutdale, OR (TTD)
Flight Hours: 1.7 Hrs
Flight Info: This was a training flight which included a hold and 3 approaches. The hold was over Battleground VOR. The first approach was the localizer into Scappoose. The second approach was the ILS into Hillsboro. The third approach was the NDB back into Troutdale.

Thoughts: Flights like these are what make me love flying. The night air was great and I was always flying “ahead of the plane”. Each approach was flown to minimums. The approach into Scappoose was followed by the missed approach. Coming into Hillsboro, we did a touch-n-go before following the alternate missed proceedure.

The approach into Troutdale was flown to the Missed Approach Point which is at 1040′ and over the runway. To land we did a spiraling descent to the left at which point my instructor simulated an engine failure. I was able to bring the plane around and land on the numbers. A great finish to a fun flight!

You can see info on this flight on Flight Aware!