The aim of this exercise is to explore the flight characteristics of the aircraft at speeds higher than flown in most flight training. While it is quite common for experienced pilots to cruise at higher speeds, low time pilots do not often do so. Instructors are introducing students to how the aircraft reacts to control inputs at these speeds. As well a pilot should be aware that it does take some time to get use to flying in different speed ranges. Once the pilot becomes acclimated to the new flight regime the opposite is also true. Most pilots who have been flying fast for a while find it beneficial to spend a minute or so at more normal approach speeds before they enter the circuit. This allows them to establish new ‘normal’ reference attitudes to safely fly the circuit. Flying safely is often knowing when you are deviating from the norm and how to return to the normal flight conditions. The outline for this exercise is:
- Student’s performance checked until in free-flight.
- Instructor checks student’s performance of CALL check.
- Instructor coaches execution of a straight run at .75 Vne..
- Instructor coaches performance of linked turns at .75 Vne with 30 degrees of bank.
- Instructor coaches performance of linked turns at approach speed with 30 degrees of bank.
- Instructor checks the student’s performance of a normal circuit and landing.