Solo Flight Practice: Soft and Short Field Takeoffs and Landings

PIC - Prasad

Today (March 17, 2010), I practiced soft-field and short field takeoffs, traffic pattern work and landings during my fourth solo flight. The weather at Raleigh-Exec Airport (KTTA) was sunny (62 F) with mild wind 0f 03 knots but with gusts of 10 knots. My flight instructor Jim was off today. Ross, another flight instructor with B-Bar-D Aviation, sent me on my solo flight after filling the Allegro 2000 LSA with a full tank of autogas.

I did the preflight check and taxied to RWY 03. After waiting for a low-wing 4-seater plane to land, I performed a soft-field takeoff (taxi to the runway without stopping and stick in the middle, apply full-power and takeoff at 56 mph, level to gain speed and climb at 70 mph with flap 1 - at 15 degrees). I climbed to 3,000 ft and did a go-around of the airport and flew to the practice area NW of KTTA. I turned towards the airport with two medium bank turns and entered the downwind leg with a plane on the final. Since the plane had not cleared the runway when I was on the final, I did another go-around to the right of RWY 03. Turning left crosswind, I did my third traffic pattern work with idle power abeam the number three. There was a plane on long final for an ILS approach and another behind me during my downwind leg. I landed after the airplane on the long final and turned off from RWY 03 at the second exit. Taxied back to beginning of the runway.

I tookoff for the second time from RWY 03 - this time I performed a short-field takeoff. I flew another traffic pattern, with a six seater Piper airplane way behind me to join the downwind leg and another airplane on final approach. I turned to base leg and with a forward slip reduced my altitude from 1000 ft to 600 ft on the final. I landed the plane after a long flare due to my fast speed during the final leg. Today, both of my landings were with no flaps as I did not try the slow speed maneuvers due to the gusty wind conditions. I turned off the runway via the third exit to the taxiway. Taxied the Allegro 2000 LSA back to FBO.

Flight Training: Practice of PTS Maneuvers - 1

On March 08, 2010, I had dual flight training with my flight instructor Jim. It was a sunny day at my home base (KTTA) with a 9 knots of winds and 14 knots of gusts from 340 degrees. Before my preflight check, I discussed the training objectives for the flight - to practice flight maneuvers using effective aircraft controls. After the preflight check, I taxied the Allegro 2000 LSA to RWY 03 and performed a short-field crosswind takeoff (add full-power at runway edge with brakes on and then release for takeoff with a left stick to compensate for the crosswind, crab into the wind on climbout).

I climbed to 3,500 ft altitude in the practice area NW of the Raleigh Exec Airport. After Jim's demonstrations, I performed several flight maneuvers: (1) Clearing Turns (2) Steep Turns (3) Slow speed turns - slight bank angle with the aim of keeping altitute and airspeed constant (4)Power On Stalls and (5) Power Off stalls - with flap. Jim also demonstrated the onset of a spin with a wing down stall and the recovery maneuver for me to gain an awareness on spin...I piloted the airplane towards the airport descending to the traffic pattern altitude of 1,250 ft at mid-point of downwind leg. After completing the traffic pattern work, I landed the plane slightly off the centerline since I did not give enough left stick to compensate for the crosswind. It was an hour of flight work and I taxied the Allegro Light Sport Aircraft to the FBO.

First Solo Cross-country Flight (KTTA - KBUY - KHBI - KTTA) in Allegro 2000 LSA

On March 01, 2010, I accomplished my first solo cross-country flight, a requirement as part of my Sport Pilot Certificate training. My long cross-country solo flight plan consisted of three legs: Raleigh Exec Airport (Sanford, NC) - Burlington Alamance Airport (Burlington, NC) - Asheboro Regional Airport (Asheboro, NC) - Raleigh Exec Airport (Sanford, NC) : KTTA-KBUY-KHBI-KTTA for a total of 104 NM (120 Miles). The entire trip lasted for 2.1 hours (PIC log time) and I cruised at about 3,000 ft with an average indicated speed of 100 miles/ hour. I completed my first solo cross-country flight after accumulating 21 hours of dual training time with Jim and 1 hour of solo PIC time in my flight logbook !


At 10.00 AM EST, I reviewed the flight plan for my first solo cross-country flight (KTTA-KBUY-KHBI-KTTA; 120 Miles) with Jim. After the pre-flight check, I started the Allegro 2000 LSA (N50631) for my first solo cross-country flight from Raleigh Exec Airport at 10:40 AM EST. I taxied to RWY 03 and tookoff on an MC of 335 towards Burlington Alamance Airport (KBUY). The wind aloft was 11 knots from 310 at the cruising altitude of 3,000 ft. I piloted the airplane with an IAS of 100 mph. Performed pilotage and dead reckoning although the Garmin GPS gave the flight track. I entered the KBUY approach for RWY 24 at the traffic pattern altitude of 1600 ft and landed at an IAS of 75 mph. The landing was smooth and that was my first solo landing at another airport...I taxied out of the RWY and entered the RWY 24 after coming to a full stop at KBUY.

I took off for Asheboro Airport (KHBI) from RWY 24 of KBUY.

I followed the flight path at MC 229 from a cruising altitude of 3,000 ft and observed pilotage and dead reckoning en route.
Upon entering the traffic pattern at KHBI for RWY 03, I spotted a twin engine plane coming on a long final for RWY 21. I applied full-power and did a go-around. I saw a single-engine plane lifting off from RWY 03 during the downwind leg and landed the Allegro 2000 on RWY 03. I taxied out of the RWY and stopped near the North Carolina Aviation Museum.

From KHBI, I tookoff for KTTA from RWY 03 at MC 104 (MH 100). I cruised at an altitude of 3,500 ft for KTTA with an IAS of 100 mph that gave a groundspeed of 107 mph.

The N-plant cooling tower at Sanford, NC was visible miles away. There was some turbulence with scattered clouds at 4,000 ft. I entered the downwind for KTTA traffic pattern for RWY 03 and performed my third and final landing on my first solo cross-country flight with a forward slip to reduce altitude and touched down near the centerline after a landing flare. I taxied clear of the RWY and stopped at the FBO.

I discussed my first XC flight with Jim. Both Jim and Doug congratulated me for successfully completing my first solo cross-country flight.

My first solo cross-country flight was a true adventure...making it a memorable day in my sport pilot training...

Training: Crosswind Takeoffs and Landings

My flight instructor, Jim Schmidt, CFI instructed me today on how to perform takeoffs and landings with a crosswind that he demonstrated to me during one of my earlier sport pilot training lessons. The winter weather today at Raleigh Exec (KTTA) was mild (50 F) but with a wind of about 10 knots from 310 degrees. This gave me the opportunity to practice crosswind takeoffs and landings before my long cross-country solo flight.

After a preflight check of the Allegro 2000 LSA (N50631), I taxied to RWY 03. I tookoff with no flap, at 56 mph but with the left wing into the crosswind. Once airborne, I held a crab angle into the wind and climbed over the runway as usual. After performing the traffic pattern (left crosswind, downwind, base and final) maneuvers, I approaced the RWY 03 with a crab and descended by a forward slip maneuver (left aileron and right rudder) and landed the airplane with a left stick to compensate for the crosswind. I tookoff from the rest of the runway (touch-and-go) and landed with a litte bounce during my second landing. Jim applied full-power and we lifted off for another traffic pattern. I performed the third traffic pattern with a crab at downwind and the landing with a short touch-down with aileron and rudder corrections for the crosswind from the left. After a fourth touch-and-go for the final traffic pattern work, I reduced the power to attain 70 mph and lowered the flap to 15 degrees at abeam of RWY 03 during the downwind leg. I descended to base and final legs maintaining an airspeed of 66-68 mph. I landed the airplane for the fourth time in the crosswind condition and taxied back to the FBO.

Second Solo Flight !

After a gap of one month in my Sport Pilot flight training due to severe winter weather, today I was able to practice from the Raleigh Exec Airport (KTTA). The wind was mild (5 knots from 020 degrees) and the weather was cold (37 F). I performed three takeoffs (one with 15 degrees of flap and two touch-and-gos with no flap) and landings with my flight instructor, Jim Schmidt,CFI of B-Bar-D Aviation. I taxied clear of the runway and left Jim at the FBO after a complete engine shut-down. I then started the Allegro 2000 (N50631) fitted with a new Rotax engine and taxied to RWY 03 for my second solo flight !


On my second solo flight, I departed from KTTA runway 03 at a takeoff speed of 56 mph and climbed at 70 mph. Taking a north magnetic heading, I flew over the 3M Plant and turned towards KTTA and made a go-around of the runway at 3,000 ft. Again I flew north and turned back to KTTA. Descended to 1450 ft and entered the left downwind leg at 45 degrees and performed my first solo landing of the day with an approach speed of 75 mph. I taxied out of the runway and departed again from runway 03. After a normal takeoff with no flap, I headed towards the practice area flying for about 6 to 8 miles N and turned towards KTTA . Piloting the Allegro 2000, I entered the left downwind, followed by another plane, and turned to the base leg and then final at a high speed (80 mph). I perfomed my second landing of the day after a long flare to bleed off the higher than normal speed...and that completed my second solo flight. I now have a full one hour of PIC (Pilot In Command) time in my Pilot Logbook !

Training: Long Dual Cross-Country Flight (KTTA-KBUY-KHBI-KTTA)

On January 12, 2010, I prepared the flight plan for the long dual cross-country flight, a requirement as part of the Sport Pilot Training with my flight instructor, Jim Schmidt. The cross-country flight was from Raliegh Exec Airport (Sanford, NC) to Burlington-Alamance Airport (Burlington, NC) to Asheboro, NC and the final leg to Raleigh Exec Airport for a total of 103 nautical miles.

AOPA Flight Planner - Navigation Log (KTTA-KBUY-KHBI-KTTA)

After preflight and engine start with the use of choke necessiated by the cold winter temperature, I took off with Jim from KTTA in Allegro 2007 Glass Cockpit aircraft from runway 03 on a magnetic course of 335 to KBUY. Performed pilotage and dead reckoning at the cruising altitude with radio announcements and checking ASOS/AWOS information. Upon reaching the Burlington-Alamance Airport, I made a landing at runway 24 with cross-wind from right. After taxiing and full-stop, tookoff from runway 24 for a magnetic course of 229 to Asheboro Regional Airport (KHBI). Entering the traffic pattern at KHBI, I performed a go-around due to being pushed off the runway by cross-winds. After the second traffic-pattern at 1000 ft AGL, I landed the light sport aircraft on runway 03 of KHBI with cross-wind corrections using left aileron into the wind. Taxiied and took off from runway 03 on a magnetic course of 104 to KTTA. From the cruising altitude of 3,500 spotted the North Carolina Zoo on the right. The Harris Nuclear Power Plant near the Sanford Airport provided a good visual aiming point for track heading. Entered the traffic pattern at Raleigh Exec but I was unable to land in a strong wind from 350 of 14 knots with gusts of 16 knots. Jim demonstrated a cross-wind landing at runway 03 and I taxiied to the FBO. That completed my long dual cross-country flight training.

Training: Trip to Gilliam-McConnell Short Airfield

Today, I made a trip to the Gilliam-McConnell Airfield (5NC3) situated in the Town of Carthage, NC under the supervision of my Flight Instructor, Jim Schmidt in the Allegro 2007 (N192AW) glass-cockpit LSA. It's runways 13-31are short-field (2538x36 ft) surrounded by tall trees. We prepared the flight plan for the 25 SM each-way trip and cruised at 2,500 ft at TAS of 105 MPH. I performed a normal takeoff from KTTA with flap 1 and followed a magnetic course of 237. Performed dead reckoning and pilotage along the way. I followed the power lines all the way from KTTA to 5NC3. After descending to 1500 ft, I performed a short-field landing at RWY 31. But, Jim had to add a little power to avoid stall speed just before landing. Performed back taxi to RWY 31 and took-off to KTTA at a magnetic course of 56. With a tail-wind, the 105 MPH TAS gave a 120 MPH ground speed. Upon reaching the KTTA, performed a short-field landing at RWY 03 and earned a 'lousy' land-o-meter comment from Jim as I failed to compensate for the drift to the right.

B Bar D Aviation - Allegro 2007

Overall, the KTTA-5NC3-KTTA trip was a valuable lesson in flight planning, ASOS/ weather observation, dead reckoning and pilotage and short-field operations...