DesertNomad
Pattern Altitude
I have 18 hours simulated instrument time.
Today I was on an IFR training flight with my CFII in VFR conditions (me under the hood of course). It was quite bumpy and windy in the mountains between Reno and Truckee. I was working hard to keep altitude and heading in the local conditions. While in a very busy moment maneuvering, figuring out the course back to a local VOR and talking to ATC, I spent a little too much time away from the attitude indicator.
I discovered myself in a steep (but thankfully level) turn at 50-55 degrees. I immediately recovered to level and was shocked that I had allowed it to get over that far. I never felt any unusual G forces. After recovering I asked my CFII when he would have mentioned something or just taken control. He said he would have let me get to about 60 degrees given that we were level.
It was a great learning experience and *very* eye-opening as to the lack of any perception of being in a steep bank.
Today I was on an IFR training flight with my CFII in VFR conditions (me under the hood of course). It was quite bumpy and windy in the mountains between Reno and Truckee. I was working hard to keep altitude and heading in the local conditions. While in a very busy moment maneuvering, figuring out the course back to a local VOR and talking to ATC, I spent a little too much time away from the attitude indicator.
I discovered myself in a steep (but thankfully level) turn at 50-55 degrees. I immediately recovered to level and was shocked that I had allowed it to get over that far. I never felt any unusual G forces. After recovering I asked my CFII when he would have mentioned something or just taken control. He said he would have let me get to about 60 degrees given that we were level.
It was a great learning experience and *very* eye-opening as to the lack of any perception of being in a steep bank.
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