Kaye
Line Up and Wait
Took this week off so I could schedule back-to-back days learning to fly instruments with the new panel…G500/430W. Today started off with low fog, and had to wait until about noonish for JYO to get above minimums. But once it started clearing, it moved out fast, and by the time we were on our way, our destination, HGR, was VFR.
I tried a coupled ILS for the first time to see how the old and new equipment work together (yes, I’m part of the old equipment and it showed). End result…..I got behind the airplane. And I missed the glide slope. Silly me, I went into an immediate chase, but of course the airplane wasn’t configured correctly (remember, I’m behind). Soon, the CFI is tapping the airspeed. Even tho I was right at gear extension speed, I raised the nose, slowed 10 kt, and lowered the gear. My mind was racing as to my next actions when I noticed my hand still resting on the gear lever….good habit! As that’s when I took note the nose gear light wasn’t on…..ah, s***! I raised the gear, slow a little more, and try again…no light. Pushed the test button, light works. Ah, s***! Raised the gear, told tower I had a problem and was breaking off the approach. Thank goodness we’re VFR.
And because we’re VFR, my CFI is being a brat! He’s watching the scenery, TOTALLY ignoring me! I level out, lose a little more speed, and try again…I think I was in denial…still no light. Finally gave up, put the plane back in autopilot, asked the CFI if he would mind watching for traffic, pulled out the checklist, and set everything up….airspeed, flaps, check breaker…..and lower the gear lever one more time (hey, it’s on the check list). Success!!!!!!!
Landed, picked up my clearance back to JYO, uneventful GPS approach back. Even tho I got beat up for getting behind the airplane (I deserved the beating), I did get kudos for managing the gear problem. I think speed with descent played a factor, but not sure. I now need to sit back and think what I would have done in the same situation, but in IMC.
I tried a coupled ILS for the first time to see how the old and new equipment work together (yes, I’m part of the old equipment and it showed). End result…..I got behind the airplane. And I missed the glide slope. Silly me, I went into an immediate chase, but of course the airplane wasn’t configured correctly (remember, I’m behind). Soon, the CFI is tapping the airspeed. Even tho I was right at gear extension speed, I raised the nose, slowed 10 kt, and lowered the gear. My mind was racing as to my next actions when I noticed my hand still resting on the gear lever….good habit! As that’s when I took note the nose gear light wasn’t on…..ah, s***! I raised the gear, slow a little more, and try again…no light. Pushed the test button, light works. Ah, s***! Raised the gear, told tower I had a problem and was breaking off the approach. Thank goodness we’re VFR.
And because we’re VFR, my CFI is being a brat! He’s watching the scenery, TOTALLY ignoring me! I level out, lose a little more speed, and try again…I think I was in denial…still no light. Finally gave up, put the plane back in autopilot, asked the CFI if he would mind watching for traffic, pulled out the checklist, and set everything up….airspeed, flaps, check breaker…..and lower the gear lever one more time (hey, it’s on the check list). Success!!!!!!!
Landed, picked up my clearance back to JYO, uneventful GPS approach back. Even tho I got beat up for getting behind the airplane (I deserved the beating), I did get kudos for managing the gear problem. I think speed with descent played a factor, but not sure. I now need to sit back and think what I would have done in the same situation, but in IMC.