Have you ever looked up into a bright, sunny, blue sky to see a small single engine airplane fly by? I'm sure many people have. But how many have enjoyed the liberating experience of actually flying themselves? These days it is not all too uncommon for people to have taken an airliner to a far off vacation destination or just from one major city to the next either for business or perhaps to visit a relative. In the airline environment though, one only has a limited view out the side window, if that, and one certainly has no control over the flight and most passengers don't even know where they are until they arrive at their destination.
In contrast the world of light aircraft is very different! The experience of the freedom of flight in a small personal aircraft is exhilarating! Unlike driving a car which is essentially a two dimensional journey, flying is a three dimensional one and one is far more in touch with one's environment than in a large airliner. Starting from before the wheels leave the ground, to after they alight at the conclusion of a flight you are immersed in the elements.
Before a flight can take place a number of preperations must be made. To begin with, the weather must be checked. Whether one is qualified to fly using instruments only or the less stringent requirements for flying by visual reference to the groud, the prevailing weather at your point of departure, on the enroute leg and at your destination must exceed the minimum legal requirements for the intended flight, as set out by air regulations, and the weather must not exceed the limits of aircraft capability or pilot capability. Knowledge of meteorology and a briefing from a meteorologist are essential.
With the weather information in hand one can commence flight planning. With the use of the pilot operating handbook ( for the type of aircraft being operated ), current aeronautical charts covering the route of flight, plotters for plotting your course, navigational computers for calculating heading, speed, distance, etc..and a document known as the flight supplement ( this contains much information on airports, airways and the like ) the details of the flight can be planned.
The aircraft itself must also be checked. A pilot conducts what is often referred to as "the walk around". This is an inspection of all areas of the aircraft including, fuselage, empennage, wings, landing gear, etc... to ensure integrity. The aircraft documents are also reviewed to ensure that they are in fact on board and in order as required by regulations. Part of the walk around, and of vital importance, is to verify that the fuel and engine oil levels are above the minimum requirements.
Also before departure a flight plan must be filed with the appropriate agency and "NOTAMS" ( notices to airman ) must be checked. A NOTAM is information of very recent issue, affecting such things as airport or airway status, which may not be contained in flight supplements or aeronautical charts, and may affect the flight as planned. Filing a flight plan also provides vital information to search and rescue staff of the Armed Forces in the unlikely event of an emergency.
With all the preceding accomplished one climbs aboard, secures the safety harness, completes the prestart check with the aircraft checklist. With the "ALL CLEAR", the engine is started and the post start checklist is carried out. Then the throttle is advanced, the aircraft begins to move, lightly the brakes are touched to ensure they are working satisfactorily and steering is checked also. Then taxi out to the "run up" area. Here you turn the aircraft into wind, set the park brake, check the area behind the aircraft is clear, open the throttle to the mid power range, checking engine and aircraft systems for proper operation. Once complete the taxi continues to the hold area short of the active runway.
The pre-takeoff checklist is reviewed and the expectation of leaving the ground heightens. You taxi into position on the active runway, carefully lining up the aircraft with the runway centerline. The moment of truth has arrived. You ease the throttle to full power, the engine revs, you can feel the power, the aircraft accelerates, the airspeed indicator approaches the lift off speed, gently you ease the controls back and......YOU'RE FLYING!!!!! The aircraft climbs and the earth begins to recede under you. The euphoria of the freedom of flight sets in. With precise deliberate movements of the controls you turn your winged craft to the heading necessary to take you to your destination. You call the flight service center to open your flight plan. The climb continues until the desired cruise altitude is attained. Easing the controls forward you level the nose at the horizon to stop the climb. The aircraft accelerates to cruise speed and you can hear the rush of the wind increasing.
You're established at cruise. You set the throttle to cruise power, review the cruise checklist and relax back in your seat to enjoy the scenery. The country side glides by underneath you. As you fly along you check back and forth between the map and the ground to verify your location in relation to your intended route of flight. Calculations of distance, speed and time are also caried out. The Earth below seems so peaceful, stretching out for miles in every direction. You admire the beauty of your celestial home from your lofty perch. Gradually you wing your way towards your destination. Approaching the airport of arrival the descent and approach checklist is reviewed, the throttle is pulled back and the descent begins. Airport information is studied one more time and a radio call is made prior to entering the airspace in close proximity to the airport.
The airport looms larger and larger in the windscreen, you carefully scan for other traffic and maintain a listening watch on the radio. You position the aircraft to enter the traffic pattern for the active runway, following any traffic, checking the wind direction and speed on the wind sock and carrying out the landing checklist items. Power is reduced further, your winged chariot is lined up with the runway, speed is reduced, flaps extended, the final descent is at hand. The ground approaches quickly now, you make corrections for the wind to keep lined up with the runway. The final few meters before your wheels touch, you reduce the throttle to idle, you ease the controls back to check your descent rate, gently the wheels touch, Mother Earth is once again firmly below you. Brakes are applied and your craft slows to a safe speed for taxiing.
You taxi to the nearest taxiway, call clear of the active runway and carry out the after landing checklist. You then proceed to the aircraft parking area and do the shut down checklist items. Shutdown complete, you disembark and secure your trusty bird. Two pieces of business remain. First you must call to close your flight plan, so flight services knows you have safely arrived and then the aircraft journey log book must be filled out with the details of your flight. As always the freedom of flight has been a thoroughly enjoyable pass time. With modern technology your journey is a safe and comfortable one and one in which your admiration of this beautiful planet called Earth can be appreciated from a different perspective.
I earned my Private Pilot's Licence in 1978 and my Commercial Pilot's Licence in 1980. From 1989 to 2009 I was a member of the Brampton Flying Club, located in picturesque southern Ontario just north of Toronto. I flew a Cessna Model C172RG, also known as the Cutlass. It is equipped with a 180 H.P. engine, a constant speed propeller, retractable landing gear, and an extensive array of flight instruments capable of instrument navigation including the latest high tech wonder, a GPS receiver ( GPS means global positioning system ). This aircraft is a very effective cross country machine. I flew on a regular basis, year round, making flights all over southern Ontario. The club is well run and has fully equipped facilities including club house, flying school, on site aircraft maintenance, fuel, hangarage and a runway/taxiway system fully lit for night operations. In 2006 I began building my RV-7A. The build was completed in 2010 and I have enjoyed flying this wonderful design since then. If learning to fly interests you, you can visit the Brampton Flying Club at their website for more information or look up one of the many flight schools in your area.
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