After visibility thwarted my first attempt to bring H flying last week, yesterday's weather more than made up for it. There was a nice, steady, 10 knots blowing; some scattered cloud at 2,500 feet and pretty much nothing in the way of cloud above that.
There was the usual booking out the aircraft, taking off the covers and refuelling but once that was done there was nothing left to do but get strapped in an go. (Don't be mislead - I wasn't blase about safety - I had already introduced H to various safety procedures several times before). There was some fiddling with the headests and getting H used to speaking through the intercom. It took a couple of attempts and some encouraging to speak more loudly to find the level that the mic would pick up. I hadn't anticipated that.
Having listened carefully to my ramblings through my PPL training H was already very familiar with the cockpit preparations and engine checks before we actually departed. There were still some questions but all very well observed questions - like why did I turn the aeroplane around before the power-checks (you'll have to come flying to find out). Power and pre-takeoff checks complete all that was left was clearance from the tower and we were away.
The takeoff went well and I was aware of H taking some video, which was reassuring. As we pootled out by Maynooth at 1,000ft She was amused at how sprawling housing estates looked like little toy villages.
Out past Kilcock and we turned Northwest for Virginia in Cavan. There was a lot of traffic on the radio, though I didn't see any of it. I guess I wasn't the only one that thought Sunday would be good for flying. Just northwest of Trim a large shower was just to the left of our track. I could see strong sunlight the far side of it so we skirted the edge of it with some carb heat and lights on passing through some light rain and coming out into glorious sunshine and clear skies. A cold front had passed through the night before and the air was crisp a clear - a perfect day for showing H why I love to be up there on days like it. She was very taken with how pretty it all was and happily shot some photos and video. I was relieved that she was happy enough to want to take photos.
I dug out my spare chart and drew our route on it to allow H to follow where we were going and that seemed to go down well. I was a little surpirsed to tell the truth but H took to map reading quite well. We might end up delegating the planning and navigating to her yet :-) We flew up Lake Ramor to Virginia and from there we took a turn and so did H. We were flying south towards to Mullingar and we flew over some forestry. I was just mentioning to H that it might get a little bumpy from the thermal effects when she turned a little pale and looked distinctly queasy. A quick check of the chart to confirm I had clear airspace above me and I climbed smoothly to 2300 feet. This brought an immediate improvement to the ride but H took a little longer to settle.
By the time we got to Lough Owel and Mullingar, H was feeling better but if you've ever been travel sick, you know it takes a while to fully recover. That said we continued to Belevedere House where we had previously celebrated M's birthday with a falconry course. I circled the house once so we could get a good look at it and I kept the turns gentle to as not to unsettle my passenger again. Sightseeing done we headed for home, pointing out all the landmarks that we knew so well from frequent trips to Galway. H easily picked out Mother Hubbard's on her own, impressing me greatly with her situational awareness.
I switched back to Weston's frequency and got clearance to enter their airspace and instructions for returning to the field. Having configured the plane for the approach I prepared H for some turning and descending. It's a busy time arriving overhead the field and and I knew that it was going to be hard for me to descend and turn as slowly and smoothly as I would have liked for passenger comfort so I did the next best thing, I briefed the passenger.
It wasn't my slickest arrival and I was a little low on final approach, though it has to be said I have always found that a lower approach in the TB9 one of the easiest way to assure a smooth touchdown. And so it was. It wasn't a greaser but it was at least as good as an airline landing so there were no sharp intakes of breath. A slow taxi back to the parking area to keep things gentle and H was still talking to me. The arrival had unsettled her tummy some more but she was still well enough to pass on her compliments on the the landing.
By the time we got the aeroplane tied down and the covers on colour was returning and on the way back to the terminal assurances were given that she would come flying again. Before we were even half way back to the terminal we both agreed that what was needed now was a loo and some good food.
I should perhaps get H to post her own thoughts here but for now I think I can say it was an enjoyable experience for us both. I certainly know that I'd like to go flying with her again and I think she'd like to travel further afield and maybe play with some clouds sometime.
Lessons learned?
- Preparing your passengers really does help. It helps you, it helps them
- Take nothing for granted - I didn't expect having to demonstrate the intercom but at least I took the time to find that out on the ground.
- Being prepared yourself is pivotal - you need to be flying well within your limits for you to be able to look after your passengers - I was and, I think, I did.
- A spare chart with the route on it is a good way to get people involved....keeps you on your toes, they'll know when you're off track.
- Bring sickbags. I now have a couple and have realised that one can be discreetly stowed in a folding kneeboard. Don't offer them before you fly... don't give the power of suggestion a lever.
- Arrival at a busy airfield with lots of turns and descents can make people unwell - let them know in advance what will be happening.
- Keep the flying smooth and remember the first rule of multiple tasks - fly the plane.
- Finally, bring passengers, share the pleasure.
We had hoped that if the flight had gone well that I'd be flying H down to friends in Sligo next weekend. Sligo would actually be less flying time that Sunday's jolly and so well within H's endurance of flight. Unfortunately the weather looks like it is going to intervene. What a pity. It would have been good fun and a great experience to share. With our friends living so close to the airport in Sligo it's definitely a trip for the very near future!
