3rd day in the flying phase

3rd day of flying phase. No flight for the day. I am teamed up with Sebestian, Ikhwan and Nelson. A typical day, if we get to fly, goes like this: Rollcall at 0800hrs. Our instructor will meet us at the briefing room for the pre-flight brief.Yesterday we talk about the effects of flight. Attitude controls the airspeed and power (throttle) controls the a/c to climb or descent. Then we learnt about cruise flight and a cruise flight differs from a straight and level flight. In the case of Piper Warrior, for a rpm setting of 2300 and airspeed of 95kts, it will give us the cruise attitude. Increasing the rpm will increase the airspeed (with adequate back pressure input on the control column)

Capt Usman Khan

I like my instructor and I think he's doing a good job. On the first briefing, he already make it clear to us that he's a reasonable and approachable man. He wants us to talk to him and be frank with him. In terms of schedule, he is flexible, that means I can change my slot with the rest of my team. We had small talks like where to hang out in Melaka. He reiterate that we can talk ato him about everything and that we should regard him as an elder brother 9though we still address him as Sir). Action speaks louder than words- He came into preflight briefing with coffee in his hands. I wonder if that's Tim Hortons coffee.

When I am not flying, I get to do my own thing, for instance, make a trip to Coffee Bean to surf net and drink coffee. On Wed, movie are going for 6RM (2.50 SGD). My goodness, this is too good to be true!! Ever since then, I really struggle to watch movie in Singapore (costing 8-10SGD). Furthermore, I only get to be in Singapore in the weekends, I'd rather spend my time with my family and friends. For now, I'm waiting for Slumdog Millionaire to screen in Malaysia.

But that is not all I do in my free time. There are stuff to read,like the Pilot's Ops Handbook (POH) where all the info on a/c system, all the different climbing speed etc. Then I have to memorise the checklist (power checks, take off checks) Vfe etc. Next I need to get familiar with the radio calls. Basically, there's never a time where there's nothing to learn. I'm enjoying it.