Frank E. Dorrin Jr: Professional Flight Instructor
Before I get to the iPad discussion and other matters - I've had this
foot pain going on for several weeks now. It believe I have figured out
why both feet are hurting in the same place all at once, and it has to
do with aviation. When I do a run-up, I am in the long time habit of
holding the brakes with my feet, instead of setting the parking brake.
I recommend that for lower power airplanes still.
I am also in the habit of running up and checking out both engines at
the same time, but I've had to limit the RPMs to 2000 instead of 2200;
since holding the airplane in place requires significant brake pressure
and the airplane wants to FLY NOW!!. If I used 2200 RPMs, I don't think
the brakes would hold. It is that excess foot pressure on the same
place on each foot that is bruising both feet.
I figured this out after putting the entire PA30 checklist on the iPad
and then running it item by item for each activity. The checklist
called for 2200 RPM, so I finally listened to Paul's advice. Paul
recommended I get in the habit of setting the parking brake for the
run-up, and only running up one engine at a time. I did this and it
worked. I have been sitting on this advice for months.
Ok - the iPad is having a much stronger impact on my flying process
than I expected. Check out my iPad
Review, which will document what I am learning and how I'm using
the tool. It is improving my checklist usage; making it easier to
update the VOR backup of my GPS enroute; making it easier to divert
without rummaging for new charts.
- - - - -
Experienced an emergency yesterday in a Cessna 172. We had electrical
smoking in the cockpit that I believe was the electric HSI. Killed the
master switch and did a day VFR NORDO landing at GED. The event
strengthened my experience in not vacillating on critical decisions. If
your gut tells you to land - then land and sort it out on the ground.
Look for a write-up shortly.
The PA30 Twin Comanche is a good looking cruise missile. My landings
are consistent, and my recovery from bad landings are good too. I
landed in a crosswind today and let the nose drop a bit. That resulted
in a bounce, but I recovered directly with appropriate controls and
landed using no brakes at Delaware Airpark.
Upcoming improvements will include the addition of a Hobbs so I can
assure myself I am being honest and consistent reporting my experience.
I will be over-hauling the manifold pressure gauge, which become
inaccurate after the left engine failure in Tampa. I'll also be having
Paul put a new landing gear mirror on the left nacelle, as the sun
killed the one I have.
Angel Flight coming up next week. I am looking forward to getting some
good work done there.
Frank
You
can
follow me (or just read the comments) on twitter at http://twitter.com/fdorrinjr,
and you can see my professional profile at
http://www.linkedin.com/in/frankdorrin
if you are interested.
fed
2010-08-01