Marlborough Aero Club

Course content

Overview of key points we cover in our strip flying courses:

• Basics

  

  • Speed control by using nose attitude and not the ASI
  • Keeping eyes outside the cockpit
  • Slower approach speed than most pilots use. 55 kts – not 70 kts
  • Importance of a stabilized approach at correct glidepath angle
  • Low level circuits
  • Use of flap on takeoff (rotation) and landing (dumping flap)
  • Factors affecting aircraft performance – weight; horsepower; altitude; air pressure/density etc

• Airstrips

  

  • Assessing a new strip for suitability – length; surface condition; approaches and go around; fences; stock etc
  • Wind. Tailwind takeoffs and landings
  • Decision making. Go around and commit points

• Advanced

  

  • One way
  • Sloping
  • Curved
  • Beaches

• Mountain Flying

  

  • Loss of horizon
  • Avoiding turbulence
  • Confined space reversal turns
  • Ridge crossings

All our courses are very practical and non theory based. We believe in getting out there in the aircraft and showing you how it is done – not discussing complicated theories and formulas in the classroom.