Delta Connection Academy

Doughnut on the Ramp

Doughnut on the ramp

So we completed our run-up and were cleared to taxi to runway 17. I turned the plane to the right and attempted to straighten out to enter the ramp. The plane just kept turning right. Michael suggested I tried the rudder & brakes (which I knew & was trying) but it still just turned right. We thought the right brake was stuck so we called maintenance & turned the plane off. When we exited, we found the tire had gone flat sometime during our engine check. I would be remiss if I did not give a shout-out to our maintenance crew. They came to our rescue in a hurry and changed the tire in a timely manner. We were fortunate the tire went flat on the ramp and not on take-off or landing. We had some difficulty starting the plane and began to wonder if we were not meant to fly. It finally did start. Our time in the plane was greatly shortened by this fiasco but I only needed to perform one approach and did so successfully.

Instrument End of Course

Instrument End of Course

The instrument end of course consists of an oral exam and a flight. The oral includes information about IFR rules & regulations, planning, systems, instruments, & weather. The flight includes everything from the preflight checklist to execution of procedures, to radio communication. Three approaches required include a Full VOR, a Partial Panel GPS, and a Precision Instrument Approach. To complete a Full VOR approach, pass the IAF outbound, complete a procedure turn to turn inbound, decide if you need to circle to land. Go missed and follow the published missed instructions to a hold. A Partial Panel GPS, the instructor fades your PFD (Primary Function Display) & you have to navigate using back-up instruments & the GPS readout. A Precision Instrument Approach is straight forward – follow the localizer & glide slope to DA until told to go visual. If nothing is said on any approach at the missed approach point, go missed. The student can plan the flight in any order I want as long as I include everything. The test instructor can have you do any procedure, even if it is not on the syllabus.

Private End of Course

Last Tuesday I took my Private End of Course which included an oral exam & check flight. My fellow classmates told me this one would be more basic than the previous two stage checks, and they were right. I tried not to let myself believe it would be easier and studied as hard as before. I guess DCA makes going through the program more difficult so when students get to the most important (end of course) exams we are ready. On Friday, I went on my second solo cross country flight. It was so hot. Really – the heat index on the ground was over 100 degrees! Thankfully, the air was much cooler at 4,500ft. There was a layer of scattered clouds between 2000 & 3000 but I climbed up between them and found some cool air.

The revision my class started with only called for five hours of solo time, but students in the new revision have ten hours to do. I think it’s good that DCA is constantly revising their program and making improvements. I’m looking forward to my Instrument End of Course. There are two more lessons and I’ll have ground work before then, but I need to study this week so I’m ready when it happens. I’m also looking forward to commercial ground school. On a personal note, my wedding gown came in. I tried it on Friday & it fit perfectly!