How I prepare for my flights Part 2 - The Flying Reporter

This is the second part in a series detailing how I prepare for my flights.
The Flying Reporter KZbin channel is sponsored by light aircraft maintenance organisation, Aero Anglia.
www.aeroanglia.com/
My website: www.jonhunt.net
About me/Supporters' Club membership/Bonus content/Flying Reporter Shop
www.jonhunt.net/
/ theflyingreporter
Facebook:
/ theflyingreporter
Twitter:
/ jonhunttv
Instagram:
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Music:
Epidemic Sound
www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
My recording equipment
2 GoPro Hero 5 Black
3 GoPro Hero 4 Silver
1 GoPro Hero 3+
Sony AX53 camcorder
Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro G2
Tascam DR-05 audio recorder
Audio attenuator 40dB
3x GoPro suction cup mounts
MiPilotPro tie down mount
Ipad mount
RAM Ipad Mini 4 holder and Yoke mount.
Editing & Graphics:
FCPX
Apple Motion
Color Finale Pro
Voiceover: Rode NT USB microphone

[@flytoinspire7772]

My instructor would be happy with this. As soon as you said “FREDA” I immediately went “Fuel, sufficient L/R tank. Radio, talking/listening to x. Engine t’s and p’s are good. Di’s are set. Altimeter, set. Looking forward to the next lesson on Thursday!

[@jph5198]

Mate same here😂 Don’t want to forget the carb heat though!

[@sabermaster80]

@3:48 during the pre take off checks, I like how you see the control columns moving forward slightly as the throttle is increased to 1800 rpm due to the elevators still being pointed up at that point (Because jon was holding them up while taxiing on the grass to keep the nose light & protect the props from potentially striking the grass) And the propeller stream starts to push them down (Hence the controls moving forward on their own) & then stops once they are more aerodynamic/level in the prop stream. Pretty cool thing to see & shows just how sensitive the controls are to dynamic pressure. Thanks jon for these vids, they are so useful to PPL wannabes like myself. Keep it up!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks. Don't be a wannabe...get it done!

[@maidbloke]

Thanks for that, I was wondering why the control columns moved at that point

[@johnhancock5542]

Hi, great vieo as always. My tip for clearing blocked tubes is to force a yawn an turn your head from left to right, and i alway get a pleasant instant clearing of any blockage. It seems to stretch the tubes. I Dont normally need to do it if flying regularly, but usually after a flying break. Regards John Hancock

[@Peterahonsifitness]

Another great vid love the raw format , i was flying G-BOYL recognised my radio calls😀

[@christopheduluc5710]

Very interesting pair of videos ! It's always good to improve flight preparation with a different point of view. Safety first, as we say ! Thanks a lot Jon !

[@jasonpryke3996]

These two videos have been great Jon, very useful and informative to watch, I've downloaded the checklist as it seems like a very valuable assest to have. I'm about 30hrs into my PPL training at earlscolne, it was interesting see how you entered the circuit in your Arrow compared to the Robin I'm training in. The landing looked like a solid 9😉👍. I'll come and say hello if I see you at earlscolne.

[@NLJoren]

Liked it very much, Jon. Thanks for sharing!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Joren.

[@richardkaberry8790]

Liked that one very much thanks Jon.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Glad you liked it Richard.

[@mikecoffee100]

Another Fantastic Video

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Mike.

[@mingairtaxi9272]

Good video

[@henryyandell3222]

Excellent pair of videos, insightful for a student like myself

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Great!

[@XCougar85X]

Love it. Thanks for the series. Just a Simpilot here, but good bits to bring with me into the sim.

[@robg3545]

Very enjoyable vid there. Its actually rather good to see the nuts and bolts of the flight.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Rob.

[@joolz1967]

Enjoyed watching this video, as an ex PPL pilot. @ around 17:30 there was a radio call from another aircraft G-BGAA Cessna 152. This was my training Aircraft 20 years ago, and my first solo flight in 2001. Spooky !

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I bet it's still going strong.

[@joolz1967]

@@TheFlyingReporter You always remember your first solo aircraft. Was at RAF Henlow in Bedfordshire. G-BGAA was on lease from Stapleford, sadly she suffered a gear collapse, with another student, and was written off. I had to continue training in another aircraft. Amazingly she was rebuild at Stapleford and put back into service, a few years later.

[@kevchilton908]

Lovely finish to a great pair of vids, Jon. I don't know what it is you're suffering, I can only presume you still have a bit of virus/cold in your system as you shouldn't really be sensing a descent at the 'comfortable' level you set 👌👏👏

[@TheFlyingReporter]

It hung on for a few weeks, but I'm pleased to say I haven't suffered in recent flights.

[@MarkW_]

21:14 Hi Jon, I had exactly that until two weeks ago. It lasted about 10 weeks, then there was a 'plop' and everything was back to normal. Never had that before.

[@JodelFlyer]

Nice pair of videos Jon. Quite a long time now since I picked you up from there to fly you into Nayland. Think I told you then that they used to stand at the top of the hill to score landings. 🔟 👍

[@TheFlyingReporter]

And make a run for it if someone is coming up with a bit too much energy! Thanks Tim.

[@Rodhern]

Hi Jon, great video. I think I noticed a fun little language quirk - nothing to do with your flying. At 17:30 you explain the landing distance needed and available, and say (paraphrasing slightly) (1) "Landing Distance on Runway 24 is 778 meters," ... (2) "and for the Landing Distance we need 610 [meters]". When you take the entire explanation, i.e. parts (1) and (2), it is a fine explanation that clearly tells the point. As a foreigner English is not my first language, and so when I heard part (1) I had a moment of confusion that went like this: ''Ah, so Jon did the Landing Distance calculations for each runway, very sensible, the distance is likely not the same for all runways, e.g. in general a hard surface is better for stopping than a grass one. But wait, 778 meters for that little (well actually not that little, but compared to say an Airbus) airplane; Hmmm, did he calculate a flaps up worst case figure?'' Then after that moment of confusion it became obvious, ''Ahhh, 778 meter Landing Distance *Available*''. My point is that just one seemingly unimportant (missing) word, "Available", made me take a second or two more for interpreting the information. Again, this is not a criticism at all, but I am rather curious if any of the native English-speaking viewers can confirm my hunch that the regular viewers probably immediately understood the explanation and did not have a moment of confusion; or if you did, that is interesting too.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Hi Robert. I suspect I was just talking off the top of my head, knowing what I meant, not with the intention of being explicit...but yes, I think you worked out what i meant!

[@terencecurtis6894]

Hi re blocking ears issue.. I use a very small puff of nasal spray decongestants before flight. .. like 1/2 each . Clearly can't over use. But if doing short circuits I find great help . Just removing the distractions. Works for me..

[@megathumper777]

Love this video, I learnt to fly and worked at Redhill in 1998 Not much has changed but where has the time gone.???

[@barclaac]

Really nice flight. I've got another circuit technique for you. I used to use the 25" and gear as you did but I'd sometimes find myself overtaking other aircraft. I use the same 25" for the shock cooling prevention but then continue to reduce power at around 1" per minute. If you're at 2400rpm you'll eventually come off the governor to 2300rpm which will be at around 15". This will give you around 90kts with gear up. Abeam the numbers drop the gear and add 2nd notch of flaps. Turning final go to full flaps and you should be right on glideslope and at 72-75kts over the fence. This works every time in my arrow iv and remains reasonably independent of field elevation. (I've tried it up to 7000ft at 35C.) I started slowing down much sooner once I'd flown into Oshkosh a few times and they want everyone at 90kts.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I find even with 25 inches, I'm very nose high without flaps.. Not sure i'd go back more. If I was struggling for spacing in the circuit - think I'd deploy gear and flaps to get me slowed down. But, each to their own. If it works for you....

[@goodvilhunting]

These are great videos. I watch them although I stopped flying quite a few years ago. Who knows, I might be inspired to pick it up again. Just wondering, what's your post flight routine. How do you review how your flight went, etc.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Hi Vilas. I watch all my flights back on video, listen to all the calls, review the tracks and look for errors and learning opportunities.

[@grahamlees4394]

happy memories flying in/out of Earls Colne. I had 2 successive aircraft based there before eventually moving to Southend after I got my IR. The hard runway is more narrow than usual and can catch you out if not prepared for it but an excellent airfield, all the same. Is the Ambulance helicopter still based there?

[@stevenbarkess7791]

Loved that, nice to listen to it in its 'raw' edit. One question, how come you didn't ask Southend for a basic service or frequency change. Oh, and that strip is soooo thin! Nice landing.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I think they had limited ATS that day, or partial closures. They may have been running the director frequency with no LARS. Can't remember. A basic service doesn't give you much though.

[@dirkmellen5061]

Great video and very informative including part 1. Also enjoyed the attitude to plan and conduct the flight and the good approach and short-field landing. Since you have been using an iPad with Skydemon for planning out the flight ahead of time I wonder why you would not use it inflight since you do not have any other larger scale MFD or moving map in your plane. Would you comment on this? Thanks in advance and please keep up the great work and always happy landings. Greets from Germany, Dirk

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Hi Dirk. Yes, I use SkyDemon in flight. I cannot use it for primary navigation, as it isn't a certified device. But as a moving map for situational awareness. I sometimes reference it's plog and use it for frequencies and airfield charts etc.

[@stuartessex4535]

Thanks Jon, enjoyed the ride! P.S did the ATIS say cloud type not available? Ive never heard that before.....

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Yes, that is what it said. Sometimes the ATIS will warn of CBs...this is a new atis machine I think for redhill, to comply with a recent change in ATIS standards...presumably they don't have the ability to detect CBs? Dunno.

[@stuartessex4535]

@@TheFlyingReporter How strange! Thanks Jon, at least I didn't imagine it! Stu

[@chrisellaoptic]

Great video as always Jon! Appreciate all the work. Out of curiosity (as I'm in the market for one), what is the yoke mount you have for your phone in this video ? Looks like a RAM one but your phone sits so nicely I really would like something similar, cheers.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I think they're ram mounts Chris..

[@chrisellaoptic]

@@TheFlyingReporter I thought so, do you happen to know what size the arm that goes between the Yoke attachment and phone grip is ? Just trying to ensure I buy the right length one for my PA28 flying. Thanks as always!

[@GC987]

Helpful - thanks. Regarding the descent & ear issue..... I wonder (a bit like having a funny cough or sore throat occasionally) if this might not be a minor hangover from long covid ???

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Hi Graeme. I think it could be a cold just hanging on. Haven't had covid since the really early days. But had a bit of a wheezy chest too off and on. Anyhow - good news, chest, ears all clear now.

[@jaideld1]

Had the same for weeks with my ears .Just don't try blowing your nose to clear it as all balance gets worse and head starts spinning which is not what you want on landing

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Yep...it can get very painful. Thankfully, the problem seems to have solved itself, obviously a cold hanging on.

[@richardkennedy4186]

One “Human Factors” observation Jon. It looks like you have one of the ever popular red key fobs on your ignition key. Is it “remove before flight”? It may seem a silly observation but if it does say that then you are normalising part of your pre flight prep where you are ignoring a safety warning flag. If it doesn’t say that then disregard, but hopefully it may spark somebody else’s thought process as I see it quite regularly.

[@curiousmatt]

Great video Jon - what scores did you get? :-D

[@TheFlyingReporter]

a 4 and a 5 - not sure what the scale was though :)

[@sonarand]

Ear trouble could be wax in the ears, I need to deal with it at least once a year. Get some Otex from the chemist or nurse at your doctors will sort it.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks. They're sorted now..must have been a cold hanging on.

[@capn_chris]

Daft question, when you switched to Earls Coln Frequency from Southend did you also change your squawk? Not clear in the video.

[@jamesclarke2544]

Great series of vid, very useful. Regarding the ears, try chewing gum. I have found this can help keep things feeling unblocked.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Good tip James. Thanks. They are better now.

[@matthewriddioughboylan2630]

Get your ears flushed as you may have an earwax build-up. Not dealing with it can result in an ear infection and in the worst case burst eardrum.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I think it was a cold hanging on. They're fine now.

[@dennishickman6128]

Hi Jon, really interesting video. could I ask a quick question? I have recently installed the PA28R Turbo Arrow on my flight sim. The manual says when reaching cruise reduce manifold pressure to 28 inHG and Prop speed to 2,300RPM and starting descent prop full forward and throttle set to 20 inGH. would you agree?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Hi Dennis. I'll email you the relevant POH pages from my aerroplane and you can see what the published numbers are.

[@flyingrasa7094]

Thanks for the video Jon, I think Southend were trying to speak to you @19:18

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Haha. They were calling G-BMIW...how funny that such a similar callsign was on frequency.

[@flyingrasa7094]

@@TheFlyingReporter haha my mistake

[@c898dba]

Hi Jon. Enjoyed the 2 videos, thanks! Non pilot here so forgive me for what might be a stupid question, but could a private aircraft owner such as yourself buy/register a call sign? Eg. “Reporter”. So you could be “Reporter 123” for example rather than use your aircraft registration. I’ve always wondered. Thanks! Andy.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I think it's possible to get callsigns like this. Not sure of the process

[@henryyandell3222]

I believe you can only have an Icao registers call sign assigned to you if you hold an AOC or are another organisation, not issued to individuals unfortunately

[@c898dba]

@@TheFlyingReporter Thank for the reply, probably not worth the expense even if it is possible!

[@c898dba]

@@henryyandell3222 ah, ok thanks for the reply!

[@Dougsterxplor]

I canny afford to fly but at least have my Skydemon and Pooleys to play with!! Any I always fake a yawn to pop ears.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Yeh, that wasn't working ...it's fixed now. Must have been a lingering cold.

[@rockradio928]

I can't drive more than 2 hours without needing loo. What do you do piloting a light aircraft? Autopilot for few minutes and bucket in back? 🙄

[@TheFlyingReporter]

It really isn't that easy - not a lot of room in those cockpits. Some people use travel johns - I don't think i could manage. Some use nappies I think. I just hold it in!

[@robertlenk5527]

I see you're running SD on your phone rather than your usual tablet. Any reason?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I'd left my ipad at Earls Colne.

[@classicraceruk1337]

Have your hearing tested, they will examine them as well.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

It's all cleared now. Must have been a cold hanging on.

[@ranbirsingh7666]

What score did they give you? 😁😁

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Hi Ranbir. Enjoyed the mincepies, thank you. It was a 4 and a 5 - but no scale was specified!

[@stellahighton74]

When I was learning to fly in 1972 a very experienced instructor got extremely angry with me for putting flaps down whilst the aircraft was in a turn. If flaps are operated whilst straight and level one can more easily react to an asymmetric malfunction. What do you think ?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Yes, agree. My bad.