class today

[slipstreamsurfr]

If you ever want to really get this stuff... teach it...
wow..

My class went well today.
I might just get the hang of teaching this stuff ;)

For the first time I think I successfully explained weight and balance to people the first time through.
The photocopied handout from the 152 PIM I made for them was very useful and we worked some problems..

Then I taught them how to use the paper e6b flight computer...
Nobody had ever used a circular slide rule (and it'd been a while for me) but they were all amazed at how easy it was to really use..
I walked them through several problems. Then pointed out how there was a built in cheat sheet on the front of the e6b.
All good stuff.. They can use some more practice with it (as can I ) but are doing well.

Then we delved into pilotage and dead reckoning. So I taught them the basics on figuring a course on a chart..
I had them snap a line, pick out a checkpoint.
Then how to figure their course with their plotter, that was fun, but they got it in the end.
Then how to adjust it based on isogonic lines to get their magnetic heading when they flew on a calm wind day. (wind triangles are for another day!!!)

THEN I blew their mind.
I asked them.. how far was it between the two points...
Pointed at the scale on their plotter, they got the idea, measured it with the scale and they wrote it down..
I then asked them.. you are flying at 100 knots, how long will it take you to get from this airport to that one (on their line)
They blinked owlishly at me....
I smiled, said... look at the front of your e6b, the answer is there...
Then they realized they had two of the three pieces needed for the time/distance problem, turned the dials and lined things up and read out the answer...
I swear, the room got brighter, I saw 3 light bulbs light up in the room over their heads....

that is the best thing to see/feel :)

we ended on that note.
Next up is VORs, that'll be a fun one for them (chuckle)

They said that of all the things that frightened them about the course the paper e6b was the biggest fear for them.
That'd I'd tamed the tiger for them today, they couldn't hardly believe it worked.
I told them that nearly everybody hates the e6b when first exposed to it
But with a bit of practice, it comes together

a good day

Comments

[smallerdemon.livejournal.com]

That is fantastic. :) I am so happy you posted this and shared it here.