Class 1 – Jan 24, 2021

I had reviewed the ILS and VOR approach plates to KLVK and KSCK before I met my instructor. We reviewed a number of questions I had from the approach plates. Being our first instrument training flight, we spent the day primarily to determine power settings on the aircraft for (1) maintaining level 105kts cruise, (2) descending 500fpm at 105kts cruise, (2) approach speed of 90kts and (3) descending 500fpm at 90kts. All while I was under the hood, so it was good practice to manage airspeed and heading while maintaining descent rates or level cruise. It was a cloudy, rainy and windy day. I wasn’t sure if I’ll get actual instrument time but we managed not to have to file an instrument flight plan.

Here is a video of one tidbit I learned about the dates printed on an approach chart.

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Class 2 – Feb 2, 2021

Today was forecast to be clear in the afternoon but it was quite cloudy until our departure time. Ceilings were high enough that we could fly VFR once again. On the other side of Altamont pass, huge cumulus clouds were billowing. We managed to skirt it on the south side to make it to Linden VOR. There, we practiced a couple of holds in a left pattern to get the hang of direct entry and parallel entries. On the parallel entry, after establishing in the holding pattern i.e., flying over the VOR and then counting off a minute, I incorrectly made a left turn instead of making a right turn. But I did vocalize that the required turn was well over 180 degrees and my instructor called out that I was turning in the wrong direction. It was hard to maintain situational awareness while juggling the heading and VOR radial for the inbound course.

ATC may give you abbreviated hold instructions based on a published procedure as follows: Cessna Two-Five-Echo-Sierra, hold northeast of ALTAM as published. Expect further clearance at 2215Z, current time 2200Z. ATC must always issue complete holding instructions when pilots request them. Or, they could provide an unpublished hold as follows: Piper Seven-Niner-Two-Tree, hold east of the Linden VOR on the 320-degree radial, 4-mile legs. Expect further clearance at 10 past the hour.

Cross the fix

Turn outbound

stay in the hold

AIM 5-3-3(a)(1)(f) and (g) states that the following reports should be made to ATC or FSS facilities without a specific ATC request: The time and altitude or flight level upon reaching a holding fix or point to which cleared and When leaving any assigned holding fix or point.

When holding at a VOR station, pilots should begin the turn to the outbound leg at the time of the first complete reversal of the to/from indicator.