Another busy day. I arrived at the flight school early again today, 9 am, for my 10 am slot. This gave me time to prepare the route, the Standard Instrument Departure we would use, and the route we would take and the Standard Terminal Arrival Route to our destination.
We planned to fly to Granada, which eliminates the use of a STAR, as the SID already takes you to the Granada VOR, which is the Initial Approach Fix for the approach there.
We briefed the departure, set the instruments and we were soon on our way. This is quiet a long departure, and there is a climb upto 10,000 ft, so it takes a while. Just passing 8000 ft our right engine failed, so I got the aircraft under control, fault-finded and made my PAN call. I was amazed the aircraft managed to hold 10,000 ft with one engine, I don’t think it would in actual conditions.
The instructor/controller advised me that the ILS in Malaga was not working and the only approach available was a VOR approach onto runway 31.
When I got to the missed approach point of 1 DME and 860 ft, I was not visual and I had to do a go around so the controller gave me vectors to keep me clear of any terrain, as I was unable to complete the standard missed approach procedure.
I was then informed that the ILS was working again, and right after I get vectors to establish on a 16 mile final approach for the Instrument Landing System. Once I got established, I hear the customary circuit breaker pop and my artificial horizon starting to go mad, followed by an “ATT” flag appearing. I now had to make my scan right across the panel to the backup one.
At least we had two HSIs and two RMIs! – Or so I thought.
Once passing 8 DME, wing flaps were selected down, and landing gear also. I then noticed the heading flag on the HSI appear! – No problem – I have an RMI right beside.
So, then I get a “HDG” flag on the RMI, and when I looked across at the right hand pilots instruments, I see the same. So I’ve got a compass and an ILS.
The controller then tells me for traffic separation, turn right 30 degrees for vectors in and out of the ILS to allow traffic in front of me land.
So, I’m trying to fly an ILS, I’m waiting for his vector, dividing it by 3 (3 degrees per second), starting the stopwatch and turning rate one in that direction. It was lucky this time I got visual at 4 miles and could relax a little.
So, after that, I was straight back to bed, the pure concentration took the good out of me. I was then informed that my final sim sessions would be tomorrow! So 6 hours of sim and then I will finally get to fly…
Andrew