Congrats - now you know what many of us felt when we went for out first flying lessons.  It is a great feeling, and you will be hungry for more flights soon.

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I do remember switching over tanks when we were setting up to land. What was the reason? Was it to ensure a "full tank" on approach?

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If I remember correctly, we had just leveled off. I too had thought that the speed should have been more when climbing as if I pulled back a bit, the airspeed obviously decreased close to 80. If you notice in the shot, his hand is on the throttle as he was increasing it.

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I also remember that right after we leveled out, we adjusted the compass to the magnetic compass because as you said, they are off. I remember because I did it. He said something about when climbing that the gauge works off vacuum and needs to be checked once we were level and cruising. I do remember turning the dial to match the magnetic due East.



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Why do you think I keep bugging you about picking me up some time!  

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What a typical sim pilot I am!  
Thanks guys!


Dave  

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Yes.. fullest tank. I have know idea what the tank differential was at take off... but if they were both full.. the rule I fly  by is.. Switch tanks after the climb, and then every twenty minutes. You'll burn about 18lbs of fuel in 20 minutes. In no way whatsoever can you trust the gauges, so you gotta have some sort of cycle. The longer the cycle, the bigger the difference if you miss an interval. That's why I like 20 minutes ('cause you WILL forget one). With a 1/2hour cycle, you can be as much as 50lbs out of balance. No big deal, and you'll probably feel the bank and see the DG moving.  Much more than 50 lbs and when you're slow and descending, it'll feel like a crosswind.. LOL

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Actually, 80kias is a good cruise-climb speed.  I think Vy (best rate of climb) is about 78kias in a Cruiser. What's confusing though, is that you'd be at 1900rpm. Every pilot has his own way of doing it.. and there's no way he'd want to overwhelm you with info on your intro flight. Transition from climb to level flight should not have a power reduction until the airspeed picks up to around 100kias.. and even then, cruise power is 2400rpm ~105kias.  Only thing I can figure is that you weren't going anywhere, so he might have had fuel saving on his mind.

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It works off vacuum all the time (as does the attitude indicator). And it's always drifting a little. But yes, especially after any time spent with other than level pitch. The DG's function is to give you reference while making turns, or climbing, or decending, or accelerating or decelerating. All of those conditions cause the compass to read erroneously. It's best to fly by the compass anyway..  the DG is important during instrument flight. One of the first things you'll learn in ground school, is how to execute compass turns (knowing how to mentally correct for compass errors). The two main methods are: "U.N.O.S."  (undershoot north, overshoot south, proportional to the desired rollout heading), and actually timing the turn (that's where that nifty turn-coordinator comes in handy). A standard rate turn will take you 360 begrees every two minutes. Simple math and you can time the turn to hit your new heading.

There (whew)(sorry..I get carried away)... now you'll impress the heck out of him on your first lesson 


Edit:  MSFS does an EXCELLENT job simulating compass errors. You can practice them over and over and REALLY impress him)..

Oh gosh.. I wouldn't imply cockiness as much as enthusiasm. Showing  some insight and knowledge wouldn't interfere with a teaching method.

I learned to fly over 20 years ago, but every instructor I've had since, was impressed with knowledge I brought to things like instrument and commercial training. "Makes my job easier" was the universal attitude.

I think it shows initiative, and eagerness (and I've been a CFI)..

None taken    Like I said in that post..  my OWN enthusiasm can get me carried away....   

Take what's relevant, Dave.. and yes, sometimes questioning your teacher's method is healthy..

Anyway.. please feel free to pick my brain as the training progresses.