Full circuit of Damyns Hall (EGML) in a Pipistrel Alpha Trainer

This was a short-field takeoff (flap 2) in my friend’s Pipistrel Alpha Trainer, followed by a relatively tight circuit, and power-off 180 to land. Thanks to the hugely aerodynamics wings, the Alpha has a fantastic glide ratio of about 15:1 (a Cessna 152 is about 9:1). As a result, descent management on final is incredibly important, especially in thermally conditions. Pipistrel have added speedbrakes on top of the wings to assist with drag, but a relatively high idle on the Rotax 912 engine doesn’t help. It’s a fantastic little aircraft, and great value for money. Still can’t beat a Skyranger though! (Annoyingly, I forgot to switch on my audio recording for this circuit — although you’re not missing much; we made standard calls on the UK Safetycom frequency 135.480.)