Finally learning to fly!

[RobynD39]

Hi all. I have been following some of these forums in the background but haven't been game to reply since I wasn't a pilot, but now I've started learning to fly I thought I would introduce myself.

 

I'm Bob's (@retiredracer's) wife and I've been waiting (impatiently I might add) to learn to fly for 2 1/2 years when Bob first got the idea to build our own plane. We now have the RV9A up in the air but I've decided to start learning in a drifter first as I've heard it makes a better pilot of you. I've done 8.8 hours in it so far and I am LOVING IT!

 

I'm working on my landings at the moment. Hoping I get the hang of it soon as I don't think the poor old drifter can take too many more "kangaroo hops". :-p

 

Would love to hear of other's experiences while learning in drifters and similar planes.

 

Cheers,

 

Robyn D

 

 

[Tomo]

Hello Robyn! (nice name, same as my Mum's!)

 

I'm glad you're now finally in the actual flying stage, rather than sitting around watching, or passengering!

 

I learnt to fly in a Drifter, and yes I reckon it's a great little aircraft, probably not the easiest to master, but that's always a good thing in the long run! My Mum was learning to fly as well a while back in the Drifter, but hasn't been in the best of health lately so had to stop it, plus the floods at the beginning of the year didn't help any on the income side of life. She loves to fly though, so I take her flying fairly often

 

Where abouts are you learning to fly in the Drifter?

 

The RV aircraft are lovely machines!

 

Welcome along also, great to have you here.

 

 

[fly_tornado]

drifters are fun, wait until you get some stalls and spins in your log book. something to look forward to

 

 

[Tomo]

drifters are fun, wait until you get some stalls and spins in your log book. something to look forward to

Except I wouldn't spin an RAA drifter if you want to keep your license!

 

 

[RetiredRacer]

Hi Guy's,

 

Yes, my wife is finally starting to learn to fly. But I am not too sure that it is a good idea. When she gets back from training, she is so excited, she wants to tell me about it. I mean really tell me about it...... Yap Yap Yap for hours

 

 

But I am proud of her, she is doing well. And I am excited for her. I can't help but be excited for her, because she transmits so much enthusiasm

 

 

[farri]

Hi all, I'm working on my landings at the moment. Hoping I get the hang of it soon as I don't think the poor old drifter can take too many more "kangaroo hops". :-pCheers,

Robyn D

Hi Robyn and .

 

Don`t worry, you`ll get it!

 

Not many beginers can do a perfect landing in the Drifter, in 8.8 hours.

 

You`re simply getting more landings for your money.

 

Frank.

 

 

[Neil_S]

Hi all. I have been following some of these forums in the background but haven't been game to reply since I wasn't a pilot, but now I've started learning to fly I thought I would introduce myself.I'm Bob's (@retiredracer's) wife and I've been waiting (impatiently I might add) to learn to fly for 2 1/2 years when Bob first got the idea to build our own plane. We now have the RV9A up in the air but I've decided to start learning in a drifter first as I've heard it makes a better pilot of you. I've done 8.8 hours in it so far and I am LOVING IT!

 

I'm working on my landings at the moment. Hoping I get the hang of it soon as I don't think the poor old drifter can take too many more "kangaroo hops". :-p

 

Would love to hear of other's experiences while learning in drifters and similar planes.

 

Cheers,

 

Robyn D

Hi Robyn,

 

I waited about 35 years before learning to fly! Far too long! You will get the hang of it all in time - just keep going. After all, if you are going to do kangaroo hops then Australia is the place to do them....

 

Keep us posted with your progress.

 

Cheers

 

Neil

 

 

[RetiredRacer]

Hi Guy's,Yes, my wife is finally starting to learn to fly. But I am not too sure that it is a good idea. When she gets back from training, she is so excited, she wants to tell me about it. I mean really tell me about it...... Yap Yap Yap for hours

 

 

But I am proud of her, she is doing well. And I am excited for her. I can't help but be excited for her, because she transmits so much enthusiasm

I forgot to mention, "JimG" on here is Robyn's instructor. And Rob is Jimbo's first student after getting his instructor's rating. As I said Rob is doing well, so she must be in good hands.

 

 

[RobynD39]

Thanks for all the comments.

 

LOL @Neil and farri.

 

Tomo, I'm learning to fly out of Lynfield (Kentville, QLD) which is a narrow little back-paddock strip surrounded by lots of trees. If I can master landing the drifter there I think I'll be able to land anywhere.

 

Tornado, I've already done some stalls and some steep turns under full power. They were fun. No spins yet though I think I came close when I was doing a descending turn that got a bit out of control. Luckily my trusty instructor (JimG) took over.

 

Lots more fun to come I'm sure.

 

Robyn

 

 

[fly_tornado]

I fly out of Lynfield and yes its very tight but good practice if you ever buy a STOL plane. First landing there is pretty intense

 

 

[RetiredRacer]

For some reason I can sense some arguments happening in the near future on who will be PIC...

Nah, Ignition (famous last words perhaps). I've already started getting used to sitting in the right seat of the RV, 'cos once Rob gets here ticket:plane: , that's most likely where I'll be sitting:wink: .

 

 

[drifter45]

Welcome Robyn, watch out as Drifters can be habit forming.

 

cheers John

 

 

[davebutler]

Hi Robyn,

 

Welcom to the forum and will no doubt see more of you at Lynfield.

 

Cheers

 

Dave B.

 

 

[farri]

I'm learning to fly out of Lynfield (Kentville, QLD) which is a narrow little back-paddock strip surrounded by lots of trees. If I can master landing the drifter there I think I'll be able to land anywhere.Robyn

Robyn, Here`s a couple of photos of my strip, that I used for my flying school, for 12 years and still fly from regularly.

 

When I was instructing, there was a row of trees at the western end and these were a great advantage in teaching students how to come in over trees, the turbulence created by the trees, and when coming in to land, how to safely sideslip the Drifter over them.

 

I believe you are correct in thinking that if you can master a short narrow strip, surrounded by trees, you will become a better pilot.

 

Keep in mind that every landing is a new one...Don`t become fixated on the last one.. There are so many variables that the chances of duplicating the last landing is almost impossible...Focus on the new landing.

 

Cheers and all the best,

 

Frank.

 

 

 

 

[JimG]

Beautiful scenery you have there , Frank

 

cheers

 

JimG

 

 

[RetiredRacer]

Frank, you posted these photo's before with an invite. I bookmarked that post, and marked the location on Google Earth. Once Robyn has her licence, we're planning on doing some traveling.

 

About mid year would be a good time to head up your way. I'll contact you first, if we do. What length is the strip?

 

Bob & Robyn Dennis

 

 

[farri]

Hey! Bob and Robyn!...Just got back from taking Frances for a fly in the Drifter.

 

The strip is 600 mts, end to end and you`re welcome anytime.

 

Frank.

 

 

[justplanecrazy]

Hi Robyn, Nice to see some gender balancing here. I'm a newby too with 40 hrs to date in Jabirus. Well done for getting started and I look forward to hearing more of your learning progress. All the best.

 

Kerry