G'day from Vic.

[SQUWAK 3886]

Hi All,

 

Getting back into flying from a fairly large break, now my job has settled and (still) young family has some stability, I have more time the wife has told me to "get back and go fly you only live once...."

 

I have enquired at Moorabbin and Coldstream as I live around about in the middle, once i choose a new home it will be good to be back in the air and complete my training.

 

Thanks!

[facthunter]

Welcome aboard. Nev

[sfGnome]

Enjoy the restart. It’s a bit like riding a bicycle, you don’t forget the basics. However, it isn’t a case of just hop in and go. I was amazed at how much relearning I had to do. Worth every minute though.

[djpacro]

Which schools at Moorabbin? Lilydale?

 

What are your objectives once you complete your training?

[SQUWAK 3886]

7 minutes ago, djpacro said:

Which schools at Moorabbin? Lilydale?

 

What are your objectives once you complete your training?

Moorabbin - Peter Bini or Avia would be my pick from what I have visited and either Lilydale or Coldstream to get out of the big smoke.

 

Looking to fly for recreation not a career, but once my daughter is old enough I will possibly need more then seats.  

[djpacro]

“recreation” is a broad topic?

[SQUWAK 3886]

1 hour ago, djpacro said:

“recreation” is a broad topic?

I would best sum it up as , going for a fly on the weekend and also making trips to visit family around the state. 

[Jerry_Atrick]

HI @SQUWAK 3886,

 

Belated welcome to the forum. I had a hiatus when I left Aus, and got back into it; it is great fun.

 

Between Moorabbin and Coldstream? Whereabouts do you live?

 

I learned  to fly at RVAC, between Moorabbin and Coldstream when they took it over (yeah  - I am old). But, as my instructor incorporated aeros into my PPL, we cross-hired Peter Bini's Super Decatholon for the inverted fuel system and it came with a constant speed prop making loops a breeze.  Peter Bini then was a great school, and if I didn't have such a great instructor (thanks, Dick) and wanted a proper club, Bini's would have been my choice.

 

Have you decided on a school/location, yet? If not, here's my not si humble opinion (to be taken with less than a pinch of salf, since I haven't flowin in Aus for almost 30 years). It is assuming GA flying rather than RAAus flying:

• Moorabbin: Where I lived, it was closer and sort of easier. But, it will depend where you live. Thee is virtually no such thing as a cross-wind with the runaways available. You get experience at controlled airports, if not controlled airpsace, as well as learning very quickly how to deal wioth sense traffic, slotting in, and the like. You've settled on a school there, but I would suggest still joinging what I think is the oldest continual aeroclub in the world, the RVAC.. the social scene is (or was) excellent. Is it Kingswood part that is just outside the airport on the other side of (lower/central) Dandenong Road, and a BBQ after a summer's flight is lovely. Of course, it has long runways (is 18/35 1800m?). And of course, you will meet a lot of people and the opportunities for all sorts of different flying is fantastic. The down sides? Not too many, but you are spoilt, so when you need to really do short fields onto rough airstrips, it will be a learning experience, especially on gravel (which is what Coldstream used to be). And of course, you can be held up in the run upas and waiting to enter the runway, burining $ not doing too much. The training area (is that still a thing?) is only about 750 sq kms. But, my favourite memory of flying at Moorabbin was, after a tough day at work in summer, taking off into a sunny evening and doing aeros with Port Philip Bay on one side, and Western Port on the other while I was throwing the plane about.

 

• Coldstream: Well, RVAC vacated it years ago (actually,I used to volunteer at the desk when RVAC took it over). Obvviously, you're rarely going to be holding for a run-up or runway. 750sq kms of a training area at Moorabbon sounds a lot, but try over 2,200sq kms over the beautiful Yarra Valley (and you can even fly over my mum's house). You are going to spend more time in the air - no doubt. The shorter runway are no issue for the Warriors I was flying at the time, and you are going to learn how to handle cross-winds and short field take offs and landings. You'll be making blind calls  and developing a keen sense of how to spot other aircraft in a sparesly trafficked area; all of which is more common for the private pilot than the likes of Moorabbin. When I was on the desk at Coldstream, there was initially a little bad blood with those who were part of the previous school/club, but they got over it very quickly, and it was a close knit flying community and very welcoming. So, while the RVAC was a great club, there was some clique which wasn't at Coldstream. While it's relatively rare the wind will stop you taking off and landing at Moorabbin, it is far more common with one shorter runway. Between Steele Mountain (?) and the hills on the other side, fog and low cloud will ground you more than in Moorabbin, except in the evenings, where Moorabbin can be susceptible to onshore mosit winds that generate a bit of fog. That's usually only a problem for nigth VFR flight. And, of course, if you are going to be doing any instrument flying, forget Coldstream. And of course, of you get yourself a plane, parking is going to be a lot cheaper (hangar space is almost impossible). I believe the runway has been upgraded and lengthened since I was at Coldstream, but I would have said gravel is not bad to learn on..

Best of luck whichever way you go.

 

 

 

 

[RossK]

I can recommend Lilydale.

I did my RAAus RPC and Nav endorsement there in their Jabiru 160s - they have switched to Vixxens now.

I also did my RPL conversion there last year.

I've flown with 7 of their instuctors and they have all been great.

If you're happy just bashing around locally by yourself, go the RAAus RPC route and save some money. You can always do the RPL conversion later.

But if you definately want the extra seats, you may as well go straight to the RPL now.

 

 

[Jerry_Atrick]

I meant to mention Lilydale as well.. Very nice airfield.

 

The farm and Coldstream airport came up for sale not too long ago. Sadly, out of my price range: https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-acreage+semi-rural-vic-coldstream-144258008

 

 

[red750]

I think I might predate you Jerry. I learnt at Moorabbin before the days of RAA and recreational certificates. My school no longer exists - I learnt at Civil Flying School and Peter Bini was the CFI. He did my checkride for the resttricted PPL in 1968. Then I did my navexes and did a couple of landings at Lilydale on the grass strips on my way to unrestricted PPL. Lilydale was owned by CFS in those days, and started with the "office" in a caravan parked near the southern end of the runways. Later they built a two storey clubhouse where the current school is located, but it burned down. Flew Musketeers, Warrior, Arrow, Bonanza,Airtourer. Got nplenty of radio experience at Moorabbin.

[Jerry_Atrick]

I think you may well have, @red750; I remember Civil, Schutts, and the others that are long gone now.