ayavner

is it the epaulettes specifically? what if they wore say a one-piece AF-style flight suit? Or a leather helmet and goggles? i don't have an opinion one way or the other, but it is interesting to see the opinions you guys do have on the subject! I personally would not wear the epaulettes under any circumstance (unless i one day became a commercial pilot, and even then only if expected). As to the young/older thing, also a good debate with well-put positives and negatives on both sides (lack of experience vs. inflexible/entrenched). I have certainly had some challenges in communicating with a CFI who is 15 years my junior, and its taken effort on both sides, but as to the mechanics of learning to fly and a positive role-model for airmanship, I have been on average pretty happy. I think it is helpful, especially after awhile, to experience instruction from a variety of instructors (note I didn't say "mates") because everyone is going to impart things slightly differently and a concept might click better in one context than it did another. in the end, i guess it is about gathering experience for your own toolbox. If all you have been given is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Actually, why not kill 2 birds and do the PPL subjects now. The info is the same, just more of it.... in other words, if you get that down, you'll have no trouble with the RAA version of the tests, at least that was my experience. (ex-Telco guy here too cheers!)

good job Marc! Nahh, no real order I don't think, just do them in the order they make sense to you in relation to the lessons... for example won't make much sense to do the Nav exam right now, but I think BAK is very relevant given you are now learning about the systems and aerodynamics etc both in the book and in practical application. Yes, onward and upward!!

Yes, its all relative... 8 hours doing your taxes for example...

yes, "he"... we call him "Nigel"

mine is very irritating, it will say "keep to the left" by which he means keep to the left side of the right fork you are supposed to take, by whcih point you've already taken the left one and there's no direct way back...

Think I figured out the piccy thing, let's see... concentrating on a diversion on the way home: Near Cowra, NSW: Forbes facilities... as i said, I was the ONLY one there... 7295 at Forbes: West Wyalong runway: Just a taste of what the day was like :)

I was going to add a few pics, but whenever I insert them they end up on their sides even though they look fine on my computer. Any idea how to rotate them on here, or better yet stop them from rotating in the first place?

it definitely does!! Oh Eric McCandless, if you're reading this, I did have a chat with your CFI for awhile when I was in YGLB, I let her know that her training of you resulted in some really good documentation that has no doubt helped countless people including myself.

Thanks guys! Yes, I was buggered... do keep in mind however that the flight out was just that.. .a flight out, no pressure, to brush up on things and the CFI was of course with me there as well. The last leg likewise was with the CFI and was itself only 1.9 hours. Each leg had a break of over an hour in between... appreciate the concern guys, but I'd like to feel good about this for at least a day ok?

That's correct Andy, with an hour or so break in between each, so it didn't seem so bad up till the end. I think its somewhat of a tradition at the school, they call it our 'Big Day' and I can see why!! Its short for "Big Bloody Expensive Arse-Whipping Day"

.. absolutely, and my personal minimum going forward will be about 2 hours... I wouldn't have undertaken that much flying at once outside of the supervision of my CFI. When I get to the point that 2 hours goes by without me being a basket case, I'll consider upping it. But wow what an experience!

Hi all - still buggered after a FULL day, but wanted to pass on that I finally got my solo hours and passed the XC flight test yesterday! I'll write it all up in my blog, but it was a big day with lots of twists and turns! From Bankstown the plan was to fly to Young, however got as far as Goulburn (home of the sideways sock) and the clouds were closing in all around so I decided to pull in there for a bit. Hung out at the flying school there for an hour until the clouds broke up, amended my flight plan and sartime with airservices, then off to Young. My CFI is from there, so he visited family while I did my solo - Young West Wyalong - Forbes. Landed at YFBS and I was the only person or plane there. Even the toilet was full of tumbleweeds (I have pics). The club was closed and I wasn't sure about refilling my water bottle from the lawn hose, so I just left it and went up to Parkes - Cowra - Young. Winds were pretty robust, so I was only managing a ground speed in the 60s at some points (but in the 110s the other way, woooo) so logged a healthy 2.9 hours solo nav. Then got back, got updated weather and did my flight plan and charts etc and the way back was filled with diversions, getting lost (and not all on purpose), low level, and some real-world opportunities to avoid clouds. All in all, about 8.1 hours in one day, I was buggered, it was all i could do to remember I still had to land and taxi back at bankstown (save the high workload bit for the last haha) but I guess I managed, and I passed! So now just need to rack up a few more PIC hours for the PAX which I hope to do in the next few weeks! I'll post the blog link here when I get round to gathering my thoughts, right now its all still a buzz. First order of business today is a relaxing massage!

I wondered how many would have gotten down for the EMT training.. i was supposed to go out to Young then beyond to do my solo navs and XC test on the way back, but between the smoke and the 28G35 direct crosswind we also called it a day... this time I didn't even pay to taxi! ;-) Great pic as well. I also hope it rains, allergies don't cope well either

Hi mate, great advice, thanks! I am flying out of Bankstown currently, its the only thing halfway close. We're rescheduled for Sat the 9th, so here's hoping...

Great job!!! Was supposed to do mine today as well, but cancelled due to severe turbulence and wind forecast. How did it go, any big gotchas? Do you have your PAX already?

Well, try again next weekend. Severe turbulence forecast throughout the route, and winds gusting to 35kts at most the ADs on the way. No thanks!

Jab Phil that's the first genuine belly laugh I have had in ages... thanks for that, i needed it!!

Andy, likewise I am tied up this weekend, but if its a hit works out well please bring it back and i'll bring my bells too!

guessing the photos were required to show the new mods before rego would go through...

but do they all get to log BIC time?

What, African or European?

fascinating...

just remember what has been seen cannot be Unseen