Stoney

On the October long weekend, a group of us are intending to fly from Adelaide via Warracknabeal and Bacchus Marsh, then Laverton clockwise around Port Phillip Bay to Tyabb. The following day will perhaps be via Mornington Peninsula and then coastal along the Great Ocean Road back to Mount Gambier. Some of our aircraft will need fuel every 2 hours at about 90kts - most are RA (mainly Jabiru) with a glide free of populated area requirement. Also the area from Torquay / Cape Otway / Port Campbell looks like a beautiful scenic route but not many safe landing options in case of emergency. Any suggestions or tips from locals or anyone who has done this route?

Hmmm. Interesting. How many injuries have you had from flying?

Lots of good advice here. I always tell a new passenger that it is their flight, and my job is to make sure they enjoy it. If at any time they want to come back or there is anything they want, just say the word. I also do two walkarounds. I will explain that I have my own system to follow and need to concentrate without interruption. Once I am happy, I then go over it again with them and show them what I am looking for. They are all happy that I take it seriously and understand the need for no distractions. Like sfGnome, I also do a demonstration of what it will be like when I pull the power to idle on descent. (My throttle is the old Jabiru 'between the legs' type and passengers can't see me obviously reducing throttle to idle.) I also explain that a go-around is normal and there is a good probability of it. I may do one just for practice. Adam, I know your original question is what can you do to reassure a nervous pax in the period leading up to the flight, but as someone who was personally terrified of flying for years, I found that not much really helped. In fact, I spent about two weeks of sleepless nights, leading up to my TIF. Once it was over I slept like a baby with relief.

Thanks for sharing the story Geoff. It seems you made all the right decisions under the circumstances. Isn't it strange how your mind speeds up in times like this, you can remember making so many plans and evaluating and discarding some in a very short time. I have also seen my wife terrified, death grip on the dash, eyes screwed tight with tears streaming down her face. It really hurts. I also was too busy to explain what I was doing or to comfort her. My job was to get back safely, and that is what I focussed on, as did you. We have since discussed it, and she has flown with me since. I think in some way, it will give your wife more confidence that you will make the right decision if you need to. Good job mate, I am sure you have learnt some good things from the experience. Don't beat yourself up. I would be happy to fly with you.

Thanks Gaz, I enjoyed that very much.

I also add my thanks Andy. It takes a special person to volunteer for such a position. Your communication with us members on this forum was very much appreciated and I hope you will stay around in a private capacity. You should be very proud of what you have achieved. While I personally will miss your insights, family is always number one. Best of luck on the job front mate. Gary

My first solo was in a Diamond DA20 at 17.2 hours over three months. I started training for my PPL in July and flew during the winter when the weather was often pretty ordinary. I was probably ready a bit before but the weather was not favourable. I figured that if I learned in rain and crosswinds it would just make me a better pilot later. My instructors never discussed a timeframe for going solo and it was a complete surprise to me when it happened. The day of my solo I had a two hour circuit lesson and the weather was great, all my landings were the best ever. I just didn't want to stop. After an hour of circuits, the instructor said to make this one a full stop. I was really disappointed, but complied. After we exited the runway the instructor radioed the tower that he was getting out and that I was going to do one circuit by myself. He did advise the plane would climb better. I didn't have time to get nervous, the run up bay was about 50meters from the active runway and I was cleared for immediate takeoff. I was relaxed and calm, no anxiety or nerves and just performed as I would if the instructor was sitting alongside me. After my downwind call, I took about ten seconds to absorb what I was doing and enjoy the moment. On taxiing back after my most perfect landing, the tower congratulated me, which was nice. That night the adrenaline kicked in and I was still trembling with excitement at midnight. Other milestones were, as others have said, (a) first solo nav, and being treated by IFR RPT and the Flying Doc pilots over the radio as if I was a proper pilot. (b) when I took my daughter up as my first passenger. I really felt the responsibility of being absolutely responsible for her safety. © taking other family and friends flying, who remember when I was terrified of getting on a commercial jet.

I tried to use mine for ID once with a Government department but it wasn't acceptable. However, my local library card was accepted as "proof" of ID. I have a feeling that the ten minutes I spent trying to retrain the unenthusiastic government employee was wasted. I almost got the impression that they didn't care. Very puzzling!

No worries Ralf, a problem shared is a problem halved. I learned some good lessons too. Melbourne Centre advised there was a SPECI available for YMBD a few minutes before your radio call. I asked for the SPECI and it was nothing like the conditions we were looking at. Good decisions made, saw new places, learned new things and able to do it again another time. Just how a great weekend's flying should be. I would also like to thank everyone involved in putting the event on. It ran like clockwork, the meals were great, and we were very fortunate to be able to hear about the exploits of Howard Hendrick (WWII Lancaster bomber pilot) and Marion McCall (the flying bishop's wife/pilot). Loxton would have to be one of the friendliest aero clubs around. Country hospitality at it's best. We had an absolutely great time and apart from catching up with Phil, Mike and Ralf, we also met some new friends. I was really glad that Mike made the fly in, the Avocet is a remarkably designed plane and the workmanship is beautiful. Great job, Mike. Can't wait for the next one in two years time. Gary

Better load another copy in the Nieuport to bring to Loxton for me too Tim!

Also guys, be careful. If your wife ever says, "Honey, if I were to organise a threesome for you, which one of my friends would you like me to invite." Don't answer, it's a trap.

Andy@Coffs I know you have your heart in the right place, and I appreciate your input to us members on this forum. (Why can't we have the same timely info from RAAus) It does seem a bit like shooting the messenger, but per your post #34, it seems the wrong way round to tell the members what you are going to do, and then ask them for their opinions. I seem to recall another organisation doing that last December, which was also not very popular. I have very expensive and very slow satellite internet. I pay nearly 150 times more for internet than my daughter who lives 50km away in the suburbs with mobile reception. As you said in your post, it's all about choice. I choose not to pay to download advertising in the digital magazine. I choose not to pay extra to download the magazine that I thought my membership fee was paying for. If it really is that overused chestnut of "user pays", then my membership fees should be halved, because between paying for ASIC cards and satellite internet, I can only afford to fly half as much. Then throw in the $50 rebate for not receiving the magazine at all and I should be getting paid by RAAus to be a member. I may be cynical, but I remember when "Service Stations" went from full service, where a friendly face would fill your tank and check your oil and clean your windscreen, to self service. We were told that the price of fuel would come down because there was less labour cost. Turns out the price went up because we had to pay for the new technology of the self serve "improvements". Andy, I don't mean anything personal, but why oh why do these organisations always overlook their biggest asset, their member base. Do you really think that a dozen people on a board has got the jump on the combined wisdom and varied experience of their 10,000 members? How many suggestions were forwarded regarding the not too historical re-registration debacle? How many were acted upon? For the record, I will forward my thoughts to where they will be officially ignored as usual.

Sounds like you know FT. Why do you need your other hand free?

Me too Tim, I'll catch up with you at the Loxton Fly In.

A cunning linguist??

Funny thing, when I was interviewing for a new Receptionist/Secretary, I looked at all their resumes, phoned their previous employers and checked their references, checked their spelling and grammar, and I still picked the one with the best boobs.

I never had a boyhood dream of flying, it never crossed my mind. I never built models or visited airfields. I was horse mad. Sad to admit that as a teenager, I had picture of racehorses on my bedroom walls instead of girls. I took my first commercial flight at age 28 from Launceston to Flinders Island and was terrified when the plane got caught in what I now think was perhaps a rotor. As we were dropping from the sky, a young girl a couple of seats in front of me, floated up to the ceiling and was pinned there until we came out of it. From then on flying terrified me and I would get a shiver up my spine just looking up at a passing plane. I would rather drive 4 days to Darwin rather than endure the 4 hour flight, and would get sozzled in the bar before boarding an international flight. They were long journeys of abject misery and fear, even though I had read all about it being the safest form of mass transport. For at least a couple of weeks before a commercial flight, I would be getting more anxious, cold sweats and sleepless nights. My wife and friends would enjoy a great laugh at my expense, but it was just sickeningly horrible. After telling my son of having a private panic attack on a flight to Singapore, he bought me a TIF for my 50th birthday. His reasoning was that if I had some understanding of flying, maybe my fear would diminish a little. I nearly had a heart attack during the TIF, I never knew planes were that small, I felt as if the turbulence was going to throw us out of the sky. But, something must have clicked in the back of my mind. My wife was astonished a few weeks later when I said I wanted to go for another TIF, now that I knew what to expect. The CFI suggested I do 6 weeks of lessons and study the theory book to learn more. I was hooked after three weeks, got my PPL within eleven months, then my RA pilots certificate, and bought a half share in a J230. One of the most satisfying days of my life, was taking my son who caused this strange addiction, up for a flight. I went flying today, the conditions were not perfect, gusty, lumpy and bumpy. I flew down to Brooklands Park and had coffee with another couple of flyers, then flew over flyerme's place at Sherlock just for fun. Flying back to Murray Bridge at 4,500' and still getting tossed around quite heavily, I caught myself literally laughing out loud to think of how far I have come. I had a huge smile for the rest of the day. I now feel relaxed and de-stressed. When I am flying, I am just flying and I love it. I read all of your posts with a bit of envy, you guys have made your childhood dreams come true. From being starry eyed kids building models and looking at planes, to becoming pilots, plane owners and builders. That must be such a special feeling, especially if it has taken many years to achieve it. I hope you take some time on every flight to think of how you got there and give yourself a pat on the back. For me, every flight is very special. More than just mastery over my demons, but a true joy of being in the air and looking down on the world. I now can't imagine a time in my life when I won't be flying.

A fantastic story Old Koreelah, thanks very much for taking the time to write about your experience. I doubt that I will ever build my own plane, but I take my hat off to those of you that do. I can only imagine the feeling of the first flight in a plane that you have lovingly laboured over for so long. I wouldn't think that there would be many things that could equal it. I am impressed with the design features built in, it sounds like you have thought of everything. I particularly like the safety features of fuel venting, plumbed engine fire extinguisher, BRS parachute and crash activated battery isolator. (I have been working on a crash activated BRS parachute, but I think I have just found a flaw in my thinking) Again, a big thank you for sharing your story, I found it inspiring.

Old Koreelah, please start another thread and tell us about your plane, the person who designed it, and the building and flying of it. It was in the back of my mind to ask one day, and I thank jeffd for bringing it up. It may be a long story, but we have the time to listen to one from a passionate aviator. After seeing the job you did on the trailer, I now want to know about the plane and the person behind it.

Brilliant! I love it. The trailer was obviously designed by a farmer/engineer. It makes me appreciate having a hangar.

Nev??? You're not in gaol now my boy!

When I was a teenager, a mate suggested that putting a spud down your speedos was a great way to impress the girls on the beach. Next week I told him that it didn't work, the girls just laughed and called me names. Turned out he meant to put the spud down the front!

And I suppose that the beatings will continue until morale improves?