Tomo

What more could you have done Andy? You did the best you could and that is to be honoured, including the others involved. All the best to you and your staff.

Time for me, got plenty of work... which is good for the income but bad for flying time! That's why I'm trying to work it in so I use my flying to help with my work... gotta make this work somehow!

Hey thanks FT! Something to consider indeed I guess... I like this too - http://www.aircraftonline.com.au/product.php?id=924

I looked at buying at Gatton air park a while ago, they were around the 300k mark also.

I've done quite a few hours watching in the right seat with friends in IFR - cloud - and punching through and or coming out of cloud with wisps and bits of blue here and there around it really feels like you're turning or doing something, but a look at the instruments shows you're dead level and tracking true.

Booked in to do it with DDAC in Toowoomba, I wanted to do it down in Brisbane, but with work lately being busy etc... it just wasn't happening, so decided to do it in Toowoomba, it's only 100klm each way rather than the odd 300klm to Brisy. One of benefits of Toowoomba is the nav's will be out west where there's nothing, whereas down the coast you can pretty much follow the lights... I think I'll stick to the 172 or 182 since I know those aeroplanes fairly well. I got the choice of doing it in the G1000 172, but figured that's cheating rather, and would be much easier than steam gauges and things that you can't see in the dark... if the lights don't work.

On behalf of RickH, photo and explanation below.

Yes, you are only operating the controls to maintain the flight path down to the runway, whereas a sideslip is generally for descending/visual purposes so the aircraft is held sideways with rudder, and aileron is used to control angle of descent. From what I understand anyways...

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, exactly what I love to hear, keep them coming. I agree with you all, that it's not a thing to just go joy riding around the night with, but I'm doing it more for the fact I can leave on a flight (GA of course) a bit before sun up, and if it stretches into the afternoon get home again.. or whatever. And for the added skills. I would love to do the PIFR but can't afford that at this stage! One step at a time... Frank, yes that's what I've heard, if you don't like what you see, turn the light off! If you read in the latest Flight Safety magazine a guy tells his story of an engine failure on a black night. What saved him that night was that he climbed to altitude over the aerodrome before setting off. When his engine stopped he just scraped it back to the runway. Jim Davis often says to never take off into a black hole, so if you can take off in such a way that you can see some lights, either the town, or house/car etc... seems like pretty good advise I reckon.

Howdy Charlie! What part of the country do you base yourself from? I'm in the SE Qld area, west of Toowoomba.

Welcome Jack!! Glad to hear you're enjoying the journey, it's a challenging one at times, but highly rewarding.

Gettin' ready for the big flood Damo? Actually something I'd like to add to my skill level someday too, but don't think I'll use it enough though to warrant it at this stage. (unless of course it floods every year..!) PS. I'm not sure of any examiners either sorry.

Gee, what a let down!

Howdy folks! Just thought I'd put it out there... I'm starting my night rating next week, so thought I may as well hear from all the highly experienced folk, whether you have any stories you'd like to share. The good, bad etc... Something an experienced pilot told me once was, Night flying is much more dangerous than IFR, in cloud, because you have no safety nets. Pretty wise words to keep in the back of your head I reckon, so you don't let yourself get to blasé about it.

Every couple weeks at least. Once I get my own it will be a lot more often though!!

Almost worth a trip over to check out... Great photos you sent through today David, nothing like rubbing it in when I'm stuck on the ground.... By the way, booked in to start my NVFR today, start next week with Kathryn out of Toowoomba.

We don't do 'actual real' tug power failure practices as it's to dangerous for just the sake of a practice. Cable break training for the glider is pretty common, and or engine failure training. Pretty much the same as powered EFATO scenario, except the tug keeps going.

They are one tough and strong plane, but after flying something like a Pioneer or Tecnam they are a bit of a truck to fly. I've done a bit in one to try it out, and wasn't to excited on it's ability. The one thing I did love about it was it's strength and roll bar canopy design. If you were going to flip over on landing being in one would probably save a pretty severe headache compared to some bubble canopy low wings. The extra hp and CS prop would make it a little snappier, wonder how it would perform as a basic aero trainer?

Nah, it's true, the WB's are much lighter in the control and certainly feels that way flying too. Your's is actually a really pleasant aeroplane to fly to Rob. They are both lots of fun though!

Haha, thanks Dave, I'm jealous of you too! You have an aircraft, I don't I've heard you're a bit of a genius with flying, so maybe you should take me flying! Peter and Rob have told me you have the 'perfect' touch, and right attitude - Especially to be an instructor... you should consider that I reckon by the sounds.

While we sit here dry as chips and irrigating crops so they don't pull the pin, further west are just about floating away! St George town people have now been ordered to evacuate as it's river continues to rise to ridiculous levels. The only road left out of town is expected to close tonight due water, so all systems go while you can get out. The ADF have 8 Helicopters and a Herc C130 operating. (4 Blackhawk's and 4 Kiowa's) Here's the latest news article - http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/evacuations-begin-in-st-george-as-roma-and-mitchell-mop-up-from-floodwaters/story-e6frg6nf-1226263011989 I'll probably head out there during the week taking some friends to have a look at their property that could very well be a lake, so should have some photos then I would imagine. Just unreal the amount of water coming down that river.

You bagging the pipes Nev? I don't mind a mob of pipers that play well, my ancestorality (my word) must be coming out.

I've got my main logbook which I put RAA and GA stuff into. Gliding Logbook is a separate one for me - it's laid out a bit different as there are a few more things of interest and items to add.

G'day David, It's just a big Drifter!! I don't find it hard to fly as such, good view, and a bit of power up your sleeve. Wouldn't say they are the most comfortable touring aircraft though... pretty rough and rugged. I've bounced a few times, though never had to add power or go around, just touched down a bit fast. You certainly get to have plenty of practice though as you do lots of landings in a day! If you wheel it on it's hard to bounce as you have it pinned there, but usually I do three pointers to minimise ground roll. I've been meaning to set up some camera's but haven't had a chance yet. I'll be towing again on the 25th/26th this month. (A weekend a month usually) I wouldn't say it's a hard tail dragger to fly, just a few things you need to watch. They spin around pretty quick on the ground, I've never ground looped one yet, but got hit with a gust while sitting there waiting and didn't have my feet on the brakes, and it turned me around about 90 degrees! (fully castering tailwheel, so if it's facing the right way it turns on the spot easy as) Every Pawnee handles a little different too I'm told, I've only flown two different ones, and one lands almost naturally, whereas the other you need to work the stick a bit. Should come over one weekend and have a look. Rob Knight is a good bloke to talk to, as he's done a fair bit of towing in some pretty cool aircraft! (I'm pretty sure you know him as his Lightwing is at Boonah)