So I flew a T-bird to it's new home today for the owner...
The trip was from Jacobs Well near the Gold Coast to Pittsworth, via Gatton Airpark and Toowoomba. After checking the aircraft off and working out what each button and knob does I went for a quick circuit with the previous owner to make sure I was okay with it - Having never flown one of these ever I liked that idea. It was blowing 22kts apparently so pretty windy and really not a day for joy riding for the fun of it! Anyway it all went well, did a circuit and landed quite gracefully considering the conditions - I'd put it down to the aircrafts easy landing performance more than anything I did! Mind you I was thinking on final this feels pretty wild, the wind was crazy. Tight seat belts are a wonderful thing...
While the new owner was finishing off the paper work I got myself finalised, some extra fuel strapped in and a track drawn on my map, also a 20ltr drum of water strapped in the passenger seat for some extra ballast. I set off... Amberley airspace was de-active so I pretty much just followed my nose to Gatton Airpark to visit a mate and top up with fuel for the rest of the flight. Arrived about an hour later, getting tossed around fairly well. Was a good flight though, with the engine performing nicely.
Topped up with fuel and had a chat to my mate a G Airpark and then set off for Toowoomba, didn't land there as I figured the least number of landings in this ridiculous wind was a good idea. Turned in the general direction for Pittsworth and arrived a bit later - nothing much fast happens in a 60kt plane with a 30 kt cross wind/slash headwind! (according to Airservices anyway)
Landing at Pittsworth was good, but wouldn't want much more of a cross wind as I was pretty much on the control stops. Was quite relieved to be on the ground to be honest!
Was a good trip and I enjoyed it, not the nicest of conditions, but at least there wasn't any rain around! Thanks for the experience and for the new friends I've met today.
The proud new owner! Adam and Gabby
Cruising - Amberley in the distance
The instrument panel!
The beast at G Airpark
Passing over Toowoomba
Control yoke
It's new home for the time being.