PeterW

I am currently studying my theory for the RA-Aus BAK and I hope to do the test soon but I plan to do my Radio and Passenger Endorsements at the same time. I have found a Ground Training Manual that I purchased from www.skysupply.com.au and it is called the RA-AUS Pilot Certificate - Ground Training Manual including the BAK, Air Legislation and Flight Radio Endorsement. It is written by Jan & Val Dyson-Holland. Each chapter you read has review questions and comes with an answer sheet. At the end there are then 4 practice exams for BAK, Pre-Solo Air Legislation, Pre-Certificate Air Legislation and Flight Radio Endorsement. The book also has a Study Guide and Progress Chart. The theory has been loosely based around the Jabiru J-160. I have also found the Jim Davis book very good as well and well worth purchasing. As far as initial understanding of flight theory it is very well written and does not put you to sleep like a lot of training manuals do. Because Jim Davis refers to both Australia and South Africa, there are a lot of things that are more international standard and you need other theory to follow for Australian Recreational flying specifically.

I am also doing my training at YTDN which has been a mixture of Jabiru J-170 and J-160 and I first started with my TIF just prior to winter. I went solo at just under 25 hours and I thought I was just about all circuited out by the time I did. Most of my lessons were in the afternoon and most had crosswinds to varying degrees and I just could not seem to get those landings right. I would become a little pessimistic with some of the strong winds and the hard work it was in the circuit and would wonder if I was really worth having the lesson sometimes. However, looking back and I only have 36 hours logged, I think they were invaluable experience and because I have changed to early morning now when it does seem to be calmer, I think my landings are all the better for it. I don't expect to get my certificate for a while yet as my instructor and I made the decision to do my pax at the same time. The weather has still been playing a bit of havoc and this has kept my solo hours down to 4 at this stage. Peter

Hi Everyone, I am a student at Tooradin (YTDN) and went solo just a few weeks ago. I first got hooked on flight simulator X last year and eventually joined an online flying group and proceeded to do a radio training course online through the simulator. My wife then gave me an aerobatic flight in a Tiger Moth at Tooradin for Christmas last year which I took earlier this year. After this and the flight simulator I was hooked and started my first lesson in May this year. I started with the Jabiru J-160 and I am now flying the Jabiru J-170. My aim is to achieve my RA-Aus Pilot Certificate and go on to complete the Cross Country Endorsement. I am having a great time and enjoy flying so much, it seems like an eternity between lessons. Thanks have to go to my instructor Ian for his patience and his incredible skills as a pilot which I think has played a big part in my enjoyment of learning to fly. Peter