IFR

In the United States IFR is generally understood to stand for 'I Follow Roads'. In the civilised world and also in New Zealand (:p) it stands for Instrument Flight Rules, or the ability to fly from one point to another using only the instruments. Every commercial jet flight, good weather or bad operates IFR so it is a pretty key skill that we CTC cadets need to pick up.

Fortunately the DA-42 is ideal for IFR, being fitted with the latest G1000 avionics kit that really is the dogs danglies. The photos bellow were taken from the back of another cadets' flight a few weeks back (cheers, Tom!) and show the arrangement of screens and hood (known in CTC as the 'gimp mask') that we use to simulate IF conditions, in addition to the stunning views from the back of the Twinstar. As you can see, it was perfect IFR weather!!!

In general CP39 news most of us are 10 or less events (we spend most of our time in the sim these days - 'events' and not 'flights') from the end of NZ phases with little under three weeks to run. Will we finish on time? Lets hope so!

And here is the token 'pilot-posing-with-aeroplane' shot. Nice aeroplane, shame about the berk standing infront!

Stay tuned for further updates soon as I have just earned my aerobatic rating, so expect some interesting pictures...

Shiny new Twinstars

The photo below shows two shiny new Twinstars in the CTC maintainance hangar, CTN and CTO, recently delivered from the factory in Austria ("lets put another shrimp on the barbie!"). After having their wings fitted and fluids etc added they will join the CTC fleet.

The following photos are of a flight that took place a couple of weeks ago out near Raglan.


Photos courtesy of Paul Martin, CP42.

Waikato Aero Club Open Day

Last Sunday the Waikato Aero Club held an open day to celebrate the arrival of new fleet of Alpha 160A trainers. Here are some of the photos.

ZK-WCD, an A160 operated by the WAC. I am currently training for my basic aerobatics rating in this aircraft.

Yak-52 based at nearby Te Kowhai.

When is a Yak not a Yak? When its a Nanchang CJ-6.

This Bell 47 was offering pleasure flights at $50 a pop, I suspended my no-helicopter policy and paid up for a joyride - fantastic!

A formation team of Harvards from Ardmore was in attendance to give a polished display in less than ideal conditions.

Star of the show for most was this F4U Corsair operated by the Old Stick and Rudder Co. of Masterton. The display from this aircraft was incredible, much closer than you would get in the UK or just about anywhere! Photos follow...



All in all a pretty fantastic day, thanks very much WAC!

Back in the Tron, via Singapore....

I suppose after 2 months it is probably time for an update! CP39 have now returned to the 'Tron victorious having conquered the ATPLs, achieving a 95% course average. All of us have now completed our single engined flying and are now training on the Diamond DA42 Twinstar, the last aircraft type we will fly for CTC.

Here are some pictures from the last few weeks:


Those of us returning from Manchester were treated to a day in Singapore, the above view of the CBD is taken from Sentosa Island.


Siloso Beach, "Singapore's Island Resort"


The Merlion, symbol of Singapore. Singa-pura means "Lion City", the Mermaid part refers to the importance of the city as a port.


The world famous Singapore Sling, pictured at the place it was invented - the Raffles Hotel.

For those of us not lucky enough to finish SE phase before we went home, it has been a rapid dash to finish. This gave some of us the opportunity to fly CTCs first A160, ZK-CTQ.

A visiting group of Chinese VIPs brought this 767 with them.

The two pictures above represent the current mount of 39, the mighty DA42. Manufactured by Diamond of Austria, the Twinstar is a Jet A-1 powered, glass cockpitted, composite twin that we will use for our CPL/IR training.

Home at last

Title says it all really. Here is a nice pic of Ayers Rock from the flight back.

P.S. Congrats to the various members of '40 who have managed to obtain their PPLs this week. Just goes to show that bribery goes a long way!

Homeward bound

Well folks after 7 months of hard time served in the Tron it is time for CP39 to return home for exams and more importantly to see our loved ones. I am disappointed not to have finished VFR before I left, but that is outweighed by the enormous excitement of getting back to civilization!!!

As I am going to be busy for a while, I am afraid there will not be many (or possibly any) updates for the next 6 weeks, but rest assured that there will be some interesting updates coming soon after that!

UK, here I come!

Comet

A picture of comet McNaught taken at sunset on Thursday, the bright line at the right is a CTC Cessna doing night circuits.