The Wings Course So Far...

As I am now in posession of a valid NZ PPL, CTC have decided to make up for lost time by flying me twice a day, which can be somewhat tiring. I am not complaining however, as the flying is great fun!

This week has seen me complete my UPSET training, which involves spinning, unusual attitudes, extreme unusual attitudes (vertical recovery, anybody?) and a healthy dose of aerobatics thrown in.

The possession of a license allows me to take passengers and also instructors, on TPIC flights - the trainee is PIC but the instructor still gives, well, instruction!

Anyway everybody knows that in this day and age text = boring and media = interesting, so I present some pictures of this weeks main events:

A 'new' Robin, ZK-SPN, of early 80's vintage was delivered. Novel flaps, a start button, french labelled gauges/switches, a broken parking brake and a unique aroma add to the character of this delightful little machine. At least it is fast.....

Took Foxy up to Coromandel airfield, which is one of the more challenging airports in NZ. We are not allowed to land there, but even a low approach and overshoot can be somewhat bottom-clenching given the high ground at the end of the runway!

A welcome visit to the aero club from an Ardmore based T-28 Trojan. What a great sound!

And what better way to finish the week than a trip over central Auckland, taking in the skytower, the islands and the harbour.

A license at last!!

You may have been wondering where I have been for the last month, well I have been rather busy preparing for my PPL test. Fortunately I passed it last Friday, the culmination of five months hard work. After a weekend of excess it was back to work on the Monday morning with a solo GH in good old FXY.

Since then I have managed to complete a REACT flight, which consists of spinning, and a night introduction which is quite simply insane. Flying single engined aircraft at night is chancing with fate, should the engine fail it is game over!

Having completed the foundation course it is now time to continue hour building towards my CPL, the next significant milestone being the end of single engine phase test which I hope to complete next month.

Since a post here would not be complete without at least one picture here is a photo of yours truly in flight, toting new epaulettes and $9 sunglasses!!