Category: DIfferences

The benefits Pilots of non-pressurised small aircraft such as ours are limited to 10,000 feet, above which an oxygen system is usually required. EASA european rules allow you to fly up to 12,000 feet for 30 minutes without one; passengers are considered OK up to 13,000 for any length of time. After the few airways flights I’ve had at FL100, I have felt slightly the worse for wear and believe oxygen would

The Bristol Aero Club (based at Kemble EGBP) has both a couple of older PA28s and a couple of brand new two-seater PS28 Cruisers in their fleet. The UK distributor effectively lets club pilots solo hire the PS28s and there is plenty of availability. Differences training is required first. I decided to give this a go after flying as a passenger during one leg of a club flyout. The aircraft

Mandatory 5 hours differences training Having just bought into a share of a Socata Trinidad TB20, the next step was to complete 5 hours of dual instruction. This is a requirement of the insurance policy before any of the pilot owners is allowed to fly solo – even for those with >1000 hours and full Instrument Rating. But it’s also a very sensible approach – this is quite a powerful

A faster aircraft The club fleet includes a Piper Arrow – a step up from the Warriors I learnt on and normally fly. This has a more powerful engine (180bhp instead of 160), retractable undercarriage (much less drag, so goes faster) and a variable prop (more efficient, so also goes faster). These features enable a cruising speed of around 150mph (approx 130 knots) with similar fuel consumption.  It also has