UK Instrument Rated Private Pilot and Instrument Flight Instructor
With a business trip of a few days in Miami, I thought I’d try to see if I could squeeze in some training and familiarisation with the differences of PPL flying in the US. I already had a valid and legal FAA private pilot certificate (based on my UK licence) from last year’s trip to Florida, where I gained a seaplane rating. However, I hadn’t flown above 500 feet, used
Continue readingThis is the third club flyout of 2012 which I’ve organised. I’m learning to expect the crew list to change during the week beforehand, and the value of getting early commitment from a few “core” pilots to ensure the event will run regardless. As a minimum, I had two pilots (myself and one other) who both agreed to fly both ways. The day before, another pilot regained currency and was
Continue readingWet weather all week The weather has really been playing up the last few weeks. Bank holiday Monday had been my plan for a good day out with the family, but heavy downpours were forecast. Other commitments meant I was late in booking an aircraft for the previous day (Sunday) afternoon instead. With two aircraft out for maintenance, I took the only 2 hour slot available in the afternoon. A
Continue readingA large group 16 people in 5 Aircraft from 3 Airports. This was the second club flyout I’ve organised, and the taste of foreign travel brought out the crowds. With two club aircraft out for annual maintenance, we block booked the other 3 tourers (2 Warriors and the Arrow) based at Kemble. Other members were able to borrow a Cessna 172 from Bristol, and hire a Gumman Cougar twin engine
Continue readingA longer trip With the weather being much better today than yesterday, I hoped to make the most of it. I was fortunate to be allowed another afternoon away from the family, and with summer time having come into force the previous week, sunset was now almost 8pm. With the 130knot cruising speed of the Arrow, this meant that an afternoon’s flight puts many more destinations within reach. The plan
Continue readingShould I or Shouldn’t I The forecast wasn’t looking great today, but I had the full day available for a flight and wanted to make the most of it. In retrospect, it would have been better to have rescheduled for a different day but it did give me more exposure to what it’s like when the cloudbase drops and you have to make a diversion. If this happens with passengers
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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
Continue readingWeather limiting range It was one of those days where the weather was due to be adequate, but troughs were coming through that would bring heavy localised rain showers. I had been looking ahead at the weather forecast and almost written off any flights today, but the latest forecast looked more promising. I had discussed sharing a flight with Andy, but he was taken ill and unable to fly. All
Continue readingA Change of Plan The first club flyout of the year was planned to visit Perranporth in Cornwall, a very scenic airfield right on the edge of the cliffs just west of Newquay. With 3 pilots and up to 9 people, this would be quite a reasonable group and a good start to the annual program. Our plans went awry when looking at the forecast. Although there was no wind
Continue readingAlmost snowed off I’d arranged to fly in one of the club Warriors from Kemble with Andy today, with the intention of practicing some IMC approaches. Looking at the forecast, it didn’t look like we could make a full day of it – snow was expected to arrive after lunchtime – so the best that we thought we could do was a short “local” flight around the area. Andy wasn’t
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