Piet Fil

Thank you all for your wishes and congratulations, it is one of the things i enjoy about the aviation community. For Eightyknots and Jerrara: In answer to the "hours to solo" questions: it was 14.8hrs; of which 6.3 was in a gazelle, I then switched schools and did the other 8.5 (and solo) in a Jabiru J120C. It was normally 7-10 days between each lesson at about 0.8 hrs per lesson. I am being careful in balancing family and flying. If the lessons were a bit more frequent and I hadn't changed schools I reckon it might have been a couple of hours sooner but really who cares, I am taking the attitude of enjoying the journey as opposed to measuring against milestones. My personal motto for flying is "I have the rest of my life to get it right" (which funnily enough is how I felt on short finals when I glanced at the empty right seat during the solo!)

Like a lot of others, I had my doubts at times of getting there, but today was my first solo day. Blue skies, not a cloud in the sky, a slight breeze straight down the runway and smooth still air. Three circuits with my instructor and then given his blessing to go it alone. It all went according to procedure, I even had time on downwind (after checks) to have a very quick look at the snow on the ranges. Slight nerves on short final knowing it was all me with no backup, but safely down I came. Ironically it was only when writing down the hours after shutdown, my hands started shaking. LOL. Stress release I guess. What a joy! Today was a day to love life (and my wife and daughters) for letting me learn to fly. Yahoo! Phil

Jake, One thing I did was download the CASA Flight Instructor Manual (aeroplane) in pdf format from(http://www.casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WCMS:STANDARD::pc=PC_90300). Another free CASA product!!! . It spells out the basic skills to master for each element of flying. Using it (as well as my instructors guidance) stopped me from going down into rabbit holes trying to learn things before I needed to know them. It also provides insight into some of the common problems found in trainees for each skill and some suggestions on learning techniques to prevent some of these problems. It was nice to know that some of the skills I struggled with are common difficult areas for the majority of students. Stopped me feeling like an absolute gumby at times. Phil

Congrats, makes me look forward to flying tomorrow

JakeJ, If you run it I will come. Either the instrument/ergo design or the aircraft wiring would be great at the next natfly. Phil

Well Done Evan, One day I'll get there as well

Mark, Thanks for the headset wrap-up. I am in the market for a headset and you have helped me settle on the DC10-13.4 for my normal sized head. It was a good read Ta Phil

Well done Pete, one day soon I shall share the experience and fully understand the import of the moment.

Dave, thanks for the post got mine in the mail yesterday. I agree its good value for the postage costs. Phil

Hi Evo, If you like low and slow in an open cockpit have a look at Pietenpol Aircampers. When I can fly its going to be my build project. There are a few guys in Oz (both GA and RAA) in the build process who are real helpful. Two great Oz websites that show what can be done are www.scottyspietenpol.com and www.cpc-world.com Enjoy:joystick:

Hi Gary, Welcome to the world of student pilots, a weird world of concentration, stress and real enjoyment. Enjoy and good luck Fellow student Fil (Flying out of Cooma)

Scotty, Was going to email to ask whether you were coming down to NATFLY. Let me know which days you'll be there as I would be keen to catch up and talk Pietenpols/Corvairs. Phil

Hi All, My names Phil and my intention is to build a Pietenpol Air Camper over the next few years. I'm based in Canberra, still working full time (for a few years yet) so the project will need to fit around work and family. Plans have been ordered from Jim Wills in the UK and my intention is to register the Piet under CAO 95.55 Para 1.5 with the RAA. I'm not the most prolific emailer/poster so don't panic if you don't hear much from me. I will post any good stuff I find out in my journey and am happy to discuss pietenpols till the cows come home. I'll finish off by thanking Scotty for his inspriational website 'Scottyspietenpol' Thanks Phil