Piet Fil

Flyerme, I was at 6500' AMSL at the time, approx 2000' AGL. Phil

I agree .... both literaly and figuratively. Wing rib 25 in the jig and glued. 7 to go.

Guys, Just two shots from a solo X-Country Training flight on Friday. Shot 1: Lake Eucembene looking towards the Main Range Shot 2: Lake Eucumbene Looking to the SE I love the smooth cool air on days like these! Good fun indeed Phil

Bryon, I agree with what you said and would like to take it one step further. To me, its acknowledging why these men feel its worth putting their lives on the line and understanding that sometimes putting others before yourself is more important. Look at their character and behaviour and bring that into our daily lives, teach our children that honesty, integrity and caring for others is the way we should live our lives and that is the greatest honour and tribute to the fallen, that we have learnt and their sacrifice was not in vain. Bless them all, Lest I forget Phil

Tomo, You keep on inspring me to fly ..... Good stuff young man!! Huzzah! Phil

Congrats, Gotta be happy with that. As I said the exam shows areas for further reading/study. Remember flying is all about constant learning.... it never stops (one of the reasons its so much fun). Enjoy Phil

To echo the others its the learning thats important. Worst comes to worst a failed exam just highlights areas for further study, no shame in that. But if you just read (and re-read) the question....think and then answer, you'll be fine. You can normally cut out one or two obvious wrong ones and that lets you focus. Good luck and I'm sure you'll let us know the good news come Sunday. Phil

Scotty, Are you getting your spruce through Tom or from somewhere else? Phil

No hullucinogenic properties that I can tell, I'm just going to put it down to the cat being a lovable freak!!

Rib 18 is in the jig, Rib 17 has the back gussets marked up. glue up tomorrow. The stack of Ribs on the rails is growing slowly but surely. Tomorrow night will be 14 to go. Found that using plastic shot glasses for glue mixing are a great size for the small amounts of glue required per rib. And coffee stirrers are good spreaders. My cat has just joined me on the office table and is going crazy over the spruce sawdust on my hands, he does this every time I work on a rib. He'll start licking the sawdust off the backs of my hand. Is it just my cat and spruce sawdust??? or does it have the same effect on all animals?

Well Done Pook, sounds like you picked the perfect day for a first flight experience. Keep them interested I say. Phil

Welcome John, Lots of good info and peole here to assist. Any questions, just ask and you'll get lots of help. Noting your glider background I am assuming you'll nail the forced landings ..... Phil

Solomon, That is sad new indeed, the only consolation is that nobody was hurt and nothing else was damaged. Keep your chin up and keep on building. Phil

Good work Evan, I found on my solo Nav I was sooo busy I can hardly remember the scenery! But the satisfaction of seeing the home 'drome come into sight cannot be replaced ..... especially when you look at the GPS plot, overlay it over your planned track and can measure how accurate your track was (one or two small wiggles where you can tell I saw my next waypoint and corrected straight to it). Enjoy the journey Phil

Good stuff Windsor, Keep it coming. Phil

Alan, Good to hear your wife will be home soon, accept our best wishes for a full speedy recovery. I agree with your Note and Footnote, I'm in the same basket Phil

Well done AK, Enjoy the feeling, it lasts a long time! You are now one who understands the feeling that those who have never solo'd cannot understand. It only gets better from here on in. Phil:thumb up:

Both very good vid's. They make it look easy and I'm sure its not as easy as they make it look. But it does look like fun ...... maybe one day.

Well done Tony, Must be the utlimate satisfying experience. Enjoy and have a safe flight to Temora. Phil

Louis, Thanks for that, I'll be grabbing a copy for use. Good job Phil

Congrats Jake, Thats really good news, I know how much this will help you whilst your at Uni from following your posts. Enjoy the assisted flying. Phil

Matt, Occasionally had the same thoughts but they passed, enjoying the bag out of the X-Country learning phase (I'm a bit weird and love the planning and calculation parts as well as the joy of flying where you planned). I have also just started on building a Pietenpol Air Camper. Just glued up ribs 8 and 9 of 32. The build and the joy of flying are all I need to keep me going. Hang in there and enjoy the moments. Phil

Well done Ron, Must be a great, satisfying feeling. It looks nice and tidy. Be proud and enjoy flying your little gem. Congrats Phil

I am so jealous! The Bl%#dy weather has put a hold on my XC endo, the runway at Polo Flat is still too wet for flying. But well done on the achievement, It would be a great feeling I reckon. 6 hrs to go Phil

That was excellent.... Thanks. There are some pretty spots you fly over. Phil