.Evan.

Today I passed my flying test! We had pretty-much perfect weather, a 10 kt wind straight down RWY 36 and clear skies and no turbulence! I was put through my paces out in the training area and then we came back for a couple of normal circuits (including one glide approach), and finished off switching to 05 for a few crosswind CCTS. I'm looking forward to exploring the local area a bit more... It will be exciting to go outside the training area, and rent a plane on non flying school days! Next: on to the passenger endorsement so I can finally share the fun with others!!

Hey Woody, how was the trip?

I really like the look of the Ibis, however I'm unsure what the dog wearing the top hat has to do with it.... Ahaha! I like!

Thanks for sharing!

Congratulations Pradeep! Hopefully I'll be joining you in the ranks of pilots in a week or two! I'm really looking forward to it - it must be a good feeling!

Whoa! That guy was really going at it! There's no need for movements like that during the hold off - maybe a little bit left and right here and there to keep the wings level from the gusts, but a slow and steady rearward motion is all that is needed. If you find that you may have ballooned slightly (not a big balloon - that requires a different approach), freeze your rearward motion and wait for the aircraft to resume it's sink. Remember, for normal landings you are trying to make the aircraft fly straight and level just above the runway for as long as you can. Eventually the angle of attack/drag increases as speed decreases and the aircraft will eventually settle on to the runway itself. "Pumping the stick" as my instructor calls it can lead to bad outcomes.

Very good advice. The quality of the instructor is very important to your overall development as a professional* pilot. *by professional, I mean your attitude and approach to your flying is always of the highest standard, regardless whether you are getting paid for it or not.

Am very jealous right now!!

Bugger! If only I wasn't working this Easter...It would have been perfect - very little deviation needed to stop in Ballarat from Cobden! Good luck Woody!

If you ever visit Ballarat, I'll ride shotgun with ya!

Congratulations!

Yeah, me too!

One Icon A-5 for me, please!

Hey Jack, I wish I had the opportunity at your age. I had to wait until double that to begin! Keep up the good work, and as CFICare said, let us know how you're going.

Haha! I do that with my dog when I place her on the ground... I make sure she lands on the rear mains first, then carefully put the nose down!

It would be good experience. Good for future times when you are flying into a new busy airport by yourself! It'll seem easy then.

Wow, I'm glad that Ballarat doesn't have much RPT traffic! It's confusing enough with just students flying around!

Congratulations! As a recent soloist too, it is still very clear in my memory! Did you get around to mid-downwind before it really struck you?

Hey Eighty, Hopefully some time in the next few days! I have a 'mock test' tomorrow, then an hour solo to sharpen up on whatever I need - then the big day!

...Scan for other aircraft... Whilst driving on the highway!

Oh, the internet is amazing!! Now I have another way of wasting many more hours! Thanks Acky!

Thanks David! Let me know what you think when you receive your copy of PF...

Thanks Allegro! Fingers crossed I knock this over soon!

*sigh* They sure do look good!

Unfortunately not, Burbles! Fortunately there are quite a few friends that were keen even before the article. I'm looking forward to a) being able to rent the plane any day of the week (not just flying school days) and b) finally to share flying with people (other than my instructor!). I have a mock flying test on Saturday, then one hour solo to rehearse whatever needs sharpening up and it's on to the big test! *Cue ominous music*