Butch

Stay strong Bull, you have done the best for your mate at a tragic time. I hope I have a mate like you if things go bad. Condolences.

Had a family friend die today and another one in hospital that won't see New Year. Make the most of tomorrow with your family and treasure the small things in life. May next year be positive and we all get back to normal ( whatever that is ) Merry Christmas to everyone and thanks to Ian and family for all the work he puts into this this wonderful forum. 🥂

Try using a good Sim of the aircraft you will train on. It orientates you with the aircraft instruments, it gives you a basic feel of how to fly and once you start your training you can practice circuit radio calls, flight checks and be familiar with the aircraft. All this saves money ! You don't want to be paying 3/4 dollars a minute with an instructor because you can't remember where your instruments are or you messed up your radio calls. Sims won't teach you how to fly but they will show you how to become familiar with your aircraft . It's easier to sit in front of your computer and make mistakes and practice till you get it right rather than stress out in a lesson.

Danny my confidence was shot too ! Passed my BFR ok, but still a bit nervous about flying on my own. Probably a bit of overload trying to do a BFR with out flying for 10 months. I usually go out the week before and put myself through most of the things you are expected to do. If something needs work I do a bit more practice ( forced landing etc.) I was glad I didn't go on my own as there was a good chance something may have gone sideways ! cheer's Butch

Went for my BFR today after not flying for 10 months ( Covid and fractured elbow ....long story) I couldn't believe how much of my coordination and motor skills I have lost due to not flying ! My first landing was a disaster...bad rudder control, over correction and always behind the aircraft. It put a real dint in my confidence and I was quite embarrassed to admit my flying skills aren't up to scratch. The good news is after a few circuits it all came back and I was sighed off ok. My point is to all out there that if you haven't been flying for a while, there is no shame in going for a quick circuit with your local instructor just to check your skills, cheer's Butch

Seen some bad pilots but this is the best effort of being a D!CKHEAD I've ever seen

Our school in Bendigo is closed for both training and aircraft hire ! But we are in Victoria home of Dan the Man Hotel scandal extraordinaire !

Spenaroo, I chose between buying a Road Bike or flying .........both between 6 to 10K. I chose flying because I thought it was safer , anybody can ride a bike. (that's why so many die ) My daughter was booked to go overseas for 3 months before Covid and it would have cost her over 10k. If you really want to do it save up for a while and get a couple of K up front before you start. Give up buying coffee, restaurants and things you don't really need. Well Covids doing it for you ! Flying training would have to be some of the best money I've spent.........nothing has given me more of a BUZZ than my first solo (at 55 years old....I wish I had done it at 25 )

Welcome, you live in Gods own country! Stuck in Vic .....11degrees C today and looking at your forecast of around 28c. Would love to retire in Port D one day............Dream on ????☀☀☀

I found a good Flight Simulator for the Aircraft you will learn on was a great help. It helps you become familiar with the cockpit layout, you can practice radio calls, orientate in the flight circuit and it gives you the basic feel for throttle and joystick inputs. I did my first solo at 8 hours training, not because of my talent but the fact that I had practiced so much on the simulator and could focus on flying the aircraft rather than thinking where things were in the cockpit.

Well come and visit when all the Covits sorted ! ?

Come and train in Bendigo! Full instruction $272 per flying hour in a Tecnam P92 ......$255 if you pre pay. 25 hours @ $255 = $6,375. Fantastic Instructors that are passionate about their job and a local flying club that's not out to rip students off. Well worth the drive up from Melbourne , lots of open space, good weather and 4 aircraft to train in or hire.

That's progress ! Big flash new runway,.......the writing was on the wall. City of greater Bendigo just had to Fxck things up like they always do with most things ! So much for the letters of objection to landing fees that we all sent in . Some overpaid wanker probably through them in the bin. Bendigo's a tourist town with lots of attractions and accommodation close to the Airport port. Apparently people who fly aircraft don't count. You can drive up the multi million dollar Calder Freeway to visit for free, but arrive in an aircraft...........money for jam! ( honestly our Council is as dumb as DOG SH!T ) We have a great club and facilities that welcomes all visitors. Now we will end up like Shepparton Airport, it was a regular place to drop in for all of our club members. Since they introduced landing fees none of our members or training pilots visit as they won't pay landing fees.

Come on you guy lighten up! Merry Covid Ho Ho Ho! ? ?

No I didn't! ....you're right. It is basic airmanship to be on the right frequency for the CTAF. Tell that to the Asian students at our major flight school from Moorabbin with yellow aircraft! (that just shut down)

Another good reason to use your radio ! Even if some users of this site tell you different. The more info I hear on CTAF the safer I feel.........I fly in the country so most times it's not congested so why not broadcast to all in the circuit where you are and and what your intentions are ?

I would say yes the cargo on the plane is lighter, the aircraft is still the same weight. Any gas or material that is compressed in a set area will always be heavier for that area than in a neutral state.

We just had the local Catholic school shutdown due to suspected contact by a student to a positive person. Bendigo have had two Catholic schools shut down as well. I have heard a rumor that the local gold and antimony mine will close as well due to suspected contact. We are on the edge of the Mitchell Shire with a road block at the South end of town stopping people trying to get out of Melbourne. Not looking good as we have had no positive cases so far....the wheels might be falling off !

Welcome mate, This is a great site with lots of information , we are all here to share what we know and don't feel you can't ask questions. There's a lot of very experienced Pilots that will share their knowledge (not me LOL )

Still waiting for a few pics from your last flight Old Mate ! Seeing you are always out and about!

Looks great Mate.........thanks. Looked up your forecast, 27-28 .C ?....... bloody beautiful ! Have some Vic friends that are free camping up your way (around Mission Beach) they are on a working holiday up and down the East coast. They just got into QLD on a work permit before the shut down. Their work has finished so they are filling in time till they find casual work somewhere along the coast. They are early 30s and will do anything , if you know where they might find casual work give me a yell, cheer's Butch

I thought you would be sick of doing circuits by now!

Farri, send me down some of your beautiful weather and enthusiasm we need it down in freezing locked up Vic. I'm usually up your part of the world on holiday away from the cold around this time ......what I wouldn't give to be up there now ! Gods own Country.

Inadequate is in the eye of the beholder Red . If you saw me on the end of a camera your photography would put me to shame LOL. We all have our own special talents, I'm still trying to find mine !