Nightmare

My very basic understanding of reading the weather maps so far is: -High Pressure systems = ok weather, -Low pressure systems = bad weather(including high probability of low and cloud above SCT.) -Low pressure troughs and the worse Cold weather front= bad weather about 100nm in front and improving poor weather 50nm behind -The wind basically follows the isobars with a tendency to go from high pressure to low. The wind blows anti-clockwise around Highs, and clockwise around lows(at the top of a high, the wind will be blowing roughly 90⁰ and on top of a low at 270⁰). The direction varies up to 10⁰ clockwise (towards the low) over water and up to 40⁰ clockwise over land. At ground level up to the inversion layer (about 2000ft) the wind may vary more tending to be directed by the terrain, and the strength will be about a third of the speed at upper levels (eg. wind at 5000ft is 30kt, at the SFC it should be about 10kt) -You can gauge how strong the wind may be from how close the isobars are to each other, the closer they are, the stronger the wind. This effect is somewhat different as the latitude changes. Also if the ARFOR specifies Fog or cloud in your area 1000ft or lower, BKN or above, or turbulence above MOD, forget flying for that period. Unless you're IFR rated of course. Hope this helps. If I have anything wrong, please correct me. This is from my study of the met section of my XC training manual. You can find these weather maps on the BOM home page Australia's official weather forecasts & weather radar - Bureau of Meteorology

BOM has a aviation section. When or if you start your XC training, there is a huge section about weather, how to read the weather maps and how to interpret the aviation weather forecasts and reports. I have the Dyson/Holland Cross Country Training Manual for RAA.Finding cloud bases a few days in advance? That's crystal ball stuff. You can only make guesses. If the weather forecaster experts can't get it exactly right, who can?

Thanks SSCBD, but have you seen the cockpit of a Lightwing? The only autopilot is if a qualified pilot sits in the right seat. It's all pretty basic stuff, that's why I love the Lightwings so much I guess. No bells or whistles, just pure flying. The fuel taps are always left on except when shutting down. Been doing a couple of practice plans to get more familiar with all the processes. But yeah, no stress here. I'm of the firm opinion that like learning the basics, it was hard at first but got easier with practice, navs will be no different. And yes, I'm enjoying it a lot and I haven't gone on my first nav yet! I'm looking forward to stretching my wings and seeing more of our excellent country from under 5000ft, but one step and flight lesson at a time Cheers, Tony

Is that accounting for magnetic variation???

I'm guessing, the way my CFI would deal with that strange situation is to fail me. I have no intention of doing that.

Yes, I already have a bit of experience with the AMX restricted zones.... I am enjoying it a lot, but it's a bit of information overload at the moment Thanks Cosmic, now my head hurts again, but yes, it's a whole lot of fun.

You will get it tomorrow, David, Mahl wouldn't be sending you up if you were not ready for it, so don't stress and enjoy the flight. The PAX endo is easy, just remember your emergency procedures and BE the PIC. Just follow the PAX briefing. The beer is already in the fridge ready to give a hearty "Cheers!" and "Congratulations" to a brand new certified pilot!

Will do Brent.... I wonder where we are going on Monday? Early start to do all the planning, he wants me there 630am so we can be in the air at about 9 .

I'd love to agree with you SSCBD, and I guess with time, practice and experience I will eventually agree with you..... The whole thing is still awesome though! I'm having a lot of fun learning all these new things!

I'm not sure how you go with study, David, but there's quite a lot to digest in that manual. May I suggest that you get into the manual from cover to cover, before you tackle the XC training. In the meantime, after you pass your RPC tomorrow, I would suggest you enjoy flying within the 25nm zone for a while. It is quite a large area, so there is heaps to explore, not to mention you will be honing those pilot skills that you have just learned close to home, whilst building your experience and confidence. I've been getting a lot out of practicing some of the XC principles within that area. This may also be a good time to get your PAX endorsement, it is fairly low stress training. Then you will be better prepared when you start the XC training. For me, the break from flight training was good. Maybe I'm just a bit thick and find some of the concepts of the XC a little more challenging than I originally thought, there is a lot to get your head around, but I think that my "not rush it approach" is paying dividends for me now my training has commenced. In saying that, I know different people learn at different rates, so if you are up to the challenge of competing your XC at a much faster pace, forget all I've said here, all the best and hope all goes well, plus ol' thickie here may be asking you some NAV related questions. Cheers, Tony

Just sat a 4 hour Nav classroom session, a lot to take in.... anyway, I have my first NAVEX next Monday. Apparently its low stress, but I don't know about that.... all good though Cheers, Tony

Hope it's not blowing like it is today, on your test..... Severe turbulence to 9000ft the ARFOR says. That's the stuff that knocks you out of the sky. Looking at the weather maps, Wednesday morning looks like it might be windy again, but the afternoon looks good, What time is your test? BTW, I started my Navs today, a 4 hour classroom session, my head still hurts! Going on my first navex on next Monday. Good luck David! Cheers, Tony.

With my head still spinning from studying the XC manual (Dyson Holland), I start with 2 hours of class room training tomorrow. I'm excited. I'm really looking forward to flying outside the 25nm restriction! Cheers, Tony

My wife finally agreed to go flying with me yesterday! I originally planned to take someone else up, but when he cancelled, I asked her. It was so good to finally share the passion of flight with her, I had passed my PAX Endorsement in Feb this year. She had a ball, She was so fascinated with the sights. I'm thinking she'll be flying with me more often from now on!

Emergency checklists? I would've thought these would be committed to memory. When the brown stuff hits the fan, I don't think you'd have time to fumble around with checklists. I think you'd be busy flying the plane, and looking for a safe place to put her down, if required. Extra weight in the plane I guess

Can't see how one question ruined your chance to fly, why wouldn't you just re-sit the exam?

Moderate turbulence isn't fun, being bumped around continuously while on a flight test, yep, I agree with you Pearo, a blessing in diguise. This mornings ARFOR was forcasting the turbulence to be over by 0400Z (2pm local)

Cool! Now you've learned something new. Do heaps of study, do heaps of practice exams, and if you fail your BAK, don't worry, you can re-sit the exam even better educated. And do you think when you get your certificate, that's it? As many have said on here, it's your certificate to learn. I'm learning new stuff about aviation all the time.

That was my experience. It hasn't changed, I did mine late last year. One aspect bothered me so much I contacted RAAus about it. There were questions in the exam that were on legislation that were superseded. I got them wrong by the test, but in fact they were correct by the new regs. The exam hadn't caught up with the current rules. RAAus said that the exams were under review.

As far as I'm aware, Councils have no jurisdiction over aviation matters as they are federally legislated. In saying that, there are some directions CASA have laid down as to how an ALA is to be constructed and operated. Like being at a certain height when over your neighbours property, ie: set your airstrip well back into your property. Or get permission from them to fly low over their property on approach or take off. For the councils, a hanger looks awfully like a machinery shed for approval purposes.

Spotted! it's a link marked "The Classifieds". I was looking in the pull-down menus

Things may have changed since you last tried this. There doesn't appear to be any links on the RAAus website to RA aircraft for sale anywhere anymore. I know there was. I'm hoping to join the ranks of aircraft ownership soon. If not Aviation Advertiser, where do people look to buy a RAA plane here in Australia?

Good luck David! The forecast is really good for Friday at this stage, a high pressure system is forecasted to be sitting right over us. Can you tell I've been reading up on my cross country training material? I'll be starting that soon too. It was a grueling hour and a half for me, but it was great. I actually didn't know I was on my test, The first I knew, John my CFI, started completing the paperwork, "Flight test for the issue of Recreational Pilot Certificate", after the flight. I'm glad he did it that way, I would've been nervous as a schoolboy at the headmasters office for the first time. BTW, relax, if Mahl didn't think you're ready, you wouldn't be booked in to do it on Friday. Once again, good luck, hope all goes well! Cheers Tony

signed

I did mine about 6 months ago. As Geoff said study up on the material that your instructor recommends. Also maybe I would suggest doing some practice exams, here is a good site, it helped me.