Thx1137

I guess I get to practice what I think I need to practice. Steep turns, stall recovery, basic navigation and basically try to make flying the plane second nature so I can then think about other things and not just concentrating on "flying the plane". I have always been spot-on in the the glides before, it was definitely the conditions. I would turn final and think "this looks good" but the big headwind component kept me way high. I keep thinking that with such a strong headwind I would need more height to make the field. I said to one of the guys after putting the plane away "i felt I was nearly high enough to glide to YPAD!" on my second last and worst attempt :-) Last week on two approaches I hit sink at about 350 feet on final with one of those only affecting one wing causing an almost 30 degree bank. The darn thing dropped like a brick for a short distance and had me going for a second. I can certainly see why being slow on an approach can be a disaster! I small twist of throttle and the old sportstar leaps away, I like its power. Once we started taxing I said to the instructor, "your not getting out of the plane on me today!" I am sure he had no intention of it but.. :-) That's a bugger about only one sportstar thats for sure!

I just came back from doing my first cross-wind training session. My instructor said he was impressed so that's good given the conditions! I really sucked during a couple of engine failure practice runs though, one was so bad I had to go-around :-( I am usually good with those. Oh well, next time... I was doing sideslips myself. I was _very_ nervous. It seems next week I start preparing for area solos. I have been looking forward to that! I now have exactly 14 hours in the log book so I am pretty happy with how it is going. All that simulator time certainly helps me a bit!

That's awesome Ross, I hope I get to do that with mine :-) Getting the license is one thing, convincing them is quite another!

You are a DASSAULT FALCON 50EX. You are spoiled!! You enjoy comfort and class. You like being able to get what you need without jepordizing safety. As a reward for your hard work in life, take a ride in one of these. Where do I collect my ticket!

simulated?

No medical issues, just if the aircraft is upside down you cant get out! I read that the newer model has an optional hammer for smashing the cockpit bubble so you can make a hole to get out. I used to fly electric aircraft and helis. I still have 3 helis sitting in the cupboard but haven't flown them in years. Too expensive when I bend them :-)

I thought it was late, I started wondering if my membership had lapsed! Mine arrive around 22nd too. I do like the mag though.

G'day airsick (arne't you better yet? :-)) Yeah, looking forward to that. Though first I have to finish getting the Pilot Certificate, then get the Passenger endorsement then the Cross Country endorsement THEN the CTA endorsement! Seems like a long road but I am flying every week now! Sometimes I have to remind myself, enjoy the journey (training), any time in the air is good so I try not to be impatient...

Congratulations! :thumb_up: It is pretty sweet isn't it and it certainly feels different not to have to try and look around your instructors head when looking around :-) I did my first solo about 3 flight hours ago, did you have the same look of shock and a little horror on your face like I did I wonder? :-) Should I say it?... I was actually more nervous the next flight _after_ the solo and didn't fly as well as I did pre-solo. The lesson after that was back to normal though so if you end up feeling the same, don't sweat it and just do what you know how to do!

Groan. I was supposed to go flying today but it got canceled due to high winds. The weather report over YADG says 17 knots gusting to 32 knots so I can see why. Hopefully tomorrow will be better! So, that means I will dial in the current weather into FSX and take the little Eurostar out for a few circuits around my (poorly) hand made Aldinga strip. After that I will finish doing my flight plan from Aldinga to Cooma in Airnav VFR and fly one or two legs, again in the Eurostar with no autopilot!. Is there no hope for me I wonder? :-) Anyone else here use FS or X-Plane? With Orbx scenery and freeware airstrips we have never had it so good with flight simulation. Steven.

$95!! Is that for a kite!? :-) One I get my Pilot Certificate the Jabiru is the next one I want to get checked out on as it looks like the kind of machine I will buy at some point and a high wing would be interesting for a change. The old Sportstar is a little too expensive. :-(

G'day Bas, thats why I though Parafield having the control zones was a plus though really it shouldn't make any difference because as you say, the instructor is there to help! Not wrong about the car fuel costs, that plus traveling time had a big impact on my decision which is the main reason I chose Aldinga!

It isn't a good sign is it. What is the spares support like! It did look interesting thats for sure. My mother is in Canberra so 'when' I get my cross country I would love to fly up there but the idea of parking so far away because I wont be allowed in controlled airspace is annoying! The sportstar is fantastic. The only thing that concerns me is if I managed to flip it. Getting out would be rather difficult, trying to push the plane off the canopy! It is a great plane to fly though and has a great view outside. It look like the weather tomorrow is goint to be like last Saturday. 14knot winds which were rather gusty, oh well, I guess they wont be lazy relaxing circuits! Can you not rent a plane for a little while while you shop? It seems a shame to be earth bound when the skys are calling!

She said to some of our tennis buddies I wasn't allowed to be an aircraft until I purchase a new TV. Well, the TV will be here during xmas :-) Thats certainly different to the original: no way will I ever let you buy.... :-)

No worries about the thread, there is no particular topic anyway :-) I believe different clubs charge different prices and from what I have seen most charge for briefing time too whereas they don't at Aldinga. You need to be a bit careful about fees because things such as landing fees may not be included in the hire price. I know Aldingas prices are all inclusive. Hmm. Touch and goes, is there a landing fee for each touch!?!?

I was impressed with the CASA email too. I read some bad things about them but I am a great believer in taking on-board others experience but still deciding for myself so, so far, CASA is in my good-books :-) I am more used to govt departments saying something like "sorry, we had some issue making all your votes invalid but we tried, better luck next time..." While this rule doesn't affect all of us I agree that it is good to support the people who are supporting us and those related to us in our hobby. It works both ways, the next rule change may be for weight-shifters and not 3 axis...

Yeah, flying around Aldinga is pretty and the guys up there are a good bunch :-) The instructor had my going slow at 500 feet along the coast a couple of weeks ago, damn it was nice! I guess he was wanting to see if I was still going to fly the plane when there was such nice scenery around. I was a good boy. :-) I have been to the north of Adelaide about 3 times so am not terribly familiar those issues. A friend of mine preferred Parafield because it has the control zones but I must admit, I think it is nice to not have to worry too much about that right now!

G'day, I waited until I was 44 before finally 'doing something about it'. Better late than never I guess! I only have 13 hours so far so not exactly a pro but I am enjoying the learning experience :-) The vampire doesn't have a lot of room to move with it's weight limits does it. Basically a 90kg person and a full tank gets pretty close to the max limit. Canberra is high too so the performance, especially in summer might not be too good. It would be really good to hear from someone that has flown it! I wonder if the CG loading would be ok for a 100kg person? There isn't a lot you can do to move the CG in that aircraft I think!?

I think Parafield is good in that you quickly get a variety of control zone experience, Aldinga is a nice strip but it is CTAF then class G all around up to 4500. Aldinga is only 25 min away from me at Happy Valley and their prices were really good. $180 ph for 1 hour engine-on time in the Sportstar. Early on the breifings were 40 mins to 1 hour and were included in the $180, basically free. Every second day?! It sounds like you are really goig to get into it!

That's understandable, sort of. I pointed out to my wife that we are at greater risk in the car so while I understand from an emotional perspective I am more ruled by the head than the heart :-) The problem with RA is I can only take one other family member (when I get endorsed) so no family trips :-( I think I may go for the PPL at some point but not sure. Especially as the CTA endorsements will soon be possible!

I am currently flying at around 2pm every Saturday at the moment, short, tubby, balding and usually wears black,Thats me :-). It is good to have the daughters teeth paid off, now I have a bit more spare $$$ :-)

Thanks. :-) It seems a lot of people are uncomfortable with flying in small planes. I can understand some element of fear but some times it seems to be a little something else too. Ah well. As you say work on it over time :-) Steven.

I am only new with only 13 hours of flying but decent behavior and rule following seems the norm at my field. We don't have any gliders around so I have zero experience with those but my pulse went up a bit last Saturday. I had dropped the instructor off, made my taxi call then a little later made my entering and backtracking call, besides me no one was talking. I was just about to backtrack 32 (wind was from 310 at ~14 knots) when a GA aircraft took off from 03, I was seconds away from crossing 03. I had stopped because fortunately I used my eyes and not just my ears but it sure gave me a surprise to see him hurtling down the runway! I guess most of us get a bit too relaxed when driving because we do it all the time so flying could become similar. Steven.

G'day Peoples, My name is Steven and I am a student pilot at Aldinga flying a Sportstar. I started in March 2008 and I have 1.4 hours PIC flying now. At 44 it has taken awhile but better late than never :-) I hope to buy/share an aircraft sometime next year and somehow convince the missus to fly with me though it seems that is now going to happen. Ah well, maybe one of the daughters will learn to love flying so I don't just talk to myself! Steven.