I got to wear a flying suit and a helmet (apparently Insurance requires it anyway) and we flew out over the coast - I got to climb out and do an attempt at a steep turn. The climb out was fine once I remembered what the rudder was for, but my steep turn was terrible! I definitely need some practise in flying aeroplanes without instruments... Then Brett (the pilot) did a much better steep turn, plus a loop and a couple of barrel rolls and did a low pass (500’) over Bribie beach all of which was absolutely incredible, and then we flew back to Caboolture. He seemed to expect me to need sick bags but I was having a great time!
D got some great photos of the experience
To say I want to do it again is an understatement. I absolutely loved it, and I can’t wait for my next aviating adventure (D has promised to take me up in the Chipmunk as soon as it is fixed) and maybe I will start doing some light aircraft flying... who knows. It depends how I want to use my savings!
Me, with Brett, the pilot.
Ah it was fantastic. None of this automation nonsense and glass screens and auto throttle etc etc that we have in the 717, but REAL flying, and ah the bug has hit me again...
Proof that we were upside down
And now I must ferry a 717 from Canberra to Sydney, so at least I do have SOME fun at work😬
Oh, and yesterday we got caught in storms going in to Canberra, and here is the map of what we flew:
Which I cannot identify, for obvious reasons, but first they made us hold at Razzi, and then they decided to change from 35 to 17 due to the wind swinging around with the squall line passing, so they got us to orbit twice at Razzi and then proceed along the star for the Vor 17 approach (re brief #1). None of which was even remotely likely to work out as the prevailing wind was 330/20 and just because it had momentarily swung around to favour 17, did not mean it was going to stay that way!
Surprise, surprise, half way to the approach we were told the wind had swung back to 330, and we had to then break off to go south for the 35 approach (re brief #2) and then Approach forgot about us and by the time they gave us further descent the glide slope was full deflection below us and we had to discontinue and go all the way around again (re brief #3) ... so that all got very busy! Especially as with the 717 you can’t just quickly brief the approach you have to program it all into the FMS which takes awhile.
Anyway, like I said, I now have to ferry an aeroplane to Sydney so I should probably go get dressed... the fun continues 😝
Back in Peter Symonds School and its Combined Cadet Force days I chose to be a RAF cadet. Friday afternoons was cadet time which was a mix of uniform inspection, square bashing and lunatic lessons on flying (like: an aeroplane has two wings). Every term we had a day excursion e.g. to an RAF base, and on one occasion I got to fly (backseat) in Chipmunk. I was invited to take the controls once we were up but sadly I chickened out and have regretted it ever since. But I loved the experience and am so glad you are loving it too. But what does it mean to "climb out"?
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