Squawk 3000

Yay! Went up yesterday for an hour of circuits in VH-WIX. Weather a bit cloudy (SCT at 2000, Overcast at 3500), a bit gusty (330/11 to start with, changing to 340/20, gusts to 35 for the last few). Three left hand circuits from runway 32L, then three right hand circuits, including one left orbit (Jetstar A320 on ILS approach) and change of runway to 32R (grass strip) while a Virgin Blue 737 departed for Melbourne.

How did it go? Well - forget the comments my previous CFI made about minimal flying to sign off my BFR… I probably doubted it myself - I will need to do a fair bit more ‘refreshing’ before I will be confident enough to go it alone. It’s more a matter of internalising all procedures than personal ability, so a few more blocks of circuits, refreshers and practice for emergency procedures, sign-off for solo circuits, and a nav trip (or two) should get my own confidence levels back where they used to be. Also, the C172 handles quite differently to the Piper Warriors (PA-28) I used to fly - I particularly notice the difference in ground effect when flaring for landing. Plus, this was the first time I had any significant wind to deal with since I started again, so a couple of the touchdowns were, shall we say, interesting.

I’ll book some more time next week - in the meantime, I’ll drill all sequences and procedures into my brain. As my instructor said - he wants to be a passenger/observer, and not have to say anything to me from chock to chock before he will let me loose. Fair comment.

Stay tuned.

Meant to mention that this flying thing has been consuming my thoughts for the past couple of months - to the point that I am going to try to do my best to go Commercial as soon as I can. Why? Because I think I have finally realised that the one thing I have always wanted to do is fly for a living. I may be getting on in years, but with the current grab for pilots from smaller regional airlines and charter services, there ‘may’ be an outside chance that I could get in a few years worth. I am not interested in the big stuff, and would happily commit to a small service for the remainder of my useful working life. Ten years plus on offer - any takers??

Some might think this a pipe dream - but I have always firmly believed that anything is possible - just need to spend as much time as possible around the club, make the right contacts, do the necessary training, and look for opportunities.

Wish me luck!!