Squawk 3000

Finally!! I went up last Sunday with the CFI at Tas Aero for my first LH seat trip since May, 1987. A long time between drinks!! It was great. We just stooged around to the south-east of Evandale, about 6-8nm from the airport (YMLT) and I did some revision on the basics - turns, straight and level, climb/descent, and a power off stall.

Although it was my first time in the pilot’s seat of a Cessna 172P (VH-WIQ), it all came back fairly easily. Main difference between the C172 and the PA-28/PA-32 is that some of the controls and switches are in different places (and, obviously, the wings are in a different place). The panel was perhaps not as ‘modern’ as the aeroplanes I have flown previously, but all is good.



Pre-flight, taxi, take-off, stooge around, join circuit, landing - all good. I will go up again next week and do some more revision (dual) win the training area. Over the next three weeks, I’ll do some circuits and one or two Navex’s, and then I am back in business and good to go solo again.

I’m budgeting to do around 25 to 30 hours in the next year, more if I can justify it, and am looking forward to feeling like a real pilot again.

Stay tuned.

I thought the repairs to my car would probably delay my flying exploits… I was right. Just under $3k worth of repairs, which is equivalent to roughly 15 to 20 hours of flying time. Only a short setback though, as I probably won’t be doing much more than 2 or 3 hours a month to start with. Just need to consolidate a little, and then I’ll be ready to go. Unless, of course, I splurge on a new computer as well.

I have been looking to see if there are any pilot supply shops/businesses in Tassie, and haven’t come across anything closer than Melbourne.


Plenty of good online stores though, and from early investigation Aviation Pilot Supplies seems to have a good range and variety of stuff (but not aeronautical charts?).

Downunder Pilot Shop also has a great range, so between the two I should be able to get all I need.

I have found a DAME (licensed medical examiner) close to home, so need to go and find out how fit I am. It will take a few weeks for medical clearance to get through the system, but I don’t think that will stop me doing some early flying while I wait for it to come through. A lot has changed since 1988 - in particular the security clearances required now - a sign of the times I guess. As I have held my licence since ‘86 I don’t need to jump through all the hoops, though.

I just need to get myself organised, make sure I have the current charts for Tassie (mine are all probably way out of date, although I don’t think any new mountains have appeared), get a little bit of new gear and equipment, get up to speed on the new airspace regulations (new to me, anyway… that all changed too), join up with the Tasmanian Aero Club and make myself know to the CFI and others.

Must stop procrastinating, and just go and do it!!