WEEK 46: START OF IFR #35

Airline Prep

CP116 started the second phase of flying this week; IFR (Instrument Flight Rules). The first two days were spent in the class room, being taught about some of the new techniques we will be learning, such as VOR and DME tracking, holding, instrument departures and arrivals using plates etc. We were also given a brief overview on the Garmin 1000 equipment that we will now be using. It's fair to say that it's a big step up from VFR flying with old school instruments. Some of the principles seem quite daunting and a lot of us, me included, have no idea how we are going to be able to do these things at 140 kts whilst trying to fly the aircraft and talk on the radio at the same time!

On the second day of briefings I had to go to Aukland to get my medical renewed which meant I missed the days briefings and had to do a day 1 on 1 with an instructor the next day. To be fair I think it was actually more beneficial for both of us. I honestly engaged a lot more than I would have done in a full class which meant I understood things much better than I would have done otherwise. I still think some of it seems pretty complicated and it will definitely take some time to get the hang of. Someone a few courses ahead of me who is just coming up to their CPL test said that this is normal and he didn't start getting the hang of it all properly until about ten flights in, which made me feel better.

A page on holding from the training manual

A Hamilton plate which we now need to get used to using

It's just a totally different style of flying. You have to be so accurate with everything you do. I've spent a lot of my spare time reading through the training manual trying to visualise the scenarios using these techniques but before you actually see it for real this proves quite difficult.

I had my first sim flight at the weekend which was so cool! The sim is a Twin star (DA42) and it's pretty realistic. So much nicer than the Katana! The lesson was pretty basic to be honest. The instructor went through all the pre-flight checks with me (and there's a lot of them) which gave me a good idea of how to operate the Garmin screens and get used to the layout of the cockpit. I then did the take off and flew an instrument departure out of Hamilton and then intercepted an airway towards the east using the VOR tracking technique we'd talked about. It was good actually seeing this stuff in practice and it did start making a bit more sense. I then did some general handling such as a few turns, climbs, descents to get used to the aircraft and the screens. We are taught about the scan, which I found was extremely important. The scan is keeping a good watch on the instruments presented on the screen in front of you. I found that if you fixate on one particular part for too long, such as the altitude strip, then one of the other things (the angle of bank and therefore direction) go! So keeping the scan going really helps monitor and maintain the steady and accurate flight that you desire.

The Twin star sim

I was then placed in a few different positions around Hamilton and asked to find where we were on the map by using the VOR DME. VOR gives you the radial you're on (bearing from the beacon) and DME is the distance you are from it. So by combining the two, you get a pretty good idea of where you are. This went well and then I flew an instrument arrival and approach, using the Hamilton plate which was pretty cool. I got visual with the runway at about 550 ft but then had to go go around because I was told an aircraft just pulled out on the runway in front of me so I didn't get to do a landing.

DJ on the approach for 18L @ Hamilton - whattheflight_ on instagram

It was great getting in the sim and 'flying' again. I did find it quite intense and draining though and I will definitely have to put more work in at home to give myself the best chance of getting to grips with it all. I thought the sim was very sensitive as well. The smallest inputs made quite large and abrupt changes which apparently isn't realistic to the real plane, so hopefully my handling will be a bit smoother once I get back in the air. 

WEEK 44, 45: TIME OFF - AUSTRALIA #34

Airline Prep

I did not waste much time before disappearing off to Australia. I caught a bus from Hamilton to Aukland and stayed the night in a cheap hotel near the airport. The next morning I set off to Melbourne on a Jetstar A320. An old friend of mine who I worked with for a few months met me from the airport and kindly allowed me to stay at his house for a couple of nights. He gave me a scenic tour of the general area then after experiencing a traditional, world famous Melbourne brunch and coffee I joined him at his cricket clubs training session.

Couldn't have a blog without a plane

A taste of Melbourne

Typical trams

Beautiful sunset over Melbourne

Melbourne city centre

Tragically, earlier that day Australian cricketer Phil Hughes had just died after being struck on the back of the head by a bouncer during a game for his domestic side. It's needless to say that everyone was very emotional and totally shocked. It was a very sad day for cricket. Training was called off yet people still showed up and trained hard. A group then went down to the pub and just chatted sport all evening. I absolutely love the Australians mentality towards sport. Everyone at the table was passionate about it and knew exactly what they were talking about. It's great exchanging views with fellow cricketers as passionate as myself!

Lovely place to have a drink

The next day I took a tour of the MCG which was so much fun. The place is vast! There's so much history there and it's so cool setting foot on ground where so many greats of the game have previously stepped. I then went to the sea life centre where I saw plenty of sharks, penguins, a gigantic crocodile and more of course. I also went to this massive Asian food market that evening which is so cool. It's every night during November and the place is just buzzing. There's some good food, a few cold beers and just a very relaxed atmosphere with a lovely view.

MCG

Me with the massive MCG in the background (over 100,000 seats!)

Big shark

Melbourne Sea Life Centre

Night noodle market

I ended up being picked for my friends cricket club at the weekend which means I've now played in 6 countries. It was only 5th eleven but I was amazed at how high the standard was. The pitch was astonishingly good too! I didn't get a bowl but I fielded well, getting 1 run and 1 catch with lots of good stops. I also got 45 runs and I will admit that the heat got the better of me and my concentration. It was really fun though. It made me laugh when I was fielding on the boundary, there was a sign that said, "beware of snakes!" I thought to myself how typical.

not bad for 5th XI!

I checked myself into a hostel on a pretty lively street for a couple of nights which was fun. Everyone there was very nice and we had a good night together. The next day was spent on the beach which was so nice! Who would've thought I'd be baking on the beach in December!

St Kilda beach - Melbourne

My final day in Melbourne was a busy one. I went to the zoo and finally saw a kangaroo and koala. I didn't get to ride a kangaroo like I had planned sadly but it was still cool. There was a large selection of cool animals and even though I was on my own it was still fun! I then took a tour of the tennis arena where the Australian open is hosted. Again the place is pretty big and there's so many courts in the area. The place was being set up for a Katy Perry concert so I didn't actually see the main court, just the stands but it was still good. Lastly, I went up the tallest tower in Melbourne to see the sunset. It was a cloudy evening which was a shame because I didn't get the beautiful red sky like the previous nights but I still got a good view of the city.

First time seeing Kangaroo's

Melbourne zoo

One of the Australian open courts

Home of the Australian open

Melbourne

Melbourne sports park

My friend dropped me off at the airport the next morning and it was off to Perth with me where I was reunited with part of the family I hadn't seen in 12 years! It was so nice spending time with them. Perth itself is very different to Melbourne, everything's much more spread out so it's difficult to get around and do all the touristy things unless you have a car. Because of this I didn't get much sightseeing done but still managed to see the WACA, even though the scheduled match was delayed due to the funeral of Phil Hughes. I did get into go to the beach which was seriously nice but it's Sod's law that it was the one cloudy and coldish day so I didn't get a full Perth beach experience. It was so great spending time with family.

The WACA

The famous WACA scoreboard 

Dinner with Fremantle port in the backdrop 

Sunset in Fremantle

Family re-united

I am now starting the next phase of training - IFR (instrument flight rules) which I'm excited about. I'm looking forward to a new aircraft, new techniques and new challenges!