9 Feb
This morning I got good news. Our application to use the hangar has been approved by the military. This means we can now use the MCSS’s trike to help with getting some of the crew valuable airtime. If we did not get it it would have meant rigging and derigging everyday or at every bit of rain that came our way – a huge pain. So we are very relieved.
Yesterday Mike and I did some more flying. I was pilot in command and did a couple of water landings. It was quite a treat. Imagine flying around tropical paradise islands, water that is crystal clear and then landing just about anywhere you want. Of course we do look out for the flattest and calmest parts of the water.
The day before yesterday we managed to fly to the west side, to where the SOS ship is anchored. We have been trying to get in there for the last 5 days but the weather has not been great. Rain and then of course the wind has been off shore on that side producing bad turbulence. Even then it was not ideal with the wind easterly coming over the mountains at a 45 degree angle making the rotor turbulence not too bad. The wind was also just 5 knots. Even so it was bumpy but I let Mike take over controls – his experience with water landings being just right for the conditions. We rolled onto the beach and lo and behold two beautiful ladies arrived to have a look at the new plane. Later Mike took the ladies for a flight and I got to chatting a bit with one of them - turns out to be Vanessa Haywood from District 9 fame. She too was nice and really down to earth. Both Vanessa and Cindy were these balls of joy – happy and energetic.
As for today, the weather once again is threatening - rain falling near the airport and it looks as though the wind has swung a bit to the west. That means some turbulence on the runway side. Lets hope it stays light.
Till later!
:-)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Its more than on.
Its Feb 5th. How time has flown. Not that we have done a lot of flying. The prep work has been a tad more than we imagined. Yesterday we worked until 9 in the evening. Michale and I had a tough time trying to syncronise the carbs on the new 912 of the float plane. We were foiled by the cable sleeves that made the settings work opposite to what they are supposed to do. Took a long time to find that!
Today we flew the plane proper. The weather was threatening – CB cells. Mike was piloting and just after TO when we initiated the right turn things turned funny. The trike wanted to spiral in. We were fully locked out to the left while the trike was still slowly banking right. As we were about to hit 90 degrees, Mike came off the power and she leveled off. Phew! Later we checked and the right turn needs more high siding, especially when banked at 45 degrees or more. It gets a bit scary after 60 degrees of bank. I don’t like it that much. Personally I think it has just a tad too much anhidral. We raced for landing because of rain and had a hairy finals. At the last moment Mike decided to fly low level along the runway while the wind was from the left (over the mountain!) while two jet planes had just taken off and there was a small squall from a rainstorm coming in from head on (The rain was at the end of the runway). I have the whole thing on film. I did not like that much…
Much later Mike and I had a heart to heart chat about our respective roles. My instructor nature got to him a bit ;) I knew that but things were getting a bit hectic there for a moment. Now I am tired and want to just lie on the couch.
Today we flew the plane proper. The weather was threatening – CB cells. Mike was piloting and just after TO when we initiated the right turn things turned funny. The trike wanted to spiral in. We were fully locked out to the left while the trike was still slowly banking right. As we were about to hit 90 degrees, Mike came off the power and she leveled off. Phew! Later we checked and the right turn needs more high siding, especially when banked at 45 degrees or more. It gets a bit scary after 60 degrees of bank. I don’t like it that much. Personally I think it has just a tad too much anhidral. We raced for landing because of rain and had a hairy finals. At the last moment Mike decided to fly low level along the runway while the wind was from the left (over the mountain!) while two jet planes had just taken off and there was a small squall from a rainstorm coming in from head on (The rain was at the end of the runway). I have the whole thing on film. I did not like that much…
Much later Mike and I had a heart to heart chat about our respective roles. My instructor nature got to him a bit ;) I knew that but things were getting a bit hectic there for a moment. Now I am tired and want to just lie on the couch.
Its on.
There is a lot of work waiting. Not just in preparing the trikes – of which there is two that needs to be collected and assembled but also in the amount of flying that needs to be done. Depending on the weather we are going to put on some serious airtime.
The SOSF have finally confirmed their need to use me as a pilot for their Indian Ocean adventures. The road to this point has been paved with some uncertainty but I am happy (and relieved!) that we are booked to go to Seychelles for the first two weeks of Feb. In all the years of visiting these islands, this time it will be for slightly different reasons. Still flying, but not for purely research or whale shark reasons. It will be for training and familiarization mostly. I need to get type rated on the SOSF new amphibian plane and then we need to familiarize some of the crew with the aircraft – how to get it on and off the ship amongst other things!
There are two of us – Mike, a very experienced pilot and instructor from Florida and the US. He is an expert at flying the amphibian trike and will be giving me a conversion onto it. For the two weeks we are to help the crew get the ropes of the new plane. It will be a learning curve for all of us – not just the pilots but also for the boat crew to see what is actually possible and what is not. Hopefully by the end of the two weeks everybody will be happy.
I will keep you all posted with developments!
The SOSF have finally confirmed their need to use me as a pilot for their Indian Ocean adventures. The road to this point has been paved with some uncertainty but I am happy (and relieved!) that we are booked to go to Seychelles for the first two weeks of Feb. In all the years of visiting these islands, this time it will be for slightly different reasons. Still flying, but not for purely research or whale shark reasons. It will be for training and familiarization mostly. I need to get type rated on the SOSF new amphibian plane and then we need to familiarize some of the crew with the aircraft – how to get it on and off the ship amongst other things!
There are two of us – Mike, a very experienced pilot and instructor from Florida and the US. He is an expert at flying the amphibian trike and will be giving me a conversion onto it. For the two weeks we are to help the crew get the ropes of the new plane. It will be a learning curve for all of us – not just the pilots but also for the boat crew to see what is actually possible and what is not. Hopefully by the end of the two weeks everybody will be happy.
I will keep you all posted with developments!
Its on.
There is a lot of work waiting. Not just in preparing the trikes – of which there is two that needs to be collected and assembled but also in the amount of flying that needs to be done. Depending on the weather we are going to put on some serious airtime.
The SOSF have finally confirmed their need to use me as a pilot for their Indian Ocean adventures. The road to this point has been paved with some uncertainty but I am happy (and relieved!) that we are booked to go to Seychelles for the first two weeks of Feb. In all the years of visiting these islands, this time it will be for slightly different reasons. Still flying, but not for purely research or whale shark reasons. It will be for training and familiarization mostly. I need to get type rated on the SOSF new amphibian plane and then we need to familiarize some of the crew with the aircraft – how to get it on and off the ship amongst other things!
There are two of us – Mike, a very experienced pilot and instructor from Florida and the US. He is an expert at flying the amphibian trike and will be giving me a conversion onto it. For the two weeks we are to help the crew get the ropes of the new plane. It will be a learning curve for all of us – not just the pilots but also for the boat crew to see what is actually possible and what is not. Hopefully by the end of the two weeks everybody will be happy.
I will keep you all posted with developments!
The SOSF have finally confirmed their need to use me as a pilot for their Indian Ocean adventures. The road to this point has been paved with some uncertainty but I am happy (and relieved!) that we are booked to go to Seychelles for the first two weeks of Feb. In all the years of visiting these islands, this time it will be for slightly different reasons. Still flying, but not for purely research or whale shark reasons. It will be for training and familiarization mostly. I need to get type rated on the SOSF new amphibian plane and then we need to familiarize some of the crew with the aircraft – how to get it on and off the ship amongst other things!
There are two of us – Mike, a very experienced pilot and instructor from Florida and the US. He is an expert at flying the amphibian trike and will be giving me a conversion onto it. For the two weeks we are to help the crew get the ropes of the new plane. It will be a learning curve for all of us – not just the pilots but also for the boat crew to see what is actually possible and what is not. Hopefully by the end of the two weeks everybody will be happy.
I will keep you all posted with developments!
Flying in 5 hours...
There re the usual butterflies filling the stomach; both trepidation and excitement. It has been a while since I have embarked on adventure like this. (Last year! ;) This morning people asked to pray for me going away to Sez while I thought, pray for someone going to Seychelles? Why? If you can go to Seychelles surely things are going well!? Of course, it is the idea that counts. A prayer to stay safe while flying a ultra light aircraft is never a bad idea! ;)
The bags are packed with just a few small things left t tuck away, the tooth brush for one. There is time for those last minute things.
Leaving home is never pleasant. But that is just the way these things go - us humans never like to move out of a comfort zone. Not that it is new to me and I know the story. Soon I will be on the plane and thoughts focusing on the new.
So both excited and filled with some trepidation (After all, we are talking about flying here right. ;) I look forward to this new adventure. I hope you will follow this space!
:-)
The bags are packed with just a few small things left t tuck away, the tooth brush for one. There is time for those last minute things.
Leaving home is never pleasant. But that is just the way these things go - us humans never like to move out of a comfort zone. Not that it is new to me and I know the story. Soon I will be on the plane and thoughts focusing on the new.
So both excited and filled with some trepidation (After all, we are talking about flying here right. ;) I look forward to this new adventure. I hope you will follow this space!
:-)
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
We are off to Seychelles again!
Well, somehow the ether out there has gobbled up my posts! Twice now the connectioon failed while saving and well.., its all gone it seems. To be honest I have always been under the impression that the posts were there! O well.
News is that I am leaving this Sunday (31st) for Seychelles. This trip is a short one but it seems like it will make up for that by being exciting. The SOSF ship has docked and the amphib is there. My guess is we will do the conversion first and then start to orientate the crew (A few want to learn to fly) So it will be two weeks of hard work no doubt.
As of just a week ago I was still unsure of whether I was on my way or not. However, things all fell into place at the last moment - something that seems to be normal with large organisations - last minute rushing! (not my kind of thing though! ;)
So its off on a new adventure. Off for some more blog entries so watch this space!
O, and yes, the short story book is on sale - let me know and I will get you one. (Every pilot should have one!)
News is that I am leaving this Sunday (31st) for Seychelles. This trip is a short one but it seems like it will make up for that by being exciting. The SOSF ship has docked and the amphib is there. My guess is we will do the conversion first and then start to orientate the crew (A few want to learn to fly) So it will be two weeks of hard work no doubt.
As of just a week ago I was still unsure of whether I was on my way or not. However, things all fell into place at the last moment - something that seems to be normal with large organisations - last minute rushing! (not my kind of thing though! ;)
So its off on a new adventure. Off for some more blog entries so watch this space!
O, and yes, the short story book is on sale - let me know and I will get you one. (Every pilot should have one!)
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