Last Tuesday I completed the flying portion of my Biennial Flight Review [BFR]. This is a check that is needed every two years to confirm continued competence and to ensure I am updated on anything significant that has changed in the aviation world over the past couple of years. The aircraft was Wellington Aero Club's Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE.
My goodness, it was a fun flight! The instructor and I managed to get the few hours of perfect weather in what has otherwise been a period of rather poor weather. We could not have had it better. A gentle crosswind at Paraparaumu, smooth flying conditions everywhere and one of the best evenings to fly on that I have ever encountered.
EKE has a 180hp engine and a STOL kit. This means you can actually fly it at 50 knots indicated [with no flap] and do a rate one turn. It gets airborne super quick also. It can be a bit tricky slowing it down if you're not sufficiently ahead of the aircraft.
In 1.9 hours, we covered everything, including a trip up to Paraparaumu, across to Upper Hutt and then to the southern Wairarapa area for a forced landing and some low flying. Given it was evening, we came back as it was getting darker and landed a few minutes before ECT [if we had been delayed, the instructor was night current and I'm night rated, so it hardly would have mattered].
I don't have any photos from the flight, but then, I doubt they would have done justice to what we could see. Smooth flying conditions, amazing visibility and a fun fun fun time... I learned something and got reminded of a couple of things also... just how a BFR should be!
Anyway, flights are also booked in the Nanchang between now and Christmas, so I should be able to get some tripping around done. Watch out Whanganui, I'm heading your way in 2.5 weeks if the weather gets better 😎
Showing posts with label BFR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BFR. Show all posts
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
I HAVE CLOTHES! The weather is better! Lots of flying! Time for a BFR!
I HAVE CLOTHES! The weather is better!
I suppose that's the most unusual post title I have ever used. Also, not something I typically celebrate since I usually have plenty of clothes around [no Cheryl, this is not Ottawa!] 😁
The reason for a minor celebration is that my suitcase, which was full of clothes and related stuff, my camera gear and most of my flight gear, was stuck in Masterton for the past few days. I had to wait the weather improved enough for them to fly back in a C172 after the Flying NZ Cook Strait regional comps last weekend.
Unfortunately, the Nanchang doesn't have space for a suitcase and I wasn't that smart about picking and choosing what would fly back with me on Monday.
I least I never had to stoop to borrowing a certain somebody's China Southern First Class pyjamas. That's a whole different story.
Lots of flying!
In other news, I thought it had been a big month of flying for me. Turns out it was. I did a total of 9.3 hours - probably the largest single month in a few years - and it felt really good!
October started with 3.7 hours solo, over 2 flights in Cessna 172s [ZK-EKE and ZK-CEO], including a nice trip to NZHS (Hastings aerodrome). It continued and finished with 2.2 hours dual and 3.4 hours solo in my Nanchang CJ6A, ZK-MAO.
Combined with the previous type rating flights for the Nanchang, I now have a total of 16.5 hours on type, including 6 hours solo. I think I'm getting the hang of it now! I should stop promising people rides for a short time, as I'm up to three aerodromes I have to go visit already [plus Wellington] and probably 7 or 8 people...
Time for a BFR!
The next thing I have to do is undertake my BFR [Bienniel Flight Review]. Until that is done, no more Nanchang flying [it's an insurance requirement]... so hopefully it will be finished in the next couple of weeks. Until then, all those I have promised flights to will have to wait...!
I suppose that's the most unusual post title I have ever used. Also, not something I typically celebrate since I usually have plenty of clothes around [no Cheryl, this is not Ottawa!] 😁
The reason for a minor celebration is that my suitcase, which was full of clothes and related stuff, my camera gear and most of my flight gear, was stuck in Masterton for the past few days. I had to wait the weather improved enough for them to fly back in a C172 after the Flying NZ Cook Strait regional comps last weekend.
Unfortunately, the Nanchang doesn't have space for a suitcase and I wasn't that smart about picking and choosing what would fly back with me on Monday.
I least I never had to stoop to borrowing a certain somebody's China Southern First Class pyjamas. That's a whole different story.
Lots of flying!
In other news, I thought it had been a big month of flying for me. Turns out it was. I did a total of 9.3 hours - probably the largest single month in a few years - and it felt really good!
October started with 3.7 hours solo, over 2 flights in Cessna 172s [ZK-EKE and ZK-CEO], including a nice trip to NZHS (Hastings aerodrome). It continued and finished with 2.2 hours dual and 3.4 hours solo in my Nanchang CJ6A, ZK-MAO.
Combined with the previous type rating flights for the Nanchang, I now have a total of 16.5 hours on type, including 6 hours solo. I think I'm getting the hang of it now! I should stop promising people rides for a short time, as I'm up to three aerodromes I have to go visit already [plus Wellington] and probably 7 or 8 people...
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| Nanchang CJ6A, ZK-MAO, operated by Wellington Aero Club/ Wellington Warbirds |
The next thing I have to do is undertake my BFR [Bienniel Flight Review]. Until that is done, no more Nanchang flying [it's an insurance requirement]... so hopefully it will be finished in the next couple of weeks. Until then, all those I have promised flights to will have to wait...!
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Interesting and fun times!
It has been an interesting and fun time recently. Not much in the way of pictures yet, but there are likely to be some coming up in the next week or so.
Anyway, in the last 3 months, I have started and been signed off for, my Nanchang CJ6A type rating (thanks Simsy!). A bit of work but a lot of fun! I've also completed some currency work since the aircraft was in maintenance for a few weeks - also good fun!
I'm now just about due for my BFR which I hope to complete in the next week or two.
More important though is that this weekend is the Flying NZ Cook Strait regional flying competitions. This year they are being held at Masterton [Hood Aerodrome]. Like the last couple of years, I am directing the competitions, which a lot of help from some really smart and generous people. Thanks!
This year we have competitors from Wanganui, Hawkes Bay & East Coast, Kapiti and Wellington Aero Clubs. It's bound to be a fun time for all with flying and social events planned. I'm also competing in the Streamer Cutting - I think there are only two of us doing this, but this is an open entry comp, so if any others from member clubs want a go, we'll try and fit you in.
Hopefully, I'll have a few minutes to capture some pictures from the Friday and Saturday and maybe a rather more relaxing flight or two in the Nanchang 😁
Nanchang Syndicate Shares
One last thing. Are you interested in flying something a little different? Based near Wellington? Have a minimum of a PPL and 100 hours total time?
There might be some Nanchang syndicate shares coming up soon!
It's a great opportunity to get into warbird flying. If you've been flying the regular sorts of GA aircraft, this is quite achievable but it'll also provide a bit of a challenge! Let me know if you're interested and I'll give you the lowdown.
Anyway, in the last 3 months, I have started and been signed off for, my Nanchang CJ6A type rating (thanks Simsy!). A bit of work but a lot of fun! I've also completed some currency work since the aircraft was in maintenance for a few weeks - also good fun!
I'm now just about due for my BFR which I hope to complete in the next week or two.
More important though is that this weekend is the Flying NZ Cook Strait regional flying competitions. This year they are being held at Masterton [Hood Aerodrome]. Like the last couple of years, I am directing the competitions, which a lot of help from some really smart and generous people. Thanks!
This year we have competitors from Wanganui, Hawkes Bay & East Coast, Kapiti and Wellington Aero Clubs. It's bound to be a fun time for all with flying and social events planned. I'm also competing in the Streamer Cutting - I think there are only two of us doing this, but this is an open entry comp, so if any others from member clubs want a go, we'll try and fit you in.
Hopefully, I'll have a few minutes to capture some pictures from the Friday and Saturday and maybe a rather more relaxing flight or two in the Nanchang 😁
Nanchang Syndicate Shares
One last thing. Are you interested in flying something a little different? Based near Wellington? Have a minimum of a PPL and 100 hours total time?
There might be some Nanchang syndicate shares coming up soon!
It's a great opportunity to get into warbird flying. If you've been flying the regular sorts of GA aircraft, this is quite achievable but it'll also provide a bit of a challenge! Let me know if you're interested and I'll give you the lowdown.
Saturday, October 03, 2015
Biennial Flight Review. Tick!
At least every two years, pilots are required to undergo a check of their skills... the Biennial Flight Review, or BFR, Basically, a BFR is a review of a pilots flying skills to determine whether they still meet the flight test standards for their licence, along with a review of theoretical knowledge. Unlike the original flight test, if a pilot fails one activity, they can do another flight, perhaps after some additional training.
Anyway, today was BFR day for me. Rather than the usual jump is a plane, go do the manoeuvres and go home, we [the Chief Flying Instructor and I], took a little longer and covered all of the required manoeuvers along with a flight somewhere interesting. In this case, we ended up flying out of Wellington, west to D'Urville Island and back again.
On the way over, we undertook most of the manoeuvres, including turns, stalls, a FLWOP and more. At D'Urville Island, we combined max performance takeoffs, precision approaches and crosswind circuits. We threw in some additional activities on the way back. The final landing at Wellington was flapless, so we covered everything in one flight. Fun times!
Anyway, here are a few pictures from around D'Urville Island, starting with the parking area and approaches at each end. Fun times indeed!
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| Cessna 172N, ZK-FLT, parked up on D'Urville Island |
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| Approach towards the north |
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| Approach towards the south |
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| Ready for takeoff |
Monday, October 28, 2013
BFR. Done.
I managed to do my BFR [Biennial Flight Review] today! I took up the Wellington Aero Club's Piper PA28-161, ZK-MBG since that is what I have been flying most recently.
Somewhat surprisingly, the weather was good enough [and that's surprising given the howling gales of the past few days!], although far from perfect. In some ways though a bit of turbulence, wind and rain just made for a better check ride.
As for the manoeuvres, it's fair to say I was put through just about everything the instructor could think of: Short field takeoff, slow flight, medium turns left and right, steep turns left and right, compass turn, basic and advanced stalls, FLWOP, low flying [including steep turns left and right, precautionary landings and coastal reversal turns left and right], return to Wellington for circuits including short approach, flapless landing, precision approach and an EFATO. The air was lumpy enough to keep me on my toes, and a wee bit of crosswind to keep me awake on short final.
Lastly, was a few pages of paperwork, including general and aircraft specific knowledge and decoding TAFs for Wellington and Nelson [why did I get the day with loads of "BECOMINGS" in it?? Arrgghh!!]. Lastly a few oral questions [yes, I know that Va increases with an increase in weight] and I'm done.
Now, if you don't understand all the aviation-geek terminology... never mind. Let's just say it was 1.5 hours of work, occasionally funny for the instructor and mostly fun for me! Now to find some fun places to fly to over the next two years. Ideas anyone? :-)
Somewhat surprisingly, the weather was good enough [and that's surprising given the howling gales of the past few days!], although far from perfect. In some ways though a bit of turbulence, wind and rain just made for a better check ride.
As for the manoeuvres, it's fair to say I was put through just about everything the instructor could think of: Short field takeoff, slow flight, medium turns left and right, steep turns left and right, compass turn, basic and advanced stalls, FLWOP, low flying [including steep turns left and right, precautionary landings and coastal reversal turns left and right], return to Wellington for circuits including short approach, flapless landing, precision approach and an EFATO. The air was lumpy enough to keep me on my toes, and a wee bit of crosswind to keep me awake on short final.
Lastly, was a few pages of paperwork, including general and aircraft specific knowledge and decoding TAFs for Wellington and Nelson [why did I get the day with loads of "BECOMINGS" in it?? Arrgghh!!]. Lastly a few oral questions [yes, I know that Va increases with an increase in weight] and I'm done.
Now, if you don't understand all the aviation-geek terminology... never mind. Let's just say it was 1.5 hours of work, occasionally funny for the instructor and mostly fun for me! Now to find some fun places to fly to over the next two years. Ideas anyone? :-)
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Peter Jackson's Gulfstream G650 and my flying...
... no, not me flying in the G650 :-)
Today's picture is my first of Peter Jackson's new Gulfstream G650, and the latest aircraft to carry the ZK-KFB registration marks. The aircraft is registered to Execujet and is based at Execujet's Wellington facility. The photo's not the greatest, but I'm sure I'll get better in the near future.
In other news, I went flying today in the aero club's Piper PA28-161, ZK-MBG. Today was just a chance for some dual [ie: with an instructor] practice at the manoeuvres I'll need to demonstrate for my BFR [Biennial Flight Review] which is due next month. Manoeuvres included turns, stalls, a forced landing, low flying and some circuits. Awesome fun!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
BFR. Done.
Yippee! Completed by BFR this evening. The upper air work was done the other week, but we ran out of time for circuits, so I was able to do a a variety of circuits this evening.
As I was concentrating on the flight, I didn't take out my camera... a pity really since a really nice Cessna 680 Sovereign, ZK-JTH, was parked up outside the club. The only photo I got was on my [awful] phone camera. Apologies for the image quality! This aircraft is registered to Pacific Jets of Christchurch.
Saturday, August 06, 2011
Good news! The Cessna is back and I got to go flying... in a Piper
Finally, some good news on the aviation front!
The first bit of good news is that the Club's Cessna 172, ZK-FLT is back on long after a lengthy lay-off for maintenance, including getting a paint job, replacement engine and an interior refit. It's looking very flash now, although I understand that the plain exterior might be simply awaiting some good ideas. I'll keep you posted.
The other good news is that, despite the poor weather [mainly the bit about the wind being 18 knots gusting to 30 knots and forecast to increase later today], I finally got to go flying today! Not in the C172, but in a Club Piper PA38-112, ZK-ESG. I haven't flown at all in the last 9-10 weeks [!!], and I haven't flown a PA38 since late December 2010, so I went up for a few dual circuits which was a good refresher. Hopefully I'll get a dual ride in the C172 next weekend. I'm due for a BFR at the end of this month, but I think that will wait until I get back from a brief holiday.... more on that later.
Anyway, here's a couple of exterior shots of the repainted C172.
The first bit of good news is that the Club's Cessna 172, ZK-FLT is back on long after a lengthy lay-off for maintenance, including getting a paint job, replacement engine and an interior refit. It's looking very flash now, although I understand that the plain exterior might be simply awaiting some good ideas. I'll keep you posted.
The other good news is that, despite the poor weather [mainly the bit about the wind being 18 knots gusting to 30 knots and forecast to increase later today], I finally got to go flying today! Not in the C172, but in a Club Piper PA38-112, ZK-ESG. I haven't flown at all in the last 9-10 weeks [!!], and I haven't flown a PA38 since late December 2010, so I went up for a few dual circuits which was a good refresher. Hopefully I'll get a dual ride in the C172 next weekend. I'm due for a BFR at the end of this month, but I think that will wait until I get back from a brief holiday.... more on that later.
Anyway, here's a couple of exterior shots of the repainted C172.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh!
No, that heading is not a typo :-(
Having not flown for almost 2 months, due to weather and aircraft unavailability, I was really looking forward to taking a flight tomorrow... but... the aircraft is still away... hopefully next weekend, otherwise I'm going to have to seriously look at getting back into a Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk, or maybe getting a rating on a Beech C23 Sundowner.
My BFR [Biennial Flight Review] is due later this month, but I'm tossing up whether to do it before I go on holiday, or afterwards... I guess as much as anything, it will depend on the availability of the aircraft... Oh well. Today's picture is a Beech/ Raytheon B1900D, ZK-EAC registered to Eagle Airways Ltd landing on runway 16 at Wellington. Enjoy!
Having not flown for almost 2 months, due to weather and aircraft unavailability, I was really looking forward to taking a flight tomorrow... but... the aircraft is still away... hopefully next weekend, otherwise I'm going to have to seriously look at getting back into a Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk, or maybe getting a rating on a Beech C23 Sundowner.
My BFR [Biennial Flight Review] is due later this month, but I'm tossing up whether to do it before I go on holiday, or afterwards... I guess as much as anything, it will depend on the availability of the aircraft... Oh well. Today's picture is a Beech/ Raytheon B1900D, ZK-EAC registered to Eagle Airways Ltd landing on runway 16 at Wellington. Enjoy!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
No flying tomorrow...
As mentioned in my previous post, I had hoped to go flying tomorrow in the Club's newly refurbished Cessna 172, ZK-FLT. Unfortunately it is still getting the last couple of bits finished before it's back on line, so another week goes by... I don't have my logbook with me as I write this, but it has been a few weeks since I last flew.
My BFR is due next month, although I'm wondering if perhaps I wait until I get back from a big trip that is coming up shortly. We will see. In any case, although aviation is not the purpose of the trip, I hope to get a few photos up anyway. I'll keep you posted :-)
Lastly, yes, I am booked in for a flight next Sunday - Hopefully the plane is back AND we manage to get some good weather :-)
My BFR is due next month, although I'm wondering if perhaps I wait until I get back from a big trip that is coming up shortly. We will see. In any case, although aviation is not the purpose of the trip, I hope to get a few photos up anyway. I'll keep you posted :-)
Lastly, yes, I am booked in for a flight next Sunday - Hopefully the plane is back AND we manage to get some good weather :-)
Saturday, August 15, 2009
BFR completed today
I managed to complete my BFR [Biennial Flight Review] today - a bit of a surprise since the weather was forecast to be less than ideal. As it turned out, it was a good day for it.
As usual I flew a Piper PA28-181 Archer, ZK-TDJ, pictured below, sitting in the aero club hanger later on in the day.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
No BFR today...
Wouldn't you believe it! The best weather we've had in ages, my BFR is due, and the aircraft goes u/s! Doh!
The other PA28 I could have used is out of town, so here's hoping for better weather and an aircraft next weekend :-)
The other PA28 I could have used is out of town, so here's hoping for better weather and an aircraft next weekend :-)
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Yay! I got to go flying today!
Yeah OK, so it was only a few circuits... a normal approach, short approach, a go around and told to extend downwind to follow an Air NZ B737. Three takeoffs/landings plus the go-around in 0.5 hours. Who says there are always holdups at Wellington?
Next challenge has got to be the BFR [Biennial Flight Review] - it's nominally due on 4 August, but I might get it done in July, or later in August. Well see. The BFR is needed so that I can continue to take passengers - basically, no BFR, then I get limited to student pilot privileges [no passengers would be the biggest limitation] until it is done.
Next challenge has got to be the BFR [Biennial Flight Review] - it's nominally due on 4 August, but I might get it done in July, or later in August. Well see. The BFR is needed so that I can continue to take passengers - basically, no BFR, then I get limited to student pilot privileges [no passengers would be the biggest limitation] until it is done.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
All done
I completed the paperwork today for my BFR, so that's been signed off for another 2 years.
Yippee :-)
Yippee :-)
Saturday, August 04, 2007
BFR almost done and an Aerospatiale AS 355 F1
I went up for the flying component of the BFR [Biennial Flight Review] today, and it all went well enough.
Actually, it's probably one of the very best FLWOP [Forced Landing With Out Power] exercises I've ever managed! The EFATO [Engine Failure After Takeoff] exercise that followed worked out well also. Perhaps I did not need to be quite so nervous about this flight? In addition to all this, we did a max performance takeoff, some turns, stalls, low flying, precautionary landing, followed by rejoining the Wellington circuit, some circuit work [including flapless landing and precision approach and landing] as well as some other bits and pieces.
Now just the paperwork to finish off tomorrow...
Anyway, before the BFR I got a snap of this Aerospatiale AS 355 F1 departing Wellington.
Actually, it's probably one of the very best FLWOP [Forced Landing With Out Power] exercises I've ever managed! The EFATO [Engine Failure After Takeoff] exercise that followed worked out well also. Perhaps I did not need to be quite so nervous about this flight? In addition to all this, we did a max performance takeoff, some turns, stalls, low flying, precautionary landing, followed by rejoining the Wellington circuit, some circuit work [including flapless landing and precision approach and landing] as well as some other bits and pieces.
Now just the paperwork to finish off tomorrow...
Anyway, before the BFR I got a snap of this Aerospatiale AS 355 F1 departing Wellington.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Saturday, July 21, 2007
More practice
Went up this morning and the weather was fantastic. A slight breeze [5-6 knots], and smooth flying conditions. There was a lot of low cloud around the southern Wairarapa area, but the holes were vastly more than what I needed to do some practice. Another aircraft that was operating 3-4 miles east of me later reported seeing whales in Palliser Bay.
I managed 3 FLWOP exercises, a basic and an advanced stall, many turns [rate 1 through to steep/45 degrees AoB] before heading back to Wellington for a few circuits.
All in all, a fun day in the sky. I'll have to work hard at those turns [steep turns are a bit rusty], but my FLWOP and stalls seem to be OK. Circuits are OK also.
My BFR is scheduled for tomorrow [Sunday] afternoon, but it looks as though the weather is getting worse, so maybe it will have to be in a week or two instead.
I managed 3 FLWOP exercises, a basic and an advanced stall, many turns [rate 1 through to steep/45 degrees AoB] before heading back to Wellington for a few circuits.
All in all, a fun day in the sky. I'll have to work hard at those turns [steep turns are a bit rusty], but my FLWOP and stalls seem to be OK. Circuits are OK also.
My BFR is scheduled for tomorrow [Sunday] afternoon, but it looks as though the weather is getting worse, so maybe it will have to be in a week or two instead.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
BFR time
I'm almost due for my BFR [Biennial Flight Review], so instead of a normal scenic I went up and did some practice. With a fight of just under an hour I managed two simulated FLWOP [Forced Landings With Out Power], a few turns and a couple of circuits.
Next Saturday I've got another flight. Hopefully I'll have time get all that in plus steep turns and some stalls. After that I should be ready for the BFR flight. Well see!
Anyway, here's a picture of an Ardmore Flying School C172R visiting Wellington Aero Club on its way to Christchurch. The C172R has a 160hp fuel injected engine and like all later model C172's flap is limited to 30 degress max. Vfe (10 degrees) is 110 knots with the remainder limited to 85 knots. I guess I kinda like the 'R' model as I did my C172 rating on this model a few years ago.
Next Saturday I've got another flight. Hopefully I'll have time get all that in plus steep turns and some stalls. After that I should be ready for the BFR flight. Well see!
Anyway, here's a picture of an Ardmore Flying School C172R visiting Wellington Aero Club on its way to Christchurch. The C172R has a 160hp fuel injected engine and like all later model C172's flap is limited to 30 degress max. Vfe (10 degrees) is 110 knots with the remainder limited to 85 knots. I guess I kinda like the 'R' model as I did my C172 rating on this model a few years ago.
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