Have you ever flown a plane?

[jb747]

I now get to have a front row seat watching my 22 year old son navigate the RAAF OTS, 1FTS and 2FTS training....

I wish him well with that, and will be looking forward to updates.

 

[Major]

Enjoyed about half an hour in the RH seat of a Caribou on exercise around Trangie/ Warren/ Narromine in late 1970's and a short time in a C130H on the way for an airdrop over Macquarie Is. in 1986

 

[p--and--t]

Hmm what's the definition a of plane?

In 2012 I was handed the controls of an ultralight (one of those "lawnmowers with wings" thingies) over the Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe until the pilot took the controls back before we headed back at the airfield. His assessment was I hope not too many people were watching otherwise they will think I was intoxicated while flying.

Later for my 60th I was given a 2hr flying lesson as a present at Moorabbin which from memory consisted of about a hour in a classroom then an hour in the air. The instructor did the take off and landing (for the landing there was a strong cross wind and even he seemed anxious) but largely for the rest of the flight I had the controls with some verbal instructions here and there. Great fun.

 

[NM]

Enjoyed about half an hour in the RH seat of a Caribou on exercise around Trangie/ Warren/ Narromine in late 1970's and a short time in a C130H on the way for an airdrop over Macquarie Is. in 1986

So I guess that means you occupied the RH seat for about 20NM?

 

[Major]

So I guess that means you occupied the RH seat for about 20NM?

Don't know. We were off to refuel. It wasn't far

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

Several years in GA as a charter pilot.
Now I just buy a ticket and live in hope to the day an anxious cabin crew rushes
through the aircraft crying out "can anyone fly a plane " I'm sure an old knock around
180/210 driver could handle an A380 !

 

[albatross710]

RAAF Huey test flights were a good time for groundies to get their first fly. As I recall, I was the one flying back to the pad after the testing had been completed. The flying was all going wonderful (and straight) until I slowed to 10knts, the pad started going side ways out of the forward window and the Flt Lt test pilot made a very hurried "Taking Over" call.

 

[Keanie]

No, I didn't accidentally leave out the word "on" from the thread title. Have you ever been a pilot, physically at the controls of a plane and flown it?

Obviously there are a few pilot contributors on this forum who have done or still do this for a living. But for everyone else, did you ever have this chance and if not, would you like to?

As a kid, this was a huge bucket list item for me and I was lucky enough to get this opportunity as a 17-year-old. I happened to meet a kind person who was a flying instructor and owned a light aircraft, and he offered to give me flying lessons out of a small airport in regional NSW - I would just need to pay for the fuel (which, mind you, was not cheap). I didn't go on to train as a professional pilot, but do remember the joy of being behind the controls of a plane for the first time and watching the world below.

If you've ever flown in a full-motion flight simulator, that could also count

At 60yrs old, needed a new adventure, decided to learn to fly a helicopter, bought a bell47, 3.5 months of lessons got my private licence. Have flown over much of our county, only way to go to a restaurant, of course no drinking.
Ended up with another chopper Roberson R44 plus a light 2 seater planted to do Angle flights, fabulous way to help people.
Don’t fly anymore, now 76, but miss the choppers every day
Keanie

 

[harvyk]

So after doing a trial flight last year, and deciding I loved it, I've now signed up to a flight school and have started flight training.
Beginning of last month I was given two books to read through, first was basic aeronautical knowledge (BAK), and the Student Air Training Guide (SATG), which I've read both through cover to cover. I then did two days of ground school and we had our first lesson in the Cessna 172 last Saturday.

Because we where at CBR, and ATC directed us to runway 35 (the big boy runway as my instructor called it) it felt very strange taxiing past the big jets of QF and VA parked at the gates (hey a 737 is big if you're in a Cessna 172 )

The instructor had nice things to say about my ability to control aircraft in my post flight review, which is always a good start. Although hopefully I do a little better job of taxiing next time.

Next lesson is booked in for next Sunday, can't wait.

 

[33kft]

The instructor had nice things to say about my ability to control aircraft in my post flight review, which is always a good start. Although hopefully I do a little better job of taxiing next time.

Given the ratio of circuits to taxiing ahead, I think you have honed the right skills

 

[craven morehead]

So after doing a trial flight last year, and deciding I loved it, I've now signed up to a flight school and have started flight training.
Beginning of last month I was given two books to read through, first was basic aeronautical knowledge (BAK), and the Student Air Training Guide (SATG), which I've read both through cover to cover. I then did two days of ground school and we had our first lesson in the Cessna 172 last Saturday.

Because we where at CBR, and ATC directed us to runway 35 (the big boy runway as my instructor called it) it felt very strange taxiing past the big jets of QF and VA parked at the gates (hey a 737 is big if you're in a Cessna 172 )

The instructor had nice things to say about my ability to control aircraft in my post flight review, which is always a good start. Although hopefully I do a little better job of taxiing next time.

Next lesson is booked in for next Sunday, can't wait.
View attachment 373274

Bloody awesome!

 

[NM]

The instructor had nice things to say about my ability to control aircraft in my post flight review, which is always a good start. Although hopefully I do a little better job of taxiing next time.

Good thing you were in Canberra. I understand that taxiing in Perth can be difficult for those in the big boy aircraft too

 

[Keanie]

I just turned 60 yrs old and as someone who has always been an energiser bunny I needed to find something to do. thought why not learn to fly, yep good idea.
so bought a helicopter mag and after looking and researching prices I made up my mind and bought a Bell 47. The story goes, took 3.5 months full time to get my licence At Blue Tongue Helicopters up the Sunshine Coast QLD. Had good staff in my business so $ was not a problem. 6 weeks after I got my licence had 7.5 weeks flying all round the top end of Aus. Bribane to Ayers Rock, Darwin across the gulf to north of Cairns then all the way down the coast back home. Had a couple of mates fly up to different places I stopper at and joined me for part of the trip. Was fabulous and I came back a far better pilot.
A mate close to me with a dairy allowed me to build and hanger etc on his property, only 15mts from home. Used to fly at least 3/6 times a-week.
2 years later bought a new R44. faster and more room, 4 seater. wife and I flew every where all over Australia with the exception of WA and SA. Fab trips that we will never forget. I then decided to learn to fly a fixed wing. Bought a 2 seater, got my licence and though I enjoyed the plane, I enjoyed the choppers more. Best way to travel to a restaurant, fly in on your chopper.
At one time I had my own airforce 2 choppers and a plane.
i got interested in Angle Flights So took that up and had many wonderful experiences flying home people/ kids that lived in remote ares. Always used the R44 as had more room, most people hadn’t been in a chopper before and it was great to see how much they enjoyed it.
There are many great stories and trips that I did especially using my aircraft to help people. Retired at 65, kept flying for another 8 months before I stopped flying and sold my airforce. Banked up around 700+ hrs of flying in that time.
Now 77 and I still miss flying choppers every day, a lot fly over the golf course I play on, hard to play good golf when you are looking at helicopters and your mind turns away from golf.
Keanie

 

[jb747]

Well, obviously I do know, but a tale from way back.

When I was an Observer, one of my postings was as the nav instructor to a helicopter squadron that did our SAR and basic aircrewman training. Whilst there I flew in the Wessex, Iroquois, and Kiowa, and, because I made it pretty obvious that I was interested, a number of the pilots took an interest in teaching me how to fly these helicopters. I don't know whether this would happen in today's military, but back then it wasn't an issue, as long as the pilots were actually instructors (QHIs). One took this as far as teaching me engine off landings in the Wessex. Straitman will understand. And when I eventually went off to do the Pilots' course, another of these pilots then sent me out for my first RAAF solo.

Jump forward a few years, and I'm back from Pilots' course, and now flying the A-4. In the bar one Friday, and I was in a circle of people most of whom I'd flown with back in my Observer days. A young helo pilot in the group knew that I was recently off the A-4 course, and a Lieutenant in that position would normally have been an ex 'fish-head' or ship driver. He made the comment that he could fly my A-4, but I couldn't fly his UH-1. Of course, I said, "want a bet". This circle also contained his CO, and Commander Air (boss of all the squadrons on the base). I looked to them and asked. Of course they'd been among the pilots who'd taught me. My own CO was standing behind me, and after a quick talk to him we'd arranged a ride for the young bloke in a TA-4, whilst I'd go with him in the UH-1. The young bloke found out that the A-4 wasn't a fast Macchi, and that where it was pointed, and where it was going, where not always related. I found that I was rougher than I expected, but I could still hover.

 

[harvyk]

Whilst I promise not to give a debrief of every one of my lessons, I'm especially chuffed with today. I've now completed my first real world landing.

Today's lesson was all about climbing and descending, which we did between 3,500 and 5,000 ft in the Barton TA. Anyway as the lesson was coming to the end the instructor got me to fly back to CBR. As we entered controlled airspace the instructor left me flying (previous lesson was on straight and level, so I could somewhat hold 4,000).

We then got cleared down to 3,500 and then cleared onto a visual approach for rwy 12. My instructor then provided guidance for me into lining up with the runway and flying the approach, keeping the speed in check and flying the correct descent path. As the ground was getting closer I was half expecting him to take over, but nope he was going to let me have this one. Before I knew it I was flaring the aircraft and a second later feeling the back wheels hit the ground, with the front touching down very soon afterwards.

I have to admit, I don't actually remember how far along the runway I was when I touched down, although I think I was somewhat near where we needed to be. I was just happy the stuff under us was black and not green more than anything else

Personally, I'm calling it a great landing, since we both walked away from it, and they will be able to use the plane again

I'm now a few lessons in, it's been interesting seeing the difference between the flying of the trial flight (let's just go have fun), vs the actual lessons (we will fly at 4,000ft, not approximately 4,000ft, and we will do it holding 65 KIAS)

 

[Daver6]

Whilst I promise not to give a debrief of every one of my lessons, I'm especially chuffed with today. I've now completed my first real world landing.

Today's lesson was all about climbing and descending, which we did between 3,500 and 5,000 ft in the Barton TA. Anyway as the lesson was coming to the end the instructor got me to fly back to CBR. As we entered controlled airspace the instructor left me flying (previous lesson was on straight and level, so I could somewhat hold 4,000).

We then got cleared down to 3,500 and then cleared onto a visual approach for rwy 12. My instructor then provided guidance for me into lining up with the runway and flying the approach, keeping the speed in check and flying the correct descent path. As the ground was getting closer I was half expecting him to take over, but nope he was going to let me have this one. Before I knew it I was flaring the aircraft and a second later feeling the back wheels hit the ground, with the front touching down very soon afterwards.

I have to admit, I don't actually remember how far along the runway I was when I touched down, although I think I was somewhat near where we needed to be. I was just happy the stuff under us was black and not green more than anything else

Personally, I'm calling it a great landing, since we both walked away from it, and they will be able to use the plane again

I'm now a few lessons in, it's been interesting seeing the difference between the flying of the trial flight (let's just go have fun), vs the actual lessons (we will fly at 4,000ft, not approximately 4,000ft, and we will do it holding 65 KIAS)

View attachment 374358

That's awesome. My brother used to be quite heavily involved with the Canberra aero club back in the late 90s and early naughties.

 

[harvyk]

That's awesome. My brother used to be quite heavily involved with the Canberra aero club back in the late 90s and early naughties.

I've also joined the Canberra Aero Club, it's their 172 I'm learning on. Is your brother still part of the club? I've met a few of the members now, turns out to get volunteers out to wash a plane, all you need is to promise beers and a bbq after the jobs done, so I met quite a few of them a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Personally, I'm calling it a great landing, since we both walked away from it, and they will be able to use the plane again

Three or four go pros, plus someone filming from the ground should do it.

Upload the lot and let the AFF experts begin their critique.

Congratulations. A great achievement on the journey to fulfilling a dream!

 

[Daver6]

I've also joined the Canberra Aero Club, it's their 172 I'm learning on. Is your brother still part of the club? I've met a few of the members now, turns out to get volunteers out to wash a plane, all you need is to promise beers and a bbq after the jobs done, so I met quite a few of them a couple of weeks ago.

No. He left Canberra about a dozen years ago.

 

[kookaburra75]

Whilst I promise not to give a debrief of every one of my lessons, I'm especially chuffed with today. I've now completed my first real world landing.

Today's lesson was all about climbing and descending, which we did between 3,500 and 5,000 ft in the Barton TA. Anyway as the lesson was coming to the end the instructor got me to fly back to CBR. As we entered controlled airspace the instructor left me flying (previous lesson was on straight and level, so I could somewhat hold 4,000).

We then got cleared down to 3,500 and then cleared onto a visual approach for rwy 12. My instructor then provided guidance for me into lining up with the runway and flying the approach, keeping the speed in check and flying the correct descent path. As the ground was getting closer I was half expecting him to take over, but nope he was going to let me have this one. Before I knew it I was flaring the aircraft and a second later feeling the back wheels hit the ground, with the front touching down very soon afterwards.

I have to admit, I don't actually remember how far along the runway I was when I touched down, although I think I was somewhat near where we needed to be. I was just happy the stuff under us was black and not green more than anything else

Personally, I'm calling it a great landing, since we both walked away from it, and they will be able to use the plane again

I'm now a few lessons in, it's been interesting seeing the difference between the flying of the trial flight (let's just go have fun), vs the actual lessons (we will fly at 4,000ft, not approximately 4,000ft, and we will do it holding 65 KIAS)

View attachment 374358

You can give us a run down this week at dinner at the Kingo. I expect re enactments of that landing