The Start of The Aviation Dream: Almost flying!

There hasn't been an awful lot happening in terms of flying since coming to NZ.

Last week we had a few mass briefings which were to teach us the differences of flying in NZ compared to UK and also the NZ PPL Airlaw. Theses exams had to be passed by 70% or more before we can be let loose solo in the sky.

The differences exam was an internal CTC exam which we sat during the first week. The Airlaw exam was done through an examining body called ASL. This exam was held in a local shopping centre. It was a bit strange walking through a shopping centre dressed in uniform.

Most of the class passed first time (thankfully so did I), for those who didn't they will have to resit before going solo.

For the two days following the exam, we had a few more briefings to sit through before anyone would be booked to start flying.

I have now completed 2 of my 4 simulator sessions which I have to complete before getting to fly the C172S for real. These simulator sessions are teaching us the basic general handling and also to teach us how to use the Garmin glass cockpits which we will be using. As I already have some flying experience, I completed the lesson objectives quite early in the lesson which then allowed us to have some fun trying different scenarios. The glass cockpit computers are so advanced it is just mind blowing what they can do.

During our days off, a few of us have been making the most of exploring. The first place we explored was Waitomo caves to see the glow worms on the ceiling of the caves. This experience was really good, I just wish it had lasted a bit longer. After the caves we had a walk up a a viewing point at the top of the hill next to the caves. The scenery was breathe taking. There is a picture included below. Other activities included visiting Bridal Falls which is a big waterfall. We then went to Raglan which is a bay known for surfing and fish and chips on the Wharf. The fish and chips were amazing, definitely one to go back to and it was a huge portion! We have also been tramping (kiwi talk for hill walking) which was a good trial of fitness but we all made it to the top in one piece. On the last trip we went on, we went to Ocean beach in Kawhia where you dig a hole just before low tide and if you're lucky, you get hot water heated by the volcano below. We managed to find it and it was so hot! It is a surreal feeling running down and laying on the beach in your swimming trunks in the middle of winter. We lasted about an hour and a half in the pool we dug before the tide came in and put an end to our hot pool. The sea was FREEZING! We ran in there to wash off, lets just say I ran out quicker than I went in!

That's about all up to date. I have 2 more sim sessions then I will be let loose in the real plane next week weather permitting.