The Start of The Aviation Dream: December 2015

So that's it! All of my NZ flying is done :-( Time here has gone way too fast for me. But that also means that the end of my course is only one 6 month phase away.

In my last update I had just finished my VFR flying phase. The last month I have been learning how to fly by using instruments only which is commonly known as IFR (instrument flight rules). The IFR phase started off with me having 8 simulator sessions where I learnt the different techniques of navigation using both ground based instruments and satellite based instruments. I was also taught how to enter holding patterns overhead the airfields from different angles. It's quite hard to explain in a blog exactly what I was doing. Instrument flying was new to me as I had only done basic flying on instruments when flying in the UK. Initially I found it difficult because I was always playing catch up with the aircraft when I should have always been ahead of the plane. The airlines all fly IFR so it is a technique that will be perfected by the time I finish back in Southampton.

Following the 8 sim sessions, I had 4 2hr flights in the Cessna before sitting my test. The first 3 flights I found quite difficult because I was still lagging behind the aircraft a bit. The turbulence in the cloud always makes it a bit more tricky because you are trying to fly accurately and visualise exactly what you are doing and what is coming up next. It wasn't until my final flight before the test that something clicked and the flight went exactly to plan, I felt like I was always ahead and well prepared for the next event. I was also allowed to fly the flight without the hood that we normally wear so that we can't see outside for references. I was allowed to fly without it because there were some huge clouds around and I had to keep asking air traffic control for permission to deviate from my track so I could fly around the cloud. It was such an amazing flight and one that I wish I could share, it will be one that I will always remember. I felt like I was in a scene of a movie dodging the huge clouds and flying through small gaps in the cloud to be met by big walls of cloud.

My last IFR flight was my flight test for my IFR phase. I couldn't have asked for it to go any better. I felt well prepared and everything throughout the flight went to plan. I passed the flight and was complimented on how well I managed the flight. Following the test came the sign out process. I had to make sure that all the total hours in my log book matched with the hours on the digital system. Then I had to make copies of everything. It is such a boring and lengthy process but it has to be completed before you can leave NZ. It is also to see if you have any shortfall in the amount of flight time you have against what you should have. In my case I was 0.3hrs short on night flying. So I had to do that before I could leave NZ. 0.3hrs equates to taking off, doing one circuit and landing. It was a good but very short flight with one of my best landings which I was chuffed about. The flight almost didn't happen because the weather at the alternate airport was getting worse but luckily I managed to complete my one circuit in time.

I've done a few trips since my last post. I have been on a few flights with my old instructor while he was doing his hour building in the twin engined twinstar. What a plane! These flights also helped with my instrument flying as I was following the procedures he was doing and I'd help out with the briefings. We managed to get to a few new aerodromes during these flights including Wellington and Nelson which is on the top of South Island. Outside of flying I went on the Luge in Rotorua with a few others. It was sooo much fun although i did come out with a nasty scrape along my arm from 2 of us being a big competitive and coming off the carts. I also did a bit of Kayaking on the Karapiro lake which was good. I also went and had a look over the edge of the tallest waterfall on the North Island which was awesome, got a little wet but was so worth it. I also had a 2nd attempt of climbing Te Aroha as the first time I did it, it was covered in cloud. Yet again, it was covered in cloud! Means I will have to do it again when I come back so I can see the 360 views. Me and Joel went on a camping trip to a lake where there are hot springs next to the camp site. This was very relaxing. We got the boat to the camp site, spent the rest of the day and night there and then had to walk 15km back to the car. It was a good walk which had steady ups and downs. It would have been even nicer if it didn't rain so much on the first 7km of the walk. One of the last activities I did was the black water rafting! We did the 4 hr session which included abseiling into the cave, zip-lining inside the cave, sitting in rubber rings floating on the water inside the cave looking up at glow worms and also swimming in the freezing water. It was such a good experience and would recommend anyone to do it who visits NZ.

That brings me to the end of NZ. Sad to leave but the next phase of the training is awaiting us in Southampton in January. Hope you all had a good Christmas and have a happy new year! Next post will be after I have started in the sims in the middle of Jan.