R6_kid takes to the air! [Archive]

R6_kid

11th January 2008, 18:22

bugjuice

11th January 2008, 18:36

congrats.. it's bloody good fun and addictive.
I love flying, but only managed to afford about 15 hrs over the last 10 years, since (i already said), it's expensive!

I nearly sold the 6 and threw everything in, into gettin my CPL, but I didn't, since the risk was stupidly high. I'd still love to get my PPL some time, love flying

Best flight I had was back in the UK, 45 mins in a C172 acrobatic kitted plane, loops and flips n stalls etc.. and I didn't puke! f'in awesome. Think if I recall, we maxed out bout 4.5g, which was enough for a first time!

have fun

Qkchk

11th January 2008, 18:54

Ive done about 10hrs in a C152 and 5hrs in a PA 28-181. Gone Solo @ 8hrs - Man just wait for the buzz you will get after doing that, better than ANY bike ride.......(but the bike option is shitloads cheaper). I won a scholarship with my Flying Club so everything was paid for til I went Solo otherwise it would of cost me $120p/hr. Would be nice to get CPL stage but its just like going to Uni to study IT - It cost heaps and everyone else is doing it, so the job oppotunities are cut-throat.....

You WILL love it if you enjoy flying in the big planes but if ya get the bug, flying is like been hooked on Meth........... One ya start its going to be hard to quit and you will sell anything to keep the habit up!

jimbo600

11th January 2008, 19:21

Got CPL but haven't flown in years so I'm not current anymore. Its good fun, but money is always an issue and I'd rather spend mine on bikes.

Pussy

11th January 2008, 22:01

Dont want to burst anyone's bubble, but I reckon flying is VERY over-rated. I'd rather be riding the sem fiddy.

Grub

11th January 2008, 22:06

jimbo600

12th January 2008, 08:12

Grub is a 300hr PPL but like Jimbo600 was a bit short of munnies and so am not current.

I decided if I was flying less than 20hrs/yr, I wasn't going to be safe enough but shit I'd love to go up again .. I've had the yearning since xmas.

Same here mate. I'm going up tomorrow for some circuits etc. I plan to get current in an aerobat and stay that way cheaply. 3to and 3 landings in a 90 day period shouldn't be too expensive.

R6_kid

18th January 2008, 16:10

finally got my shit sorted and went up in the Alpha Robin today from north shore aero. Had taken the day off work and was feeling down about some stuff so decided to bite the bullet and use the good weather to get the ball rolling.

Was only a short 25min flight around Whangaparoa and Orewa, got some high G turns in - it's amazing how much 4g fucks up your concentration! Had a ball, wanted to keep going and get some landings in but we ran out of time.

The instructor said I had good control skill and that i'd find it really easy to learn to fly, dont know if they say that to all of them, but i'll take it as a compliment.

Now i've just gotta find another few hundred to get my time basic lessons done and start putting in some solo hours. I love the atmosphere around the club, had a good chat to another 21 year old guy who had just been out on solo cross country down to te kuiti, tauranga and hamilton, heard some funny stories about some retard flying around hamilton who seemed to have no idea about what he was doing - i'm sure he'll be getting a talking to soon.

Did you end up getting out and about Jimbo?

jimbo600

18th January 2008, 16:15

No mate. Cloud base came in too low. Going to try and get up this weekend if possible.

sAsLEX

18th January 2008, 16:16

Best flight I had was back in the UK, 45 mins in a C172 acrobatic kitted plane, loops and flips n stalls etc.. and I didn't puke! f'in awesome. Think if I recall, we maxed out bout 4.5g, which was enough for a first time!

have fun

My best flight would have to be in the gunners seat in an Iroquois door open whilst they practised mountain flying up behind Blenheim , looking up at the ground in a Helo is interesting when all that is holding you in from the open door infront of you is a little lap belt!

I would someday like to get my Helo license..... but $$ time and other hobbies will leave that on the back burner for a few years....... and I am too blind to do it for aunty Helen, and a ten year return of service is a bit steep!

FROSTY

18th January 2008, 16:26

GREAT NEWS MATE :2thumbsup:2thumbsup:2thumbsup
Now come over to REAL flying. Throw that noisy petrol consuming contraption away and fly a real plane. (Sailplane that is)

quallman1234

18th January 2008, 18:45

Haven't flown in a year but i had 30 hrs before i pretty much gave it because of my eyes. (Colour blind - Red/Green and crap left eye vision).
Went up with Will barnes - Ex NZ Aerobatic Champ in a 152Aerobat for some fun and that was fun!, Not only that but he shouted me that flight (I know his girlfriend).

Im only 17 as well :shit:. Will finish it one day soon.

If i think about it, Racing is probably just as expensive maybe more (per hour) if you include getting there and stuff.

Wiki Drifter

18th January 2008, 23:30

Went on my first solo in '06, most of my hours are in Tecnams, flying out of Ardmore. I was initially planning to get a PPL but came to the conclusion that it was just too expensive to fly on a regular basis. If I could fly for free then I'll do it everyday but eh.....

Bass

19th January 2008, 11:25

I'm in the strange position of owning shares in a plane but not being a pilot. I just couldn't get enthused about the basic stuff.
However I have about 14 hours at the controls including a couple of hours in gliders and most of that time has been doing aerobatics. That includes a ride in a 2 place Pitts with Richard Hood (several times NZ aerobatic champ) in the back seat. Truly magic stuff and Richard has an evil sense of humour - not at all unkind, just evil.
The first thing you find about flying aero's is that big G's are much easier to take if you are actually doing the driving. I've no idea why - probably something to do with having something else to think about.

R6_kid

19th January 2008, 18:25

The first thing you find about flying aero's is that big G's are much easier to take if you are actually doing the driving. I've no idea why - probably something to do with having something else to think about.

I got the feeling that would be the case... i coped much better as 10year old pulling loops (at the controls) in a CT4 than i did doing a high G wing over yesterday!

slopster

20th January 2008, 12:27

I've did a bit of jumping out of a perfectly good herc last year. Fucking fun

cold comfort

20th January 2008, 12:56

All going well I will be going up for a trial flight at North Shore Aero Club on Sunday (depending on weather report as of tomorrow). This will be my first time up in a light single engine aircraft since I was 10yrs old. I will be going up in one of their Robins, as it turns out im too tall and heavy for the old 152's!

Who else is on the way to getting their PPL or CPL, or already has achieved either?

PPL, current though its bloody expensive and infrequent. Good luck with the training tho. Would like to go to a microlight option to keep the cost down. There is a "recreational" licence now for us oldies who may fail the medical (not that i ever have or anticpate doing) but its cheaper too.

Jantar

20th January 2008, 12:57

GREAT NEWS MATE :2thumbsup:2thumbsup:2thumbsup
Now come over to REAL flying. Throw that noisy petrol consuming contraption away and fly a real plane. (Sailplane that is)

No prizes for guessing what a Jantar is then. :D

Pogo2

20th January 2008, 13:21

FROSTY

20th January 2008, 13:30

No prizes for guessing what a Jantar is then. :D.
Shit Never even clicked--What club?

Jantar

20th January 2008, 13:38

.
Shit Never even clicked--What club?
I took the name Jantar when I flew GML with the Taupo club. Currently I'm with the Central Otago Flying Club on Twin Astir and PW5

FROSTY

20th January 2008, 13:50

Very cool.Every time I'm in Taupo I mean to have a fly there.Always theres "summat else" to do.
It's another form of torture for me at the KB track days.I"m seeing 100 odd Kbers on the track having fun from the track control box then I get the ol double shadow flicker as another glider is off behind the tug right over the top of me at 150m

R6_kid

20th January 2008, 16:32

Nothing beats flying does it - the trick is to keep on going and don't let it lapse.

I have a CPL with 2300 hrs flight and aircrew hours. Most of my flying is paid for by the state and some other agencies. Best part about it is most of it is below 500ft doing stuff. Biggest aircraft flown (albeit with alot of help) is an Orion otherwise a lot of smaller stuff.

Its a tough choice - plane or bikes. Equally addictive except bikes are cheaper!

How do you find the New Zealand market as an active pilot? I've heard it's hard to get jobs in NZ as a newly completed CPL pilot - and most people have told me they end up being instructors and working a second job to make ends meet - a mate even has his parents chipping in for rent as he isn't able to get enough income as a pilot and waiter!

Jantar

20th January 2008, 17:26

My son did his CPL and instructor's rating at Chargemore (sorry, Ardmore), He then started working there as an instructor, and earned about the same as a checkout chick at New World. So he left New Zealand and went to Kununara in Western Australia as a commercial pilot. That was even worse as although the wages were higher, he didn't get enough flying hours to make a living, and had to take a second job stocking shelves at the supermarket.

He took a year off flying and followed his girlfriend to Sweden, then returned to Darwin where he found more flying opportunities than he could shake a stick at. He is curently working for a charter company in Darwin flying 206s & 210s, and is about to move onto the 402 and 404s. He has been advised that he will be on their metroliners within 18 months. And he is already earning 3 times the amount at chargemore.

However the aviation industry in New Zealand is short of pilots, they just don't pay enough.

Pussy

20th January 2008, 17:41

However the aviation industry in New Zealand is short of pilots, they just don't pay enough.

Ain't that the truth! For the duty hours, after hours phone work, and danger involved (in my branch of the aviation industry), the remuneration is appalling

R6_kid

20th January 2008, 18:14

Ain't that the truth! For the duty hours, after hours phone work, and danger involved (in my branch of the aviation industry), the remuneration is appalling

what branch is that? I was under the impression that ag pilots would earn rather well - and it seems to be some of the most exciting (and dangerous) flying you can get in to.

Pussy

20th January 2008, 18:25

what branch is that? I was under the impression that ag pilots would earn rather well - and it seems to be some of the most exciting (and dangerous) flying you can get in to.

For the hours involved, it's not flash, especially if your area is a windy one. And believe it or not, it's not that exciting. Probably average 13-15 sowing flights per hour (so very repetitive), the cockpit in most ag aircraft is a hostile environment (hot ,noisy, un-ergonomic), and the job in general has it's hazards. If you do want to go ag flying, be VERY certain about it, I would recommend going the airline way.

Aero165

20th January 2008, 18:34

Do it without the motor! I love it :D

Biggles08

20th January 2008, 22:16

what branch is that? I was under the impression that ag pilots would earn rather well - and it seems to be some of the most exciting (and dangerous) flying you can get in to.

Hey R6 Kid, Good on you for taking the first step. I've got my PPL with about 135hrs mainly in C152's and C174's. Like most people here I'm not current either. My last flight was well over a year ago due to cost's too, even though I was flying out of Whenuapai (which is probably one of the cheapest areoclubs in the country). I was wanting to go CPL way but I just can't justify the outlay to the risk of return. I have a house to pay off and currently have a fairly well paid job and can't bring myself to risk it all for no guaranteed job at the end of it all (not to mention my partner whom I need to consider too). Its great fun and I will certainly do more of it in the future but I'm guessing only on the recreational level.

Good luck with your flying

Pogo2

21st January 2008, 18:59

How do you find the New Zealand market as an active pilot? I've heard it's hard to get jobs in NZ as a newly completed CPL pilot - and most people have told me they end up being instructors and working a second job to make ends meet - a mate even has his parents chipping in for rent as he isn't able to get enough income as a pilot and waiter!

There is a saying in aviation, especially NZ - How do you make a small fortune in aviation - start with a big one!

Most pilots start their professional career as instructors and as one fellow KBer said, the pay is terrible. Maybe $10-20 per day for turning up then $20-40 per flying hour. So if you don't fly then its $20 for a days hanging around. And most have spent $40-50k plus to get qualified. In my personal opinion it also scary that pilots with a couple of hundred hours are teaching others to fly. Yes some are good ones, but 200 hrs and you are just starting your journey, let alone being an expert.

No one will employ a new hatched CPL with no experience and a lot do go overseas to earn more coin.

If you do want to do you CPL get your Class 1 medical now. You don't want to spend a bucket of money on flying only to find out that there is an issue with a medical.

CAA thought they had an issue with my last medical and despite a cardiologist saying there was nothing wrong it cost me over $2000 to prove my health was fine.

Cadetships could also be the way like you said in your PM.

Regardless all the best and give it heaps!!

BAD DAD

21st January 2008, 20:00

My son got his CPL last year and has just qualified as an instrustor. He is currently starving to death while he tries to find paid work in aviation.
( but he lives and breathes flying )

Bikernereid

21st January 2008, 20:13

Recently went up in a Robin from North Shore Aero club and it was awesome. I am very jealous of anyone getting their licence in NZ as it is so expensive in the UK. I have got my first flying lesson in NZ when I get back thanks to old prof who is mad into flying, can't wait.

Good luck with it all.

All going well I will be going up for a trial flight at North Shore Aero Club on Sunday (depending on weather report as of tomorrow). This will be my first time up in a light single engine aircraft since I was 10yrs old. I will be going up in one of their Robins, as it turns out im too tall and heavy for the old 152's!

Who else is on the way to getting their PPL or CPL, or already has achieved either?

sAsLEX

21st January 2008, 20:18

Cadetships could also be the way like you said in your PM.

Follow your old man?

<img src=http://farm1.static.flickr.com/165/409213820_4a55d7204c.jpg?v=0>
<img src=http://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/409213932_16db71544b.jpg?v=0>
<img src=http://farm1.static.flickr.com/90/409200786_ec7e926fe9.jpg?v=0>

and even?

<img src=http://www.richard-seaman.com/Aircraft/AirShows/RNZAF/Hercules/Banking60DegreesExtremelyLow9oClock.jpg>

Swoop

21st January 2008, 20:26

I've did a bit of jumping out of a perfectly good herc last year. Fucking fun
Where abouts did you do that?

sAsLEX

21st January 2008, 20:28

Where abouts did you do that?

You serving?

They generally offer it a couple of times a year out of Whenuapai, static line stuff normally I think, just like the old days!

Swoop

21st January 2008, 20:35

You serving?
They generally offer it a couple of times a year out of Whenuapai, static line stuff normally I think, just like the old days!
Nope.
Roundies... *cringe*!:sweatdrop
They did a few loads at Matamata last year for the Jump Start charity (http://www.jumpstart.org.nz/links/nz-parachute-federation-nzpf/).

I heard a whisper that they are going to put a "proper" fence around wobblypai. That will cost a pretty penny.

Bruiser

21st January 2008, 20:45

Started my ppl and solo'd after 8 hrs to lose my chance after a heart attack. Then got into microlights, bought a 2-seater and got passenger rated while flying out of Hood in Masterton.

Lost too many, one a good mate doing ag work and when returning to Auckland I hated all the city flying so gave it all away and sold my last plane.

Have mates still flying and still get the urge every time I hear the majic sounds overhead! The Harley now provides my (low) flying satisfaction but would have loved to get back into the microlights. Unfortunately a quadruple bypass after two heart attacks in 2002 put paid to any further aviating for me... :weep: .

So I'll make do with enjoying your stories here.

R6_kid

24th January 2008, 16:11

Follow your old man?

Dunno about the Navy, but a lot of friends in the Air Force are starting to want to get out as it's not going particularly well.

My plan is to head to Aussie for at least one year, get my marks up to scratch, be out of debt, and have enough money that should I want/need to pay for it i'll have the money there - or if i choose to go the paid way (military) then i'll have some toy money sitting there anyway.

Either way getting my marks up to scratch is the main thing, and I have lined up a course in Aussie where I can do so, specifically for Aviation. Though I do like the idea of heli's and boats, 10 years is a long time!

SPman

24th January 2008, 17:32

North Shore went downhill after they sealed the strip and got rid of the Cubs....ahhhhhh, those were the days.........dribble dribble.....No radios, no flaps, no distractions on X-countries and every take off and landing a contest to see who could get off and land in the shortest possible space, so every landing was a mad sideslip to get in with your wheels 2ft over the fence at the end of the strip.
A bit embarrasing at Hamilton on my first away cross country though.......
Was rated in PA18,s C150-172, PA28-140/180 and Victa Airtourer, but only enjoyed the Cubs and the Airtourer, but haven't flown now for about 25 yrs......

Usarka

24th January 2008, 18:31

3to and 3 landings in a 90 day period shouldn't be too expensive.

as long as its enough to keep skills and confidence up.....

marty

24th January 2008, 19:44

i flew 4 hours today in the beast 206, meatbombing @ matamata. tomorrow i'm delivering a 152 to gisborne. i have tonight turned down 2 days flying skydivers over the weekend - i've got a full day at matamata saturday but have to work at my real job sunday monday.

95% of the young pilots today expect to be in a 737 with 250hrs. the CTC guys are, but they are spending 75000 POUNDS and have UK live/work rights. i'm just laughing at the young guys who aren't prepeared to put the old school ways to work for them - i have done 300hrs in the last 14 months, not paid a cent, and made some nice pocket money out of it.

i'm starting my c-cat in feb. paying for it myself, will be a nice little qualification to have :)

86GSXR

24th January 2008, 20:22

I'm an instructor with 4000 hrs and I can honestly say that the opportunities in aviation worldwide and in NZ have never been better than they are now and are showing no signs of slowing down in the foreseeable future. This is mostly due to the huge growth in the Indian and Chinese economies fueling the demand for air travel like no other time in history.

So I'll say to any young and not so young guys out there who are contemplating a career in aviation - go for it!

Sure, you'll incur a big debt and be broke for a few years but if you can handle that, and get through the training you WILL make it!

Jantar

24th January 2008, 21:00

.... Sure, you'll incur a big debt and be broke for a few years but if you can handle that, and get through the training you WILL make it!

Or your parents will be broke for a few years. :yeah: But take the opportunity now and go for it. You won't be sorry.

Brett

24th January 2008, 21:59

Dunno about the Navy, but a lot of friends in the Air Force are starting to want to get out as it's not going particularly well.

My plan is to head to Aussie for at least one year, get my marks up to scratch, be out of debt, and have enough money that should I want/need to pay for it i'll have the money there - or if i choose to go the paid way (military) then i'll have some toy money sitting there anyway.

Either way getting my marks up to scratch is the main thing, and I have lined up a course in Aussie where I can do so, specifically for Aviation. Though I do like the idea of heli's and boats, 10 years is a long time!

I am not a regrets person, however I do have one. Near the end of my 7th form year, I was dead set on joining the airforce to train as a fighter pilot, had the physical requirements, education skills and the determination and drive. And the airforce were buying the F16's. When that fell through and then they also decided to off load their current jets, allbe them old, I just decided it wasn't worth it anymore. I briefly considered going over to Aussie, but had just met the girl of my dreams and kept putting the idea off.

This year my passion for flying has bitten me again. Particularly my passion for fighters and stunt planes, and I wish I had pursued that as a carrier. I still could I suppose, not ovre the age limit yet, but with the Mrs studying to be a doctor and the fact that I am building a new house, I seem to have all but closed that door on myself.

I have toyed with the idea of selling the GSXR to help fund my PPL, but haven't yet committed to it. If my wife was interested in moving to aussie to complete her training I am pretty certain that I would leave my (well paying) career and go as a cadet in the airforce academy.

Good on you bro, and good luck. Heaven knows I am jealous.

erik

28th January 2008, 17:21

Who else is on the way to getting their PPL or CPL, or already has achieved either?

I've just booked a trial flight at the North Shore Aero club for next saturday. I went out and had a look at the airfield today, haven't been there before.
I've always been interested in planes, used to fly r/c planes.
I've saved up a bit that was going to go towards a new bike or maybe a house in the distant future, but I'm still having heaps of fun on the bandit so maybe I'll spend it on getting a PPL... I'll see how it goes on saturday.

erik

2nd February 2008, 21:05

I went up in the Robin today for a 30 minute introductory flight. It was interesting. Not as exciting as riding a bike, but then it was only a trial flight.
The Robin was quite cramped, at first I was worried my knees would get in the way of the controls. I tried sitting in a C152 afterwards and while it was harder to get into the plane, I think it actually had more head and leg room, although it might have been narrower.
I've signed up for their C152 starter pack and will do another few lessons in the cessna. I'm still undecided if I want to go the full way and try to get my PPL, but I want to have a few more goes at least. Maybe just till I solo.
I think I should check out the whenuapai club as well since their rates are a fair bit cheaper and it's closer to home.

Gareth, have you done any more flying since your introductory flight?

Grub

2nd February 2008, 21:07

I think I should check out the whenuapai club as well since their rates are a fair bit cheaper and it's closer to home.

" ... follow the money young Luke ... follow the money ...

erik

9th February 2008, 19:59

I think I should check out the whenuapai club as well since their rates are a fair bit cheaper and it's closer to home.

" ... follow the money young Luke ... follow the money ...

Or maybe I'll just continue to learn at the NSAC since I've started there already, I like the place (the ride there is nice too, along the coatesville riverhead highway), and their prices aren't unreasonable.

I did my second lesson in ZK-NSA (cessna A152) today. The lessons, with their set tasks for you to learn, are a lot more interesting and challenging than the introductory flight.
Learning to taxi the cessna is difficult, steering with your feet (for anyone unfamiliar with steering an aeroplane, toes of the pedals operate the right and left brakes individually, or just pushing the heels turns the rudder and nose wheel, but they're not so effective so you have to use the brakes differentially to steer as well), trying to remember which way the throttle goes, and being asked to say stuff on the radio as well...