Alas, after more than a decade when I first started my aviation training, I have completed an unrestricted pilot’s license. I now hold a Private Pilots License Aeroplane (PPLA).
I have held a passenger carrying license since 2007 but was restricted to 25nm from my departure aerodrome. My latest achievement have lifted the restrictions and can now fly anywhere in Australia.
This has allowed me to share the joys of aviation with my family and friends and today was no exception. I took my fellow photography enthusiast Skip Tan and two of his friends on the famous Sydney Harbour Scenic 1 route.
A 9am start on Sunday is always best. Nothing beats a relaxing scenic flight before a manic Monday and a flight first thing in the morning when it is usually calm.
We took one of my favourite Piper Warriors (VH-BVL), a 4 seater plane for this mission and had to make sure I did not take full fuel with me with us 4 big Asian adults! Hahaha.
More on the “…full fuel…” topic on my later posts.
Albeit a 9am start, we did not depart until around 10:30am.
I plan for a flight a night before where I plot and take note of all my tracks on a paper chart and headings on my navigation log. On the morning of the flight, I will only go ahead and proceed to the airport when the weather is good.
When you think we are good to depart, there are lots to do when preparing for such a flight. Everyone on board had to be weighed, winds and temperatures where calculated to ensure that the aircraft is capable of the flight. Because we were flying over water at low altitude and with no suitable landing areas in an emergency, life vests are required.
On the final stretch, a flight plan was filed to enter the Sydney Harbour area as a courtesy and raises the chances of being cleared into the area.
Lastly, a passenger brief of the flight, safety and emergency procedures.
It was a blast!
