Contributor David Booth shares a story of an eventful cross-country flight in a Robinson R44 as a student pilot in Melbourne, Australia – Ed.
—
It started out fine, but I was forced to make adjustments
It all started out fine. An hour or so planning a straight forward solo cross-country was time well spent.
The plan was to leave from Essendon, up to Kalkallo, then follow the Hume Highway to Wallan then Broadford. Make a right turn and head for Flowerdale, Glenburn and then turn south toward Yarra Glen. Line up with the Lilydale runway for a straight in approach and make a nice smooth landing “clear and parallel” on the grass. Catch a few breaths then pick up and head to the Plenty NDB and onward to Essendon.
The weather was partly cloudy with some drizzle, but nothing too threatening.
After a pre-flight briefing with Kyran, and a quick review of procedures, radio calls, weather and the route, it was off to the Robinson R44 helicopter to get started. Conduct the daily pre-flight inspection, test the fuel, start her up and perform the remaining pre-flight checks. All good so far.
“Essendon Ground this is helicopter Whiskey Tango Tango at hangar 7 apron for Kalkallo with Charlie. Request taxi and airways clearance from tower helipad”.
“Whiskey Tango Tango unable to give you Kalkallo. Cleared Tower Helipad to Doncaster not above one-thousand, five-hundred. Taxi and hold short of helipad”
First hiccup – I don’t want to go to Doncaster! I want to go to Kalkallo. Time to rethink that plan.
The plan required careful, deliberate thinking
I take off, climb to one-thousand, four-hundred and head towards Doncaster. After reaching Doncaster, I turn left heading over Eltham to the Water Tank. Follow the power lines heading northwest and finally spot the Kalkallo communications tower in the distance. Big deep breath – I am back on track. I check the flight plan and chart and start up the Hume Highway. I fly over Wallan, through the Kilmore gap (a little drizzly but not too bad) and then look for Broadford. There it is!
I make the right turn at Broadford, overfly the Motorcycle Centre, get my bearings and head for Strath’s creek en-route to Flowerdale. I complete the CLEAROFF Checklist: Compass – Correct; Log it – Write the time; Engine – Lights, temps and pressures all good; Altitude – Three Thousand as planned; Radio – Frequency correct and transponder VFR; Orientation – Heading in the right general direction; Fuel – Plenty; Forced Landing – Lots of farms below. Checklist complete.
I glance down at the instrument panel about two minutes later and…WARNING LIGHT. Why is it on?
After a quick mental review of the auxiliary fuel pump, I check the circuit breakers. Sure enough, one of them has popped. I attempt a single reset and it pops out immediately. I suppose the auxiliary fuel pump has failed. Decision time: do I fly to Lilydale or do I do I make a 180 degree turn and head home quickly?
I decide to retreat. After all this is my first emergency and I want to affect a good outcome.
I fly back to Broadford, south down the Hume toward Kalkallo. As I approach Kalkallo, I contact Essendon Tower to request clearance to the Helipad.
“Whiskey Tango Tango remain outside class Charlie airspace. Will get back to you.”
“Whiskey Tango Tango we are going to bring you in via Melbourne. Contact Melbourne Tower on 120.5 for clearance”.
Melbourne Tower? He can’t mean Tullamarine – Melbourne International Airport? I’m just a student pilot in a tiny R44. These aircraft don’t fly into Tullamarine. Surely, he can’t be serious. But he is (and don’t call him Surley)!
I tune the radio to 120.5.
“Melbourne Tower this is helicopter Whiskey Tango Tango at Kalkallo, one thousand five hundred, for Essendon, with Delta. Request airways clearance.”
After being asked to hold outside class Charlie airspace, I was eventually directed to track direct to Melbourne, not above one-thousand, five-hundred. Through the drizzling rain, I headed towards the Tullamarine control tower.
“Whiskey Tango Tango track to the 27 threshold. Remain at one-thousand, five-hundred. Contact Essendon Tower overhead. Be aware there is a Jetstar Boeing 737 about to land. Be careful of jetwash.”
Jetwash? Where wasn’t in the flight manual.
As instructed, I proceeded over the 27 threshold just behind a JetStar Boeing 737 that landed from my left to right. I’m poised to hold my R44 steady as the jetwash hits. Thankfully, it wasn’t much more than a small amount of turbulence.
I proceed to Essendon and into the Tower pad followed by a short taxi to the hangar seven apron. After completing the shutdown procedure, I head inside for a much-needed break.
Wow, I survived my first emergency and had the opportunity to fly over the busy Tullamarine airport – not bad for a trainee.
What did I learn?
Don’t panic – you have the training and know what to do.
Evaluate the situation – determine what has gone wrong and what the appropriate course of action is and proceed.
Controllers are there to help – listen to their instructions, ensure you understand, and then follow them.
Tullamarine is just another airport – admittedly bigger, busier, with bigger planes, but it still functions on the same procedures. Follow the instructions and listen to what is being said.
If things don’t go according to plan; make the most of it.
Every year, Sean D. Tucker thrills millions of people with his famous airshow act. From the ground, his loops, rolls and hammerhead stalls look incredible; in the air, it’s even better. That’s what you’ll see in this video, as one lucky Sporty’s pilot goes flying with Sean and records everything. This 360-degree video was shot with the 360fly 4K camera, so pan around the cockpit for a complete view of this amazing flight.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/05180217/Sean-Tucker-aerobatics.jpg6721200studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngstudentpltnews2017-02-24 14:23:572021-06-08 19:23:30360 degree video: aerobatics with Sean D. Tucker
Welcome to the latest edition of the Flight Maneuver Spotlight series. Here we’ll highlight the various maneuvers you’ll practice during your flight training and be expected to demonstrate during your private pilot checkride. Each maneuver includes step-by-step instructions, performance standards and common errors. Study them while on the ground or print them for quick reference in the airplane.These step-by-step instructions are from Sporty’s complete Learn to Fly Course, which includes 15 hours of HD video showing hands-on how to fly each maneuver
When you hear the phrase “bush plane,” a Piper Super Cub or a de Havilland Beaver probably comes to mind. One pilot has a different idea: the DoubleEnder. This utterly unique airplane offers incredible short field performance and stunning cockpit visibility, and even has two engines. Strap into the cockpit for an amazing backcountry flight in this week’s fun flying video.
There’s nothing more inspiring than sharing aviation with youth.
We’ve all been there. After many months, or possibly years, of hard work, you’ve finally received your pilot’s license. Inevitably, you will want to share the wonders of aviation with friends and family members. There is nothing more awe-inspiring than seeing the look on children’s faces the first time they fly in a small airplane. Giving that experience to youth should be high on your list of aviation accomplishments.
As with all things in aviation, this experience doesn’t come without risk. As pilots, it’s our job to recognize and manage this risk. Here are the top 5 questions Sporty’s receives when pilots ask our opinions on flying with youth.
Do I need additional insurance?
The short answer is maybe. Take a look at your current insurance policy. Almost all owners and renters policies have a provision for passengers. The level of coverage will vary greatly depending on the plan. If you are concerned that you are under-insured, you probably are. As inexpensive as additional liability coverage can be, it may be worth it to ease your worries.
How young is too young?
You’ll want them to remember the experience.
This is probably the most common. Think back to your first flight. I can remember the first time my parents purchased a flight for me in a small airplane. It was awesome! My rule of thumb is that I want children to remember their first flight forever. Depending on the individual, that might be anywhere from four to seven years old. If it’s your own child, you might consider the younger side of that age. For obvious reasons including safety, I consider diapers too young.
How high can I go?
Pressure changes can have more of an effect on children than adults. My daughter is one of those. On a flight a few years ago, we were climbing through 3,500 feet on a one hour flight from a field elevation of less than a thousand feet, and I hear her say that her head is starting to hurt.
As any concerned parent would do, I leveled off and descended. The discomfort subsided and she was fine for the remainder of the bumpy flight.
If it is their first flight, try to stick with relatively low altitudes. The traffic pattern altitude plus 1,000 feet is my normal maximum on first flights. After several flights getting acclimated, slowly try the higher altitudes. Before long, you’ll be at normal cruising heights. To be safe, always do a slow descent with kids on board and discuss the various techniques available to relieve the inner ear pressure.
Are special headsets needed?
Depending on age and head size, some headsets might not fit well on youth. The smaller the child, the more fitting issues you may have with headsets. Several headset manufacturers make youth size headsets. These are similar to the adult counterparts, but with smaller headbands. David Clark and Sigtronics offer youth models in the $200-$350 range. Personally, I’ve used Bose headsets on both of my children as young as age four and they worked great. The overhead cam mechanism is ideal for small heads, and the ANR provides excellent hearing protection for their sensitive ears.
Should I demonstrate maneuvers on the first flight?
Strive to keep them interested for a lifetime.
You’re striving for an enjoyable ride that will keep them interested in aviation for the future. I try to keep turns shallow with only slight changes in attitude. Advanced maneuvers might sound like a good opportunity to showcase your skills, but you don’t want to scare off newcomers. The focus should be seeing grandma waving from the front porch and the lightning-fast speed of a Cessna 172. In other words, no floating pen tricks.
What to share the magic of flight with more youth? Connect with your local EAA chapter and volunteer for Young Eagle Flights. It is a lot of fun and a wonderfully rewarding way to give back.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/05180258/child-with-father.jpg9601280studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngstudentpltnews2017-02-13 10:00:162021-06-08 19:23:30Top 5 questions and answers for flying with youth
Taking off into a low overcast is a rush for many instrument pilots, as the ground disappears into the mist and clouds. At that point, you have to trust your training and follow the instruments – not the seat of your pants. But new technology makes this a little bit easier. With an iPad app like ForeFlight and an ADS-B receiver like Stratus, pilots have more awareness of terrain, obstacles, weather and runway locations. In this video, you’ll ride along in the right seat of a Piper Arrow as the pilot shoots an instrument approach in low IFR conditions. You’ll also see the iPad screen overlaid on top of the video. It’s hard work, but it’s also a lot of fun.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/05180236/Stratus-IFR-takeoff-video-still.jpg6391200studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngstudentpltnews2017-02-10 10:59:052021-06-08 19:23:30Video: how to use an iPad on an IFR flight
A cross-country gone awry
/in Personal stories, Tips and technique/by StudentpltnewsContributor David Booth shares a story of an eventful cross-country flight in a Robinson R44 as a student pilot in Melbourne, Australia – Ed.
—
It started out fine, but I was forced to make adjustments
It all started out fine. An hour or so planning a straight forward solo cross-country was time well spent.
The plan was to leave from Essendon, up to Kalkallo, then follow the Hume Highway to Wallan then Broadford. Make a right turn and head for Flowerdale, Glenburn and then turn south toward Yarra Glen. Line up with the Lilydale runway for a straight in approach and make a nice smooth landing “clear and parallel” on the grass. Catch a few breaths then pick up and head to the Plenty NDB and onward to Essendon.
The weather was partly cloudy with some drizzle, but nothing too threatening.
After a pre-flight briefing with Kyran, and a quick review of procedures, radio calls, weather and the route, it was off to the Robinson R44 helicopter to get started. Conduct the daily pre-flight inspection, test the fuel, start her up and perform the remaining pre-flight checks. All good so far.
“Essendon Ground this is helicopter Whiskey Tango Tango at hangar 7 apron for Kalkallo with Charlie. Request taxi and airways clearance from tower helipad”.
“Whiskey Tango Tango unable to give you Kalkallo. Cleared Tower Helipad to Doncaster not above one-thousand, five-hundred. Taxi and hold short of helipad”
First hiccup – I don’t want to go to Doncaster! I want to go to Kalkallo. Time to rethink that plan.
The plan required careful, deliberate thinking
I take off, climb to one-thousand, four-hundred and head towards Doncaster. After reaching Doncaster, I turn left heading over Eltham to the Water Tank. Follow the power lines heading northwest and finally spot the Kalkallo communications tower in the distance. Big deep breath – I am back on track. I check the flight plan and chart and start up the Hume Highway. I fly over Wallan, through the Kilmore gap (a little drizzly but not too bad) and then look for Broadford. There it is!
I make the right turn at Broadford, overfly the Motorcycle Centre, get my bearings and head for Strath’s creek en-route to Flowerdale. I complete the CLEAROFF Checklist: Compass – Correct; Log it – Write the time; Engine – Lights, temps and pressures all good; Altitude – Three Thousand as planned; Radio – Frequency correct and transponder VFR; Orientation – Heading in the right general direction; Fuel – Plenty; Forced Landing – Lots of farms below. Checklist complete.
I glance down at the instrument panel about two minutes later and…WARNING LIGHT. Why is it on?
After a quick mental review of the auxiliary fuel pump, I check the circuit breakers. Sure enough, one of them has popped. I attempt a single reset and it pops out immediately. I suppose the auxiliary fuel pump has failed. Decision time: do I fly to Lilydale or do I do I make a 180 degree turn and head home quickly?
I decide to retreat. After all this is my first emergency and I want to affect a good outcome.
I fly back to Broadford, south down the Hume toward Kalkallo. As I approach Kalkallo, I contact Essendon Tower to request clearance to the Helipad.
“Whiskey Tango Tango remain outside class Charlie airspace. Will get back to you.”
“Whiskey Tango Tango we are going to bring you in via Melbourne. Contact Melbourne Tower on 120.5 for clearance”.
Melbourne Tower? He can’t mean Tullamarine – Melbourne International Airport? I’m just a student pilot in a tiny R44. These aircraft don’t fly into Tullamarine. Surely, he can’t be serious. But he is (and don’t call him Surley)!
I tune the radio to 120.5.
“Melbourne Tower this is helicopter Whiskey Tango Tango at Kalkallo, one thousand five hundred, for Essendon, with Delta. Request airways clearance.”
After being asked to hold outside class Charlie airspace, I was eventually directed to track direct to Melbourne, not above one-thousand, five-hundred. Through the drizzling rain, I headed towards the Tullamarine control tower.
“Whiskey Tango Tango track to the 27 threshold. Remain at one-thousand, five-hundred. Contact Essendon Tower overhead. Be aware there is a Jetstar Boeing 737 about to land. Be careful of jetwash.”
Jetwash? Where wasn’t in the flight manual.
As instructed, I proceeded over the 27 threshold just behind a JetStar Boeing 737 that landed from my left to right. I’m poised to hold my R44 steady as the jetwash hits. Thankfully, it wasn’t much more than a small amount of turbulence.
I proceed to Essendon and into the Tower pad followed by a short taxi to the hangar seven apron. After completing the shutdown procedure, I head inside for a much-needed break.
Wow, I survived my first emergency and had the opportunity to fly over the busy Tullamarine airport – not bad for a trainee.
What did I learn?
360 degree video: aerobatics with Sean D. Tucker
/in Fun Flying Videos/by StudentpltnewsEvery year, Sean D. Tucker thrills millions of people with his famous airshow act. From the ground, his loops, rolls and hammerhead stalls look incredible; in the air, it’s even better. That’s what you’ll see in this video, as one lucky Sporty’s pilot goes flying with Sean and records everything. This 360-degree video was shot with the 360fly 4K camera, so pan around the cockpit for a complete view of this amazing flight.
Flight maneuver spotlight: crosswind takeoff
/in Flight Maneuvers, Tips and technique/by StudentpltnewsWelcome to the latest edition of the Flight Maneuver Spotlight series. Here we’ll highlight the various maneuvers you’ll practice during your flight training and be expected to demonstrate during your private pilot checkride. Each maneuver includes step-by-step instructions, performance standards and common errors. Study them while on the ground or print them for quick reference in the airplane.
These step-by-step instructions are from Sporty’s complete Learn to Fly Course, which includes 15 hours of HD video showing hands-on how to fly each maneuver
Video: flying the incredible DoubleEnder
/in Fun Flying Videos/by StudentpltnewsWhen you hear the phrase “bush plane,” a Piper Super Cub or a de Havilland Beaver probably comes to mind. One pilot has a different idea: the DoubleEnder. This utterly unique airplane offers incredible short field performance and stunning cockpit visibility, and even has two engines. Strap into the cockpit for an amazing backcountry flight in this week’s fun flying video.
Video from Backcountry Pilot
Top 5 questions and answers for flying with youth
/in Tips and technique/by StudentpltnewsThere’s nothing more inspiring than sharing aviation with youth.
We’ve all been there. After many months, or possibly years, of hard work, you’ve finally received your pilot’s license. Inevitably, you will want to share the wonders of aviation with friends and family members. There is nothing more awe-inspiring than seeing the look on children’s faces the first time they fly in a small airplane. Giving that experience to youth should be high on your list of aviation accomplishments.
As with all things in aviation, this experience doesn’t come without risk. As pilots, it’s our job to recognize and manage this risk. Here are the top 5 questions Sporty’s receives when pilots ask our opinions on flying with youth.
Do I need additional insurance?
The short answer is maybe. Take a look at your current insurance policy. Almost all owners and renters policies have a provision for passengers. The level of coverage will vary greatly depending on the plan. If you are concerned that you are under-insured, you probably are. As inexpensive as additional liability coverage can be, it may be worth it to ease your worries.
How young is too young?
You’ll want them to remember the experience.
This is probably the most common. Think back to your first flight. I can remember the first time my parents purchased a flight for me in a small airplane. It was awesome! My rule of thumb is that I want children to remember their first flight forever. Depending on the individual, that might be anywhere from four to seven years old. If it’s your own child, you might consider the younger side of that age. For obvious reasons including safety, I consider diapers too young.
How high can I go?
Pressure changes can have more of an effect on children than adults. My daughter is one of those. On a flight a few years ago, we were climbing through 3,500 feet on a one hour flight from a field elevation of less than a thousand feet, and I hear her say that her head is starting to hurt.
As any concerned parent would do, I leveled off and descended. The discomfort subsided and she was fine for the remainder of the bumpy flight.
If it is their first flight, try to stick with relatively low altitudes. The traffic pattern altitude plus 1,000 feet is my normal maximum on first flights. After several flights getting acclimated, slowly try the higher altitudes. Before long, you’ll be at normal cruising heights. To be safe, always do a slow descent with kids on board and discuss the various techniques available to relieve the inner ear pressure.
Are special headsets needed?
Depending on age and head size, some headsets might not fit well on youth. The smaller the child, the more fitting issues you may have with headsets. Several headset manufacturers make youth size headsets. These are similar to the adult counterparts, but with smaller headbands. David Clark and Sigtronics offer youth models in the $200-$350 range. Personally, I’ve used Bose headsets on both of my children as young as age four and they worked great. The overhead cam mechanism is ideal for small heads, and the ANR provides excellent hearing protection for their sensitive ears.
Should I demonstrate maneuvers on the first flight?
Strive to keep them interested for a lifetime.
You’re striving for an enjoyable ride that will keep them interested in aviation for the future. I try to keep turns shallow with only slight changes in attitude. Advanced maneuvers might sound like a good opportunity to showcase your skills, but you don’t want to scare off newcomers. The focus should be seeing grandma waving from the front porch and the lightning-fast speed of a Cessna 172. In other words, no floating pen tricks.
What to share the magic of flight with more youth? Connect with your local EAA chapter and volunteer for Young Eagle Flights. It is a lot of fun and a wonderfully rewarding way to give back.
FMI: www.youngeagles.com
Video: how to use an iPad on an IFR flight
/in Fun Flying Videos/by StudentpltnewsTaking off into a low overcast is a rush for many instrument pilots, as the ground disappears into the mist and clouds. At that point, you have to trust your training and follow the instruments – not the seat of your pants. But new technology makes this a little bit easier. With an iPad app like ForeFlight and an ADS-B receiver like Stratus, pilots have more awareness of terrain, obstacles, weather and runway locations. In this video, you’ll ride along in the right seat of a Piper Arrow as the pilot shoots an instrument approach in low IFR conditions. You’ll also see the iPad screen overlaid on top of the video. It’s hard work, but it’s also a lot of fun.
Video from Mike Cardosa