QNH 1013
4th Nov 2002, 18:30
Today I made certain that should my partner (QNH) unexpectedly expire while we are flying together, I WILL be able to claim on the insurance.
Yes, I've successfully completed the new AOPA Flying Companion's Certificate Course which has replaced the old safety pilot's course. I had to do 8 hours flying and covered all the normal useful stuff like climbing, descending, flying level, and how to avoid that nasty beeping when you have the nose too high. I also had to prove that I could land the plane and during the final assessment, even ATC began to wonder if this really was just practising. I did six of the hours in what I am told is a "taildragger". The main problem with this was that the fun? really began once I'd got it on the ground and tried to keep it straight. - Yes, you can take off across the runway!!!!
Less exciting was the 10 hours groundschool and the radio practice.
The final exchange on my assessment sounded like this:
ATC: Can you see the airfield
Me: No
ATC: Hang on, I'll put the runway and approach lights on full. (pause) Can you see it now?
Me: NO
silence.......
Me: Arhhhhh, there it is. Wow I'm far too high and much too near.
ATC: Do you want to orbit on final
Me: (Thinks... whats an orbit??? better just land the damn thing)
Me: Errrr I'll see what I can do, (Thinks Oh yes, we're getting nearer the ground.)
Needless to say, my instructor and I lived to tell the tale and do you know what, he recovered from his "dead faint" just after the wheels touched the ground!!
Must go now and get my husbands insurance increased. I'm sure he is worth more than the present policy.
Sally, (alias Mrs QNH 1013)
Yes, I've successfully completed the new AOPA Flying Companion's Certificate Course which has replaced the old safety pilot's course. I had to do 8 hours flying and covered all the normal useful stuff like climbing, descending, flying level, and how to avoid that nasty beeping when you have the nose too high. I also had to prove that I could land the plane and during the final assessment, even ATC began to wonder if this really was just practising. I did six of the hours in what I am told is a "taildragger". The main problem with this was that the fun? really began once I'd got it on the ground and tried to keep it straight. - Yes, you can take off across the runway!!!!
Less exciting was the 10 hours groundschool and the radio practice.
The final exchange on my assessment sounded like this:
ATC: Can you see the airfield
Me: No
ATC: Hang on, I'll put the runway and approach lights on full. (pause) Can you see it now?
Me: NO
silence.......
Me: Arhhhhh, there it is. Wow I'm far too high and much too near.
ATC: Do you want to orbit on final
Me: (Thinks... whats an orbit??? better just land the damn thing)
Me: Errrr I'll see what I can do, (Thinks Oh yes, we're getting nearer the ground.)
Needless to say, my instructor and I lived to tell the tale and do you know what, he recovered from his "dead faint" just after the wheels touched the ground!!
Must go now and get my husbands insurance increased. I'm sure he is worth more than the present policy.
Sally, (alias Mrs QNH 1013)