Progress
Went flying tonight with a mate - the telephone brief was quite simple, see you over landmark X (in our single seat wonder-machines) at 1500 on the QFE at 1820 local. We'll do more of what we did last time and you can show me the aeros that you've been practicing.
We met up as briefed and flew over to the coast in close formation. We split up at the beach, he went north at 3000', I climbed a further thousand and headed south.
I watched him perform his first few loops and barrel rolls. As he stopped to reposition and rest, I took the opportunity to do some inverted multi-turn spins trying to recover on heading and then pushed through to straight and level rather than pull.
After a few of these, some avalanches and a couple of outside loops, we joined up, moved into safe positions and I critiqued his second tranche of embryonic rolls and loops.
We headed off homewards after 40 minutes of cavorting through the sky.
As I climbed out, I smiled as 4 years ago this very month a good friend did exactly the same with me. He supervised my first erect spins, following me down, ready with sage words. He critiqued my slow rolls and demo'd them just 50 yds ahead of me!
Flying to me is far more than just whanging about the sky drilling Avgas powered holes, it is about camaraderie, sharing experiences and encouraging others to safely take that next step!
Lomcevaks, for me, before the summer is out. Have a buddy who is curently a few months more advanced on a similar self-imposed syllabus and know that I can glean all the required gen from him!
Another sh!tty day working, salvaged by a great early evening flight!
Stik