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Old 14th November 2001 | 23:33
  #14 (permalink)  
TAF Oscar
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 89
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From: in de volle zon
Cool

Yep, Jason2k has pretty much hit it on the head.

I would add:

Navigation, is indeed different, but has it's own challenges in FL. Those wide open spaces require a different sort of concentration, it's just as easy to end up at the wrong airport if your track is off a couple of degrees. And it may be flat and almost featureless (ideal training for Holland!), but the multiplicity of lakes in Florida can get very confusing!

R/T, is much more formal in Europe, but if you're doing it right in FL the basics are the same: who are you, where are you, and what do you want; speak clearly and without hesitation. I fly from a military field so I had some extra specific bits&pieces to learn, but even so after an hour or so it was no problem.

The things that most caught me out and took time to get used to were the use of VRP's (being used to A:B flight in Florida); filing formal flight plans and interpreting NOTAM abbreviations (having used 1-800-WXBRIEF in the US and having it all read out in English).

Apart from that silly little things like use of primer and pitot heat (never needed in FL), handbrake (most places in FL use tie-downs and don't bother with the handbrake), and having to ask permission to switch off!

For the rest, best flying time in Florida roughly between late Oct-Feb, decent weather, not too hot and less thunder cells. I last flew there in July and had cells every afternoon, sometimes they blew through in an hour or so, sometimes they just hung around. And yes, with all those thermals it can get very bumpy indeed.

Enjoy!

TAFO
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