Flying Experience with Ken Andrews

[iamanaussiemavrick]

Hi,

If you have flown with Mr.Ken Andrews, do share the experience...

[Jet_A_Knight]

Probably one of the most pleasant & gracious gentlemen you will ever meet.:ok:

[TheColonel]

I couldnt agree more. Very pleseant to fly with, even if he does on the odd chance nod off...:}

[Area QNH is...]

Agree with all.
One of the best and most friendly ATO's around.
When I did my PPL with him back in '98 I was warned by my Instructor about the "nod off".
When he "woke" the first question he asked was "Where are we ;)"
I was told to make sure I knew exactly where :}

[VH-WTF]

First thing he said to me after waking was "what's your new estimate for Bathurst?" Top bloke.. and he spent 20min in the terminal picking up brochures for his daughter!(iirc)

[TLAW]

Examined me for my PPL.

Flying back over Kanangra Walls he took over and we did some orbits whilst he shared the geological history of the Blue Mountains. Certainly took my mind off things. I completely forgot he was an examiner, more like flying with a much more experienced mate. He even offered me a drink of cold water from a thermos :ok:

The only thing I managed to get out of him regarding his flying experience was that he was involved with the carrier landing tests of the Hawker Fury, although I may have got the details muddled. Anyone know more?

[markben]

I did my instructor rating with Ken, the lesson plan (long brief) was on turning, after half way through the briefing he stopped me and told me to rub everything out........ I thought I had failed!!!

He then come to the white board and proceeded to instruct me on how to shoot down the enemy during tight turns, and bullet vs missile projection in various turns and what happens while shooting and changing direction.

ABSOLUTE GENTLEMAN!!!! Should be more of his type in CASA, he knows when you know your stuff, and when your nervous.

:D:D:D:D:D

[mebro]

Top Bloke indeed I had the pleasure of Mr. Andrews doing all my tests from GFPT thr to C-IR were good fun didnt really feel like a test flight except for my GFPT on return to BK circuit area when I stuffed up the glide approach and was told sternly got one more go at it if I wanted to get through, ofcourse summoned up all my skills at that time to perform and I managed to (still remember the flight...was a work out) and then the rest of the tests were a breeze.

Yes he does like his seista's (I am sure I read about a reasearch saying seistas are good for yah) and he is sure to ask u where are we/u, if he is happy back to his seista the other side I haven't experienced. During my ppl test on the way to crookwell he wakes up and asks the famous question, I go so and so he quietly took his wac from his bag looks at it then asked me are u sure (I paused and analysed it for a few sec and said yes I am sure) and he continued on with his seista..was a slight relief I was headed the right way ..smiles.....

I also had the pleasure of being the observent of other things during my later stages of flight test which unfortunately I cant quite talk about here....fun flights indeed never was a test flight really.

I have to say he does not talk much of his flying exp unless you specifically ask him, on one such occasion I did learn he hates Bananas, curious as I was asking the question why, he replied I was shot down in PNG once and with a lilttle smile he said bananas was his only diet for three months while hiding in the jungles, occasionally when passing through a village he said he used to have rice

Another occassion after an overaseas stint I ran into him in Sydney during a CASA seminar and I told him I am on my way to Horn for a short stint and he said that used to be his old playground, he was saying many a times he would be ferrying aeroplanes(dont remember the types he mentioned) from the mainland to PNG and overnighting @ horn before flying further north.

All the best wishes to him and I am sure he is kickin well although I havent seen him in a good part of 3/4 yrs now.

AussieMav if u run into him do say hello ..do u have an upcoming test with him ????

Go well Mr. Andrews

Best Regards
R

[Jabawocky]

TLAW

Examined me for my PPL.

And where did he find it?:E

Sounds like a top bloke though!:ok:

J

[Hugh Jarse]

I can only mirror the comments made by previous posters regarding KCA.

When I did my initial CIR test with him in the early 80's, he snoozed (or so I thought) from abeam HOX until the inbound turn in the NDB at GLB, where he reached up and closed the mixture on one of the engines.

A funny guy is Ken. And a true gentleman.:ok:

[Jet_A_Knight]

Don't let all the nice things about Ken lull you into a false sense of security.....he is no push over, so prepare well!


However, if he does fail you, he still leaves you with your dignity:ok:

[Unhinged]

Can only echo all the positive comments. Ken's a true gentleman.

He did my NVFR test in 1991. I'd been told that he tended to nod off a bit, and judicous use of the heater could improve the odds of a quiet test.

After we were well established heading north up the Bankstown LOE and he was looking fairly subdued I reached over to the heater controls, only to be met with a very polite "I know what you're doing, so leave them alone !"

I laughed out loud ! (and I think he did too :-)

Any particular reason for the original question ?

[Centaurus]

Ken was a flight commander at the RAAF Central Flying School at East Sale circa 1956 when I was learning to be a QFI on Tigers, Wirraways and Winjeels. Although I had previously flown the single seat version of the Vampire fighter I was given a dual trip with Ken in the dual version at CFS.
This version had a "clamshell" canopy which stood vertically when locked open and was dangerous if the wind caught it if unlocked. After landing we taxied to the CFS tarmac where Ken proceeded to unlock and raise the canopy after the engine was shut down.
I attempted to climb out of the Vampire by undoing oxygen and ejection seat connections and levering myself out of the seat by grasping the front of the windscreen. Ken cautioned me never to climb out until it was certain the canopy was indeed safely locked open. I thanked him for his timely advice and sat back in the seat to await his exit first - after all, he was a Squadron Leader and I a lowly Flight Sergeant.
Ken placed his gloved hands on the canopy bow and started to haul himself out of the seat. Without any warning, the open canopy unlatched and slammed down hard on his fingers trapping them under the metal frame of the canopy. Poor old Ken let out a frightful oath and managed to pull his fingers clear although it turned out he had fractured them.
I remember looking at him in awed admiration and congratulated him on a magnificent demonstration. He was not amused and snapped saying "That's not bloody funny, Flight Sergeant." "Yessir" I said, trying not to piss myself with laughter, cruel though it was. It took Ken several weeks to recover and he could be seen briefing his students with one hand heavily bandaged and the bandage looped around his neck rather similar to pictures of Napolean Bonoparte.:ok:

[Wombat35]

One of the all round top blokes...

CIR renewal was an early departure from Bankstown... TOPD Bathurst, err Ken, :zzz::zzz::zzz: sorry to wake you but you might want to watch my NDB....:} although I'm happy to fail my own engine if you'd prefer :E

Only a few top blokes left, Rob Marshall of Curtis being another... gives you a bit of faith in the system!

[Crosshair]

Yes, he's a great guy.

During my PPL exam with him, things were going well, so I decided to chat with him. I had no idea of his reputation or background.

"So, Ken, what has your career in aviation been like? Did you fly for an airline?" I said.

"Oh, this and that. I've commanded fighter squadrons," he said.

My reply was weirdly, subconsciously influenced by Hannibal Lecter: "Aha. I myself have not."

That is my memory of flying with Ken Andrews.

[devolved]

Ken did my PPL. On one of the legs back to BK he said "i have control and i want you to recover", He put the archer into a very nose high attitude climb then stall and said "recover" :D Ended up talking about him wanting to go sailing that day, as it was a pretty mint day on the central coast. Very enjoyable exprience!!

[TLAW]

Jabawocky,

It was on the mantelpiece, as it turned out. It's always in the last place you look.

iamanaussiemavrick,

I'm also curious - what prompted you to post the the thread?

[Runaway Gun]

Remind me to wear a helmet when I fly with you Frozo :)

[das Uber Soldat]

Ken did my CPL in '00 and is a champion. He knows when you know your stuff, and when you don't. He can do this without drilling you or crushing your dignity. Rare skill

[Capt Mo]

Ken conducted my GFPT and CPL flight tests and I have to agree that he is a true gentleman and a great aviator.

Since these tests, I have been lucky that I get to chat to Ken regularly when I see him out at YSBK conducting tests. It's an honour that I get this chance to share his experiences and knowledge - I always learn something new!

[iamanaussiemavrick]

Hi Guys,

Thanks a lot for your wondeful replies. It was very informative.

I made this post after doing my CPL flight test with Ken Andrews. I did all my 3 tests(GFPT,PPL,CPL) with him. He is a very good guy.

Iam an Indian doing my training over here in australia. I could say that with all the people i have seen in aviation till now Ken would be my role model. He is such a vast experience. There is always a lot to learn from him.

I had a nice conversation with him about Indian army and air force and he was also telling me about australian.

He was also very friendly during the test and infact during the glide approach in my CPL flight test he was telling me to reasess the wind strength since it was too strong.

I was so fascinated by his rich experience in aviation and so i wanted to know more on him, that led me to this post.

One of my friend asked him why he left the air force, and he came with the reply like after so many years he learned that there is life outside aviation too..

He was such a dedicated guy into aviation.

I did pass my CPL flight test and he was very happy with my perfomance.

I am happy that i met one of the 'big flyers' of australia.

cheers
:ok:

[Kaptin Kook]

Congratulations on passing your CPL flight test.

I had Ken for my CPL and MECIR in 2000. On my CPL exam, he pointed the Arrow straight up (it seemed like it) and handed over just before the stall and ask me to recover. Never thought that the Arrow could snap down like that. Then we did the low level nav section. At one point he asked me if I knew how to do a low level search pattern. I admitted that I didn't know. He taught me on the spot. We did my MECIR from Bankstown in IMC from start to finish. No games with the mixture on that flight. In hindsight, it was the most challenging flight I've ever done, but it was also the most "perfect", everything just clicked into place. Flying with him was a true honor. :ok:

I heard that he flew in Europe during WWII. Then heard another rumour of him being shot down by the Japanese later on in the Pacific. My Japanese classmate was kinda wary around the man.....

I was surprised to find out that he was an avid surfer and windsurfer. He was still into the sports back in 2000 (at 70? years old). We talked about the history and the latest innovations in the sports. A real cool dude.

When ever I think of the man, I have a mental picture of Albert Einstien flying a Spitfire. :ok: My hero too.

[Muffinman]

I have fond memories of being a student at AFTS whilst under the command of Ken back in '80/81, and experienced a mix of teaching and testing experiences that are rarely replicated nowadays. On one occasion the ground theory teacher for human factors was sick so Ken stepped in at nil notice and gave one of the most entertaining and informative off the cuff lessons I've experienced - pure chalk and talk - no 'death by power point' in those days. When he got onto the topic about eyes, he remarked during the lesson about not trusting people that blinked a lot - the whole class spent the next few days too sh!t scared to move an eye muscle:}

My memory fades but who was the (indian?) airforce guy who worked with Ken and drove a green MG? at the same time?

[GearOff]

A simple demonstration by Ken of slow flight during my initial instructor rating flight test still stands as one of the most impressive displays of aircraft handling I've seen. He's truly at one with the machine.

[KRUSTY 34]

More of the same,

Did my CPL flight test with Ken 19 years ago!

Has it been that long?

Complete gentleman. Saw him on the ramp at an outport about 3 or 4 years ago. Never seems to change.

Hope he is keeping well.

[TLAW]

...Albert Einstein flying a spitfire...
:D:ok: Spot on!

[Betsy & Nikki]

Ken conducted my PPL & CPL, two flights that I will never forget. A true gentleman!

Anyone know his age? Must be pushing 90 years old! What a legend!:D

B&N

[iamanaussiemavrick]

I would call him a true aviator.....


so lucky to fly with him 3 times and much much more happier as i passed on all the 3 tests... from GFPT to CPL...

[Muffinman]

Yeh we get the point 'mav about your success with Ken - I think your success was mentioned back in your earlier post -I think you're about to snuff this thread