Favorite Experiences in Aviation
 

Hey fellow pruners, I thought I would bring up a light thread where people can share their favourite experiences in the air, close calls, moments that have made you proud of what you have achieved in the industry or basically anything you would like to share from your Aviation experiences. :ok:

Wireless internet and Iphones allowing PPrune in the cockpit!

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I imagine that would be the worst memory for those guys who overshot their Destination in the states... :eek: :}

Call me strange, but some of my most memorable flights are those early morning scud running flights where its still overcast, with scatted showers around. Its nice and cool, its a little bit of a challenge to get to the destination, flying down low and enjoying the scenery up close, and then the clouds light up with that amazing orange glow as the sun rises. Just magic conditions! :}

I have been lucky enough never to have an engine failure, although I have had to return after engines have started surging etc. But one of my most memorable moments was an IFR flight departing at night in weather on the outer fringes of a cyclone for a 1.7hr ferry flight in a PA31. So rain showers, cloud from 1000'AGL to well over 10000' solid and moderate turbulence with some nastier stuff in between.

Shorlty after departure, running through my checklists and making the required calls on CTAF and to ATC , I found that the HSI was not rotating anymore and the a/c was still maintaining a turn towards the a/p heading bug. A quick scan confirmed that my HSI had failed though still had power and would not function in either slaved or unslaved mode. I disconnected the a/p and began troubleshooting on climb to planned 9000'.
While it would slave occasionally, it would not stay slaved and the a/p would begin a gradual turn in whichever direction the bug was, and with the turbulence it would only ever end up flying further off track.

In the end I had to hand fly the a/c, at night in IMC, in nasty turbulence off my compass, seeing as the copilots DG was not in a position for me to be able to include in my scan effectively. The whole time making sure i was scanning constantly and making sure I ignored any physiological illusions a was sensing.
At the other end of my flight, I had to conduct an NDB approach on compass almost to the minima and made a safe arrival in some of the most difficult flying conditions I have had the pleasure of operating in.
Afterwards I felt absolutely drained and slept like a baby after the required couple of beers a bloke needs after a hard days work!

At the time I was rather proud of myself for handling the situation as well as i did and felt that my previous training and experience had resulted in my being able to handle the situation as i did. I think i had somewhere in the area of 1000-1200hours total time and probably 100 command in the PA31.
No doubt one of the experiences that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Also any flight on a clear night, or by day on top of overcast cloud, sunrise, sunset or on stinking hot days watching the CBs head for the Tropopause.

Turbz:ok:

first circuit solo :ok:

this only happened about 2 months ago as i only begun training in August. thankfully the solo was uneventful, though the flight was much quieter and the aircraft performed much better without my instructor on board. won't ever forget that day!

It's hard to make up my mind, you see so many amazing things almost everyday.

Can't wait to hear what Stallie has to say though!:ok:

Taking off at first light and flying over the Okavango Delta watching the sun rise over Africa. Silk smooth air and one of the most beautiful wilderness area's in the world teaming with game in every direction you look.

Brings a tear to my eye.

The GPS in that Navajo would have helped a tad turbz :ok:

If it were me it would have been a GPS arrival.......

Pity you can do a NDB approach on the compass but when it comes to test time with an ATO you can't with a HSI ay :cool:

I'm **** stirring. I remember flying that same day, lot's of embedded Cells which I unfortunately met first hand over a 9 hour flying day.........:(

The last arrival into Singapore, final flight after 42 years, had no major incidents, never ran off, over or into anything all that time.

Only made 3 missed approaches due weather in all that time, without cheating I might add, Australia, Europe, Asia.

From C-150 to A-310 via DC-3, F-27, F-28, L-31 and sundry other GA types.

Was great fun, miss it, but DO NOT MISS the Bay of Bengal at 0400 local

Stay Safe out there

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(Hopefully this doesn't detract from the otherwise positive vibe of the thread)

Sitting at FL350 in a comfortable chair with good blokes, with a nice hot coffee and hearing my old boss from GA, who treated everyone like a c**t, calling up for a taxi clearance in a Chieftain.

Flying around some of the islands of Pacific and Indian Oceans in a Twin Otter ,with out even a single thought of The Australian aviation industry and it's members.

Watching the sun set from on top or a layer of cloud... Then descend through it to see the sun set again over the desert. Magic :ok:

First circuit solo was fun, doing my pre landing checks in a C152.. pushed the door too hard and the cockpit got windy. As trained, I trimmed the aircraft and then pulled it shut.:ok:

I'm sure there is more to my limited life in aviation.

First day flying commercially on floats. Nil wind, glassy water and the most amzing sunset to end the day.

First Solo of course but also "Airshows in the Outback" It was like a travelling flying circus. Great times. 3 of the most memorable people from it are now no longer with us. Nancy, Pip and Tom.

DB

2 POB in a C210 at 5280' AGL over the Carnarvons! :E

Dr :8

1952: Flying in an Ansett Sunderland.
1962: First flying lesson in a DHC1 Chipmunk.
1962: Flying in a TAA Sunbird Service PBY Catalina.
1970 to 2000: Thirty wonderful years in the GA and regional airline industry.

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Melbourne to London first class, in the 'good old days'!:ok:

first solo circuit in SVW, 16 yrs ago, on a perfect summers morning, never forget it.


and most recenty, after being cut off and parked in the runup bay in out little Jabiru LSA, by a stuck up **** in a C172 pushing in front of the cue, clear to take off behind him, only to catch up on the "much faster" Cassna after 3 circuits, and told by ATC to Overtake on early crosswind...

strangely satisfying showing up the GA Spam can drivers (performance wise) when they make every effort to get in front of you so you dont slow them up. :ok:


Also, getting the Tecnam on the deck in 20Kt crosswinds at YHOX, and making an absolute greaser of it rates highly as well.