Cheesed off! but perhaps for the better good in the long run?!
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Bournemouth
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As the others say, a ban seems harsh for a first offence. But learn from it and move on.
Next time - "Fuel: On, BALANCED and sufficient. Pump on/off, pressure green."
Next time - "Fuel: On, BALANCED and sufficient. Pump on/off, pressure green."
A simple aide-memoire I use to ensure I remember to change tanks is to use the minute hand on my watch - from 00 to 29mins past the hour (minute hand on the right side) I use the right tank, then 30 to 59 mins run on the left. Just incorporate a glance at your watch on the FREDA check to see which tank you should be on.
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Re posters who would have been annoyed with the electrical switches being left on and the radios etc. I'm not condoning what the OP did but part of the pre start check is switches and avionics off. I often get into aircraft in various states of 'switched on ness' from the last flight. Part of your job as commander is to ensure that it's in a state of 'switched off ness' before you crank it up.
Doesn't bother me in the slightest, that's why we check before start. I'm sure all of the holier than thous here have never left something switched on though.
Doesn't bother me in the slightest, that's why we check before start. I'm sure all of the holier than thous here have never left something switched on though.
Join Date: Dec 1999
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Two things really upset me if left on - master switch, resulting in a flat battery, and most importantly, mag switches! The rest, as said you can deal with when you do pre start.
Join Date: Dec 2010
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OP: you seem to make a point of learning from your mistakes, which is a good thing. Remember that to get the full range of a multi-tank aircraft you have to use the fuel in both tanks. If you think you have 4 hours of endurance and plan a route taking 2.5 hours, but then only run on one tank then you'll run out of fuel. On top of that, an aircraft badly out of balance will be aerodynamically inferior to a well balanced one, and so less fuel efficient too. I guess you're actually quite lucky you didn't run on one tank for longer, or you might have had an engine failure. 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Savannah GA & Portsmouth UK
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I can't knock your enthusiasm but I've seen too many dreams go wrong. If you want to get around Europe without bothering too much about the weather Ryanair and Easyjet are much cheaper. If on the other hand you want to enjoy flying then get stuck into something simpler and cheaper that you can fly anytime without worrying about the cost. I have a friend who did pretty much what you have outlined. He gave himself and his family some frights in IMC and the cost was horrendous. The a/c was found to have corrosion problems and was re-sparred. In the end I suspect he was glad when the nightmare ended. I have another friend who bought a 42 foot steel cutter to go sailing round the world, again sold at a big loss without the dream coming to fruition. I have a number of friends who are serving and retired airline pilots. Do they relax by flying IFR in piston singles? Oh no, they fly for the pleasure of it, daytime VFR, mostly in Permit aircraft that are in beautiful condition. Haven't seen Foxmoth for a while but last time we met he fitted that description.
For myself I'm happy bimbling when I want in an aircraft built before I was (I'm 64). Even though I'm currently only spending about three months a year in the UK I still pay my 45 quid a month (four of us in the group) and when I do get to fly it it's 37.50 an hour. In the US I rent and I'm still trying to work out the mysteries of the G300 in the Skycatcher. Fortunately the airplane hasn't cottoned on yet and still flies like the Luscombe but it's strange not even having a compass, let alone a six-pack.
OK I'll admit to knowing one retired airline captain who has an L39 Abatros but it costs him $750 a time for fuel, he doesn't fly it very often and he has far more money than I and I suspect you will ever have.
On the subject of becoming a licensed engineer, would you think it economic to equip a workshop and become factory trained to service your BMW? The labour costs are not the killer, it's parts costs and bureaucracy that get you on a certified a/c.
Good luck!
For myself I'm happy bimbling when I want in an aircraft built before I was (I'm 64). Even though I'm currently only spending about three months a year in the UK I still pay my 45 quid a month (four of us in the group) and when I do get to fly it it's 37.50 an hour. In the US I rent and I'm still trying to work out the mysteries of the G300 in the Skycatcher. Fortunately the airplane hasn't cottoned on yet and still flies like the Luscombe but it's strange not even having a compass, let alone a six-pack.
OK I'll admit to knowing one retired airline captain who has an L39 Abatros but it costs him $750 a time for fuel, he doesn't fly it very often and he has far more money than I and I suspect you will ever have.
On the subject of becoming a licensed engineer, would you think it economic to equip a workshop and become factory trained to service your BMW? The labour costs are not the killer, it's parts costs and bureaucracy that get you on a certified a/c.
Good luck!
Last edited by Mike Cross; 21st Aug 2013 at 06:57.
Join Date: Jan 2009
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Wise words from Mike Cross.
Too many new and inexperienced pilots think that they can use an aeroplane to (1) impress their friends (2)transport their family to vacationland in Europe (3) use in business.
To impress your friends, buy a really interesting vintage car. Taking your friends on a jolly in your aeroplane will (1) bore them (2) make them sick, (3)piss them off or frighten them with weather problems, delays, etc. Even the deepest pockets and the most experienced pilots of light aircraft or helicopters must be prepared to do a 180 in bad weather. Businessmen on the ground driving to the conference may take longer, but are reasonably sure to arrive.
Now if you just love flying, don't do it to impress your friends and family. Do it in something interesting and challenging. A Pitts Special, a Piper Cub, a Tiger Moth, a Soviet fighter plane, (or - dare I mention - a glider, which if you want to impress can set you back £80,000 - or less than £3,000 ) I know you will ignore that last suggestion, but maybe others who read this may think on.
Too many new and inexperienced pilots think that they can use an aeroplane to (1) impress their friends (2)transport their family to vacationland in Europe (3) use in business.
To impress your friends, buy a really interesting vintage car. Taking your friends on a jolly in your aeroplane will (1) bore them (2) make them sick, (3)piss them off or frighten them with weather problems, delays, etc. Even the deepest pockets and the most experienced pilots of light aircraft or helicopters must be prepared to do a 180 in bad weather. Businessmen on the ground driving to the conference may take longer, but are reasonably sure to arrive.
Now if you just love flying, don't do it to impress your friends and family. Do it in something interesting and challenging. A Pitts Special, a Piper Cub, a Tiger Moth, a Soviet fighter plane, (or - dare I mention - a glider, which if you want to impress can set you back £80,000 - or less than £3,000 ) I know you will ignore that last suggestion, but maybe others who read this may think on.
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Savannah GA & Portsmouth UK
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Do you fly gliders Mary?
Today was in the back of a PA32 out of Lee on Solent for some air to air with a Catalina, some pictures of Southampton Airport from a new perspective.
Another of my ex-airline friends, this one a retired TriStar Training Captain ended up with a plastic fantastic gliding starship complete with pop-out motor and went gliding all over the world.
