What has been the one, absolute highlight of your flying so far?
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For me every flight is still wonderful but for special mention:
First Solo (of course)
Landing on Lundy (always wanted to do this since first reading that it was possible in Pilot magazine.
Two parts of the IR flight test:
(i) The examiner taking down the screens and seeing that I was actually over the approach lights at EGHH after a gruelling 9nm inbound tracking for the NDB approach (reason: I had previously failed the F170A twice on the NDB approach and it was the end of a very long day. The test had started at 0900 and we landed in the dark!)
(ii) The examiner telling me I had passed as we taxied back.
There are so many, but you asked for only one. Sorry I couldn't limit it to one.
By the way Whirly, you don't seem to be on the Sherburn list but you started the fly-in thread. Are you coming this Saturday?
First Solo (of course)
Landing on Lundy (always wanted to do this since first reading that it was possible in Pilot magazine.
Two parts of the IR flight test:
(i) The examiner taking down the screens and seeing that I was actually over the approach lights at EGHH after a gruelling 9nm inbound tracking for the NDB approach (reason: I had previously failed the F170A twice on the NDB approach and it was the end of a very long day. The test had started at 0900 and we landed in the dark!)
(ii) The examiner telling me I had passed as we taxied back.
There are so many, but you asked for only one. Sorry I couldn't limit it to one.
By the way Whirly, you don't seem to be on the Sherburn list but you started the fly-in thread. Are you coming this Saturday?
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Well, apart from passing the skills test last week, for me it has to be the Cross Country Qualifier. What a great feeling to move away from the airfield and be in total control. Mine included stops at two full ATC airports and having trained at an A/G I find the whole control element twice as fun! Oh, and having an airliner waiting at the hold for me to land put a big grin on my face!
Amazing day.
I’m sure I have many more highs and (not too many) lows to come in this weird but wonderful industry!
Amazing day.
I’m sure I have many more highs and (not too many) lows to come in this weird but wonderful industry!
The Original Whirly
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QNH 1013,
I'll be at the fly-in; I'm not on the list because I'm coming as a passenger (possibly co-pilot if group rules allow) with Genghis .
And despite having said only one, someone's just reminded me of another - first flight after getting my PPL, From Welshpool to Caernarfon, over Snowdonia - the first and so far only time I've managed to fly over those mountains on a completely cloudless day - magic!
I'll be at the fly-in; I'm not on the list because I'm coming as a passenger (possibly co-pilot if group rules allow) with Genghis .
And despite having said only one, someone's just reminded me of another - first flight after getting my PPL, From Welshpool to Caernarfon, over Snowdonia - the first and so far only time I've managed to fly over those mountains on a completely cloudless day - magic!
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Yes, quite a few come to mind.
- first solo, first XC, etc;
- the "buzz" each time the examiner says "You passed";
- the joy at taking a friend for a jolly round the estuary. This friend was 60, and had never dared fly in anything all his life. He was a very keen sailor, so I flew round the yacht race that he used to compete in. He loved it: he and his wife now fly regularly on holiday;
- but most of all: flying from Brackett out across the desert, along the Grand Canyon, and landing at GC. Wonderful! Must do it again...
- first solo, first XC, etc;
- the "buzz" each time the examiner says "You passed";
- the joy at taking a friend for a jolly round the estuary. This friend was 60, and had never dared fly in anything all his life. He was a very keen sailor, so I flew round the yacht race that he used to compete in. He loved it: he and his wife now fly regularly on holiday;
- but most of all: flying from Brackett out across the desert, along the Grand Canyon, and landing at GC. Wonderful! Must do it again...
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Whirley said:
From Welshpool to Caernarfon, over Snowdonia - the first and so far only time I've managed to fly over those mountains on a completely cloudless day - magic!
BTDT!
After many fligts to North Wales when there's always been cloud on Snowdon, a couple of summers ago I took a friend on a super flight around Lleyn, had lunch at Caernarfon, then home over Snowdon. Apart from the inceadible scenery, it's quite fun up at 4000 feet looking down on the tiny black Hawks whizzing up the valleys (we *were* talking to Valley Radar, so no conflict problems).
SSD
From Welshpool to Caernarfon, over Snowdonia - the first and so far only time I've managed to fly over those mountains on a completely cloudless day - magic!
BTDT!
After many fligts to North Wales when there's always been cloud on Snowdon, a couple of summers ago I took a friend on a super flight around Lleyn, had lunch at Caernarfon, then home over Snowdon. Apart from the inceadible scenery, it's quite fun up at 4000 feet looking down on the tiny black Hawks whizzing up the valleys (we *were* talking to Valley Radar, so no conflict problems).
SSD
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Two for me as well, both in the US, although most of my flying has been here in the UK...
The first was flying down the Florida Keys in a rented (new) 172 in perfect March early evening weather last year, clear skies, no wind, blue sky, blue sea, brilliant.
The second was in New York flying the VFR corridor from the George Washington Bridge, down the Hudson river past Manhattan at 1000', over the bay past the Statue of Liberty, across the Verrazano bridge (between the towers) and down the coast of Long Island about 2-3 miles south of JFK. The best moment came when NY Approach called me and said 'contact Kennedy tower', and I had to get my call in from my lowly PA28, between the departing 777s and 747s. Magic.
The first was flying down the Florida Keys in a rented (new) 172 in perfect March early evening weather last year, clear skies, no wind, blue sky, blue sea, brilliant.
The second was in New York flying the VFR corridor from the George Washington Bridge, down the Hudson river past Manhattan at 1000', over the bay past the Statue of Liberty, across the Verrazano bridge (between the towers) and down the coast of Long Island about 2-3 miles south of JFK. The best moment came when NY Approach called me and said 'contact Kennedy tower', and I had to get my call in from my lowly PA28, between the departing 777s and 747s. Magic.
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I would say snap to PhilD, and include a 360 round the statue of Liberty, but amongst many memorable flights, including first solo, I think the first time I flew solo across the channel had the biggest impact.
There was time to realise what you were actually doing, and thoughts of Bleriot were with you all the way.
Can you only have one most memorable flight? If so the English language needs changing.
There was time to realise what you were actually doing, and thoughts of Bleriot were with you all the way.
Can you only have one most memorable flight? If so the English language needs changing.
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Flying back from an Air Display at Haverforwest in a Stearman, low over the Welsh mountains on a 100k+ vis day, few fair weather Cu and not a care in the world. A few FJ's flying around underneath us, a low pass past my dad's house, well below 500ft........The best days flying in 20years
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20 miles south of Portland Bill, VMC on top at FL85 on 11th August 2001, watching the total eclipse with my Dad and Son was pretty memorable...three generations sharing a once in a lifetime event with me doing the flying
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My brother -in-law hates flying.
The last time he flew was coming back from Spain to get married in 1973. Last summer my wife, sister and brother-in-law all came over to the airfield so I could show off the group aircraft & take my sister flying, for she has no qualms.
I preflighted the aircraft and said 'OK, whose first?' To my intense surprise, Charlie said 'OK - I'll go, but only a quick one'.
So we strapped in and took off, for just one circuit. Now I can't say that he loved it, but it gave him the confidence to get on an aircraft and fly to Spain later that year.
So I've taken my drinking buddy and Mother-in-law up for their first ever flights, re-introduced B-i-L to flying and was able to fly my aged mother over her home before she got too infirm.
My one regret was that my father never lived long enough for me to take him flying, but as he worked at North Weald during the war, where I now fly from, I'm sure he won't mind.
The last time he flew was coming back from Spain to get married in 1973. Last summer my wife, sister and brother-in-law all came over to the airfield so I could show off the group aircraft & take my sister flying, for she has no qualms.
I preflighted the aircraft and said 'OK, whose first?' To my intense surprise, Charlie said 'OK - I'll go, but only a quick one'.
So we strapped in and took off, for just one circuit. Now I can't say that he loved it, but it gave him the confidence to get on an aircraft and fly to Spain later that year.
So I've taken my drinking buddy and Mother-in-law up for their first ever flights, re-introduced B-i-L to flying and was able to fly my aged mother over her home before she got too infirm.
My one regret was that my father never lived long enough for me to take him flying, but as he worked at North Weald during the war, where I now fly from, I'm sure he won't mind.
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Well I think it has to be my QXC, Wick and Kirkwall are nice places and it was great flying there all on my own.
My first trip alone to an airfield (Perth) I had never been to with anyone else was special too as it proved to me that I can do it.
My first trip alone to an airfield (Perth) I had never been to with anyone else was special too as it proved to me that I can do it.
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Walking across the wet apron to the TB10. Reaching out and running my hand down the edge of the propellor blades. Walking round the side and stroking the fuselage. Climbing on to the wing, lifting open the door and sliding into the left hand seat. Holding the yoke and pulling it gently back. Pressing the master power button and listening to the gyros spool-up.
Ink on the cheque hardly dry, I was sitting in MY aeroplane.
Ink on the cheque hardly dry, I was sitting in MY aeroplane.
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Well 4 me as P1 its three in reverse oder
3rd: 1st solo - that realisation whilst flying downwind that you are the only person who can land the thing.
2nd: UAS low level flying down Welsh valleys, looking up as walkers went by, and wondering how to get the chute open quick enough if it all went pear shape.
1st: 1st solo aerobatics - just as I started to pull up into my 1st loop
But best pax experience was in a Hawk, out of RAF Brawdy, on an hour long sortie dropping bombs on and machine gunning a Welsh mountain range from 100ft whilst doing 400+knts & pulling 6g turns - amazing.
3rd: 1st solo - that realisation whilst flying downwind that you are the only person who can land the thing.
2nd: UAS low level flying down Welsh valleys, looking up as walkers went by, and wondering how to get the chute open quick enough if it all went pear shape.
1st: 1st solo aerobatics - just as I started to pull up into my 1st loop
But best pax experience was in a Hawk, out of RAF Brawdy, on an hour long sortie dropping bombs on and machine gunning a Welsh mountain range from 100ft whilst doing 400+knts & pulling 6g turns - amazing.
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After decades spent thinking about it and months with MS Flight Sim 98, sitting in a H300 hovering over the spot while I get the pedals, the collective, then the cyclic...and we don't move...
Glad they didn't do in-cockpit videos. I'd sob my heart out every time I watched it.
Glad they didn't do in-cockpit videos. I'd sob my heart out every time I watched it.
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First flight in the aerobatic biplane that I'd spent 2 years building from a set of plans....
then a week later taking same bipe back to my new house and making my first landing in my front garden....and on that trip looped and rolled almost all the way home 
Stik
then a week later taking same bipe back to my new house and making my first landing in my front garden....and on that trip looped and rolled almost all the way home
Stik