What has been the one, absolute highlight of your flying so far?
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First solo and x-c were pretty cool, but flying to Blackpool with 11 yr old daughter absolute highlight so far.
I was a little embarrassed two weeks later when we landed at Fuertoventura on a nice big jet, and she pipes up "not as good as your landing daddy !"
Kids !! (Secretly a little proud though.)
I was a little embarrassed two weeks later when we landed at Fuertoventura on a nice big jet, and she pipes up "not as good as your landing daddy !"
Kids !! (Secretly a little proud though.)
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As P1 it has to be taking a Warrior from Bankstown near Sydney and flying some friends over Sydney Harbou (and getting back in one piece)
As a pax I was jammy enough to get a ride in an F-15 twin-sticker doing +9g 2 v. 2 air to air with three other F-15s over the gulf of Mexico.
It took the surgeons four days just to get the smile off my face..
As a pax I was jammy enough to get a ride in an F-15 twin-sticker doing +9g 2 v. 2 air to air with three other F-15s over the gulf of Mexico.
It took the surgeons four days just to get the smile off my face..
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Like the others I have so many but if I had to chose it would be my solo QXC going into E Mids. Entering the zone and talking on the radio made me feel unbelievable.
The feeling of knowing I was FLYING, and achieving a lifetime dream was amazing. On finals my PA28 became a 767 and as I taxied past all the shiny jets it was great to hear the tower tell a BY757
".....pushback approved after the PA28 has passed behind"
A lovely feeling being in and around the big stuff
The feeling of knowing I was FLYING, and achieving a lifetime dream was amazing. On finals my PA28 became a 767 and as I taxied past all the shiny jets it was great to hear the tower tell a BY757
".....pushback approved after the PA28 has passed behind"
A lovely feeling being in and around the big stuff
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Along with most other replies I loved the thrill of my first solo, QXC etc., however, for me the highlight happened on dry land one evening in November 2002. My flying school holds a "wings night" bash. Black tie affair, room full of experienced aviation types. I wasn't even able to collect my wings as I was still a humble PPL student. Lots of awards were being dished out to new PPL holders, 'best student' etc., suddenly I heard my name called out! Surely a mistake; but no! I had won a cup for completing the best circuit in our summer competition day. Totally out of the blue and I must say brought a tear to my eye. (Never won much before.) Proof positive that all that time practising ex 12 &13E had paid off. I passed my skills test about three weeks ago. I think that being able to take my lovely wife as my first pax will probably become my most memorable moment...so far.
TJ
TJ
I've been lucky enough to have quite a few "interesting" passengering experiences (many of them thanks to HMFC, in one way or another):
- jumpseat on Tristar for night departure from Ascension Island
- seeing large amounts of the SW of England from the cockpit of a Herc at 250 feet, 250 Kts
- seeing most of the Falkland Islands (some from very low altitude indeed!) from the back of a Chinook
- looking at Cypriot beaches out of the open side door of a Wessex
- a short, but unforgettable ride around Gloucestershire in a big comfy swivelling chair, in a Gulfstream 5
- getting a rather tatty hired 172 from Larnaca to Beirut and back again (1996, when Beirut wasn't looking it's best).
- over the Grand Canyon in right-hand seat of a PA31
- Squirrel heli over the rainforest, beaches and mountains of St Lucia
- Squirrel heli over Sydney Harbour at dusk
As far as when I've been flying myself:
- First solo, QXC (went perfectly), first Cross-Channel, first flight taking family & friends etc
- "Bay Tour" of San Fransisco at 2000 ft in rented 172. Over the Golden Gate, Alcatraz and then the 4 runways of KSFO with the heavies arriving and departing all around us....wish we could do that at Heathrow!
- jumpseat on Tristar for night departure from Ascension Island
- seeing large amounts of the SW of England from the cockpit of a Herc at 250 feet, 250 Kts
- seeing most of the Falkland Islands (some from very low altitude indeed!) from the back of a Chinook
- looking at Cypriot beaches out of the open side door of a Wessex
- a short, but unforgettable ride around Gloucestershire in a big comfy swivelling chair, in a Gulfstream 5
- getting a rather tatty hired 172 from Larnaca to Beirut and back again (1996, when Beirut wasn't looking it's best).
- over the Grand Canyon in right-hand seat of a PA31
- Squirrel heli over the rainforest, beaches and mountains of St Lucia
- Squirrel heli over Sydney Harbour at dusk
As far as when I've been flying myself:
- First solo, QXC (went perfectly), first Cross-Channel, first flight taking family & friends etc
- "Bay Tour" of San Fransisco at 2000 ft in rented 172. Over the Golden Gate, Alcatraz and then the 4 runways of KSFO with the heavies arriving and departing all around us....wish we could do that at Heathrow!
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My most memorable flights so far have been:
- First solo
- 1 hour in a hawk doing all sorts of crazy things...serious fun!
- Flight across most of Cyprus in the mighty Wessex, with some of the tactical nap of the earth flying thrown in before the debus
- Aerobatics in a silly thing that resebmles an oversized pitts (no idea what its called!)
- First solo
- 1 hour in a hawk doing all sorts of crazy things...serious fun!
- Flight across most of Cyprus in the mighty Wessex, with some of the tactical nap of the earth flying thrown in before the debus
- Aerobatics in a silly thing that resebmles an oversized pitts (no idea what its called!)
Join Date: Oct 1999
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A lovely feeling being in and around the big stuff
Ah yes, another memory is jogged from the rusty grey matter.....
Years ago I used to fly a 172 out of Manchester to a parachute club at weekends for para dropping. One morning at Manch I needed fuel, so was cleared to taxi initailly from the soth side (remeber that?) to the 24 hold. After a 757 shuttle had landed and passed me, I was then cleared all the way to the freight apron (remember that?).
As I taxyed forward I came to cross a taxyway along which the 757 was now prodeeding to its gate, and showing no signs of stopping for me.
"Confirm TS is cleared ALL the way to the freight apron?" I radioed to Tower.
"Affirm. Break. Shuttle 2 sierra give way to the Cessna right to left in front of you".
There followed the whistle of throttled-back fans, and the mighty beast bowed on its nosewheel as the brakes were applied. "My pleasure", intoned the BA Captain. "Sail before steam!"
SSD
Ah yes, another memory is jogged from the rusty grey matter.....
Years ago I used to fly a 172 out of Manchester to a parachute club at weekends for para dropping. One morning at Manch I needed fuel, so was cleared to taxi initailly from the soth side (remeber that?) to the 24 hold. After a 757 shuttle had landed and passed me, I was then cleared all the way to the freight apron (remember that?).
As I taxyed forward I came to cross a taxyway along which the 757 was now prodeeding to its gate, and showing no signs of stopping for me.
"Confirm TS is cleared ALL the way to the freight apron?" I radioed to Tower.
"Affirm. Break. Shuttle 2 sierra give way to the Cessna right to left in front of you".
There followed the whistle of throttled-back fans, and the mighty beast bowed on its nosewheel as the brakes were applied. "My pleasure", intoned the BA Captain. "Sail before steam!"
SSD
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Flying an old 172 out of Boscobel airfield in Jamaica 2 years ago. Up and down the coast and round the Blue Mountains (having received some mountain training first) then into Kingston.
A spectacular way to see a beautiful island, including many beaches and sumptuous rain-forest that you just don't get to visit normally.
Doing it alone, just 100 hours under my belt, so far from home. It made me think I could fly anywhere in the world.
A spectacular way to see a beautiful island, including many beaches and sumptuous rain-forest that you just don't get to visit normally.
Doing it alone, just 100 hours under my belt, so far from home. It made me think I could fly anywhere in the world.
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Well as I doubt if I could get away with saying it's each time I lift when I fly.... I'd have to go with my check ride when I moved over to fly from Denham.
Heading back toward Denham, Q asked me to perform a wingover in the 22
To that point I'd always been taught to fly with accuracy and precision and apart from a few rapid entries and exits to/from confined areas, I hadn't done anything even vaguely aerobatic. I also had my reservations given the nature of the rotor head and it's -ve G activities.
Long story short... quite an experience and not something I'll forget in a hurry
Heading back toward Denham, Q asked me to perform a wingover in the 22
To that point I'd always been taught to fly with accuracy and precision and apart from a few rapid entries and exits to/from confined areas, I hadn't done anything even vaguely aerobatic. I also had my reservations given the nature of the rotor head and it's -ve G activities.
Long story short... quite an experience and not something I'll forget in a hurry
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how did u all manage these wonderful things?
i bow down and kiss your fit
a trip out to sherburn in the clubs hr200 is a good day out for me!
(though there was the time in the jump seat of a321 into faro around 9 at night, lit up runway but then got struck by lightning on the nose- frightning) contradicting myself a bit there.
but flights in a hawk, thats the kind of thing i dream about
i bow down and kiss your fit
a trip out to sherburn in the clubs hr200 is a good day out for me!
(though there was the time in the jump seat of a321 into faro around 9 at night, lit up runway but then got struck by lightning on the nose- frightning) contradicting myself a bit there.
but flights in a hawk, thats the kind of thing i dream about
The Original Whirly
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Of course, I'd forgotten about the Heathrow Crossing when flying the London Helicopter Routes, crossing the middle of heathrow at 800 ft just after one airliner had landed while another one was preparing to take off!
Or my first flight in a MI-8 in Russia....
Stop it now Whirly; YOU were the person who said only ONE!!!!
Oli,
Give it time....
Or my first flight in a MI-8 in Russia....
Stop it now Whirly; YOU were the person who said only ONE!!!!
Oli,
Give it time....
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Probably the flight over the Juneau ice cap in a Beaver on floats ... but only as a pax.
However I'm off to BC this summer to get some floatplane training, so one day ...
However I'm off to BC this summer to get some floatplane training, so one day ...
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Being awarded my B cat glider instructor rating with the ATC when I was 22 years old.
Flying with Graham Clark to the Czec Republic in his Europa.
The j/s in a bmi 737 pushback to last person off, Heathrow to Warsaw.
Flying a Pietenpol with a pax at 1300ft feeling just like Biggles.
All were great, hope there are a few more to come.
Mike
Flying with Graham Clark to the Czec Republic in his Europa.
The j/s in a bmi 737 pushback to last person off, Heathrow to Warsaw.
Flying a Pietenpol with a pax at 1300ft feeling just like Biggles.
All were great, hope there are a few more to come.
Mike
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After reading this far I think there really ought to be an saying in the English language something along the lines of "Ask a Pilot about his best experiences and prepare to listen endlessly!"
So I'll add mine....solo along the coast of South Africa spotting a group of Southern Right Whales with their young cleaning off in the fresh river water just off-shore. Perfect green water, the folk walking along the beach oblivious to the show 200m away from them and me in my 150....about the same size as the largest whale below.....
Looking forward to hearing more!
So I'll add mine....solo along the coast of South Africa spotting a group of Southern Right Whales with their young cleaning off in the fresh river water just off-shore. Perfect green water, the folk walking along the beach oblivious to the show 200m away from them and me in my 150....about the same size as the largest whale below.....
Looking forward to hearing more!
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Being awarded my B cat glider instructor rating with the ATC when I was 22 years old.
Flying with Graham Clark to the Czec Republic in his Europa.
The j/s in a bmi 737 pushback to last person off, Heathrow to Warsaw.
Flying a Pietenpol with a pax at 1300ft feeling just like Biggles.
All were great, hope there are a few more to come.
Mike
Flying with Graham Clark to the Czec Republic in his Europa.
The j/s in a bmi 737 pushback to last person off, Heathrow to Warsaw.
Flying a Pietenpol with a pax at 1300ft feeling just like Biggles.
All were great, hope there are a few more to come.
Mike
Join Date: Jul 2002
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London Helilanes ... along the Thames then transiting Heathrow. Took my Dad as a Birthday treat, he's 70 and had never flown in his life!
But as Whirly already had that one ... flying as PIC into Alton Towers was pretty cool too!!!
RC
But as Whirly already had that one ... flying as PIC into Alton Towers was pretty cool too!!!
RC
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I couldn't say just one.
First flight on a cold morning from a deserted farm strip.....
First (and so far only) bi-plane flight, inc aeros.....
the lesson we had to track VORs (fun!), but were VFR on top. Then on the SRA descent, skimming along the cloud tops, as if low level across the ground....
First aeros flight....
Overall, I think skimming those clouds was pretty stunning.
But I also loved the bipe flight!
tKF
In under two months, hopefully I'll be able to say it was soloing.....
First flight on a cold morning from a deserted farm strip.....
First (and so far only) bi-plane flight, inc aeros.....
the lesson we had to track VORs (fun!), but were VFR on top. Then on the SRA descent, skimming along the cloud tops, as if low level across the ground....
First aeros flight....
Overall, I think skimming those clouds was pretty stunning.
But I also loved the bipe flight!
tKF
In under two months, hopefully I'll be able to say it was soloing.....
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So far, it would be completing my five hour flight for the Silver C (don't have the badge yet; still haven't done the 50 km distance flight (shameful)).
For a number of reasons, I didn't launch until about 2 pm., and after I'd been up for about three hours some cirrus moved in and began shutting down the thermals. Everyone else was shot down and they all assumed that I would never manage to stay up.
After four hours, I was at 1,400' over the field. "I've had it". I thought. But I still had 500' to play with, so I flew a search pattern, located a weak thermal, and (slowly) climbed back to 4,000'. I played that out for about 30 minutes, then climbed back to about 2,200'.
At the five hour mark I was down to 1300' again, but I couldn't land yet so I flew around at 42 knots in zero sink and managed to stretch it out for another twenty minutes. I had been somewhat tired and a bit sloppy after the first couple of hours, but now I really worked at doing the most precise flying I have ever done: that yaw string was straight back all the time!
It was a great feeling of accomplishment, and almost four years later, I still remember all of the details.
For a number of reasons, I didn't launch until about 2 pm., and after I'd been up for about three hours some cirrus moved in and began shutting down the thermals. Everyone else was shot down and they all assumed that I would never manage to stay up.
After four hours, I was at 1,400' over the field. "I've had it". I thought. But I still had 500' to play with, so I flew a search pattern, located a weak thermal, and (slowly) climbed back to 4,000'. I played that out for about 30 minutes, then climbed back to about 2,200'.
At the five hour mark I was down to 1300' again, but I couldn't land yet so I flew around at 42 knots in zero sink and managed to stretch it out for another twenty minutes. I had been somewhat tired and a bit sloppy after the first couple of hours, but now I really worked at doing the most precise flying I have ever done: that yaw string was straight back all the time!
It was a great feeling of accomplishment, and almost four years later, I still remember all of the details.
It was a night IFR Flight to toussus le noble in france. I got my IFR rating only a few weeks before.
During the last 15 minutes of the flight I was inside clouds and I was worried a bit about icing.
Finaly ATC vectored me straight thrue some Cumulus clouds and I became VMC again on a 20 NM final to toussus le noble.4000ft overhead the middle of Paris.
Visibility was fantastic. It was amazing, leaving the clouds and find yourself overhead this big shining city.
I will never forget that moment.
During the last 15 minutes of the flight I was inside clouds and I was worried a bit about icing.
Finaly ATC vectored me straight thrue some Cumulus clouds and I became VMC again on a 20 NM final to toussus le noble.4000ft overhead the middle of Paris.
Visibility was fantastic. It was amazing, leaving the clouds and find yourself overhead this big shining city.
I will never forget that moment.
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June '87. Took off from Aboyne, Dee Valley, Scotland, hoping to connect with higher level wave but only lower level thermals at first. Got to Tomintoul, thermalled up into wave but not high enough to proceed without risk of losing it, got sunk, repeated the cycle for about an hour, finally got higher into mountain wave, went up the Spey valley.
Flew southwards in wave to edge of Aberdeen airspace, back west up Dee valley past Aboyne and Balmoral, into the Cairngorms. Lost the wave, descended into broken cloud and flew south to lower ground and expected to land out.
Found fantastic lift, ridge soaring, at Blair Atholl, reconnected with wave, and got to 13,000 feet. Flew down to Loch Tay, and then back to Aboyne, around sunset. Slow overall time of 10 hours 45 minutes, for 348 km covered, but that flight encompassed so many of the highs and lows of aviation that I will always remember it.
Chris N.
Flew southwards in wave to edge of Aberdeen airspace, back west up Dee valley past Aboyne and Balmoral, into the Cairngorms. Lost the wave, descended into broken cloud and flew south to lower ground and expected to land out.
Found fantastic lift, ridge soaring, at Blair Atholl, reconnected with wave, and got to 13,000 feet. Flew down to Loch Tay, and then back to Aboyne, around sunset. Slow overall time of 10 hours 45 minutes, for 348 km covered, but that flight encompassed so many of the highs and lows of aviation that I will always remember it.
Chris N.