Basic Control 🛫

I've now been out here in New Zealand for a month to the day and it's definitely going quicky. Since my last post I had my second session in the simulator this time covering the basics of climbing, descending and turning. It was great fun to get back in the simulator and made the 4am alarm that morning worth it!

I've also now had a few flights in the Cessna 172, it's great to finally get up in the air after so long, just over a year to be precise. My first flight started from Matamata as I had backseated the previous flight and took over onwards back to Hamilton.

In this flight, my first time flying the 172, we covered pretty much everything we had covered in the simulator in lessons 1 and 2. Having flown the Cessna 152 previously back in the UK, the main difference I noticed very quickly was just how much rudder was required to keep the aircraft straight and in balance. The 172, a four seater is a heavier and bulkier aircraft than the 152 and therefore generates more drag. It was quite clear to me while flying that I was flying a larger aircraft through the slightly sluggish at times controls, albeit the temperature was high and we were carrying full fuel and 3 persons so performance was never going to be super. My point being however, the Cessna 172 is a different aeroplane to fly when compared to the 152 and the inclusion of the Garmin G1000 PFD and MFD (the fancy glass screens) makes it very different indeed... but great fun!

I've now completed all the general handling lessons which means I have another simulator session and few classroom lectures to attend before we start on stalling and then circuit training.... meaning before too long it will be time for my first New Zealand solo!

Outside of flying I've visited a number of places in the last few weeks. My favourite would have to be Raglan beach and Bridal Veil falls (the waterfall picture). The beach was beautiful and the sea turquoise blue and had a number of surfer's taking on the waves. Additonally, a few of us visited Hamilton Gardens last week which was great although the 24° degree heat on the day was unbearable! This weekend gone we visited Lake Taupo and Huka falls. Unfortunately, it was a cloudy day so the views were not quite as good as what they could have been but it still was a good trip and was a chance to explore a little bit more of the North Island.

Before I ended this post I couldn't go without showing a handful of my favourite photos I've taken this week of the beautiful scenery as seen from above. Enjoy!