PPL LST, QXC & the frustrations of Nav! 🌏

Hi all, welcome back to my blog; it's been a while! 

Since my last post, I've been continuing with Nav and a few GH (general handling) lessons in preparation for my QXC (qualifying cross country - a navigation route greater than 150nm with 2 full stop landings) and ultimately my PPL LST! 

It's been a very frustrating last two months at times with more cancellations due to weather than I can bare to remember. It's been a tiring period as well. For those of you who are unaware, navigation flights take about an hour or so to prepare in advance and then a further hour on the day of the flight once you have the winds for the day and the mass & balance for the aircraft you are going to fly. Additionally, as most of my flights (especially the solo bookings) have been early in the morning, I have to get there even earlier than normal to do the daily morning inspection of the aircraft. This has meant I've had quite a few 4:30am alarms and spent most of my time off sleeping or relaxing due to being tired. You can imagine my frustration now when I go through all of that to be cancelled. However, the one saving grace is that I've managed to capture quite a few good shots of the sunrise! 📷 

Navigation wise, my flights have been good. I've enjoyed them all and the scenery is beautiful. The lessons CE017A through to CE036A ultimately led up to my QXC. My PPL qualifying navigation flight where I needed to fly a route greater than 150nm and land (and shut down) at two separate airports. 

After a number of attempts I managed to complete my QXC on the last Sunday in February. My route was quite a short one, with each leg only lasting 30 minutes or so, however that meant I had some time on the ground to relax and meant I didn't have to rush at all. 

My route took me from Hamilton down south to Lake Taupo and then onto Lake Rotorua before returning back to Hamilton. Being a lovely day, it was a busy day up in the air, especially down at Taupo. Taupo lies in uncontrolled airspace meaning there is no air traffic control. In other words it's a free for all and you have to essentially sort it out between you as to who is doing what. As I was approaching to land at Taupo it was evident how busy the area was with Air New Zealand inbound to land, 1 light aircraft in the circuit, 2 helicopters doing tourist flights a few miles to North of the airport and skydiving planes taking off and landing. Which as you've probably guessed meant that there were also a small handful of people plummeting to the ground from above. In situations like that its imperative to keep a good lookout and keep a good listening watch on the radio to help with situational awareness. Once on the ground I parked up and ventured into the tiny airport terminal for a short break. 

Half an hour later I was back in the aircraft ready to depart off to Lake Rotorua. Thankfully Rotorua is controlled meaning as soon as I enter their airspace I'm monitored on radar and therefore I'm told what to do and what my clearances are until I leave their airspace on the way back to Hamilton. When I first started flying, and I think it's the same for lots of people, I was a little apprehensive of flying in controlled airpsace due to the fact you monitored and are told what to do. Where as in uncontrolled airspace, like that at Taupo, its more open for your own decisions. However, after flying in New Zealand and having gotten used to Hamilton's procedures being controlled, I definitely now prefer it and it's shown that there isn't anything to be nervous or apprehensive about as long as you know what your doing and have revised the appropriate procedures. 

Outside of flying in the last couple of months, I've visited a number of places that have been simply stunning. I can't pick a favourite as the scenery in New Zealand is just that impressive! From the beach, to natural blue springs, to a gold mine, gorge and waterfall... The trips have been great. Let me just show you some of the pictures...  

Since my last post I've also started on my night rating. An additional rating on my license which will enable me to fly during the hours between sunset and sunrise. My first night flight was great fun. We departed Hamilton just as the ATC tower went off watch (which means it changed to uncontrolled airspace) and flew up north for a short Nav route before returning to join overhead. We then completed a number of circuits going over the technique of how to land at night. I really enjoyed it and can't wait for the next one! The sunset was beautiful! 

I've also managed to pass my PPL LST earlier today, to which I'm over the moon about! (PPL LST ~ Private pilot's license license skills test) For me, it was a revalidation to enable me to continue flying with my existing license. Saying that, I felt as though there was more pressure to pass having already been awarded a license before. Anyway, the flight included a short Nav route including a diversion and also some general handling and emergency drills such as stalls and practiced forced landings. In all truthfulness it wasn't the best flight on my part due to being a little rusty and ultimately pretty nervous! However, I managed to fly safely and to the standard required to revalidate my license which was a great releif to hear once we had landed! 

So that's it's, VFR flying is done. Which unfortunately means that's the end of the amazing views from the sky here in New Zealand. Now it's time to get my head around these IFR plates that I'll be using from now on. 

The next part of my training, the IFR stage, is the bit I've really been looking forward to since I started. It's going to be tough and very demanding, but I can't wait to start flying in and around the clouds! And with that, it means there's only a few weeks left out here in New Zealand until I return back home for a break before starting on the DA42 Twinstar. 

Until then 🛫