Allowed in Cloud, Part Two

I am officially dangerous.

Yes, that's right; me - a forty-something female with a penchant for heels - dangerous. And I don't mean 'dangerous if armed with a credit card in a boutique' either, although that may, indeed, be the case.

Nope. Stats gathered and published by both CASA and the ATSB ascertain that a pilot with between 500 and 1000 hours is at a greater risk of accident. It's known as the 'complacency' phase, and on my recent flight to Temora, I have to admit, I saw signs of it in myself.

Once the butterflies in the stomach stage of flying has passed, and a pilot knows they can handle the aircraft, navigate pretty much anywhere (thanks, AvPlan!) and communicate with ATC and other pilots, it's inevitable that one becomes a little more relaxed. The high tension, double check list, self doubting phase is over (although for me, it seems to come back if I don't fly regularly).

What I noticed, in fact what my friend (a much more experienced pilot than I) pointed out, is that I've become just a little bit lazy with the systems: failing to align the compass with the DI, forgetting to turn off the fuel boost pump; nothing dangerous, but there really isn't a place for slackness in the cockpit.

Someone wise once told me: whenever you reach a stage of comfort in aviation, it's a sure sign that it's time to take on a new challenge. Learning to fly isn't over with the arrival of your pilot's licence. So, with that in mind, I've commenced the next step (again! I've tried this once, and became way laid by work). So, here it is - take two - the instrument rating.

This time, I've decided a private rating (rather than commercial) is enough for my needs. The plan is to plough through the study, pass the exam and then commence the flight training. A whole new language is required (Advanced Acronym, I believe it's called) with LSALTs and Sector Entries and SIDs and STARs all part of the new lexicon.

As a sweetener, my friend Andrew - an IFR pilot and owner of a C182 - took me for a buzz down to Moruya yesterday. It's agreed among IFR students that mastering the radio calls is one of the big first challenges in studying for the rating, and so Andrew kindly handed the radio over to me. Clearances and reports are so much more detailed than VFR, but with my AvPlan notepad at the ready, I managed to catch the whole clearance, and read it back without any mistakes. The only call I bungled was a short one, typically.

As Andrew is running in a new engine, we whizzed down to Merimbula (through the cloud) before heading north to conduct a practice approach using the Moruya RNAV.

After completing the approach, which we discussed at length before nearing Moruya and Andrew asked me a stack of questions about the plate (and I learned that a METAR QNH doesn't count as an actual QNH),  my head was bursting. AND we flew the approach coupled with the autopilot! I can't imagine trying anything quite so tricky, demanding such precision, without an autopilot, and in crappy weather, with a drop pilot throwing out canopies every 30 mins. Apparently, your brain expands to take on the extra work - or so I hope.

After a lovely picnic on the beach, I flew home - VFR - in the delightful comfort that is a C182 with a brand new engine. However, nothing is free, and the trade off for the wonderfully smooth cruise and rocket speed that belongs to the 182 is the fact you have to land the beasty. I've never found 182s easy - they're so nose heavy, and I'm so puny - and I know the trick is in trim trim trim, but I always struggle. Having given me the most perfect flying conditions up the coast, the Imp of the Perverse decided that landing a 182 without a crosswind would be cheating, so threw me in around 7 knots or so, just for a laugh. While I will win no awards for graceful landings in a 182, the landing was fine, if not a little heavy.

To celebrate a successful flight (an important ritual in aviation, which must always be observed) we stopped at the pub on the way home, where I demonstrated my 'dangerous' streak once more by ordering a rare steak, a bottle of wine AND a dessert.

Rocket Woman

Before I launch into a new blog, I feel I owe an explanation for the absence from this space over almost the whole of 2014.

Amongst the new speak of the Millennials is a loathsome expression, which for me is up there with lifestyle, synergy and chillax: work/life balance. Until recently, that expression has inspired in me the same kind of rage-against-smugness usually reserved for thick shakes containing grass of any sort, people who boast about their property portfolios and pilots who own aircraft and never fly them. This year, however, I've had my own personal demonstration of the importance of a work/life balance and now, suddenly, I can see why people at least strive for one.

Balance: it's not just for rudder pedals.

After five years as a columnist - and two years as editor- of Australian Pilot, I've moved on to new skies. As of March of this year, I've been globetrotting in my new role of Customer Engagement Manager for AvPlan EFB - visiting Sun n Fun and Oshkosh to promote AvPlan in the USA, as well as travelling around New Zealand on an AvPlan demo tour.

I'm also freelancing, having taken on the SAAA's Airsport magazine, and a contract with CASA's Flight Safety Australia.

And now, the balance ball feels, once again, in the centre.

It's in the capacity of Airsport Editor that I took on the following assignment:

It may not take you out of this world, but it sure can rock it

“If offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask which seat. Just get on.”

Christa McAuliffe, astronaut and first high school teacher in space



F1 Rocket, ready for take off

I had mixed reactions when I told people I was going to fly in a rocket over the weekend. My arty, non aviation friends assumed it was another crazy stunt - up there with wing walking, formation flying and flying solo across the country in heels and lipstick – and soon lost interest. My pilot pals, however, responded with the all-important question: F1 or Harmon?

The answer is: F1. In fact, the full answer is: two F1s.

Although the two have known to be confused, the Harmon is Vans’ high performance derivative of the RV-4, while the F1 is the product of Team Rocket of Texas, USA. The F1 Rocket is a stand-alone, quickbuild kit and does not require the builder to purchase anything from other aircraft manufacturers to complete the assembly.

Designed in the Czech Republic, the F1 Rocket is a tandem two-seat low wing, constructed largely of aluminium. A fixed gear tail-dragger, the F1 features an enormous rear-sliding canopy, and deep bucket seating and is fully aerobatic. Designed for construction with a range of nose-mounted engines between 235 and 350hp, the prototype has a Lycoming IO-540 with a three-bladed propeller.



Rocket Cruise

Nick Wills is part of a syndicate that has built - and now owns - two Team Rocket F1s. The aircraft are hangared at Temora, NSW, and Nick invited me along to admire, fly and experience their sheer magnificence. I flew to Temora on a glorious afternoon, in time for an evening flight in VH-NBW.

VH-XFI and VH-NBW are subtly different: XFI is the most glorious, with its three-blade variable pitch prop, traditional clocks and sleek black exterior. NBW boasts a mix of digital and analogue instruments, a two blade prop and uber-modern silver skin.

Nick and his syndicate partner, Rohan Hall, had previously owned an RV4. After much discussion, they decided they wanted something a little faster and more comfortable for the rear-seater. Rohan’s son Matt had flown an F1 Rocket in the USA and described the experience as ‘the most fun he’d ever had in a single engine piston, with the exception of a P51 Mustang.’

Six years in the build from start to finish, Nick was involved in every stage.



Dual Rockets

As there are a mere nine F1 Rockets flying in Australia today, the privilege of being invited to fly in two was not lost on me. After a detailed briefing, Nick introduced me to our photo-ship pilot, Kenny Love and his immaculate 1973 (??) Piper Lance. Our photographer, Qantas 747 Captain Rod Andrewartha, came armed with a giant lens and a harness, ready to strap into the Lance for the first of our two formation shoots.

After allowing the Lance to take off and climb, we ran up and were ready on the runway, with Nick eager to demonstrate one of the F1’s finest features: its climb performance. With a max take off weight 907kg – BEW is 544kg – and 260hp on the nose it’s no word of a lie that I held onto my hat as we climbed out at 3500fpm! With a cruise speed of 200kts, we caught up with the Lance in no time, and with the township of Temora as a backdrop, we flew a series of rolls and turns for the photographer, while I marveled at the machine’s grace.

Unexpectedly, the F1 is very polite in level flight – not nearly as twitchy as its looks imply, with its behaviour in steep turns and loops far less aggressive than I was anticipating. After an hour, as the sun was starting to set, we headed back to the airport, where the pressure was on Nick to show me the perfect ‘greaser’ landing. With 352 hours in F1 Rockets, Nick didn’t even break a sweat as he executed a perfect ‘wheeler’ on 36, with a slight crosswind at that.



Rocket Team

The next morning, we were joined by former F18 pilot Alan Clements for a formation shoot involving both aircraft and the Lance. This time in the rear of XFI, I was briefed and shot once more into the sky for an hour of close formation, in the hands of the most experienced Rocket pilots in the country. After a little hands-on time, Alan took back the controls and demonstrated a series of loops (one after the other!) in attempt to provide the perfect cover shot. “Again!” came the command from the photo-ship, and I swear we turned seven or eight before we were told to stop. And reader, I didn’t even blanch, so elegantly flown were the maneouvers.

Back on the ground, and high on adrenaline, I asked Nick about his passion for the F1. What is it, I wanted to know, that makes this machine so seriously superior? “It has everything,” he declared. “It’s fast, agile, aerobatic, has six cylinders, makes a six cylinder noise, and it looks great. It has been described, by several F18 drivers, as the closest thing to a piston engine fighter that is not military in origin. It’s truly superb!”

As I prepare for the impending disappointment of my return in a Piper Archer, I ask Nick one final question: to what would you compare the F1 Rocket? He laughs and says, “There is nothing that compares to an F1 Rocket - except another F1 Rocket!”

Photos by Rod Andrewartha

Pilots' Paradise near Port Macquarie

Just five nautical miles due west of Port Macquarie, lies an 800m private grass strip. The owners of this well-tended strip – Clyde and Sue Stubbs – have built a home any aviator would envy: an architect-designed modern house with a four-place hangar and wonderful district views. So tranquil is their spot - a mere 30 minutes from the town of Port Macquarie - they recently made the decision to share their paradise with the rest of the aviation community. In the style of their house, they built The Hideout, a modern, fully equipped two bedroom self-contained cottage, constructed to showcase its rural setting, with a fabulous wide deck and access to the 15m solar heated saltwater pool and three person hot tub. To make catering easy, the Stubbs’ will provide breakfast and dinner food hampers, if ordered in advance. The tastefully decorated cottage is wonderfully appointed for families or small groups, offering a second bedroom with a flexible configuration to suit families. Small dogs and children are welcome and Clyde and Sue are warm and hospitable hosts, with a passion for aviation.

The southern edge of the property borders a branch of the Hastings River and provides a perfect spot for fishing from the bank or simply enjoying the serenity of the river.   Nearby Wauchope is surrounded by blackbutt forest and is best known for the nearby Timbertown theme park.  The town has a good range of shops, cafes and banks.

Both pilots, Clyde flies a Cirrus SR22T and Sue is the proud owner of a Cessna 150B. “We love hosting pilots,” says Sue. “There are no extra charges for fly-in visitors. We also understand that bad weather can throw schedules out when flying, so we will accommodate changes in plans as much as possible.” Hangarage is available for guests’ aircraft during their stay.

Port Macquarie, situated at the mouth of the Hastings River, has possibly the most favourable climate in NSW.  There are wonderful beaches and for water sports enthusiasts there is jet boating, parasailing, deep sea fishing, scuba diving and beach and estuary fishing.   Enjoy whale-watching cruises in season and a wide variety of river cruises, or simply stand on the beach and watch the dolphins at play.  There are a number of vineyards and a great boutique brewery.  The area is a haven for koalas and they can be seen at the various wildlife parks or at the koala hospital in town.  Port Macquarie boasts a wide range of restaurants, bars and cafes to suit every taste. 

“If you’d like to visit some of the local attractions we can also make available a vehicle for your use – you will not be stuck without transport,” says Sue.

“All landings on our strip require prior permission, and you must read the airfield information sheet (http://www.dexfieldpark.com). Occasionally, the strip is unserviceable after heavy rain, but Port Macquarie airport is only 5nm away, so there is a good alternate.  Fuel is available at Port Macquarie airport.