It’s all good. But it’s all technical. If you don’t give a rats ass about flying then this is going to have little to no interest to you.
This past week I completed my C72RG VP rating which in the bigger scheme of things not that huge an accomplishment but I had great fun doing it and that’s what counts. For those that are interested but just don’t know what I’m talking about, here is a brief explanation:
In order to fly different aircraft types based on class, type or complexity you have to go through a range of skills tests. This usually includes as a minimum, a Technical and General theory based written test going through all important aspects such as max loading, take off and landing speeds, fuel uplift and endurance etc. There are also the practical aspects which entail general flying and handling including full stalls, incipient spins and full spins, simulated forced landings, precautionary landings and short field take off and landings. In a following exercise you are made to execute a minimum of 3 successful take off and landings fully loaded. These are all tasks previously performed while doing your original license but this teaches you how this particular aircraft performs these manoeuvres. This particular type rating was for, as I mentioned earlier, for the C72RG which is just the code name for a “4 seater Cessna 172 Retractable Gear and Variable Pitch Constant Speed propeller”.
The theory Tech & Gen I did weeks ago and since have been waiting on availability of instructors, aircraft and suitable weather. This week they all came together. Tuesday we went to the general flying area, otherwise known as the GF and did all the practical work and had an awesome time flipping the aircraft and landing as accurately as possible in all conditions. Some low level high bank turns are required if you are going to “keep the circuit tight” and achieve the most out of the exercise. Great fun.
Wednesday I had to call 2 mates and have them sit as dead weight (I prefer to call them live weight and so did they) while I performed the regular take off and landing sequences. It all went great however in the middle of all this the circuit (flying route you have to take around the airfield) got pretty congested and all light aircraft were told to hold their position while a scheduled flight SAA 737 was coming in to land. We were routed out to the coast and over the harbour. My instructor said, “right I have control, you are paying for this flight so we might as well enjoy it”. With that we nosedived from 1200 feet to a little around 100 feet in about 10 seconds. We levelled out lower than the buildings on the beach front and proceeded to fly low level around the point on the coast. There are no words to describe how truly awesome that feels. After a minute or two he asked if I was comfortable and upon acknowledgement that all was hunky dory he relinquished control to me and I was it. I was screaming (figuratively) around the coast at 135Knots about 50 – 100 foot off the water making steep turns where necessary to avoid obstacles. Incredible (for lack of a better word).
Once we had completed the entire length of the point I pulled back sharply on the control rocketing us back up to 1200 feet whereby we rejoined the official circuit and came into land! Back on the ground he gave me the thumbs up and said “You can handle this aircraft no problem. Good flying. Let’s go back and fill in some paperwork”.
If that’s what all conversions were like, I would be writing up a list of aircraft I want to get type rated on! A good day out! Awesome. And thanks to my dead/live weight in the back who also had the ride of their lives".
