Western Training Flight

With my departure date quickly approaching (only three weeks away!!), myself and my team have been involved in intense preparations.

Preparation is a key word, one which underscores the ethos of cross country aviation and is a major factor in ensuring everything goes smoothly whilst in the air. For me, this means an intense training schedule in the run up to the Spread Your Wings Flight.

Today saw me operating outside of my familiar flying paths along the coast of Greater Sydney, with a trip out to Lake Cargelligo. Janaya and myself departed Cessnock in the morning and tracked west. We stopped at Parkes to refuel, and were able to see the famous satellite dish on approach, before taking a lunch break at Lake Cargelligo. The afternoon was wonderfully calm and we even got to enjoy the company of a swarm of flies who were probably a bit too friendly and wouldn’t leave us alone. Soon enough, it was time to roll down the gravel runway and head to home.

I flew over 6 hours today, which definitely breaks a record for the longest amount of time I’ve been at the controls of an aircraft in a singular day, however with the company of my fabulous instructor, the time basically flew by (if you’ll excuse the pun). Janaya certainly kept me on my toes practicing lots of emergency procedures - such as an engine failure at 500 feet upon departing Lake Cargelligo and a forced landing at Rylstone.

Whilst my chosen route will largely see me landing on sealed runways, by practicing trips out to grass or gravel strips, I feel that my confidence and ability as an aviator has grown, preparing me for the unexpected events that could arise whilst on my flight, even flies.