In this chapter I recall: a former flying student of mine who became a QANTAS captain, a potentially fatal error made by an overconfident trainee commercial pilot, surfing a 3,500 foot wave over Bass Strait in a single engine aircraft with power set at idle, a near mid-air collision between two aircraft at Moorabbin and … Continue reading Flying Memories – Chapter 7 (of 10)
In this chapter I recount a few memorable experiences from my time as a flying instructor. They include nearly being struck down in my prime by a student on his first solo flight, the vigilance required when flying with a student who flies very well until suddenly he doesn't, and how a dirt strip 5,200 … Continue reading Flying Memories – Chapter 6 (of 10)
Flight to Ayers Rock with friends in 1980 This was my second flight to Ayers Rock with friends in 1980. It was a shorter flight than the May trip earlier in the year, lasting only 4 days, and Ayers Rock was our northernmost landing point. My passengers were Liz, Julie Moss (pregnant at the time) … Continue reading Flying Memories – Chapter 5 (of 10)
Forced down by thunderstorms on the Yorke Peninsula Thunderstorms generally. Thunderstorms are a great force of nature to be treated with absolute respect by all pilots. The strong turbulence associated with a thunderstorm can destroy an aircraft, large or small. Thunderstorms generate powerful updrafts and downdrafts which operate from the lowest levels to the tops … Continue reading Flying Memories – Chapter 4 (of 10)
Encounter with a thunderstorm at night On 11 June 1978 I landed VH-WIL (a single engine four seat Piper Cherokee 180) after dark with four passengers (one was a babe in her parents' arms, another was Liz who later married me) in gale force winds and driving rain at the peak of a heavy thunderstorm. … Continue reading Flying Memories – Chapter 3 (of 10)
South 