The Big 25 in Auckland!

Took this picture just after Midnight on the 28th of July. I'm not quite sure what the international birthday rules say about time zone differences but I reckon that was close enough. This is in the Met Bar in Auckland, after we'd all been to see the Arctic Monkeys play live. I don't remember much after this was taken but I am reliably informed it was a very good night. We spent the next day sobering up and noodling around the countryside north of Auckland in the sunshine. 

Krazy Kiwis

"Er Maureen, are you sure we should have turned off there...?" And wandered on to an active runway? Going around. This is an example of some of the better Kiwi driving I have seen, at least he managed a straight line, even if he didn't spot the aeroplane 50ft off the ground behind him. 

Fog on the Waikato

Not quite the lyrical masterpiece that was Gazza's eighties hit 'Fog on the Tyne', but much prettier. The Waikato is the river and also the name of the basin where the airport is located. As such it attracts frost and fog like nowhere else, perfect for flying! Mind you, very little wind so no cross-wind landings.

...and your first officer today will be Jimbo Warden

So the no-smoking light will be permanently off and the seat belt light permanently on.  

Mt Pironghia

One of the more pronounceable mountains. How about Mt Maungatautari or the Hauhungaroa Range? "Christchurch information, Katana SFF is overhead Mt Mang... Mt Maunga... Mt Mgrhgr... some mountains..." 

Here I go!

Yeah I wish. Although all the big planes had to sod off after my little emergency this afternoon which fortunately amounted to nothing worse than a broken canopy spring. It definitely sounded like the wheels falling off though.  

This is what its all about

Days like today are what its all about. This is a shot from our apron at about 7:15 in the morning. Perfect morning apart from the planes being a bit frosty but you can't have everything! 

Words fail me...

As will my instructor. 

Two Arabs and a Monk walk into a urinal...

You know the rest. No wonder the locals were so confused. Mind you, it doesn't take much. 

Durka Durka

Fancy dress party in town, dressed as terrorists. Brave or stupid? Anyone who's seen World Police will recognise this scene, right down to the boot polish. Either that or 'It Ain't 'Alf Hot Mum'! 

The Twinstar

This is much more like it. Just had five of these babies delivered, brand new out the box. They've got full colour screens inside, like wot they've got on big planes as well as storm scopes, traffic avoidance systems, full smoke and rubber. When I get back from the UK, they're going to let me get my sticky mitts on one, can't wait. 

Inside the flying sperm

For that is exactly what it looks like from the outside. For those with a technical interest its a Diamond Katana DA20 - C with a 125hp Continental 4 cylinder aircooled engine. For those with eyes, yes it is cramped in there and yes I do know what most of the buttons do. Not much longer on these wee beasties I hope, moving on to bigger and better things soon... 

And now for something completely different

I am aware that it may seem like an awful lot of drinking goes on, in comparison to the amount of flying. It does, I'd just rather it didn't seem like that, so here are some pictures of bonafide aeroplanes to prove that, just occasionally, when we're not on fire, we go flying.

'The sick bags are located in the seat pocket in front...'

And afterwards, all was dark.  

Band Camp

Here we are, me Tony and Damien, absolutely dog tired and a bit miffed. As it turned out, we had a pretty good week, a bit of a giggle and even managed some flying. 2 Subways and 1 large Dominoes in one day is too much though. As there wasn't much flying happening, and the accommodation was not quite the five star treatment we were used to at Peachgrove, we took a trip up to Auckland, to get lashed. 

Is it me, or is it hot in here?

Hands up all those who stormed out of their room in a huff exclaiming that for all the noise, something had better bloody be on fire. Having taken my foot out of my mouth I could see just how bad the fire was, although most of the damage was due to the smoke. Fortunately everyone was ok although all those who'd run out in their pajama bottoms and socks were gutted (if you'll excuse the pun). As a veteran of many uni fire drills, I was togged up to the nines and equipped with snacks. After the excitement we decamped to the airport where, not really knowing how to console ourselves, we ripped into the beer. You have to wonder about a flight training organisation that keeps a stock of beer at the airport. From here we were housed (penned?) in a christian youth hostel down the road, henceforth known as Stalag Luft or Band Camp. 6 blokes, in an 8' by 8' room, 1 week, no spare clothes and enough junk food to lose a class 1 medical on the spot.  

Here we are

Well, not us, just some posers on the beach at Raglan

Raglan Bay

I should really have posted these in some kind of order, anyway this is another shot from my CPL qualifier, just north of Aotea Harbour the picture postcard town of Raglan Bay. Very pretty from the air and on the ground, bit of a surfer's paradise. I'll see if I can find some shots from the ground 

My other job...

And when I'm not flying, I have a job as a security guard. Now I've passed my PPL I have earned the coveted epaulettes much to the chagrin of all those who've been waiting to do their test but have been thwarted by the bloody weather. They complete the off duty security guard look perfectly.  

Oh dear...

I have learnt a valuable lesson about drinking with the Irish. Dont. 

They think its all over....

... but alas it wasn't. Ireland nearly did it but at least it meant we didn't all get beaten up on the way home. 

At the rugby - Ireland v All Blacks

Damien in that hat, 'It's velour don't you know?' There was at least 12 hours between that beer and climbing in an aeroplane. 

Aotea Harbour

A picture of Aotea Harbour, just west of Hamilton and south of Raglan bay. Took this from 5,500 feet whilst on my CPL qualifier flight. Had to cover 350 miles and stop at two other airfields. Marvellous fun but murder on the old bladder. Left at 10:30 am and scraped back in at 16:45, just before it got dark!!

First Post!!

How long has it taken me to figure this out? Only 3 months. But it has been a very busy 3 months, albeit interspersed with periods of intense boredom. Finally got myself another PPL, and now I'm on the Wings course proper.