VFR Navigation Flights

I have done a couple of navigation flights to the countryside around Perth. It was pure fun of flying. I could feel the freedom when flying in the limitless blue sky with fluffy white clouds floating freely in the air. On the ground, I could see the vast meadow greens stretching far beyond the horizon and onto the rising hills where clear blue water reservoirs and lakes reflecting the sky like a mirror. When near the coast, the sandy beach lines up nicely from North to South, separating the land and the blue Indian Ocean.








Few of my flights brought me to countryside aerodromes where I had to do a few touch and go landings. These aerodromes are in odd places where winds are generally strong. Some aerodromes consist only a dirt or gravel runway which pose a challenge for good landings. There was once I came in with such strong wind that my aircraft nose had to be 20 degrees off from the the runway centreline for landings. Scary!

Colors In The Sky

The winter weather was ugly and shitty last week. Thunderstorms and rains lashed down on most parts of Western Australia including Jandakot. It stayed for nearly a week and all flights were cancelled. It was such a boring and depressing week because most of my activities were confined to indoors. But at the end of the rain, there were always rainbows that appeared spectacularly in the horizon. I was there, standing at both ends of the rainbow. Unfortunately, no hidden treausres nor pots of gold were to be found. All the rainbow stories told during my childhood remains a fantasy. But the real gem was the unforgettable sight of such wonderful color paintings in the sky; up close and personal. That was the real hidden treasure of Jandakot.

1st Year Anniversary

Time flies. 22nd June was my first year anniversary in SIA. Those interviews, OBS and ground school days back in SG are still fresh in my mind. With a blink of an eye, I am now here in Jandakot, into my second half of flying training.

My course (we fondly call it C121) celebrated the anniversary with a bang. The original plan was to have BBQ. But the weather fouled up. So the boys brought the cooking indoor. Instead of grills and charcoals, all our food ended up in pots and pans. All C121 gatherings are never complete without booze. But it will also always end up with a few drunks, bunch of sobers and one helluva noisy night in the hostel. That night was no exception. One started with a prank, a minute later, baby powders and sunscreen lotions go flying in the air. Johan was going around with his rubber stamp, stamping on others gleefully. I remember that stamp on my head you bastard, haha. Timmy the drunkard was in cloud nine and took all the flaks and pranks as usual. Someone was stripped as well. If you are reading this, next time don't resist. Resistance is futile. Muahaha!!! There goes your pants.

P1 check: Cleared

10th June, 2007 was indeed another day to be remembered. I got a last minute call for flight on Sunday. Hastily, I finished up my laundry and rushed to the ops room. I took the aircraft (VH-YXV) up with instructor for my Phase 1 check. That was the test to assess my general flying abilities and procedures. After an agonizing long stretch to my Phase 1, it has finally come to an end. I am now in Phase 2 and can fly cross crounty navigation. This is real fun. I will be able to fly to the countryside and enjoy the nice sceneries.

A walk in the park with "Celebrities"

I used to have a german shepherd dog in the family when I was young. But we had to give it away due to lack of space and time for the dog. Since then, I didn't have much encounter with dogs. Always wanted to rear one, but it is impossible at this moment. So most of the time I just admire the dogs from far away especially during dog shows. Yesterday, my roommate brought me along to visit a friend of his, here in Perth. She has a golden retriever (my favorite dog) and 2 collies. I was up close with "Datin", "Georgia" and "Sherrie". It was a fun afternoon walking the dogs to the park and playing with them. The dogs are a real active bunch. I was exhausted in the end. We ended the day with dinner near Canning Bridge in a chinese restaurant named after my hometown, Ipoh. They served the Ipoh specialty "hor fun" (some kinda noodle) and it was quite good. I was happy too because I got to taste hometown cookings which I've been longing for.

First Area Solo

Today was my first solo flight into the training area. Flying back into the area was so much fun compared to doing circuits in the aerodrome. Everything was so relaxed. With the aircraft nicely trimmed, it can be flown by itself without any input to the controls. Traveling south, to the east are the mountains while to the west is the Indian Ocean. The view is just breathtaking with green meadows and farms stretching all the way south. While practicing the PFL and flying low, I can get to see cows, sheeps and horses. It was fun at times to chase the animals but certainly not for the ranch owners. Some might get pissed off for disturbing their herds. Sorry bout that, mate.

Diecast Model Plane

I have started my very first collection of diecast model planes. The 3 planes in my collection are military jets; the F14, F15 and F18. One more model, the SU27, will be coming in later end of this month. All models are metal diecast in 1:72 scale made by either Dragon or Witty. After finishing collecting the military jets, I intend to move on to commercial planes. In my future house, I will dedicate a room just to display all the model planes that I have collected in my entire life.

First solo

The day was Friday 13th. Many superstitious people are afraid of this unlucky day. However for me, being born on the 13th, I have always considered the number 13 as my lucky one. And it was in this year as well. It was the day I cleared my very first solo flying after some unfortunate 'events' and the long wait months ago. Taking off on the Cessna 172 marked VH-LTM, everything went perfectly well and the instructor seemed pleased. I was cleared to go solo on the 5th run and it was really unexpected. Taking off again this time being alone, the feeling was different as there was no instructor on the next seat to talk with and to take over control in case of actual emergency. The sudden quietness can be quite eerie at times. I kept my cool and flew the plane the way I was taught and normally fly. I brought the plane back for a perfect landing with a soft touch on the main wheels and then slowly bringing down the nose wheel. It was a great relieve and joy as well. Soon after, congratulation calls were heard on the radio coming from the control tower and fellow cadets on another plane following behind. Thank god it was Friday and there was a welcoming party for juniors back in the hostel. What a perfect set up for me to celebrate the long awaited solo clearance. Off I go, back to the hostel to grab a couple of beer. Whatever happened next, I could not recall anymore. Haha!