First Twinstar flight

There have been far too many words recently so here's a nice selection of pictures from the last few weeks. I've finished the IFR Cessna 172 flights where we practise using VOR/DME procedures and a bit of GPS, then put it into practice on routes, such as Hamilton to New Plymouth. This is in the actual airways used by the commercial traffic, albeit it usually at a lower level.

The interior of the C172 with G1000 cockpit which assists in the transition from SE VFR to ME IFR

To Rotorua and back one day practising the VOR/DME approach

With a chance to stop for lunch at the terminal!

Up above the clouds at 8000' on the way to Gisborne on a beautiful day. 

Then today I had my first flight in a Diamond DA-42 Twinstar. We used the simulator at the beginning of the IFR phase so it's not entirely foreign. However, the power from the two engines, especially at take off and the issues that go with that, mostly the inertia of the aircraft, takes some getting used to. The flight was certainly a challenge but very rewarding and a great aircraft to fly. Good thing too as I'll be taking my CPL in it in around a month's time!

This nonchalant pose soon disappeared once I started flying it

 

Very, very smelly stuff

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First attempt at parking. This involved either burning about 2 US Gallons of fuel to have another go or shuffling an almost 2 tonne aircraft onto where it should be. We went for the latter.

Plenty more of those to look forward to!

Thanks to Matt for filming my first (rather dodgy) landing! 

In my defence we were only cleared to join the circuit at the last minute