Qualifying Cross Country

[MA_Moby]

As some of you know from my ramblings about it last night I did my QXC for my PPL today!

The trip out to Leicester was nice and easy. The air was quite smooth. I went via the wash using Kings Lynn and Spalding as navigation waypoints. I saw four Tornados (I think) hammering along in the practice area over the wash! I didn't catch them with my camera (was too busy watching to make sure they didn't come my way) But I did get this, taken at about 2500ft just NW of Kings Lynn ~



Once over Spalding I headed for Leicester, passing by Cotesmore of my right and Rutland Water on my left. The light hitting the water was out of this world (though maybe it'd look better on a Radeon 9800 )~



Then Leicester emerged from the murk on the horizon ~



I landed on the shortest runway I've challenged to date (about 450m), and stopped for a cup of tea.

I didn't get any pictures on the way back because I was working too hard. The wind was stronger than I'd planned for, so I was concentrating on navigating and finding Conington. The landing at Conington was not fun. There was a strong and unpredictable crosswind, and the wind was gusting - it was right on the limits of the aeroplane. I got it in but I had to work hard, making a flapless approach and keeping the speed right up to counter any windsheer. The trip back to Norwich was a little easier, because I know that route well, but the landing was similar - a strong gusty crosswind (I definitely won't go out with wind like that again if I can help it).

But the trip was a success. Two airfields visited - over 160nm travelled. And me now very knackered, but pleased to have made it over the hurdle

[yamangman]

Congratulations man, I'm glad alls went well. How did you feel after you parked for the last time?

[MA_Moby]

****ing relieved to be back on terra firma! the last landing really wasn't pleasant at all. but glad as well to have done it

[Tumble]

so is that it then?? is Moby a Pilot?

[MA_Moby]

so is that it then?? is Moby a Pilot?

Not quite. I still have the Skills Test to come, and another two exams! Flying wise I have to do about another 30 minutes of stall/spin awareness training, and an hour of instrument flight, plus some general brushing up before the skills test.

[Zak33]

Moby mate...you did WELL WELL WELL and youknow it.

A flapless landing sounds....daunting

Its the kinda thing that hits ya hard, I guess, that you did it

S! matey....very well done indeed

[Nick]

Wahey! QXC is a major milestone bud!

I'll always remember one of our dippier students going off on hers, getting lost roughly 15 seconds after taking off and flying across the approach to LHR!!

The embarassment was beyond belief, the landed her there and we had to go collect the plane.... needless to say, she never got her PPL...

[Hat]

overall cost to date?

[Dakaras]

Well done Moby Pics are great I was at Rutland Sunday as well but on the ground

[MA_Moby]

overall cost to date?

I'm too scared to take a look. Let's just say it's a good thing I have more paid employment coming up over the next 12 months than the last!

The good thing is that it will get cheaper once I qualify. No instructor to lug around and pay for one thing, and hopefully I'll get myself into group flying - which will bring the costs down further.

It is worth it all though. And it's something I just had to do.

Deckard. Scary story there Did she actually land at Heathrow? I'm lucky in this part of the world - hardly any controlled airspace to bust, just lots and lots of Military Air Traffic Zones. Went under some airways and so forth today - but well under.

[iNsChris]

Hey,

(hey everyone first post here )

Good job on cross country dude, How many hours you got? how many did you solo by?
plan to go commercial?

Im training myself Coming up to navs now actually, just pass this exam and ill be off!

iNsChris

[Zak33]

welcome iNsChris.....this is the place to fly dude

[iNsChris]

so do lots of people still play il2 forgotten battles?

I can buy it now and im thinking i might, it says "Il2 forgotten battles FOCUS" whats focus? maker or new game?

Seems this store says its out 24/9/2004 ? either its a new game, or its when the store gets it in stock!

By the way i fly a c152 in real life

around south east england.

[MA_Moby]

Good job on cross country dude, How many hours you got? how many did you solo by?
plan to go commercial?

I'm shocked to see that I have 50 hours total including 11 solo. Managed to solo after 20 hours of slow learning

No plans to go commercial (airline piloting - that's like being a bus driver innit ) - just fun flying. Wouldn't pass the medical anyway!

Welcome to the IL2 forum. For the really really fun flying. This is the situation. Most of us here play IL2 Forgotten Battles with Aces Expansion Pack (I think you can buy these in a bundle). There is also Pacific Fighters (due out really soon) that ties in with IL2, but will, I think, also be available asa stand alone product.

BTW - check your page messager.

[iNsChris]

50hrs cool!

i also soloed at around 20 hrs, However was ready at around 15.
i was instructors first pupil so he was hesitant to send me solo lol, should have seen his face when he sent me! pale as chalk!

flying commercial is excellent BIG JET with thousands of pounds of thrust cant be bad lol

I got ace expansion, but cant find il2 for a good price in UK in STOCK.

Found it for £10 and all out of stock just my luck!!!
iNsChris

[Stoo]

Most GAME stores have it for £15