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It all started for me back in March '97 with 'X-Ray Charlie' and
perhaps for that reason, this plane was always my favourite.
The vast majority of my training hours was spent in this
aircraft, along with my instructor Terry Fitzsimmons and it also kept me safe while on my first solo flight in June '97 and Navigation Flight Test.
Unfortunatley, X-Ray Charlie came to grief in December 2005 when
involved in a fatal accident while on a navigation exercise, where
a student lost his life in a mid-air collision over the Cotswolds.
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Bravo-Kilo played a large part in gaining my PPL, carrying me on
my first solo navigation exercise, Qualifying Cross Country
test and the all important General Flight Test. Most of the time
spent training
for my Night Rating and
Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) rating was spent in Bravo-Kilo
too. Generally, the avionics in this 2 seat trainer were
of a higher standard than X-Ray Charlie and with the engine on
lower hours, was a
bit more responsive.
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AWAEX came into her own having gained my PPL. With a touch more power,
getting from A to B was a tad quicker and it also allowed for carrying
passengers. The extra room and company was always nice and when
with other pilots, the flying could be shared (as well as the cost!).
She had also had R-NAV, an excellent piece of navigation equipment,
which reduced the cockpit workload tremendously. |
Now we're talking!
This capable 4 seat (+ luggage) modern tourer,
is a joy to fly. Leather seats, huge cockpit, fantastic visibilty,
quadrant controls, ooodles of power and excellent avionics.
Superb!
My flying instructor was part of the syndicate which owned this Birmingham
based beauty, and I was lucky enough to fly her
twice out of BHX, once holding up a commercial passenger jet, sat
on the end of the runway waiting for departure while I came in to
land (on a different runway, I hasten to add!). |
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The name of this lovely aircraft say's it all.
Based on the American
C172, this one's built in (Reims) France and comes with extra power,
constant speed propeller and therefore, the capacity to carry 4 adults
with luggage a long way - quickly!
Being a bit older than the Tobago above, the interior layout may
not be as plush, but very nice to fly all the same. |
