Testing times

I've completed all the required Navs for my PPL. I've also started my
CPL exams. The next month is going to be very busy for me as I try to
complete all my CPL exams. MTW is going great, I have done 12hrs on her
now and she is only down 1 Quart of oil, that could well have come out
of the breather so I am very happy with the engine condition. I'm
getting more comfortable in her, and yesterday I practised my flap less
crosswind landings and I'm pleased with everything.

Economy cruise is about 100knots when she is heavy and that equates to
about 28lt/hr or flat out she can manage about 115knots at 35lt/hr. So
far I have not been above 4500ft and I am keen to see how she performs
at her optimum height of around 8000ft.

She pulls up in around 100m for a properly executed short field landing,
but needs much more room to T/O (600m) and climb performance is never
impressive. Never any problem getting back down though ;-)

Long Nav

Did I mention it was a 3Hr 54 Minute Flight! The piper has about a 5
Hour Endurance at 2650RPM or 90% throttle. If I can live with 100knots
I should be able to get her down to 75% throttle and less fuel burn.

Perth

imgp5560.jpg, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

Here is the view back to Perth from over Cottesloe

Fremantle

imgp5562.jpg, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

Here I am tracing down the coast towards the PowerHouse in Fremantle.

Observation City

imgp5550.jpg, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

Here I am tracking South down the coast towards Fremantle after popping out over Observation City.

Perth Airport

imgp5533.jpg, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

After being sent way north I was vectored in over Perth Airport, not something you see often from a small VFR aircraft.

Salt lakes

imgp5491.jpg, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

When you are navigating with a map these are invaluable, along with Major Roads and Railways and Grain Silos, Towns and Rivers.

Nav6

imgp5484.jpg, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

My last Solo Navigation exercise before my PPL flight test went well and really tested my ability and confidence. It was from Jandakot to Corragin then Beverly and finally Northam before returning to Jandakot via a corner of controlled airspace. It was a hot and thermic day and quite bumpy, but the Piper is so much more stable than a 172, easier and more relaxing to fly. The DG stayed wonderfully aligned with the compass, requiring regular checking but no regular changes.
I have yet to work out the average speeds and fuel burn, but I am guessing that I was averaging about 110knots and 36lph. I had to dodge gliders at Beverly and deal with crosswinds and rotor at all 3 airfields, but it was no problem. On the way out I had to track around a fire at Canning Damn as the smoke meant no VMC was possible. When I got back to clackline and got my transponder code I was initially told there was no entry into controlled airspace, that was until it became apparent that there was no VMC possible anywhere near canning damn and I was vectored north of Perth before getting an overfly to Observation city and an awesome flight down the coast, returning to Jandakot via the Power House in Fremantle.

Cott!

Monday was an excellent Cott day, Karl, Mike, Jason, Rob, Caine, Gavin,
Shaun and myself were all there and we all flew. I got Karl, Rob and
Caine to fly my glider and everybody loves a Fun 160. It was gusty at
times and off to the North as well, but everyone did great, safe top
landings all round. Karl was up for ages and flew like a champ in
changeable and tricky conditions.
I'm still waiting for MTW to be ready for our adventures together,
impatiently.