March 9, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Hi all,
Just a few from this morning.
All the best
Si







My old Squadron 848 NAS doing instrument approaches.

By: adamkendall - 13th March 2007 at 11:37
The XL and Astraeus shots are awesome!!!:D
By: B77W - 12th March 2007 at 22:29
Wonderful shots, Si. The weather may have been poor at times but your results certainly arn’t. Very nice!
Paul
Wilco!
By: Deano - 12th March 2007 at 20:34
Ta BR, yes the £691 covers both luckily, however, NATS are going to get the bill for the relocation of the Seneca down to Bristol, I’ll let them argue amongst theirselves who’s going to cough up for it (if anyone).
Not sure about it being split is beneficial, it is nice to just “do it” and get it out the way, now I have to go through the mental rigmoral that comes with every test, but hey, that’s life.
And in your example it just goes to show that all you have to do to screw up the test is to do “something stupid”, which is very easy to do.
Yes our school has a particularly high FTP rate, something they are proud of, and something I hope I’ll be able to maintain for them tomorrow.
I think everywhere is booked up for a couple of months, I don’t think my school has any places, I guess you’ll find out tomorrow.
D.
By: Phil J - 12th March 2007 at 18:14
Superb shots, Si.
I really like the angle you got on the second Astraeus pic. Must have been a late rotation!
Phil.
By: BlueRobin - 12th March 2007 at 12:00
Good luck for the other bit, at least it was someone else’s fault. I assume both parts are still covered by the examiner’s £691 fee? I imagine two shorter periods of flight test could be beneficial – I know a few peope who have flown perfect tests only to balls-up the circle-to-land i.e. the final hurdle through tiredness. perhaps they relaxed too early?
Hey it says here your school has a 56% FTP rate.
Wonder if they are commutable for me? Having a hellish time trying to find anywhere without a two-month waiting list. Ahh he said in an edit having looked at local.live.com, only 3 more miles drive than the other place I liked.
By: Deano - 11th March 2007 at 09:07
Indeed mate, I think the figure is only 28% of pilots get the 1st time pass, no pressure then 😉 I’ll let you know how I get on and thanks for the good luck, somehow I think I’ll need it, weather looking spiffing so here’s hoping
By: Si Jones - 10th March 2007 at 21:52
Hi Si, we arrived at 8:50am, then I taxied at 10:15am, departed at 10:40am, and arrived back about 12pm, during the first approach I did an Asymmetric NDB to a low approach and go around into a low level circuit to land, so if you saw a rather low Seneca that was I. Did you have a scanner and was listening in? Exam One Zero was the callsign.
As for the test, well it was a bit of a b@llz up to be honest, as we were holding to depart ATC informed us that we couldn’t go to Cardiff for the Hold ILS because they have no details from us, which was a complete lie as I filed the flight plan the night before, and the CFI booked our slot time the afternoon before, it isn’t the first time they have done this, so basically I couldn’t do the en route, Hold ILS or EFATO part of the test, the rest I did and passed so I have what is known as an incomplete test, so I have to go back Tuesday afternoon to complete it, we will go to Filton this time for the Hold ILS, and if all goes well I will still get my First Time Pass, time will tell.
Love the Astraeus & SNBrussels, top shots.
Deano, unlucky mate but at least you are still on track for a first time pass, something a lot of commercial pilots flying today did not get. A few of my mates banged out of the Navy and are now flying for B Med and Easyjet…more money, no flying overalls or bone domes and cabin crew who are better looking……I am so tempted! and at least 3 failed their initial instrument test and that is with 2000 hrs plus under some of their belts (in a Seaking). Good luck for Tuesday and let us all know how you got on.
By: Si Jones - 10th March 2007 at 21:47
excellent how the hell do you get shots like that?
what do you use lense?
also how do you edit them?
let us know si
cheers
Jason
Jason I am using a Canon 100-400L IS and Canon 28-135 IS lens which are just right for me, although I am still trying to get to grips with both lenses. I use Photoshop CS2 for editing. I just love up close and personal aircraft shots rather than full fuselage as it gives a great sense of power to the photograph. Mate for every semi good shot I have 20 crap ones; the beauty of digital photography is that you can just keep on shooting.
All the best
Si
By: philgatwick05 - 10th March 2007 at 12:44
The XL does it for me, too 😀
Great work Si
By: kevinwm - 10th March 2007 at 01:00
Excelant shots Si,
The Excel stands out for me
Keep up the good work
Kevin
By: Deano - 9th March 2007 at 23:07
Hi Si, we arrived at 8:50am, then I taxied at 10:15am, departed at 10:40am, and arrived back about 12pm, during the first approach I did an Asymmetric NDB to a low approach and go around into a low level circuit to land, so if you saw a rather low Seneca that was I. Did you have a scanner and was listening in? Exam One Zero was the callsign.
As for the test, well it was a bit of a b@llz up to be honest, as we were holding to depart ATC informed us that we couldn’t go to Cardiff for the Hold ILS because they have no details from us, which was a complete lie as I filed the flight plan the night before, and the CFI booked our slot time the afternoon before, it isn’t the first time they have done this, so basically I couldn’t do the en route, Hold ILS or EFATO part of the test, the rest I did and passed so I have what is known as an incomplete test, so I have to go back Tuesday afternoon to complete it, we will go to Filton this time for the Hold ILS, and if all goes well I will still get my First Time Pass, time will tell.
Love the Astraeus & SNBrussels, top shots.
By: Jamie_787 - 9th March 2007 at 22:29
Very well done on these shots !! The Excel climbing away is an awsome shot man, keep up the good work. 🙂
Thanks again
Jamie M
By: xpboy - 9th March 2007 at 21:23
excellent how the hell do you get shots like that?
what do you use lense?
also how do you edit them?
let us know si
cheers
Jason
By: Si Jones - 9th March 2007 at 21:19
Deano,
I was there from 0830 until 1230, saw the Seneca flying around but didn’t get any photos…..how did you get on?
Si
By: Deano - 9th March 2007 at 20:56
Si, great pics, what time were you down this morning? I was there doing my Instrument Rating Skill Test today, you didn’t get any photos of a Seneca by any chance? 😉
By: adamdowley - 9th March 2007 at 19:34
Great stuff Si! The XL and Astraeus shots are wonderful!:)
By: Manston Airport - 9th March 2007 at 19:09
Fab Shots Si like the Westlands Sea King Shot;)
james
By: MonkeyHugger - 9th March 2007 at 18:34
Fantastic shots Si. They’re brilliant 🙂
What lens do you use with your 400d? 🙂
By: E-GPF - 9th March 2007 at 18:32
Nice shots there Si we have had a similar day up here in Glasgow
regards
Peter
By: PMN - 9th March 2007 at 18:26
Wonderful shots, Si. The weather may have been poor at times but your results certainly arn’t. Very nice!
Paul