IR phase initiated...

AP360 started back at Oxford mid way through last month- it was surreal to be back after being away so long, small details have changed but largely everything was the same- it was good to see some old faces too!

Wings presentation

We had a introduction week- what to expect, the do's and don't s,  then, what we had all been waiting for- the wings presentation. Goodbye one silver stripe, hello two gold stripes; as well as a wings badge. This represented that you had passed your CPL exam. It was a great honor to receive them and a good marker point in our progression to becoming airline pilots- you will only receive your 'wings' once so OAA marks the occasion with a presentation.

So onto the next stage, whats next? Maybe the most difficult part of the course, the Instrument Rating, otherwise known as an IR, you need the IR attachment onto your license to fly for the airlines. An instrument rating is learning how to fly the aircraft without any visual reference to the outside world by flying and interpreting what your instruments are telling you, I describe it to my non aviation friends as driving a car without looking out of your window, you only look at your speed and RPM... which obviously in a car would be a terrible idea, however in a plane's its no problem.

We will be learning the instrument phase on new Seneca V's, here is the website so you can see this fine aircraft. The Seneca is bigger than the twin engined Seminole, it has extra seats, a wider cockpit and more avionics, its capable of flying up to 25000ft with a range of around 1000 miles, the engines are 6 cylinders, 220hp, turbo charged engines. There are 4 seat in the back with pull out desks for the pilot monitoring to make notes, just like a office. The simulators are also new in a customer made part of a hanger, the cockpit and instructor booth are surrounded by a screen which is around 180 degrees and stands at 20 feet- we are getting good kit to learn on.

Approach plate for EGTK (Oxford)

 I met with my new instructor, an ex Dash 8 (click) driver and we where quickly put to task in the simulators. The flying is different compared to the USA, in the USA when flying VFR (visually) it was 'easier' to create time for your self and have an accurate mental picture by looking at the horizon and outside reference to support that picture, however when flying on instruments that mental picture can only be perceived from watching needles etc so you have to be sharp and accurate, this is whilst also flying the plane, talking to ATC, setting up the aircraft and occasionally carrying out mental maths, its vital to stay ahead of the aircraft, otherwise things get tricky...

The flying schedule is not as intense as it was in the US, you need plenty of time to study and prepare for simulator sessions or flights, its important not to have a wasted lessons because we do not have many before our IR! I am enjoying being back in the UK and appreciating the beautiful Oxford surrounding area, much more when compared to ground school- where a trip to Sainsbury's would of been a treat! We have had a days out like we would  have done in America however we went a place which is the mirror opposite to Las Vegas... Blenheim Palace. 

Bit of culture at Blenheim !

My new landlord is a private jet pilot who demonstrates new private jets around the world, he brought one into Oxford the other day and myself and other house mate where lucky enough to go on board with him and have a good look and play about with the avionics in the cockpit. It was a good insight - we sat in the rear for a while, it has all the things you could need, a life I could get used too!

But for now I am determined to do well on this final part of the course,the focus remains and I would like a good finish to my time here at OAA.

Thanks for reading.

Private jet inspection

A OAA plane landing on 19

Conor getting to grips on how a table works...