Gone Flying, Back soon!
I'm allowed to use Aunties car again, well, It's saves her hanging around for what could be several hours at the flying club. Saturday, and if it's like anything in Britain, then there should be some activity here today. 5 minutes later, "do you want to fly?, I'm just going on a short cross country up to Dannyvirke", says this chap in the club office. Of course I want to fly, silly question. We get acquainted and walk out to his Cessna 172. A look at his navigation map and the line takes us right across the mountains. Next, a look at those mountains topped with clouds - this might be interesting, could be my last ever flight! Jonathan ensures me it's safe to traverse the range since we can manoeuvre between gaps, maybe alter the route a little.
Getting airborne from paraparaumu runway 34 and turning eastwards to begin Jonathan's navigation exercise, via Masterton, and on to Dannyvirke in the central north Island. Clouds obscure the mountain peaks as the plane takes a steady climb - 3000 feet, 4000 feet, looks like we're not gaining to make it across the intended route. Better weather further south though, with the mountain tops just a bit lower. For the next 20 minutes, breathtaking scenery from 4 1/2 thousand feet as Jonathan navigates a path between peaks.
Mountains left, rolling hilly terrain on the right and underneath, State Highway 2, a railway line and numerous rivers as we navigate northeastwards towards Dannyvirke, following the map carefully, ticking off the towns as they pass beneath. The only radio communication outside of controlled airports is a common frequency where pilots frequently give their flight details
Dannyvirke is on the horizon, a small town centred around the highway, but spotting the airfield is proving to be difficult. There it is, right on the nose - a large sun scorched field with a lighter shade of brown through the middle marking the runway. The place is quiet, no one around, all locked up infact. Oh well, better head back then.
Back over the mountains with the clouds having cleared away. Another stunning panorama as the afternoon sun reflects on the peaks. A slight deviation as Jonathan decides to fly down Otaki gorge, inbetween the peaks and down through valleys making this the most scenic flight ever. South along the Kapiti Coastline towards the airport with Kapiti Island a prominent landmark - impossible to get lost around here! Beautiful shades of blue blending together to make another very picturesque scene as the plane turns over the beach and sets up for a landing back at Paraparaumu. Mountains, beach and sea all in a single flight, a memorable day indeed.
I'm allowed to use Aunties car again, well, It's saves her hanging around for what could be several hours at the flying club. Saturday, and if it's like anything in Britain, then there should be some activity here today. 5 minutes later, "do you want to fly?, I'm just going on a short cross country up to Dannyvirke", says this chap in the club office. Of course I want to fly, silly question. We get acquainted and walk out to his Cessna 172. A look at his navigation map and the line takes us right across the mountains. Next, a look at those mountains topped with clouds - this might be interesting, could be my last ever flight! Jonathan ensures me it's safe to traverse the range since we can manoeuvre between gaps, maybe alter the route a little.
Getting airborne from paraparaumu runway 34 and turning eastwards to begin Jonathan's navigation exercise, via Masterton, and on to Dannyvirke in the central north Island. Clouds obscure the mountain peaks as the plane takes a steady climb - 3000 feet, 4000 feet, looks like we're not gaining to make it across the intended route. Better weather further south though, with the mountain tops just a bit lower. For the next 20 minutes, breathtaking scenery from 4 1/2 thousand feet as Jonathan navigates a path between peaks.
Mountains left, rolling hilly terrain on the right and underneath, State Highway 2, a railway line and numerous rivers as we navigate northeastwards towards Dannyvirke, following the map carefully, ticking off the towns as they pass beneath. The only radio communication outside of controlled airports is a common frequency where pilots frequently give their flight details
Dannyvirke is on the horizon, a small town centred around the highway, but spotting the airfield is proving to be difficult. There it is, right on the nose - a large sun scorched field with a lighter shade of brown through the middle marking the runway. The place is quiet, no one around, all locked up infact. Oh well, better head back then.
Back over the mountains with the clouds having cleared away. Another stunning panorama as the afternoon sun reflects on the peaks. A slight deviation as Jonathan decides to fly down Otaki gorge, inbetween the peaks and down through valleys making this the most scenic flight ever. South along the Kapiti Coastline towards the airport with Kapiti Island a prominent landmark - impossible to get lost around here! Beautiful shades of blue blending together to make another very picturesque scene as the plane turns over the beach and sets up for a landing back at Paraparaumu. Mountains, beach and sea all in a single flight, a memorable day indeed.
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