This is my "Flying Page." 

 

 

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After flying Radio Control model aeroplanes since 1986, I learned to fly in C152s and PA28s at Shoreham Airport in 1992.

 

EGKA

 

I started with Mercury Flying Club, and when this folded half way through my training, I transferred to "Air South," which was run by Jenny and John Pothecary.


After getting my licence, I spent several years flying the minimum hours necessary to maintain legal currency before coming to the conclusion that I would only fly regularly if I bought a part share. The first plane in which I owned a share was a taildragger, a PA15 Vagabond G-BOVB which was a great deal of fun.

G-BOVB

However after about 70 hours of handswinging props (and it was particularly difficult to start when hot), I decided that the next plane I part owned would have an electric starter.


This was a C172 G-ASVM.

G-ASVM


 

After the members of this group went our separate ways, and the plane was sold, I bought a share in a TB10 G-BLCG. I flew about 90 hours in this, and went as far afield as Holland .

G-BLCG

When I decided to start to learn to fly helicopters I had to sell this share to raise some funds for training.


But I kept my  1/30th  share in the Southern Strut Flying Group’s EGKA based C150 G-AWRK . G-AWRK

 

If you want to have a look at the details of the longest trip I have ever made in this aircraft, have a look at www.andytobias.co.uk/Romeo Kilo Goes West.pdf    Sadly RK came to a sticky end at Deanland in Autumn 2008, (fortunately with no injury to anybody) and the group now has a leased C152 which, whilst lacking RK's character, probably performs somewhat better!


 

 I also own a small share in the Oldbus Flying Group’s PA28 Archer G-BMIW. (video (c) Paul Dean)

 

G-BMIW

Along the way I have gained a Night Rating and an IMC Rating with and now have about 600 fixed wing hours in total.  If you want to see my logbook up to the end of 2008 then there is a copy here produced by PilotLog, (www.PilotLog.co.uk ). 

 

 In May 2009 I had a fantastic trip to the Shetlands and Hebrides in G-BMIW. I hope that you will be able to read about it soon in one of the flying magazines.




I had started looking at the possibility of a fixed wing Commercial Licence, (and I even went as far as having an initial class 1 medical at Gatwick with this in mind), but I really didn’t feel that I had the dedication to do all of the CPL examinations. So, I looked for another challenge.

First, I started a Twin Rating in the Flying Hut’s (Now Flying Times')Piper Aztec G-BCCE in 2003. I did about 12 hrs training but no test.

 BCCE 





Panel

 

I finally completed the course and did the test in 2007. Possibly the longest ever MEP rating!


For a few years I was a member of the  Southdown Gliding Club at Parham, but as my aviation medicine workload picked up I found I really didn't have the time that I needed to make any progress with unpowered flight.

SGC


Eventually, I learned to fly R22 Helicopters with Fast Helicopters at Shoreham. (video (c) Paul Dean)


After about 60 hours training in the R22 I finished my PPL(H) in 2006. I also completed an Enstrom piston helicopter type rating and, for a few years, owned a quarter share in G-BURI which is an Enstrom F28C and was based at Goodwood. I now have just over 150 hrs rotary time. (picture and video(c)John Henderson)

 G-BURI

 

I have tried to fly a few new types in 2009. So far this year I have had a trial lesson in the Real Flying Company's Harvard as a birthday present from my wife, I've flown a BE76 twin and a Schweizer 300 Helicopter. I'd also like to have another go at open cockpit flying. I had a trial lesson in a Tiger Moth years ago and have never been so cold in my life, but now own some warmer clothes! 

 

The most exciting thing that has happend in my flying of late is that I have now become the proud owner of a 1961 C172B G-ARMO. My main aim is to exceed 1000 hours P1 before age or finances force an end to my flying :-)

 

G-ARMO

 

 

 

(And, yes, I am still a member of the Sussex Radio Flying Club ) Andy Tobias  31/10/2009


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