Test Flight!

Saturday, January 9th. PM

When we got back Max picked up Jan Eric and I and took us to the Kiakoura airport for our flying lesson. We met our instructor Mel who registered us, and gave us a lesson on the controls and how to control the plane on the ground with the foot pedals and then in the air with the hand controls. Then she took Jan Eric out to the plane. He had his lesson first. I watched and took photos as he taxied and took off! He was back in a half hour and it was my turn.

Mel showed me how to get in, buckle up and put the headset on so we could talk to each other. She explained the controls and dials. The plane has dual controls and she has the override in case we get in trouble. Then she told me to taxi down the runway by controlling the direction left or right with my feet. When we got to the end she turned us around and said it would be a bit challenging getting up because of the crosswind. I pulled out the throttle and we raced down the runway until the wheels lifted off the ground! We were airborne! I had the controls and with her assistance we climbed to 1700'. When looking forward all I could see was the nose of the plane. When we leveled off I could see more and we flew along the coast and over the town before she asked if I wanted to try a turn. She explained how to bank and we turned around 360 degrees. Then she asked if I wanted to try a tighter turn. So she took control and banked it hard. I could feel the g-forces. At times she used my camera to take photos and I realized I had total control! Then we flew back and with her mainly at the controls we landed again. It was awesome! I couldn't believe how much control I had and that I had flown a plane!

By the time I came down Max had rounded up all the others and we set off in the bus overland to Hanmer Springs. It was a beautiful drive through the country side and over the pass. We checked into the Drifters Hotel and then most of us went to the Hot Springs. It was a large outdoor complex with about ten different pools and a big water slide area as well. The adult pools were 38-40 degrees. It felt great. Jane's three sons who are all living in New Zealand came to visit her. After the pools we regrouped at the hotel again and walked down to Robbie's restaurant for dinner. I had a salad and a couple of beers and then headed back to the room for the night. What a day!