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On Saturday I had my third lesson for the Instrument Meteorological Conditions Rating. This rating will allow me to fly in conditions where visual flight is not possible, and consequently should allow more flexability with trips to and from the island.

Light aircraft with single engines are not ideal for flight in true IMC, but with proper planning the risk can be managed to a sensible level. The rating also reduces the limits for visual flight to 1800m flight visibility outside controlled airspace, and 3000m inside controlled airspace with a Special VFR clearance. The normal “plain” PPL limit is 5000m. The rating also removes the limitation for UK issued PPLs that prohibits visual flight whilst out of sight of the surface – i.e. above an overcast.

I’m finding it quite challenging, but after three lessons totalling 3h 40m, with 2h 30m in simulated instrument conditions (involving semi-opaque glasses called foggles which restrict the view to the instrument panel only) I’ve covered the basics of instrument flight and should be able to move on to some instrument approaches next time. I do need to spend some time revising recovering from unusual attitudes with a partial instrument panel , but so far I’ve been enjoying the experience.

Or alternatively, “The £270 bacon roll”.

That’s right, the old aviation joke about the $100 cheeseburger may be fine for half hour flyouts in the US with no landing fees, but here on the Isle of Man where just about anywhere is at least an hour away, the costs are somewhat greater.

Anyway, this was the first cross country flight since I completed the PPL course last year – so this time Catherine could come along too.

I’m going to try and do more cross country over the summer as it’s more interesting and challenging. If I do one trip every 6 weeks or so, with a couple of 20 minute circuit sessions in between, the cost should be the same as a couple of flights round the island. All I need now are some destinations…

Each flight cost about £135, and took 1 hour 15 minutes brakes off to brakes on.   We left at 10:00 and were back by 14:00. An equivalent round trip with the car and Steam Packet at this time of year would cost £330 – and take 16 hours travelling time alone!

I’m just back from a week at Deeside Gliding Club – The weather was not playing the game for high altitude wave soaring, as the wind was easterlies all week. However, the themal conditions on Wednesday did allow me to get a 5 hour flight for my Silver duration (though it was a close run thing!). I was flying the SZD Puchacz for the silver flight, and also some more flights in the SZD Junior. The Junior seems far more comfortable then the Puch, but after 5 hours I’m sure any glider will seem uncomfortable!

Next job is to get a Silver distance (50km) and height gain (1000m). There’s a chance of doing the height gain on the island, so I’m currently scouring ebay for GPS barograph loggers!

This morning I got checked out in the Piper Warrior. It’s probably only here for a short period of time, but I wanted to compare the Warrior with the 172.

First impressions: It’s very stable! The wind was 22 gusting 27, and 20 degrees off the runway, but it felt really solid. The 172 controls feels “heavy”, but in the approach phase it seems more affected by gusts.

One door / Two doors – Didn’t really make any difference once I was in. In the event of ditching, although the Piper only has one door it opens wider and you don’t need to pull the seats back to get your feet out, so six and half a dozen.

High Wing / Low Wing – meh! In the Cessna, you can see out the back, in the Warrior you can see where you’re turning. The Cessna visibility is better for navigation. I’m not too keen on the centre post on the Warrior’s windscreen.

The Warrior seemed easier to land than the C172 (I’m not too good at that yet…). Cruise speed is 100kts, so it’s faster than the O-300 Cessnas. I prefer the manual flap lever rather than electric flaps too. This particular aircraft also has electric trim – luxury!

On the whole, I liked the Warrior. If it’s still here next week, we’ll probably try going away for the day.

2 hours and 3 minutes in the T45 Swallow – on the Isle of Man! Sunday 8th July was a great day for gliding, and I did my longest flight on the island. What a great feeling!

The only problem is now I’ve got to try and exceed that, and the Swallow seat could not really be described as comfortable.