My Tiger Moth Introduction

[jasonmac]

Thought I would share a couple of snaps from my weekend away down south.

I flew down to CHCH from Auckland on Friday – was greeted by the old man (aeromedia) , we swung past the parents pad to collect the mother figure, and then proceeded down to Wanaka and Queenstown for the weekend.

The purpose of the trip? To try and tame the Tiger!

I’m only a PPL and have only had my licence for a couple of years… I’ve acquired your general ratings in the usual, modern day GA A/C… PA28, PA38, C150, C152, C172 and TB10.
My passion for aviation really lies with Warbirds – so the weekend was pretty special as I got to start adding my first, the DH82a entries into my logbook.

We booked in with Peter Hendriks at Classic Flights Wanaka…. Right from the get go, Pete was enormously friendly and reassuring. The setup they have there is something truly unique and the standard of presentation is top draw. His partner, Julie, was equally as lovely and they made everybody feel extra welcome.

Pete’s an A-Cat… and provided some of the greatest instruction I’ve ever received. He’s thorough and EXCEPTIONALLY supportive in his technique. He worked me solid and I really took LOTS away from my lessons. The weather was rather windy, but I managed to get away with 3 sessions and a total of 2.0 in the logbook.
It was like learning how to fly all over again.. it was very foreign.. an open and cramped cockpit (that alpine air is FRESH!), Instructor in front rather than beside you, hand signals in flight rather than radio com, tail wheel , bi-plane etc… But I treasured every second of it!

I’m eager to get back to Wanaka before the first addition to my own family arrives mid-December to complete the rating in more sedentary met conditions.

Anyway – make sure you check out their website if you haven’t already… www.classicflights.co.nz
Beautiful setup by stunning people in a striking part of the world!!

Cheers
Jase

The Pilot Room at Classic Flights - very cool!


Here I am with her!


Learning what does what..


Waiting for her to warm up and getting comfortable


Taxiing


And one in the air - just the iPhone camera shot (Cheers Pete!)



And to give you an idea of what I had to try stop being distracted by and focus on what I was doing!!It's hard not to just stare forever at these vistas! (taken from the ground of course)

[Dave Homewood]

Superb Jason! Congratulations, and awesome photos!

[baz62]

Yes well done! Yes flying something like a Tigermoth certainly is different from any modern tri-gear aircraft. And the rudder pedals are not just foot rests! Once I've got my BFR sorted and finished paying for my latest Auster (hopefully the last ha ha) I too plan to and get a tailwheel rating. I did fly a Super Cub to solo standard back in the 80s but didn't carry on so still lots to learn!!
Some lovely scenery to look at down there too and you certainly need to be rugged up in a Tiger!

[Mustang51]

Jas, The grin says it all............. not looking like a Rock Station guru but certainly looking the part !

[Gary.]

Very cool I am so jealous right now......

[Mustang51]

Jas, I am hoping to do same at Mandeville next year if I am declared a "Fit and Proper Person"

[jasonmac]

Great news, Ando! It's to absolutely be encouraged. ... I've got a couple of really good things to give you prior to training. A great DVD and about 50 pages of text which really really really help. I'll be sure to pass you copies of both. Hope all is well in the west island.

[DragonflyDH90]

The Tiger is ready when you are Ando.

[Mustang51]

Mate, I'm busting to get there...... and one of the other Mandeville advantages........ that great shed where all those magnificent restorations are taking place...... ah !, the smell of sawdust, leather and glue ! I'll certainly never be a Dave Phillips but I can join the ranks (hopefully) of the Tiger Tamers !

[sparrow]

Nice one! I did my first Tiger Moth flight 5 months ago at Duxford, in their yellow Moth, DF112. I thought it was to be a quick scenic flight, but he told me how to do a few basics, and I took control and did it all, a good buzz. I thought the Cambridgeshire countryside was lovely, but that scenery you got is amazing!

[aeromedia]

Oct 25, 2012 8:24:26 GMT 12 Mustang51 said:

Mate, I'm busting to get there...... I'll certainly never be a Dave Phillips but I can join the ranks (hopefully) of the Tiger Tamers !

Ando, all it will take is for Lars Larsen to call in sick and nek minit, Ando's Showstopping Tiger Toilet Roll Chop routine at Temora. I can see it now !

[Dave Homewood]

I was fortunate to have a ride in the RNZAF's Tiger Moth in 1992. I had a really nice Wing Commander who I didn't know as my pilot. I knew most of the pilots as they called into the section dropping off and picking up their gear but I'd never seen him before. He asked me if I had done any flying myself and I said no, and that I was just happy to have a flight with him doing all the work. We went up, he did a couple of aeros such as loops and rolls, and then he said "You have control". I didn't have any choice and as I was a lowly AC I did as he said. He talked me through a few aerobatics such as a roll, and he talked me through a loop too, with him handling the power and me the stick, and it was really, really neat. I'll always be grateful to him for that.

I got the ride by default as it was meant to be my Corporal going up, Paddy Flanagan, who got an urgent job come up that morning and he sent me instead. Later that year I designed and built a cover for that aeroplane to keep the dust and birds off it in the hangar and as a result of the Historic Flight being so pleased with it, they offered me a ride. Naturally I explained the situation and gave my ride to Paddy, so he got his ride in the end too.

[Mustang51]

DragonflyDH90. Well done mate. A friend of mine from work was visiting NZ over the last three weeks. She is born and bred Kiwi from Leeston. She knows about my aircraft fetish and as I had been talking about Mandeville to her she decided to visit and see the "shed". After a virtual tour by one of the guys she saw a Tiger out there prparing to fly. She spoke with this young pilot who was really enthusiastic about the Tiger and everything that was going on in vintage aircraft in NZ. Her description was of you and she was fullsome in her praise about you and how you regarded the NZ Vintage and Antique scene. See....... it does get back. Well done mate.

[DragonflyDH90]

Thanks Ando. Did she not go for a fly around??

Didn't think I was that young anymore.

I'm very glad she enjoyed her visit.

[JDK]

Nov 27, 2012 20:58:01 GMT 12 DragonflyDH90 said:

Didn't think I was that young anymore.

One of the advantages of playing with old aircraft - the contrast... ;D

Can't remember my Tiger flight. It was an Aussie duster (parental lap ride) in the 1960s, I'm informed though.

BTW - Neat story, Dave!

[flyjoe180]

Great experience, and nice photos to go with the story. Very envious of you Jase.