A Brief Review of 2016

With 2016 coming to a close, it's time to reflect on the flying year just passed.

I've totalled just under 30 hours in the Piper Arrow since January, including two flights with instructors where I practiced forced landings and instrument approaches. These trips included an ILS/DME and an SRA to Hawarden's runway 04. The instrument approaches help, as there will only be a requirement for me to complete one on my renewal flight test for the IRR(A) next year.

Emerging from the hanger, G-HALC Piper Arrow

 

Sadly, I have not flown any multi engine aeroplanes this year and so my MEP rating has now lapsed. I did not renew as there are no aeroplanes in my area to hire without considerable cost and inconvenience. It was just not worth renewing.

In October I completed the micro light differences training and I'm now checked out to fly a Team Eurostar EV97. At a maximum 450kgs it's quite different to the Arrow, but good fun flying.

Eurostar EV 97 at Barton

At Kirkbride for one of their lovely lunches

I visited Aero Expo at Sywell in the summer and the Flyer Live event in Telford during December. Both were well worth a look.

I'm going to see if I can regain my class 2 medical in 2017 and see where I get with that. But for now I plan next year to be business as usual in the Arrow.