Just to say Hi also...............

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Just to say Hi also...............

Biggles 10/11/2009, 11:45 AM
Hi, thought I would introduce myself to the members of the Forum. I have been a gliding instructor and held a PPL since 1980 so am probably one of the "old timers" amongst you. I am Scottish but now live in France where I fly a Robin DR400 180 to tow gliders for our local club. In Scotland I fly a Pawnee for glider towing and for 10 years I had a quarter share in a Zenair 601 homebuilt taildragger. Looking forward to reading more posts on this Forum and hopefully being able to make some myself.

Re: Just to say Hi also...............

Aviator|Chris 10/11/2009, 8:34 PM

Hi Biggles,

Welcome to the forum, I look forward to your posts and experience on topic. I, and i'm sure the rest of the PPL students here, will find it very interesting reading!

Chris.

Re: Just to say Hi also...............

Morbz 11/11/2009, 9:08 AM

Welcome Biggles!

Sounds like you have some experience to share with us then? I too look forward to reading some posts and replies and you may find a question or two firing your way soon!

Im Morbz by the way (if you havent already guessed!). Nearly a year into my ATPL training now and flown since 2007. Experience on the basics- PA28, Robin HR200, Cessna 172 and presently the DA42 Twinstar... had a dabble with a 737-400 sim too!

Good to have you on board

Morbz

Re: Just to say Hi also...............

Biggles 14/11/2009, 9:45 PM
Hi Guys, thanks for your welcome to the Forum. I really enjoyed Morbz's video of the DA42 Twinstar - it is definitely an aircraft that looks right. One landed at our aerodrome last week and I would have given anything to have a flight in it.

Here in France our gliding club is rather unusual as we fly from a proper aerodrome (LFDH) which is busy with different traffic types including ULM's, helicopters, private jets, fixed wing & of course gliders. We have a superb restaurant and many visiting pilots of aircraft of all types come in for lunch. When flying displays are held at nearby airfields many aircraft end up parked at our aerodrome for the duration including recently the "Patrole de France" mainly because we have a tarmac runway of 1500 metres.

It is quite intimidating trying to tow gliders when aircraft such as this are using the same runways and made even worse when the language on the radio is all in French !!!
Our aerodrome is one of the few which is also English speaking but to stay totally safe it is necessary to speak & understand French in the air. Many French pilots cannot speak or understand a word of English - so much for English being the international language of the air !!! Normally, I speak to the controller in French (got to help them preserve their language) but he usually replies to me in English which is really good especially when I am under a busy workload with many traffic varied movements.

Re: Just to say Hi also...............

Biggles 14/11/2009, 9:49 PM
Hi Guys, thanks for your welcome to the Forum. I really enjoyed Morbz's video of the DA42 Twinstar - it is definitely an aircraft that looks right. One landed at our aerodrome last week and I would have given anything to have a flight in it.

Here in France our gliding club is rather unusual as we fly from a proper aerodrome (LFDH) which is busy with different traffic types including ULM's, helicopters, private jets, fixed wing & of course gliders. We have a superb restaurant and many visiting pilots of aircraft of all types come in for lunch. When flying displays are held at nearby airfields many aircraft end up parked at our aerodrome for the duration including recently the "Patrole de France" mainly because we have a tarmac runway of 1500 metres.

It is quite intimidating trying to tow gliders when aircraft such as this are using the same runways and made even worse when the language on the radio is all in French !!!
Our aerodrome is one of the few which is also English speaking but to stay totally safe it is necessary to speak & understand French in the air. Many French pilots cannot speak or understand a word of English - so much for English being the international language of the air !!! Normally, I speak to the controller in French (got to help them preserve their language) but he usually replies to me in English which is really good especially when I am under a busy workload with many varied traffic movements.

Re: Just to say Hi also...............

Morbz 15/11/2009, 12:11 AM

Glad you liked the vid biggles!

I hear a lot about the french ATC, in a way I would like to think my home country would speak their own language - it seems like they would have the right to do so, but when safety is concerned in aviation I think its totally wrong for them to chop and change the language they use. Its clearly a hazard when you cant tell whats going on in the airspace you are flying in and there definatly needs to be some firm emphasis on the language the contracting states use for ATC. I dont see why nothing has been done by EASA because there is a clear record of accidents occuring because of the language confusion, if your a member state taking part in aviation then you should follow rules- simple.

As for the DA42 I completely agree, its a perfect all round plane, capable of spacious passenger ferrying and equiped with some good stuff like the G1000 and the all important anti ice etc. If you do get the chance to go up in one definatly do so, they are a pleasure to fly and above all they feel like really reliable planes.

Morbz

Re: Just to say Hi also...............

Aviator|Chris 17/11/2009, 6:07 PM

I think when it comes to language its a tough battle really, but rules are rules.

I know when I'm flying, I use all the communications on frequency to build a mental image of traffic in the area. A nice addition to looking out the window!

I agree on the DA-42, incredible aircraft going by how my Instructor raves about it, very stable platform. We have one at the club, just waiting for an invite to take her into the skies!