Ariez Vachha....New Recreational Pilot Certificate

 

Ariez Vachha, Hong Kong....

"Circumstances have robbed me of a career in aviation, a fact that I have regretted every single day since, as Hong Kong is not aviation friendly.   http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/    I kept myself ticking along by building and flying model aircraft and I did some gliding when I was in college. Recently I was in the happy position of not working, and I decided to make my dream come true after a 25 year hiatus."

"So I spoke to my good mate Steve, who has been totally immersed in aviation since he started work with the Australian Air Force, and now flies an RV 7A               http://www.vansaircraft.com/public/rv-7int.htm   and the Airbus for Cathay Pacific to pay for it.  http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_AU/helpingyoutravel     He suggested going the Recreational Aviation route,    http://www.auf.asn.au/students/index.html    coming to Adelaide to do the training, and to ensure my arm was fully twisted, also stay at his home in Adelaide whilst doing so. This seemed like an instant plan! We could take in some airshows and I could also help him build his Xenos motor glider,    http://www.sonexaircraft.com/aircraft/xenos.html     which he was building with a friend."

"But fate stepped in once again, a bizarre traffic accident two weeks before my planned departure left me with a broken wrist and a minimum two month delay, missing the airshows and the good weather."

"At age 47, I came to the realisation that if I don't do this now, I will probably never do so. So I kept work on hold and accepted the delay as part of the challenge and came to Adelaide as soon as the Physiotherapist said that it was okay. I came in to Adelaide Biplanes to have a chat with the Team the day after I landed in Adelaide, and Steve introduced me to Martyn. After a quick chat, I had my first lesson in a SportStar with Sam on the same day. That was it, I was hooked!"

Working in Murray's office....

"Many more hours with the Team, and out of the blue, on the 22nd of December, Karl asked me to do a full stop and backtrack. He took control and asked me to be calm, "the time had come" and he no longer wanted to be in the aeroplane! Once he lined up 5571 at the end of the runway, he hopped out saying, "you know what to do, just do it!" A few seconds of steeling myself, (felt like ages), I made the radio call and I was rolling. Once I was over the emotion I really enjoyed my solo, then my best landing to date."

Karl and Ariez....First solo....

A well deserved celebratory bubbly relaxing at home....

"I was soon back in the circuit, interspersed with solo command time, until Karl thought it was time for an 'Area Solo' to Milang. I took off looking at a sky that was okay but not perfect. Over the hill, the weather was not looking as good, but within the parameters that I had been given."

"My return to Hong Kong was looming. The flying had certainly been a lot of hard work, with lots of trials and tribulations along the way. Then my flight test with Steve, Recreational CFI, was stopped due to the temperature in the cockpit having become unbearable, it was 44 degrees heat outside! Later, after shutting down SportStar 5572, Martyn opened the canopy and I realised that I had achieved my Pilot Certificate! I had a real job containing my emotions and can only describe this by quoting Martyn....AWESOME!"

"All things at Adelaide Biplanes are a team effort, thanks to you all for tolerating me and my foibles, but I must give a special mention to Karl and Steve for their patience and ability to coach me."

Congratulations from all the Team too....

Awesome Ariez!!