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Update October 5, 2014

Hi,

There has been few additions in the past weeks, especially in the photography section, under Province of Quebec. A book about the Bugaled Breiz affair has been presented. There has also been, in the flight simulation section, under FSX, a C130 experimenting a double engine failure while enroute from Smithers to Prince George, Canada. The real life stories  continue and soon I will be able to start posting the stories that happened up north, in Inukjuak and Iqaluit.

Have a good visit!

St-Adolphe
St-Adolphe
Yann Queffélec - On l'appelait Bugaled Breizh
Yann Queffélec – On l’appelait Bugaled Breizh
C130 Smithers - Prince George, Canada
C130 Smithers – Prince George, Canada
Categories
Real life stories as pilot and FSS: learning how to fly

Learning how to fly: the private pilot license

Photo du Concorde prise à partir du hublot du B747 d'Air Canada dans lequel je voyageais pour le vol Montréal-Paris en 1978. Arrivée à l'aéroport Charles-de-Gaulle en France.

1978. During my first trip to Europe , I am lucky enough to capture this picture of Concorde at Charles de Gaulle Airport , France, from the window of the Air Canada Boeing B-747 that flew us over the Atlantic. The arrival was punctuated by a missed approach due to adverse weather conditions.

1980. I fulfill my dream to fly a plane and sign-up for a private pilot course in St- Jean -sur- Richelieu. My first solo flight , which means without an instructor, takes place on a Grumman Cheetah (C-GVXO) on a sunny day. The landing is smooth and I can’t believe I will finally be able to fly unaccompanied. A dream come true !

Grumman Cheetah C-GVXO en 1980 à St-Jean-sur-Richelieu

As the private pilot course continues, a change in aircraft model is required to practice incipient spins because the Cheetah does not meet the criterias required by flight schools. If we would find ourselves in a complete spin during the exercise, it would take too long to correct. So a Cessna C-150 (C-GGNK) will be used . The transition is strange as students have to suddenly enter a whole new aircraft for this exercise only. Feelings and views are completely different.

Cessna C150 C-GGNK en 1980 à St-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
Cessna C150 C-GGNK en 1980 à St-Jean-sur-Richelieu.

All instructors do not have the same luck, one of them and his student eventually experience a real engine failure during take-off on their Cessna C-150. Fortunately, no one is killed or injured . However , the damage is considerable. The photo below shows what is left of the plane.

Un C150 suite à une panne de moteur au décollage. St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, 1981.
A Cessna C-150 following an engine failure at take-off. St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, 1981.

(Next story: Accidental night flying…without night rating).

For other real life stories as a pilot, click on the following link: Real life stories as a pilot