Christmas time, time to slow down, reflect but also to look out for things to come in the New Year! We are confronted with year’s reviews in newspapers, magazines and TV shows. Which inspired me to look at my flying year:
A few remaining training and solo hours to do to reach my exam level – not a bad start. Till I was confronted with constant delays due to bad weather. “Who decided to go and live in Holland?“ was probably the most asked question of the first 4 months in 2016….lesson learnt: Always look at the bright side of life!
But finally the exam day came – and directly afterwards additional struggles with the respective offices issueing the license. When looking back now my fellow chick and I can laugh about the pressure, chaos and “interesting office demands” we dealt with before our Africa trip in April. One of the happiest moments this year was for sure when I finally held the blessed papers in my hand less than 48 hours before departure….lesson learnt: Stay patient and friendly when you want to get anywhere!
Africa – oh Africa! Not only did we have great flying experiences and learnings, we also met lovely people along the way and saw a fascinating country from another perspective…lesson learnt: It is never “the wrong time” to go and discover new things!
Back in Holland I was eager to use my additional skills during the summer months, but somehow the weather gods do not seem to be my best friends:
– Trip to Hamburg … cancelled
– Student weekend in France …group split and stuck at different locations
– Many other planned trips shortened or cancelled
Happy days 2016
Unbelievably, since I got the license I added another 45 hours to my log book – but only 12 of these have been flown in Holland. So I am additionally grateful for my flight in Southern UK and also in Hamburg – no weather problems at all even though these places might not strike for best flying conditions either. And there was our first ladies’ flying day and fun at the flying rallye’s at Rotterdam, the Open Day with lots of curious and interested students to get infected with the flying virus…lesson learnt: It is not just about flying – fun comes along when you have good people around you and do something else in case the weather just does not fit your plans!
Final highlight was definitely my return to South Africa for the bushpilot course end November. Not only a chance to see the Sky Africa gang again, but also of lots of flying in challenging conditions and with the complex PA 28 235 to get to know and to handle….lesson learnt: Home is where your heart is – even though this might be for a limited period of time per year.
Will this be the last flying adventure for this year? Well, I do not hope so! A new year’s eve flight is planned – may the weather gods be kind this time and allow us a beautiful view of Rotterdam’s fireworks.
Well and last not least, also this blog should be mentioned as “Flying experience”, right? It all started with a funny banter between Kajsa and myself, but we are overwhelmed with the feedback, people sharing their ideas and own adventures with us, invitations and interest in what we do…lesson learnt: No idea is ever crazy enough to not just simply follow up on it and see what will happen!
What were your highlights of flying this year? Which lessons have you learnt? Please share by leaving a comment. We are curious to hear – and get new ideas what else could be done!
Merry Christmas to all of you and many happy and safe flying hours in 2017!
