Dr. Junek, Aviatrix

Flight Debrief, Cessna C172RG VH-JVG 0.7h, Moorabbin - City Orbit - Moorabbin (1 x full stop)

Learning Points:

• Ground-based situational awareness. Investing in an ICOM handheld VHF transmitter and learning its function helped give me situational awareness of the weather and traffic prior to getting into the aircraft.
• Advisory ATC calls. Respond with callsign where a readback is not required.

Pre-Flight

The weather was close to marginal with low cloud and showers in the area. But it was my last free day before starting a new job, and I also wanted to get airborne having passed CASA's Instrument Rating Exam (IREX) the previous week, as a reward to myself. Primarily, though, I had wanted to take my mum, Olga, flying for quite some time - and she wanted to go flying with me.

One of the challenges was that Mum is a nervous flyer. She wanted smooth and clear flying. The weather was actually quite pleasant and stable, except for the cloud. The showers had cleared and the cloud was well above what we needed for a city orbit.

I spent much of the morning listening to the ATIS and checking forecasts, letting Mum know that it was looking OK but we'd decide around lunchtime.

Lunchtime came and it was looking good with nice subdued light and cloud staying high. Mum and Dad picked me up and we made our way to Moorabbin Airport.

I was mindful that instead of flying myself or a more technically-minded non-pilot, like my dad, Olga wouldn't understand aviation jargon and rules. So, in my mind I needed to translate cloud rules and weather conditions into a language that made sense. Similarly, on my walk-around and pre-flight checks I needed to be slower and explain what I was looking at and doing in a calm, simple, and non-technical way. I was trying to convey calmness and smoothness.

Mum realised she should probably use the bathroom before getting airborne, so she went to find one, and I continued my walk-around. Like most pilots, I prefer to conduct my walk-around and pre-flight checks in a sequential and established manner. Dad was occasionally talking to me during it and at times I would tune him out to focus on my task. It was very helpful having Dad offer to remove some tie-downs, and check light functionality!

The Flight

Pre-flight complete and weather A-OK, we were good to go. I escorted Dad back to the carpark, and strapped in. During my passenger brief I explained what we would be doing with our departure leg, track to the city, altitude changes, and then return to Moorabbin. Similarly, I gave a take-off safety brief in the run-up bay and wonder what my mum thought during the safety brief.

Upwind departure via runway 17R, past Kingston golf course track to Albert Park, climb to 2,000 feet. After 3 miles we started to descend to 1,500, and I prepared for the inbound call requirements - ATIS, radio, transponder, call.

I initially requested two clockwise city orbits and was cleared for two ("Right hand orbits" as tower calls them - I despise this phraseology as "right hand" is open to interpretation - anyway). Given the weather there was minimal traffic. The clockwise orbit gives a passenger the best view, and it was easy to fly.

As we completed 75% of an orbit, I asked Mum if she wanted to do another and she shrugged, so I said we'd just do the one. I asked Essendon Tower to amend orbit request to 1, and was granted permission to depart via MCG to Albert Park. Passing Albert Park, Tower advised "departing controlled airspace," to which I didn't know if I needed a readback. They re-prompted me and I responded with a clumsy call. See my next debrief for how I learned to handle these sorts of advisory calls.

At one point there was a radio call while on Essendon frequency that Mum asked if it was us. I think it must have had a

Mum seemed to enjoy the return leg, taking photos of the bay, and we tracked via Brighton for 17R. My landing was OK with a very slight bounce (she didn't seem to mind!).

We then went to Naked Racer for a debrief and a beer, which Dad joined us for! Key debrief points per above, but for me it is very satisfying that I was able to take my mum flying! And for her, another accomplishment under her belt.

Next Flight

Essendon for meetings and controlled airspace practice.