The Catalina

Chances are, if you ask an aviation enthusiast or indeed anyone with a passing interest in aviation to name a flying boat or amphibian, the “PBY Catalina” is the first aircraft that will come to mind.

The Consolidated PBY Catalina first flew in 1935 and it was one of the most widely used seaplanes of the Second World War. Operated by every branch of the United States Armed Forces and the air forces of many other nations, the Catalina served as an anti-submarine warfare aircraft, in maritime patrol, convoy escort and search and rescue.

In Australia, they were operated by Qantas Empire Airways during the war between Perth and Colombo in the “double sunrise flights”  that spanned 28 to 32 hours. Post-World War II they saw service until the 1980s with the Brazilian Air Force and even today they are still used as an aerial firefighting aircraft.

The first time I saw a Catalina was on television in the 1970s, when acclaimed diver Jacques-Yves Cousteau used one to support his diving expeditions. The idea of a plane that could go anywhere it wanted, on land or water was enticing and as a child I dreamed of owning one and flying the world.

The “Flying Calypso” operated by world renowned diver Jacques Cousteau

As years went on, reality took hold and while I gained my private pilot license, even the idea of experiencing a flight in a Catalina seemed tantalizing. The only airworthy “Cat” in Australia was operated by HARS and the chances of scoring a ride in that seemed pretty remote. When I boarded an Air New Zealand B787 to head across “the ditch” to attend the Warbirds Over Wanaka, little did I knew I’d soon have the opportunity to tick that item on the “bucket list”.

The RNZAF operated 56 Catalinas between 1943 and 1953, and in 1994 a syndicate was formed to purchase an ex-RCAF aircraft in memory of the Kiwis who operated this aircraft. Flying a big amphibious warbird that was built over 70 years ago is an expensive exercise, and to offset the costs I soon discovered they offer joy-flights in their aircraft – I couldn’t get my credit card out quick enough!

ZK-PBY looks like a WW2 RNZAF aircraft on the outside, but inside there have been a number of concessions to passenger comfort. The aircraft has been lined and some sound proofing added, and 16 passenger seats added. There are even a few modern touches like carpeted bench seats in the blisters and the crew take us through a safety briefing (complete with laminated safety cards!) as we taxi out to Wanaka’s sealed runway. The plan is to do a water landing too (depending on the conditions) so we are all fitted out with life jackets.

Soon after takeoff, we are allowed to leave our seats and I take the opportunity to observe the pilots from an elevated platform just behind the cockpit. I’m a little surprised how small the cockpit is – it looks very cramped in there. But what an amazing view of New Zealand’s South Island!

Soon we’re instructed to return to our seats, and we’re descending for a water landing on Lake Wanaka. To be honest, this was a little underwhelming because my only view is out a tiny window in the forward fuselage. In an ideal world, I’d be seated in the blister watching the spray as we touched down but that wasn’t to be for safety reason. But then I remind myself, “You’re doing a water landing, in a Catalina! Enjoy it!”

After a touch and go (splash and go?), we’re soon on our way back to Wanaka airport and this was the highlight of the flight. Now was my turn to sit in the blister and enjoy the view – it was every bit as amazing as I had possibly hoped. The view was spectacular, and watching the two Pratt & Whitney R-1830 radials was mesmerizing.

All too soon, the aircraft began its descent and the pilot lowered the undercarriage (fascinating to watch them unfold, sadly I was too slow with the camera), and we were directed back to our seats for the landing. Before I knew it we were back on terra firma and handing back our life jackets as our “hostesses” bid us farewell.

This flight was without doubt the unexpected highlight of the Wanaka airshow for me and a memory I will long treasure. Was it enough for me? No! If I get over to New Zealand again for another airshow I would definitely go for another ride! The syndicate member I spoke to even mentioned they would teach members to fly it – for a price 🙂

Flying

So I’ve started flying again.

According to my log book, the last time that I flew was in 2004. Sometimes life gets in the way, but now I’m in a situation where I can look at flying again. I did have a Private Pilot License and 150 hours of flying however after so long away it’s like learning to walk again! Fortunately it’s all coming back quickly though.

I’m flying with the Air League’s Air Activities Centre in a PA28-151 Warrior, certainly a change from the Robin or a Tobago but a good solid aircraft. After some aerial work in the training area and a few sessions of circuits I’m right for practice forced landings and then a flight review I hope.

After that, who knows? Bit old to be chasing a career as a pilot – I earn more in IT than I could seriously consider in aviation at the moment. But I think to aim towards a Commercial Pilot License as a goal would be good, then perhaps look at doing the charter and Air Experience flights with the Air League or perhaps an instructor rating as a part time thing?

We’ll see.

Parlez-vous français?

Now that Project 365 is done and dusted I’ve chosen my next big thing for 2014 and decided to learn a language.

Like pretty much everyone my age I learnt some French and German in high school. Well not much at all really. I could count to 10 and that was about all I remember. Pretty sad. The way we learnt was terrible, numbers and colours and so on. No real world phrases, and you were learning with 30 other students who didn’t want to learn either.

Well I’ve decided to learn French. Why French? No particular reason. Its a common language used in other countries besides France, and not as hard as some of the Asian languages.

And to quote The Matrix, “French is my favourite – fantastic language, especially to curse with. Nom de Dieu de putain de bordel de merde de saloperies de connards d’enculé de ta mère. It’s like wiping your arse with silk, I love it.”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX8nMTuMHWY

I’ve found a great little app for learning languages, Duolingo. It basically makes it a game, the more you learn the more points you get. I’ve started yesterday and have already done a few lessons.

So how’s your French? I’m looking for someone to practise with, drop me a note here or on Facebook.

Extreme Shark Dive

shark dive

Well that’s another tick on the list.

On Monday I went on a shark dive at Manly. Advertised as an “extreme shark dive”, its an introductory scuba dive in their tank with about half a dozen grey nurse sharks. Not quite as dangerous as it sounds but still a great experience. There were three of us on this dive, a student and a teenager who’d received the dive as a birthday gift. After watching an intro video (whoever edited it thought the theme from Jaws was a great soundtrack) we were kitted out in a wetsuit. Being middle of winter I was glad for that, kept a bit of the chill out!

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Project 365 – Halfway

Project 365Earlier this year I started a project called Project 365. Basically the idea is you take one photo a day for a year. Today I’m half way without missing a day. Yay!

Actually I did miss a day when I lost a day flying home from the USA, but still…

Its been fun, and a little challenging. Its hard to come up with a different photo everyday so I have a few along a theme like sunrise etc. Still – they’re all different.

I should make a book of them when I’m finished.

Project 365

Schrödinger the cat - such a hard life

Schrödinger

Project 365 is an exercise is self-discipline. For a year you take a photo every day. Why? Why not. It helps you document your life. It helps you become a better photographer. It can be fun!

I’ve decided to do it this year, I’ve been uploading photos every day since the end of last year into Flickr. So far that photos have been all taken on my iPhone as I always have it with me, although I’ll also use the DSLR when I have it. So far the photos have been daily life – pets, kids, work. As I go I might start with themes and so on. The photos are all up on Flickr.

New Year’s Resolution

New Year ResolutionI’ve posted infrequently to this blog for a couple of years now. A couple of times I’ve let it slide and then come back in a flurry of activity. I even purged and restarted back in 2010 because some of the posts were so old.

Over Christmas I found myself wondering what I would do with it, and I’ve decided I want to write more often. My aim for this year is to try and write something once a week. Lets see how we go!

Solar Eclipse in Cairns

Cairns Eclipse

Solar Eclipse in Cairns 2012

In 1976 Sydney experienced a partial solar eclipse, I was 5 years old at the time and I recall seeing the sky darken and  people on TV watching totality through special glasses. Back then I thought how cool it would be to see a total solar eclipse although since then I’d never really gone out of my way to do something about it. In 2002 there was a total eclipse over Ceduna in South Australia, way out on the Great Australian Bight and one of the guys I worked with drove out there to experience it. For him it was more about the rave party  during the eclipse than anything else, but again that briefly rekindled in me the thoughts of wanting to see a solar eclipse “some day”.
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