Alpi Aviation S A

29/01/2024

Brand new PPL

11/01/2024

Pilot to Tower: “I lost my engine! Can you hear me?”
Tower to Pilot: “aircraft calling tower, say again”.

This exchange between a pilot and a tower controller began seconds after the Pitts biplane engine malfunctioned just after takeoff. ATC tapes continued to record the conversation. As the pilot attempted to glide his stricken airplane to the runway, he and the controller continued their question and answer game. The Pitts stalled and crashed yards short of the threshold.

Takeaway: the FAA Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge instructs us to first AVIATE (fly the plane and maintain controlled flight). Next we are instructed to NAVIGATE (point the airplane in the proper direction). Last, and only if time permits do we reach for the push-to-talk button COMMUNICATE.

Unfortunately it appears, from the lengthy back and forth transmissions during a critical phase of flight, these gentlemen may have prioritized COMMUNICATE which likely lead to the pilot’s distraction from AVIATING. A case of distracted pilot was the likely culprit.

Remember our aviators mantra:

AVIATE, NAVIGATE, then if there is time, COMMUNICATE.

Fly safe friends ✈️

11/01/2024

"Rudder matters more than Ailerons":

Today, I'm eager to present a compelling perspective I learned from my incredible flight instructor, Castro Santos, over a decade ago in Portugal. It's about the often-overlooked significance of the rudder, in comparison to the more commonly emphasized ailerons. While this may seem like just another story from seasoned pilots, it's actually rooted deeply in the essentials of flying. Let's explore this idea together, and I'm curious to hear what our aviation community thinks about it? 💬

- Traditional Wisdom: Seasoned pilots emphasize rudder use, often seen as exaggeration by younger aviators.

- Fundamental Skills: Good flying habits stem from initial training. Your proficiency reflects your instructor's teachings.

- Rudder Significance: Its role is crucial in precision flying, crosswind landings, and avoiding spins during slow flight.

- Practical Benefits: Proper rudder use can significantly enhance your climb rate, which might be vital in certain conditions.

- Advancing Skills: As you progress to faster aircraft, the rudder's importance grows.

Remember, assessing and correcting your techniques is vital for becoming a safer, smarter, and more confident pilot. For instance, consistently centering the ball on climb out is not just a practice but can yield tangible benefits like a higher climb rate. This small adjustment could be critical in challenging situations.

As you evolve in your flying career, transitioning to advanced aircraft like taildraggers or twins, you'll realize the rudder's role is even more vital. Stay proactive with your feet, using the balls of your feet for better control.

difference between a good pilot and an exceptional one. Mastery of the rudder is not just about controlling the aircraft; it's about understanding its nuances, how it interacts with other controls, and its impact on the aircraft's behavior in various flight conditions. This skill, often underemphasized, is crucial for precise maneuvering and handling unexpected situations.

Remember, every element of your training forms the building blocks of your airmanship. Neglecting any aspect, especially something as fundamental as rudder control, can limit your capabilities in the cockpit.

Captain Ferouze,
Wishing you blue skies, tailwinds, and safe flying! "πlot" - Aviation Merchandise Landing 2024
The Sky's The Limit

14/11/2023

31/10/2023

RECORD-BREAKING FLIGHT TO SOUTH AFRICA IN 1931 – with KIMBERLEY-born co-pilot and TWO BOTTLE-FED LION CUBS...

Twenty-year-old pilot and aviator Miss Peggy Salaman (1910-1990), with Kimberley-born Gordon Store MVO OBE (1906-1993) as her co-pilot and navigator, set off from an aerodrome in Kent, England, in a De Havilland Puss Moth aircraft named “Good Hope”, on 30 October 1931, and landed in Cape Town five days, six hours and 40 minutes later – more than a day faster than any previous flight.

Salaman set off for Cape Town just a few months after she had qualified as a pilot. The aeroplane “Good Hope” was a birthday present from her mother (her father a wealthy London businessman), with daughter Peggy’s farewell being: “Cheerio mummy, I am determined to do or die and believe me I’m going to do.”

Gordon Store, son of Albert Store, a well-known Kimberley citizen, having been educated at Kimberley Boys’ High School, and qualified as a pilot at the De Havilland School, flew as her co-pilot and navigator. In addition, she had picked up a pair of bottle-fed lion cubs to whom she had taken a shine in Juba, in South Sudan.

The 7050 mile journey brought Salaman instant fame once the challenge – the breaking of the speed record – was achieved, though it was not without difficulties. One occasion is recounted of a forced overnight landing where there was in fact no viable ‘airstrip’ for take-off – before, that is, Store had cleared the vegetation with a machete, and Salaman “felled several trees with her revolver.”

Store remained in South Africa, later flying Imperial Airways’ African and Empire routes, and still later operating the first regular transatlantic services. He was also for a time a private pilot for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

In the photograph Peggy Salaman and Gordon Store pose with the single-engine “Good Hope”.