Stéphane Lee

I had to drop some people to the airport and took my camera with me. By the time I’ve finished, it was already dark. I will have to come back to the same spot on another day. I was just under the landing path. During the day, it should be amazing to shoot there. My guess that this is an Airbus A320 or A319. I did not catch its tail number.

P3X is my code name for a homebuilt airplane project. It can fly three times faster than a car and without getting a speed ticket. I am still studying and researching my options in building an airplane. Before starting the project, I must know that I can finish it and in how many hours. With the advancement in technology, I do not want to fly an airplane that is as old as or older than me (30+). The basics of aerodynamics remain the same. But a thirty-year old sheet of metal is quite old although they are properly maintained and safe. I have compiled a short list of airplanes that fit my profile and that are sold in kit: 2 or 4 seats, single engine, fixed landing gear, 700-900 lbs useful load, min. 100kts cruise speed (185 km/h), 800-1000km range. The kit provide only the body. You have to add an engine, the electric and avionics equipment. It is literally your choice.

I’ve made some notes on things to have or to do:

• Take rudder building class. The rudder is the initial component that you usually build.
• Talk with fellow builders in the area.
• Remain with proven aviation engine. Do not use auto engine. Used, overhauled Lycoming engine OK for example.
• Panel: Auto-pilot, GPS, angle-of-attack indicator, engine cylinder monitors, oil heater, night VFR (IFR optional), long range fuel tank, audio intercom panel. No oxygen.
• Prime internal parts with non-cancerigenic material.

I am fairly confident in the basic mechanical building process (cleco, rivet, deburring…) now but I am less familiar with the engine, avionics and electrical system so far (I did not know what was a cleco six months ago).

This project will be re-evaluated regularly during 2008. I have more to read and research.

Uncontrolled Airspace: Publishing a podcast is a lot of work and determination. Hat’s off. They talk about news on general aviation, their flying experience, places to fly…

The Pilot’s Flight PodLog: Student Pilot Will is Pilot Will now and has a new podcast. He now talks on being a pilot now.

The Finer Points: I enjoy the aviation safety session where you can learn from other’s (sometimes fatal) errors.

Other (irregular) podcasts:

The Pilotcast was also another great podcast but it is a bit under hiatus. I have listened the back episodes from ep. #1.

Learning to Fly Together: I’m still waiting to see when Tina will solo.

Je prépare une licence de pilote privé. Je n’ai pas encore passé ma licence de radio-opérateur mais je commence à communiquer avec la tour sous la supervision de mon instructeur.

Après ma checklist de pré-vol et de démarrage moteur, je me prépare pour sortir. J’appelle le contrôleur du sol pour avoir une autorisation de circuler.

Moi: Sol de St-Jean. Cessna cent soixante-douze. Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo.

Sol: Sol de St-Jean. Uniform Charlie Kilo.

Moi: Uniform Charlie Kilo. Je suis chez CPAQ. C’est pour une sortie vers St-Alexandre. Trois milles pieds.

Sol: Uniform Charlie Kilo. Piste 0-6. Vents 0-5-0 5 noeuds. Altimètre 3-0-4-7. Circulez sur Charlie et Delta. Faites votre point fixe sur Charlie. Restez à l’écart de la 0-6.

Moi: Rester à l’écart de la 0-6. Uniform Charlie Kilo.

J’ajuste mon altimètre. Je circule sur Charlie et je me mets à côté sur la piste (presque perpendiculaire à l’axe) contre le vent afin de faire mes dernières vérifications et exposés avant le décollage.

Ensuite, je me mets sur la fréquence de la tour.

Moi: Tour de St-Jean. Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo. A l’écart de la 0-6. Prêt pour le décollage.

Tour: Uniform Charlie Kilo. Alignez-vous piste 0-6. Virage par la droite. Autorisé à décoller.

Moi: Uniform Charlie Kilo.

Je m’aligne sur la piste 0-6. Et plein gaz.

J’essaie de tenir sur le centre de la piste (tant bien que mal).

A 55 noeuds environ, je tire doucement sur le manche.

Quelle sensation! Je vole…

Just like the A380, the Sea King helicopter is quite immense and impressive. It is primarily used here for search and rescue operations. It can technically land on sea and it can also launch torpedoes. The Sea Kings were made in the 1960s. It was a great technology then. They still fly. Almost all the parts have been replaced though. I took some pictures of the Sea King helicopter during its fuel stop at the local airport this afternoon.

A Sea King and a Midget car:

Preflight check before takeoff: