20/9/14: First passenger

I've since received my RA-Aus passenger carriage endorsement... a stamp in my log book from the CFI to say I meet the minimum solo flight hours to qualify for this endorsement.  I've now got a new pilot certificate with another endorsement added... "PAX".  Cool  :-)

However for the immediate future at least, CASA have introduced a "clause" onto the exemption that Pathfinder Aviation have regarding operation in and out of Class D airspace.  It basically says we as RA-Aus Pilot Certificate holders with passenger endorsements flying RA-Aus registered aircraft can't fly with a passenger during towered hours, i.e. between 7am-5pm.  So this time of year, that gives me a window between about 5.15am - 7am to be up and back with a passenger.  Flying between 5pm-5.50pm would be cutting it a bit fine and there is a risk of landing later than 10 minutes before end of daylight. 

My understanding is CASA have basically now clarified the term "solo" meaning the only person in the aircraft and not meaning without Instructor but with a passenger.  The Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL), CASA's version of the RA-Aus Pilot Certificate, is apparently not far away and I think won't have this restriction around passenger carriage.  It should be a relatively easy transition to the RPL from my current licence.  No worries, time will tell as things are sorted out (please correct me if I'm wrong on any of the above)...

Now for my first willing passenger...  :-)

I thought it should be a family member so offered a flight to my Dad.   Dad said he would love to go up with me  :-)  As this would be a 6am departure, Dad stayed over at our place on the Friday night as this would save him a long commute quite early in the morning.  I live about 10 minutes drive to Archerfield airport which makes it easier.

So Saturday morning we're up at 4.30am arriving to Archerfield at 5am.  Haven't done a first flight of the day for a while  :-)

While Dad made himself comfortable in the passenger lounge, I completed some paperwork and did the aircraft pre-flight inspection.

Next came the passenger briefing... some I did in the terminal building and the rest in the aircraft before startup.  Here's the checklist I've written to cover the passenger brief based on the CAO requirements:

Terminal Building			Aircraft
Flight path on chart	Explained		Supervise on apron	Completed
What expect in flight	Explained		Door open/close/ lock	Demonstrated
Sterile cockpit takeoff/landing	Explained		Board/exit aircraft	Demonstrated
Carry dangerous goods?	Asked		Seatbelt use/ adjustment	Demonstrated
Apron safety/ hazards	Explained		Headset use/ volume	Demonstrated
Toilet before flight?	Asked		No smoking	Explained
Any questions?	Asked		Stowage of hand luggage	Explained
			Air sick bags	Explained
			Air vents	Explained
			Keep hydrated	Explained
			Traffic scan/notify	Explained
			Talking	Explained
			Emergency procedures/exits	Explained
			First Aid kit	Explained
			No touch controls	Explained
			Relax & have fun	Explained
			Any questions?	Asked

As I don't have all this committed to memory, it just makes sure I don't miss anything important like going to the toilet before flying  :-)

Starting the GoPro video just before doing passenger brief

Briefing done and taxied to the runup bay for the usual checks.  Winds were calm so the active is runway 28R.  We took off 5.45am for a departure to the East for the training area off the left downwind leg (28R is left turn circuit outside tower hours).  All radio calls are standard CTAF broadcasts as Archerfield becomes uncontrolled airspace outside of tower hours.

First passenger flight within Eastern training area

I continued my track straight out to the Eastern side of North Straddie pointing out some ground features along the way.  Reaching Straddie, I banked right following the beach, dodged a low cloud and came back inland past Jacob's Well.  I did a series of slow left and right turns around the area giving Dad plenty of photo opportunities.

Flying in the Eastern training area

Keeping an eye on the time, I commenced my descent and tracked back towards Archerfield via Target VFR reporting point.

I saw no other traffic and didn't hear anyone on the Archerfield CTAF, so made my inbound call with intentions for a straight-in approach runway 28R with a followup 3nm final straight-in approach call.

We landed and taxied back to the apron for parking.... a very happy first passenger!  Plus its Dad's birthday next week so was an early birthday treat  :-)

Archerfield departure and arrival

Me and Dad (very happy passenger) after landing

Until next time, have fun and fly safe!  :-)