PC 7 Flight Simulator

It was supposed to be a fly-in, with 55 aircraft due in but the weather had other ideas. I left Durbanville at 07h30 in the morning with the cloud base at 300ft and rain coming down in buckets, I figured I was wasting my time driving all the way to Langebaanweg.

On arrival there didn't seem to be much going on. The weather started to clear and then started to turn again. About 8 aircraft made it in. Brave guys!

My relationship with the Silver Falcons is growing, they really are a fantastic bunch of guys and I really hope to do more work with them in the future. Anyway they organised that fellow aviation photographer, Stuart Soden and myself go and fly the Pilatus PC7 Mk11 Astra Simulator.
First of all this simulator costs approximately twice the price of the real aircraft. Captain Lourens got her all booted up, I jumped in...no G-Suit needed here. After running through the panel we proceeded to start her up. My first Turbo-Prop!!!
Once all the instruments had come online, it was time to roll.
I opened the throttle and Wow! Talk about torque! The Cessna 152 and the likes thereof will never seem to have that same feel again.
I really battled to keep her on the centreline as I wasn't used to the rudder pedals and the torque was more wild than anything I've ever experienced. but got her airborne without Stuart throwing up in the back seat. Ha ha! Once airborne, I got the feel for her, but a little edgy compared to the high wing Cessnas that I'm used to. It was great though, the flight was cut short due to "guests" arriving for a demo at the sim. Another time, hopefully soon I will get to attempt to land this beautiful little aircraft that I have become so fond of.
A big thanks to all the guys that made it happen, it's these little things in life that we remember for years to come. Watch this space...I'm hoping and praying for the real thing soon!