AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2019 - 37

eventually relied on just one textbook to
teach me not only how to use the thing, but
eventually how to perform a six-step navigation formula under exam conditions.
And that was just navigation.
Aerodynamics, technical knowledge
and loading, human factors, meteorology,
and law followed. Each exam had its own
quirks-one human factors question asked
if, in the event of a crash and a passenger
with a large piece of bodily-embedded
metal, would I, as pilot in command,
extract it or leave it embedded?
I had decided to fly out of the North
Shore Aero Club, a nontowered field about
30 minutes north of Auckland, along a picturesque country road lined with curly
willow and purple-and-white agapanthus.
Runway 3 heads straight out over the coast
to the Kawau, Little Barrier, and Great
Barrier islands (for an NDB approach!),
while Mahurangi Harbor, with its tiny bays
and narrow inlets, is a perfect low-flying

practice area. To the west, Runway 21
heads out over vineyards and farm estates
towards the wild black-sand coast. Its fields
make for good engine-out landing scenarios, although if you miss the vines, chances
are you'll disturb a herd of cows. We fly low
in New Zealand, mostly around 3,000 feet,
with paper maps and, often, no GPS.
The aero club, with its club trips and
quiz nights, attracts local pilots, as well as
those from around the world-France, the
United Kingdom, England, and Taiwan-all
wanting to convert foreign licenses so that
they, too, can have this experience.
Although I found the actual flying a little disorienting at first, wanting at least to
see a magenta line "as back-up," now I'm
used to flying low and slow, with a paper
chart in my lap. I expect to see gliders
emerge from the ridges of the Matamata
ranges, silent and swooping, as they make
their way back to the gliding club. I expect
to hear Kiwi accents on frequency, relaxed

yet present, in that unmistakable Kiwi way.
Want to visit the tower? The controller will
likely offer to share his ham sandwich and
make you a cup of tea.
I do miss flying in the United States. I
miss my beloved ForeFlight, TCAS, Class
B, tower controllers who speak so fast they
sound like auctioneers, and the abundance
of GPS/ILS approaches. I miss having to
scurry out of the pattern of my nontowered
field to make way for a Cessna Citation or
a Gulfstream on a long base leg-coming
in hot! I miss my 6,000-foot home airport
runway, and the dive bar after-flying diner,
and I really miss my Aero Commander
500B, which I sold to help finance this latest caper.
But if truth be told, I think I am a better pilot. Point of No Return, anyone? Let
me fetch the whiz wheel.
ANNA GREGORY is a writer and pilot who

lives in Bremerton, Washington.

Real Glass for Under $5K
Smart Upgrade. Smarter Investment.
For more than a decade, Aspen Avionics has delivered the most affordable and
upgradeable glass cockpit solutions for general aviation. We continue this tradition
with our new, all-in-one Evolution E5 Dual Electronic Flight Instrument (EFI).
Simplifying the transition from old-style vacuum gauges to electronic displays, the
Evolution E5 Dual EFI is a drop-in replacement that gives you advanced functionality
with the ability to cost-effectively grow with your needs. Easy and affordable upgrades
allow you to add additional capabilities and take advantage of future technologies with
your existing display.
Presenting attitude information with altitude, airspeed, vertical speed and a directional
gyro (DG)/course deviation indicator (CDI), along with autopilot integration and GPSS
roll steering, the Evolution E5 Dual EFI combines situational awareness and safety into
a single, 6.0" flat-panel LCD.
Don't settle for a limited digital replica of your existing mechanical gauges. Harness the
true power of a feature-rich glass cockpit system and upgrade your flying experience.
Evolution E5 Dual Electronic Flight Instrument

NOW SHIPPING
Copyright 2019 Aspen Avionics Inc. "Aspen Avionics," "Evolution Flight Display System," and the Aspen Avionics aircraft logo
are trademarks of Aspen Avionics Inc. All rights reserved. U.S. Patent No. 8,085,168, and additional patents pending.

www.aspenavionics.com

| 37

http://www.aspenavionics.com

AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2019