Per the newsletter that has just been sent to all current members:
2024 ICS Australasian Tribe Pilot Proficiency Program – January 2024 Update (please put these dates in your diary now, or simply subscribe to our event calendar)
The Australasian Tribe will conduct two Comanche Pilot Proficiency Program weekends in 2024:
- At Wentworth, NSW from March 8 to 10; and
- At Maryborough, QLD from July 12 to 14.
Please note the change of venue for the March PPP from Deniliquin to Wentworth (YTWO) due to insufficient accommodation being available in Deniliquin on our preferred date.
Our theme for the PPP this year is “Keeping You and Your Aircraft at the Peak of Your Game through Recurrent Training” and the program has been updated to reflect this.
As well as new attendees, the program always attracts a significant number of repeat attendees and the format of the Wentworth PPP has been updated as follows:
The PPP will commence with a short briefing on Friday evening prior to a BBQ at the aeroclub. After an early pickup and breakfast, Saturday morning starts with a group departure from Wentworth to Renmark. Morning Tea and debrief will be held in the terminal at Renmark and then we will fly back to Wentworth to resume the Ground School component of the course.
Each participant will have the chance to have a PPP instructor ride along for at least one of the legs of these flights and it is planned that those aircraft will detour enroute via Loxton for some upper air work and a circuit or two on the way. After getting back to YWTO, and after lunch, Classroom sessions will recommence with a focus on Comanche Flight Operations (Tony Smith briefing).
The Ground school will continue after breakfast on Sunday morning and conclude at lunchtime after covering the key aircraft systems – Fuel, Electrical and Undercarriage.
The PPP instructors will remain available on Sunday for additional PPP flights and the undercarriage simulator will be available for all participants to practice the emergency gear extension procedure.
Further details, including pricing and the registration procedure will be published in the very near future and we ask that those wishing/hoping to attend pre-register as early as possible so that the instructor requirements for the Saturday flights can be assessed. Please send a quick email now to icsppp243039@gmail.com stating “I’m a likely starter for the YWTO PPP”. (This does not obligate you to attend. Formal registration will occur later).
The format for the July PPP weekend at Maryborough is still to be finalised but as we are expecting a number of first-time attendees it will include a more in-depth review of the Comanche systems.
We hope that as many tribe members as possible will join us for one of the two PPP weekends (you are welcome and will get value even if flying a “Brand X” aircraft).
Importantly, if you know someone who is flying a Comanche (or contemplating buying one) but who hasn’t yet or hasn’t recently attended, please reach out to them and encourage them to attend. They don’t need to be an ICS member. If they are unsure of what the PPP is about you can direct them to Nigel, Lawrence, Ken or myself to explain the program in more detail.
And while you’re at it, a reminder to make sure the dates for the Goolwa Fly in on 12 to 14 April 2024, and the Airlie Beach Fly in on 7 to 9 September 2024 are locked into your diary.
All the best from David Miller, your committee & the PPP team.