Taking to the Sky

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“Amelie Bischof is a young woman from Germany who came to Australia on a gap year and ended up marrying a private pilot. Inspired by her husband's passion for aviation, Amelie started taking flying lessons and working towards obtaining a pilot's license. She shares her experiences of learning to fly, the thrill and challenges of being in the air, and her goals for the future as a pilot, including capturing the beauty of Australia's diverse landscapes from the sky”

Background

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I seem to be doing life quite unconventionally. Let me give you a quick overview.

I was raised in Germany by my mother but was relying on myself from a very early age and lived on my own before I turned 18. I came to Australia in 2011 for a gap year and fell in love with the way Australians seem to embrace life and happiness.

I met my now partner here and we married after knowing each other for only a few months so I could stay in the country. He is 24 years older than me.

He is also a private pilot. That is how I got in touch with aviation.

What sparked your initial interest in learning to fly? Was it a hobby you always desired to pursue?

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Phil, my partner is a private pilot - I say private as there are different “levels” of pilot licences, each allowing the pilot different things. His licence allows him to fly certain small planes with passengers. He owns a little two seater, it's an American Champion Scout, which is also used by national parks and wildlife for fire spotting.

We both learned how to paraglide in the Swiss Alps and I loved the feeling of floating in the air so peacefully.

Back in Australia I soaked up all the information I could when he would chat to his pilot friends. The amazing little aviation community where we live is always encouraging towards people who are interested in learning to fly. So, I started taking lessons in 2023.

Can you tell us more about the specific aircraft you have been learning to fly, and the progress you've made in terms of accrued flight hours so far in your training?

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I started the process of getting my pilots licence last year, learning in an AL3 legend cub, a small, yellow taildragger with a black lightning bolt on its side. A taildragger is a plane that has two wheels under the fuselage and one at the very back. It seats two people, one behind the other, you can even leave the side doors open while you fly! I haven't finished my licence yet, as I got distracted with other adventures! I have done my first solo however after 10h of lessons, an experience I will never forget!

How would you describe the experience of flying an aircraft? Is it more akin to driving a car, or does it entail a unique set of skills and sensations that set it apart?

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People who play video games seem to have a head start when it comes to controlling a plane. It's a lot of muscle memory and therefore comparable to driving a car, except you can't just pull over when you are tired. In addition, you have a lot of things going on, like monitoring the radio, watching for other traffic, keeping an eye on your plane’s engine and oil temperatures and of course controlling how high you are. I guess it's like driving a car in 3d!

Can you share with us what the actual experience of flying an aircraft feels like, from the sensations in the cockpit to the unique perspectives you gain from being airborne?

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Flying a plane for me is exhilarating and a bit scary! It's so cool but you also have to keep in mind that a mistake can be lethal. Depending on the conditions the air can be super still and it's the most peaceful feeling ever or nauseatingly bumpy on windy or hot summer days.

On the still days it's incredible to see the world from above, magnificent sunsets, lakes glistening in the sunshine and the feeling of floating through the air.

Do you have any pre-flight rituals or superstitions?

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No, I'm not superstitious at all, so other than my pre flight checks of the aeroplane there are no rituals. A good pilot friend always wears his flying socks with little aeroplanes on them though and I think that's pretty cool!

What's the most unusual thing you've ever seen from the air?

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On my first solo, it was just after sunset, and I was simultaneously giddy and terrified I saw the most amazing thing. I had just taken off and climbed to the appropriate circuit height to do a lap around the airport before doing my first solo landing. I was so nervous I was almost shaking but when I turned, I saw a massive full moon that had just risen! It was the most beautiful view in that moment and made my first solo incredible!

Have you ever had a challenging flight thus far?

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As I don't have my licence yet, I can only speak for flights that I haven't piloted. I fly a lot on the little two-seater plane with Phil. Other than very bumpy flights on hot summer days, we haven't had any difficult flights as we are very careful of the weather conditions. Small planes reach their limits easily when it comes to wind and weather. They say there are old pilots and there are bold pilots but there are no old bold pilots!

In your opinion what are your strengths and weaknesses as a pilot?

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I can be very diligent and precise with controlling the plane, remembering what to do and I'm good at navigating. My main weakness is that I get a bit worried about accidents and the responsibility of getting the plane back onto the ground safely!

What's the best piece of advice you've ever received about flying?

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Always keep learning, a licence is just the beginning of the learning experience.

Can you share your goals for the future as a pilot?

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I would like to finish my licence at some point, and we have a few friends that are planning a big trip of Australia next year in their little planes. I love the photography that I can do from the plane as it shows the world from a different angle. Australian nature is incredibly diverse and I'm looking forward to capturing more of it from the sky.