My wife's unusual aviation request

A cloudy flight after my wife asks for a favour. Watch me flying a Cirrus SR22 from Melbourne through low clouds and some overcast weather. Join me on today's flying adventure where I'll share tips on how to fly, insights into learning to fly, and the wonders of general aviation. Whether you're a seasoned pilot or an aviation enthusiast, this was a fun journey across the state and through the clouds. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more flight content like this.
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VERY IMPORTANT: I am a private pilot and am NOT qualified to give flying instruction. This video, like all videos on this channel, has been significantly edited from the original source footage and is provided for entertainment purposes only. Many radio calls and procedures have been omitted. If you have any questions about anything you see or hear, please speak to a Certified Flying Instructor first.

[@thepenguincrusader7195]

"Ditching my wife for a flight" sounds like a great story and I'm glad I'm watching it

[@StefanDrury]

Haha, thanks for flying along with me. Enjoy.

[@jakebrennan7685]

"Echo KZbin Zulu" What a legend of a controller!

[@StefanDrury]

Yes! They're fantastic at Moorabbin at the best of times, but this was a special moment.

[@jodelboy]

14:55 for the others reading ;)

[@milk-it]

Niko once said in one of his videos facing similar weather conditions: "You don't have to be anywhere in aviation, you just have to be safe." I had to quote that a few times to my testing officer before a flight test, and he later said after I passed: "You made the right decision on those days."

[@NoName-ds5uq]

Stef, what you said about letting the kids watch aircraft take off and land is so true! We used to often stay with family friends in a small town on school holidays when I was a kid 40+ years ago. I’d ride my bike a couple of kilometres to the local airport often to do just that. I couldn’t get enough of it. It helped that the family we stayed with had a son-in-law who was getting his hours up in around ‘79-‘80 if memory serves for a commercial licence… we got a few free joy flights in a C172, including one where the radio stopped transmitting, but could still receive. In hindsight, that failure may have been due to the rough nature of the “airport” we had flown to and were returning from that day… a low pass was required to scare the sheep off first and make sure no cars were driving on the “road” across the middle of the runway… 🤣

[@Hayden_TGM]

For a moment, I though Jackie finally said I’ll go flying with you after all these years. Also title, gold!

[@StefanDrury]

If that EVER happens it will be a 3-part series with billboards around Melbourne.

[@milk-it]

@@StefanDrury Please convince her to go flying with you! Your daughter's been up and clearly likes it. I really hope all three of you get to go flying together for a coffee or to a winery. That'd be magic 🙂✈

[@sammyfromsydney]

@@StefanDrury So you didn't ditch the wife because she won't fly with you anyway. You ditched being a very overpriced wine courier for your wife.

[@jameslangford3613]

Love these little destination spotlights you do, Stef! Especially when you're planning on taking kids along for the ride, picking a destination is often a question of "well, what can we do when we get there?" which is sometimes not easy to do just from looking at Google Maps.

[@StefanDrury]

I’m glad they’re useful, thanks James. I have quite a few ideas for other places like this that I want to visit next year, hopefully you’ll enjoy those too.

[@Coops777]

Thanks Stef. As a VFR pilot, I was fascinated watching you negotiate IFR and cloud. Any excuse for flying is good but to visit a nice place and have coffee is even better. I loved the video

[@browneye1967]

"Echo KZbin Zulu" 🤣

[@Spectrakvl]

Always a good watch Stef. Your radio work always impresses. Thanks for sharing 🙏🏼

[@coopersrace7277]

What a deadset legend of a controller. Obviously has a sense of humor, enjoys his job and knows who’s who in the zoo!

[@randomroen]

I certainly lol'd more than I should have at Echo KZbin Zulu

[@milk-it]

There are some awesome controllers out there! They've always been there when I've needed a touch of help and the little bit of humor just makes your day 😊

[@GvHees]

Hi Stef, I really like the videos like this where you have all the radio calls in the video. As a pilot myself, I find it good learning to hearing others communicating with ATC. Keep it up. Love your videos.

[@tonycook202]

A great idea for a t-shirt Stef: "Echo KZbin Zulu"

[@StefanDrury]

Now you’re talking! Merch drop in 2024?

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Brilliant - love watching your vids form down under whilst I can't fly in our winter here up over.....

[@ADF_Cable]

Aww Mangalore! I have great memories of the airshow there as a kid, was such a great space xxx

[@MikeKobb]

Tip: if you pour the oil with the spout topmost, it lets air into the bottle, and it won't glug. It feels totally counterintuitive, but apparently they're designed with the pour spout all the way on one side for exactly that reason.

[@brandonchappell1535]

THIS!!! My dad showed me this with longlife milk years ago, after i finished insulting him for "not knowing how to pour milk" , he explained why and i felt stupid ever since haha

[@BrandyBalloon]

Also gives better aim control, because you have to tip it over a lot further before it starts to pour.

[@kevinphillips9408]

Great Airport with wonderful people. So much to see and do,

[@TheFlightLevel]

What a great story line! Great editing!

[@mattsammi4143]

Very relaxing watch. Cheers!

[@Mark_Chapman_AU]

Loving these videos. Also following your flight on FR24. It’s like I’m there in the cockpit with you 😃

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks for flying along.

[@sir-jj3552]

Fantastic Stef, when you can, more please

[@normd5776]

And Stefan, I have a recommendation for you. If you have never been in a glider, take a flight and you will have experience that could change you, and if you decided to to pursue that form of aviation can make you a better pilot. The Gimli Glider is a good example of that.

[@colinpotter7764]

Nice ending, I'm still smiling.

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks Colin, I appreciate that.

[@downunderdave5417]

Another great vid Thanks

[@michaelt2682]

That was me in RCR in front of you on the RWY17 RNP. Felt guilty when they slowed you down 20kts! Great day to log a little IF 😊

[@kocakushh]

Safety first. There is nothing to be feel guilty.

[@Poundy]

I used to fly gliders at YTOC, it's changed a lot since I was there last, but still a great big airfield in the middle of a very flat area :)

[@grahamlwilson]

Saying is usually the safest decision not only in aviation but also in seafaring and motoring.

[@Balthazar744]

Great video, loved the hard IFR and seeing how things work in YMMB. I remember flying to Tocumwal 30 years ago to get a Cessna 414 painted. I love the new cafe and museum.

[@Balthazar744]

Just to add. After dropping off the 414 we were driven to Albury and caught an East-West F28 back to Sydney. Got to ride in the cockpit. Fun days in fun aircraft.

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

Another great video and story. Good call not going into crazy weather. All your videos make me miss Australia and Summer, but not the flies. I always look on Google maps at your destinations and find cool stuff like the Tocumwal Blowhole. Also did you frame that Rutan Long-EZ, in your first shot, on purpose?

[@shelleyclow]

Great video. Merry Christmas.

[@thringy6657]

Really enjoyed this episode

[@pilotwasif]

Nice one you are a brave man :D

[@Michael-oy3pz]

That was a fun little flight ✈️

[@shanelewis1185]

Hey Stefan . If you are ever flying into YLIL and need a coffee I have set up a coffee van an easy walk/ride down from the airport with views of the runway. Monday to Friday 6-11. Love the videos and hope to see you soon!

[@StefanDrury]

Ah that's good to know. We're always looking for new airports with coffee options. Thanks for letting me know, let me speak to the guys at the airport and maybe we'll come over in the New Year.

[@VL3Sim]

Hey Stef just want to say thank you for Inspiring, adventurous stories of you and EYZ you create on this platform. I have always wanted and dreamed of being a Pilot as I didn’t think I was smart enough, thanks to your videos you have motivated me to put in a tone more effort, progressing from getting an E in math to getting B, gonna continue pushing myself in High School so I’m ready to be a Pilot. Also asking if you have flown to YYRM at all? I’ve got family down there, small farming town, airports got a short dirt strip and a longer grass strip, if not you should check it out some time, Otherwise keep up the content

[@StefanDrury]

Hey, thanks for leaving this comment. It's lovely to hear that I've helped your journey in some small way. That's a great improvement in your marks and I hope that gives you even more motivation to work hard and achieve your goals. Working hard and listening to others is more important than "being smart" in the world of aviation. So put in the work, be patient, and with focus you can achieve great things. Thanks again, stef

[@thespacedingoking]

Echo KZbin Zulu. That's amazing, great to see even other professionals in the field recognising and engaging with you!

[@openbabel]

The UK CAA are changing the rules on passengers contributing to the costs of flight. Are the Australia authorities doing the same?

[@spankyhunter]

Love these trips. Sooo many places that you can just visit. Question, do you keep up with incidents & accidents with light aircraft in Australia very much?

[@StefanDrury]

Yes I read ATSB reports to keep across learnings in the industry.

[@spiro5327]

Hey Stef i thought you were going to say she wanted you to pick her up and fly her home but I guess she will stick with the airlines, haha. Thanks mate 😊

[@julianturecek2373]

Echo KZbin Zulu 😂 Seriously, a great video, best advertisement for any VFR pilot to go get at instrument rating!

[@camprisov2927]

could you please do a perth flight

[@randomroen]

Jandakot JAD flight would be awesome

[@nikpresservk3ba779]

G'day Stefan. Great video as usual. Re your wind chart at around 5m27sec into the video, are the wind speeds at the FL's above and below you measured & calculated by your Garmin avionics or does that data come from WX predictions from elsewhere? I've been watching your channel for yonks and I recently did my RePL & AROC, which has certainly increased my interest in flight behavior, weather, navigation and aircraft co-ordination. Keep up with your great videos and have a Merry Christmas!!

[@StefanDrury]

Hello, that chart is in Garmin Pilot so the wind data comes via an internet connection. For most of the flight I had a 4G or 5G connection so could get "real-time" wind info enroute.

[@AvationA380__Qantas]

Great video

[@AvationA380__Qantas]

You got to stay safe

[@StefanDrury]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed watching

[@MarkNewtonFlies]

Tocumwal is a lovely stop. Best enroute cafe between Sydney and Adelaide (but still not a patch on Aldinga). I stopped for fuel on the way home in early February and (ta-da!) the bowser wasn’t working because a 4G phone outage prevented it from clearing credit cards. “Oh well,” saddled up again and proceeded to Wagga for fuel instead. … but not before a coffee and a Reuben Sandwich for lunch in the cafe.

[@DownunderAviation]

Hey stef , nice flight to Tocumwal haha - you actually landed over my grandparents house - a bit harsh Jacque was ditched

[@StefanDrury]

Nice part of the world they live in. Thanks DUA.

[@DownunderAviation]

@@StefanDrury you’re very most welcome stef :) and thanks

[@PedroThePortuguesePilot]

Crazy how comfortable you are flying inside clouds. Thank goodness for a good G1000 😁😎 great video

[@StefanDrury]

The more you do it the more familiar it becomes, but it's still a buzz flying in and out of clouds. I place a lot of trust in the equipment, and my ability to use it.

[@PedroThePortuguesePilot]

Yeah, only way to go! Trust in the equipment and on your skills to make appropriate use of it. Keep flying safe and high my friend

[@rinzler9775]

An IFR is an investment that will save your life.

[@davidhugill4668]

"Echo KZbin Zulu" - controller with a sense of humour. Hope the fun police didn't get him.

[@DanFrederiksen]

Have to be pretty important bottles of wine to fly 5 hours in a Cirrus for. How did your plane come to Australia? did it fly or was it shipped.

[@duncanm6589]

Great video Stef. Let’s hope you get to sample some of the wine you didn’t go and get😅

[@JTanSC]

best to always be safe

[@sunnyisaperson]

5:04 Amazing view 😮

[@StefanDrury]

It's business class for cows.

[@sunnyisaperson]

@@StefanDrury😂

[@aviationalpha757]

Echo KZbin Zulu has a good ring to it

[@BembyWembie]

Hey Stef, have you tried the quad lock avaition mount for your ipad. I have heard its very good and would like to see your opinion.

[@StefanDrury]

I haven't tried that one. My last video shows the new setup I use for my iPad now: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIGWhYlqqdZriqs

[@AnupTN]

Stef, I don’t think it’s going to a “short story” at home….😂

[@ItsJackYGAW]

You should come fly to YGAW, got Gawler around the corner for breakfast or coffee great place to be for a day or so

[@StefanDrury]

I'll look it up, thanks for the tip.

[@ItsJackYGAW]

@StefanDrury if you come on Mondays me and my friends are usually gliding around

[@benhalicki9749]

Love everything about YTOC, except for the gliders ;)

[@StefanDrury]

I can imagine it can get busy there, but the radio work from all involved was great and I felt that everyone spaced themselves out nicely. It's also good Tocumwal has a grass (left) and hard (right) parallel runway to help with spacing.

[@JoseAlfonsoChavez]

✨ ECHO KZbin ZULU ✨ 🤣👌

[@tabishbhimani7075]

Echo KZbin Zulu! Smooth!

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

Merry Christmas Stefan and Jack from Sydney. You mentioned "leaning your air/fuel mixture: so do you still need to adjust a turbo normalised engine for air/fuel optimization? 🌏🌲

[@StefanDrury]

In the climb you don’t adjust the mixture in a turbo, basically it’s always max air and max fuel. But in the cruise you would lean the mixture to reduce fuel flow for efficiency/range.

[@mjotd8670]

Nice vid Stef, has the wife seen it before uploading?..lol

[@StefanDrury]

I got her approval on the thumbnail, but she doesn't watch my flying videos (thankfully!)

[@craigbroadbent7449]

You called out a thanks to "Smart Taxi", is this Oz Runways functionality? Or a seperate app that you use. Good for somewhere like Tocumwal where you have the gliders operating and can't join fly in overhead the field.

[@StefanDrury]

That's on the G500 txi's (and on my iPad) - it's a Garmin product that shows you airport diagrams with your aircraft overlaid on top, really useful.

[@peteranderson7497]

Stefan, I always enjoy your content. Can I ask a question? Why do Australian pilots use "miles" for distances where "kilometres" is the standard unit of measure? Thanks! Peter

[@julianturecek2373]

All navigation is in nautical miles

[@Lafayette80.]

Hi Stef, Sorry if you've mentioned it before, but which app did you use for the headwinds @5:25 ?

[@StefanDrury]

Hey, that's in Garmin Pilot

[@PureGlide]

So close! Flew to a gliding site but accidentally didn't take a glider flight... Benalla or Tok both great gliding sites, any interest to do one?!

[@Adam-ol2tv]

Hi Stef What would be your rough cost form a simple flight like that ?

[@tomarmstrong1281]

There was a time when I was the proud owner of a small aeroplane which I flew and enjoyed flying. I know this will sound holier than thou and I make no apologies. Those were in the days before I knew that every gallon of avgas, weight 6lbs, dumped almost 18lbs of CO2 into the atmosphere.

[@geoffreyhansen8543]

What about flying to Adelaide the following day?

[@PA30Crewchief]

You need a Best Tugs Alpha 3.

[@gazzpazzer]

I miss my Cirrus.

[@Rcfullscale]

How to sleep on the couch 101

[@StefanDrury]

Haha 😂

[@breytac]

"Echo KZbin Zulu" 😂

[@stevefranseen1905]

I was hoping the LongEZ in the background of the intro would play a larger part in the video.

[@Atthwtop]

Could you ever fly to shepparton my home town

[@j2simpso]

She could’ve just checked it in! You get what 4 bags free flying Qantas domestically these days as a Platinum?

[@KH_878]

Came here solely for Milkshake 🐄..... Ok you got me I also wanted flying content 😅💙

[@ictpilot]

You must have a very comfortable couch. 😂

[@karkybibek]

Come to Adelaide…

[@chriscrossler]

Hey Stef, quick question regarding your "500 ft, CAPS available" Is this specific to the G3? Because I am flying the SR20 G6 partly commercially and there the procedure is to be aware of CAPS available once passing 600 ft AGL. Love your vids

[@StefanDrury]

Yep, it's different in certain models of the SR22. The parachute is slightly larger in G5+ models (I believe, don't quote me on that). So in earlier models like EYZ our call is 500 feet. When flying a G6 I change that callout to 600'.

[@MikeKobb]

For the SR-22 G5 and G6, it's 600 feet because the larger parachute for the increased gross weight takes longer to inflate. I wasn't aware of a change for the SR-20, but I have only flown the -22 so it may be that there was a change there.

[@chriscrossler]

Okay, good to know!@@StefanDrury

[@FamilyManMoving]

Ditching the wife for the hundred dollar coffee. Smooth. We approve.

[@FranksMSFlightSimulator]

Ha, I followed you in MSFS when you did this flight about a week ago and on return made you do a go-around at Moorabbin by cutting in front of you! Apologies! Cheers.

[@markallen9461]

How do landing fees at regional airports like this work? Is it an honesty system? How do you pay?

[@StefanDrury]

It varies, some have an honesty system, but this aerodrome has no landing fees. But I usually go buy something in the cafe to support the local business.

[@peterhancox5268]

EYZ appears nose heavy, level cruise with ‘up elevator’

[@sunnyisaperson]

Hey there Stefan I’m 11 and I just started flight school at Moorabbin I just finished my first lesson yesterday in a Cessna 150 I was wondering if you have any tips?

[@sunnyisaperson]

Also If you don’t mind me asking why pilot license do you have? Private or Commercial?

[@StefanDrury]

I have a Commercial License but I mostly fly as a Private Pilot.

[@quickflying]

How did you view city cameras and the airport cameras in Adelaide? Is it like an app?

[@StefanDrury]

That was in an app called “Windy” - brilliant app

[@quickflying]

@@StefanDrury Ahh ok thank you very much, love your content!

[@RyanZ225_PC]

Adelaide

[@jamesleicher]

Man thought you were going through Bottlo drive through get same wine lol

[@StefanDrury]

Haha, but imagine a "drive through in EYZ" video! How can we make that happen?

[@jamesleicher]

grab a slab xxxx in the main street from one of those outback pubs?@@StefanDrury

[@jamesleicher]

great aussie pub crawl up at Birdsville by plane?just saw it on my feed@@StefanDrury

[@ProPilotPete]

I need catchy titles for my videos to get my views up! I enjoy your content regardless.

[@TrainSpottinAndBiking]

Do you fly jets?

[@denniswagner3962]

You are pouring the oil incorrectly. Have the spout on top, the oil pours out smoothly then.

[@jay6817]

Good 👍 Great Pilot. She would have felt amazing, if the weather was better, and you could have done the pick up. She'd have had bragging rights. Most wineries do transportation for a few bucks, so all good.

[@Maviation]

IFR Visual.. what is that? Hybrid inflight VFR/IFR? Best regards from EASA territory.

[@StefanDrury]

It means I'm flying under IFR rules, but I am responsible for maintaining separation with terrain visually as I am flying below the lowest safe altitude (FAA: MEA) for that leg.

[@Maviation]

@@StefanDrury Oh, cool! Never crossed my mind. I wonder if that's something you can do in Europe..

[@jfpilot7100]

how dare you said no to your wife. I wouldn't :), still very nice video

[@planemate2436]

Thanks for the advice for my future self about ditching my wife

[@StefanDrury]

I'll be releasing a follow-up from the cheap motel I'm now staying at in the New Year...

[@Violinistic]

😁😂

[@stephengentle2815]

It’s a funny joke, but actually in all seriousness, being able to say no (especially when it’s a matter of safety vs convenience) is very important! Not being able to is a sign of an unhealthy relationship!

[@amcconnell6730]

Never got above 5000 feet, so it wouldn’t have counted anyway. :)

[@John-pn4rt]

you think the 'safest thing' is to say 'no' to your wife?!!! You're clearly braver than most husbands Stefan!

[@vsznry]

LOL.

[@Nae395]

Autopilot, on.

[@peterhancox5268]

Sugar in your coffee😮 geez that’s healthy?

[@user-hy7kq8gw2g]

Cmon

[@fox111qc]

Echo KZbin Zulu?

[@rockhamptonlol3986]

How many cows do you think were killed to create your leather seats for your plane?

[@avYhz5536]

what a peculiar question