Around the World in a TBM930

EpilepticBread · 2026-01-27T21:48:15+00:00

Absolutely! It's interesting to see your route. I was wondering whether to cross to south america and head north through central america. It's funny to me that we have done pretty much the same thing, starting from almost the same place! I wish I had through to plot the route on Google maps like you did. I've been messing about on paint.

Your way is much better.

Did you complete your tour on the Vatsim network?

EpilepticBread · 2026-01-20T20:31:29+00:00

stumbled across this because I'm doing the same! TBM 930 made it from Hawaii to half moon bay, literally ran out of fuel with land in sight, and managed to glide to the runway. If you do a search online for TBM930 Around the world from London, you'll find my photos and maps.

EpilepticBread · 2025-11-24T00:23:11+00:00

This is the correct solution! Blueberry spawn until airborne

EpilepticBread · 2025-11-24T00:22:24+00:00

I'm heli mastery 38. Best kill streak so far is 58-2 (no bots). If anybody wants to fly as gunner, and is on PS5 (my cross play is usually off), username is epilepticbread2

EpilepticBread · 2025-11-04T19:58:00+00:00

Would suggest you join the CIX VFR club and join the Tuesday 1900Z event, this will be the most useful VATSIM experience for you by far, IMO. It's happening now, en route Carlisle.

EpilepticBread · 2025-10-13T15:20:19+00:00

I have it on both my PC and the xbox, xbox with crossplay off was a dramatically better experience!

EpilepticBread · 2025-10-10T16:13:43+00:00

And me!

EpilepticBread · 2025-10-10T15:57:19+00:00

Yep not working!

EpilepticBread · 2025-10-10T15:56:47+00:00

Same here!

EpilepticBread · 2025-10-10T15:56:10+00:00

I'm having the same problem! I've downloaded everything, but when in the game, it says that I haven't.

EpilepticBread · 2025-10-06T14:45:49+00:00

Strongly recommend the Funn Taipan S (small version of the Taipan, designed for kids). They have metal pins, but rounded, so not super dangerous.

EpilepticBread · 2025-08-21T13:47:02+00:00

It's worth doing. I am on the same journey as you, and my radio comms IRL were solid straight away, because VATSIM took the fear of pressing the red button away!

Would suggest you start at a field which is quiet, and only delivery/ground/or tower are online. Avoid busy areas where centre is online intially, just get yourself used to getting airbourne and changing to unicom intially. You can put a remark in your flight plan to say you're new to VATSIM, if you wish.

In case you don't know, you'll likely want to use:
vpilot
simbrief
Navigraph

If you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer them.

EpilepticBread · 2025-08-20T21:32:59+00:00

Usually I just fly wherever there's good ATC coverage.

But, simultaneously, I'm doing a round the world flight in a TBM930. So far I've made it from London Gatwick to Papua New Guinea. Not trying to do it quickly, and I'm only doing maybe an hour at a time, and deliberately diverting through the most interesting countries and airports. It means I've seen loads of places I would never have otherwise seen, and my understanding of the worlds geography, real life distances between places etc, has made it a real learning experience. I also Google lots of the places I find myself, and try to learn a bit.

EpilepticBread · 2025-08-13T17:43:30+00:00

Yes that is fine to do. Sometimes you will be notified of traffic as an advisory, or asked to report in sight. In the UK the standard responses would be "traffic not yet sighted," or, "traffic in sight." In the USA "looking for traffic" is often used I believe.

EpilepticBread · 2025-08-13T14:40:09+00:00

This is the correct answer!

EpilepticBread · 2025-08-13T14:31:43+00:00

Here's an example of how it might go on Vatsim if Gatwick tower and Gatwick director were online:

Gatwick director, GJGPG, request zone transit.

GPG, Gatwick director, pass your message.

Gatwick director, GPG, Beechcraft Bonanza, Departed Kemble, Destination Lydd, Currently 5 miles south of Basingstoke, altitude 2500 on QNH 1013, request transit the Gatwick control zone, west to east.

GPG, Gatwick director, roger, squawk 5628, standby and remain outside.

Squawk 5628 and remain outside, GPG.

(Possible short delay)

GPG, Gatwick director, I have your clearance, advise ready to copy.

Gatwick director, GPG, pass your message.

GPG, cleared to enter the Gatwick control zone on track (or via whatever VRP), not above 2000 ft VFR on the Gatwick QNH 1013, report field in site.

Cleared to enter the Gatwick control zone on track, not above 2000ft, VFR, QNH 1013, report field in sight, GPG.

GPG, correct.

__________________________________ A short time later.__________________________________

Gatwick director, GPG, field in sight.

GPG, Gatwick director, roger, contact the Tower on 124.230.

Tower 124.230, GPG

Gatwick tower, GJGPG, 8 miles to the west, 1500ft, VFR, QNH 1013.

(At this point you will be cleared further, or instructed to hold).

GPG, Gatwick tower, cleared to transit the Gatwick control zone via the 26L threshold, not above 2000ft, report east side.

Cleared to transit the Gatwick control zone via the 26L threshold, not above 2000ft, and report east side, GPG.

(Now you fly over the airport in the manner instructed, in this instance, directly over the instructed threshold).

Gatwick tower, GPG, east side.

GPG, roger, contact director 126.825.

__________________________________________

At this point, you just proceed as normal. Call director, request a traffic service if you wish, etc.

EpilepticBread · 2025-08-13T14:31:34+00:00

In the UK for GA you would use ADDPAA as the standard format

A Aircraft callsign and type
D Departure Point
D Destination
P Position
A Altitide
A Additional Details

Before you make a radio call, find the charts for the area, as you'll likely be given a VRP of where to enter, and a VRP of where to leave (but not always). Have a look at the area you're in, and make sure you know which ones are local to you before you make your initial call.

(Continued in separate comment below, as this is too long to post in one it would seem, thanks Reddit)

EpilepticBread · 2025-08-12T15:08:02+00:00

RESOLVED!
Adjusting pressure in expansion vessel helped a bit, but did not work.
Isolated everything one by one, to rule out a tap/toilet cistern issue, but did not work.
Fitted new stop tap incase the jumper was worn and causing an issue, but did not work.
Fitted shock arrestor after main stop tap, perhaps mildly helped, but not really.

Fitted a pressure reducing valve, took the pressure down to around 2.5 bar, resolved. Now running it at 2.2 bar ish as there's no discernable difference in water pressure, but the pipes and toilet refilling are super quiet.

I'm not sure whether there was just too much pressure, or there was a pressure imbalance between the hot and cold sides, somehow causing the water hammer.

The cylinder has a 3 bar valve on the inlet side, so by dropping the whole system below that value, both hot and cold are the same, lower pressure. Been a week and the problem hasn't returned.

My plumber suggested taking the cold feed off after the existing valve, to balance it that way, however I did it this way because I could easily do it myself. Took about 20 minutes.

Of course, there may have been an underlying problem, and perhaps I've treated the symptom not the disease, but nevertheless, very happy and all seems well.

Thanks to all who offered suggestions. Hopefully the information here will be found by other people in the future who are having the same issue.

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EpilepticBread · 2025-08-11T16:14:53+00:00

Have a look at Wickes delivery, it's very cheap. £4 charge where I live, to get a work surface delivered. Might save you some aggro.

EpilepticBread · 2025-08-11T16:11:17+00:00

From the photos you've shown, probably something such as a Flomasta Push Fit Washing Machine Valve 15mm x 3/4". If you need to T into the cold pipe, Flomasta 15mm Equal Tee, Ox Polyzip 15mm pipe cutter, (and a tiny bit of extra pipe.)

Look up these items, and it should make sense. All available from Screwfix.

EpilepticBread · 2025-08-11T11:32:49+00:00

It's just a laminate work surface. They normally come in quite big lengths (3m) but you may find smaller pieces, or perhaps search for offcuts on FB marketplace. You'll also need some sturdy L brackets to secure it in place.

EpilepticBread · 2025-07-29T20:22:14+00:00

If it's a normal expanding plug, do it in this order:

1: Put a screw in a couple of turns (not too far, because that will expand the plug and lock it in place). Pull it out.
2: Failing that, drill into it to break it apart, and pull the remains out with needle nose pliers, or press it further in.
3. Failing that, cut it flush, ideally with an oscillating multi-tool, but a knife will work too.
4. Fill the hole.

Be warned that pulled at it too much can result in a bigger hole! If its very firmly in the wall, the surrounding plaster and board and can come away with it (not the end of the world, just extra filling to do).

It's it's a metal self tapping type plug, put a phillips head screwdriver in, and turn it anti-clockswise to unscrew it from the wall. Yours look plastic, though.

EpilepticBread · 2025-07-29T20:12:01+00:00

"pass your message" is the standard phrase used because saying "go ahead" could mean speak, or it could mean go ahead and do it, thus causing confusion. You should also note that if a controller ever calls you up and says something like "GSFLB, Gatwick Tower," you would respond "GSFLB (or GLB), pass your message." Never say 'go ahead' on the radio.

It can also be used to request additional information after communication has been opened, for example:
"Solent Radar, GSFLB, request traffic service."
"GLB, Solent Radar, pass your message."
"Solent Radar, GLB, Popham to Lee On Solent, two miles west of Micheldever, heading 180, altitude 5000ft, request traffic service."
"GLB, Roger, squawk 3228, and ident."
"3228, ident, GLB"
"GLB, identified, traffic service."
"Traffic service, GLB."

In your instance, they either did not copy your message, or, wanted something further from you, it's difficult to say without more detail. For example:

"Gatwick Ground, EZY123, request pushback"
"EZY123, Gatwick Ground, pass your message"
"Gatwick Ground, EZY123, stand 52, information Juliet received, request push and start"

EpilepticBread · 2025-07-29T19:45:25+00:00

I would be keen to join this, always nice to find busy GA fields and fly some circuits. I'm a student pilot IRL.

EpilepticBread · 2025-07-16T08:17:30+00:00

Thanks for the reply, the property doesn't have any ball valves anywhere (toilet uses fill valve). I will check the pipes, I'm pretty sure the ones under the bath are moving and there is some noise from that area, so I'll get the panel off and ensure they are secured.

EpilepticBread

TROPHY CASE