Weather Delays During Training

[captainyonder]

I'm going mad, for the eighth time in the last few weeks I have had to put off my hours building because of the weather here in the UK. I'm due to start my IR in May and still need to get my last 7 ground exams out of the way next month so time is massively limited, what's more, I have a job offer and I have to be done entirely by the end of July. I just can't see that happening at the moment and as a result I'm extremely close to calling up my school, getting my money back, and going out to the states to get the remaining 80 hours I require, then getting the IR in Spain. I really need some advice on what to do here, so any sensible suggestions would be much appreciated!!

Thanks!

[shaun ryder]

Yes.

Slow down.

[captainyonder]

Slowing down isn't really an option as I have to be done in time to take up this job offer, further more, I'm not struggling at all with the timescale when I'm actually flying, it's quite manageable, it's just being able to get airbourne that is causing the problem!

[shaun ryder]

Have you considered weather dealys during training? Have you considered either failing or partialling your flight tests? All this and you still have 7 exams to complete and pass. I think you are setting your sights too high and guess from experience that you will not complete before your cut out date.

[captainyonder]

Yes, weather delays and flight test failures have been factored in, but so far this weather delay has continued since December 15th!! No great, I'm sure you'll agree, it's just unfortunate that the only significant period of flyable weather in the last few months happened to be the two week period that I was doing my ATPL brush up for phase one! I honestly believe the timescale is achievable, I'm just questioning whether it is in this country?

[captainyonder]

PKPF68-77, thank you so much, that is invaluable! Your help is much appreciated.

[coodem]

That is going to be a struggle, and if you do manage it, I fear you may not get the best out of your training.

I have 3 easy exams to go, Have more than enough hours. Have no work or any other commitments. And I really doubt I will be done by then.

I am assuming you don't have an IMC, or you would have loads more chances to fly.

I would think about getting an IMC done, It will get rid of 15 hours, should not be affected by weather too much. Then it will allow you to fly most days. At the same time you will get a head start on the IR

I doubt it will cost you any more than £1000 extra, which ain't a lot, Won't even buy you 3 hours in a twin

[Wilton Shagpile]

Go to the US...

Choose carefully though as some places can be pants.....Florida should be OK although I haven't spent all that much time there so best get advice from people who have. I was there in the winter and apart from a bit of a breeze it was lovely.

[coodem]

Florida can get some nasty weather, even this time of year, To be on the safe side work on only being able to fly 2 out of 3 days.

Saying that, most nights are perfect, so if you don't mind doing a lot of night flying, you should be OK. I would allow a minimum of 4 weeks, 5 to be safer

You can do hour building without any visa's but if you require any training you will need one of those, along with TSA, Sevis, allow 3-4 weeks for that as well

[Midland Transport]

Try Oxford Air Taining you will fly in both the US and the UK (which is important for the IR) and take advantage of good weather on the East Coast for the next 3 months without too much heat which is a real problem in the summer months. They will sort a programme out for you and the Twin costs in the US are much much lower which will offset the flight and accomodation.

[Mikehotel152]

I sympathise with you. My PPL took ages because of last year's awful weather. I've got another 43 hours to get by July, so no problems with time for me, but you can still do those 80 hours by May. Just keep an eye on the weather and get ready to fly at every opportunity.

Ignore the unhelpful posts. The weather has been rubbish.

[chris-squire]

I sympathise with all this. Ive just arrived at MFC, Canada to find that its been the worst start to Spring in about 130 years! Theres still giant mounds of snow 10ft tall at the side of some of the roads around here! The problem over here is that when it gets really cold, it get REALLY cold i.e -25 at ground level meaning that any clouds floating around are just ice (which the Cessna's and DA-20's just cant hack. So it's not even like an IMC can help me! Nightmare!

Im supposed to be flying at 1600 tomorrow but having just seen the METAR showing Overcast at 1000ft, Im feeling a bit sorry for myself!lol.:ugh:

[Mercenary Pilot]

Go to the US and don't go to a JAA/UK run school. The FAA/US owned ones generally have much nicer and better equipped aircraft and are significantly cheaper.

Once you have flown in the US though, you will be so disappointed with flying in the UK. Better attitudes, better aircraft, better flying....you still here??? :ok:

In regards to the IR though, you wont have same Wx restrictions so you shouldn't have the same delays. Besides, IR skills are best learnt in real IMC.

[horsebox]

Everything in aviation takes longer than you think it will.....

Your schedule, although possibly achievable is un-realistic, you are putting undue pressure on yourself, and in the rush to get things done could end up causing more delay. A rushed exam/test when you are not quite ready is an expensive and demoralising experience.

Keep speaking to the people who have made the job offer, let then know you are trying your best to keep things on track, but that certain things are out of your control.... They maybe able to cut you some slack.

We have two students at our school, who have come to finish off ppl's started in the US. Reasons - Weather, lack of instructor, lack of aircraft etc etc etc...

[SparksFlyHigh]

Im currently doing my ppl (12 hours) and i basically work on 1/2. So for every 10 lessons/flights booked, i would expect to fly 5 of them but wouldnt be suprised to fly none of them.

My first week i booked one every day...flew every day.

Last week, i had one booked every day, didnt fly at all.

Went up today at midday and it was lovely minus the odd rain drop. Just doing circuit consolidation and it was a pleasure to fly.

[captainyonder]

Things are looking up!! 7 hours logged since I started this thread on Tuesday, will be 11 by the end of today all being well. Thanks for the advice guys and girls!