Do you have any advice? Starting PPL in two weeks.

[Vems]

Hi guys!

I'm starting my PPL in two weeks. I will be flying on PA28. Have you got any advice for a newbie? :p

[White Otter]

Are you going for commercial eventually? If so you're going to want to get a class 1 medical certificate and its best to get this ASAP. All in all in took me about 6 months to get mine - 2 weeks for initial examination then all the rest waiting for follow ups (which proved to be nothing as they expected (best to be sure obviously)). This obviously set my solo flight back quite a bit.

Other than that get studying (Air Law first) and have fun!

One other thing I'd advise getting you're own headset quite soon; I always find that most borrowed ones from the club pinch the top of my head. My reconmendation would be the David Clark 13.4 - simply love it. On top of the comfort is the deseases that can spread in borrowed sets. However having said all that make sure you have a couplel of lessons first to make sure flying is for you.

[preduk]

- Pay attention
- Ask loads of questions, especially when you aren't sure
- Take note of what the instructors are saying
- Enjoy it, you will have a ball! The PA28 is a nice aircraft.

[Vems]

Thanks for the reply! I already hold a class 2 medical, and going for Class 1 probably in March.

I have bought the starter pack (Pooley's) and I have already started Air Law, and I can say, it's a bit boring, but I had a look through the other books and they seem far more interesting :p

I have been in the air quite a few times, a friend of mine has a PPL and he takes me with him quite often and I love it!

About the handset, I have seen handsets for 90 pound and for 500 pound :eek: I don't think buying the cheapest one is a good idea, but I also don't want to spend 500 pound on it! I'm working part time and still studying. I earn enough just to fly an hour per week. Maybe in the summer I will be able to fly more. I'm hoping to get my PPL by the end of summer. Hopefully!

Any other advice highly appreciated.

[IrishJetdriver]

All the above are excellent comments.

A few things to note:-

A landing is simply a controlled collision with a planet.
The only time you have too much fuel is when you are on fire.
The 3 most usesless things in aviation are the sky above, the fuel on the ground and the runway behind you.
Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.

Finally the two golden rules
1. Always fly the plane
2. Don't forget rule 1

Have fun !!

[Vems]

One more thing, what do you think is the best way to do your exams, I mean a list? I've started air law for now, not really sure what to do then, maybe meteorology? Is it helpful in another subject?

[kevmusic]

I have already started Air Law, and I can say, it's a bit boring,

You're getting the picture fast, kid!! :ok:

Enjoy it - it's a great ride (apart from Air Law).

[Lister Noble]

Air Law has some very important stuff in it,especially if you don't want to collide with other aircraft!
Good luck.
Lister

[Vems]

I know that air law is really important. Some bits are not that boring, but of course I'll study it all. I want to pass for at least 90%. It's not that hard. I'm a fast learner and studying comes easily.

[Cusco]

Get the exams which involve cramming a load of indigestible stuff then regurgitating it onto your marksheet (such as Air Law, AGK and to a certain extent Human Factors) out of the way first:

Then you can do the 'interactive' exams (Comm , Nav and Met) once you've started flying and can relate to the subjects and more importantly address any queries to your instructor.

You've got loadsa time: get up there and enjoy the experience.........

Cusco: ;)

[DOC.400]

A few things that helped me:

1. Get an airband radio and listen to how the pros do it (or don't!)
2. Stick post-its in your car with check lists......if traffic lights red, practice MAYDAY calls and crash checks -if green PAN call and checks...honest!
3. Hook up with other students and back seat on their sessions.
4. Read EVERYTHING associated with aviation that you can get your hands on.
5. Ask/take the opportunity to chuck the plane around/push the envelope/unusual recovery angles etc -it will give you LOADS of confidence.
6. If in doubt, ASK!!!
7. NAV -get used to MATZ penetration/zone transits -don't be afraid to ask!

Have fun!

[GIZZAJOB]

You have already had an input on headsets . Do nt take anyones advice on headsets excepting for the clarity and perhaps their anr capabilities . Everyone is different and the worst thing that can happen to you is you buy a headset which clamps your head like a vice 30 minutes into your training flight , you will very quickly stop learning .
Try as many as you can and see what suits you personally . I originally bought a DC and its bloody awful and uncomfy I am now investing in bse .xIm mot sure transair would appreciate you turning up with a picnic and sittin in a corner of their shop wearing each of their headsets for an hour to get a proper feel for it , but that would give you a much better appreciation of how comfy it will be in the long term .
Most importantly ENJOY your training save the stress and anxiety for when you go commercial
Good Luck

[Vems]

I'm not really stressed out because of the training. It's going to be fun! I'll save the stress for later ;)

DOC, unfortunately, I don't have my driving licence yet! :p

About the handsets I'm still not really sure which I'm going to buy, thing is, I'll have to buy in online, there's no actual pilot shop near in my area, at least not one I'm aware of, so I won't really be able to try out so many handsets.

[White Otter]

Vems - does your flying club have a decent selection of sets? Thats how I found out about the DC 13.4 - by trying it one day in a lesson. GIZZAJOB is quite right that a badly fitting headset is a nightmare and the last thing you want is to own said headset. :* If you can't try many then my advise would be to read reviews online and have a look at the padding at the top of the headset, though there really is no substitute for trying them I suppose (GIZZAJOB hates DCs and I love them so who knows what you'll think).

In terms of the order of exams my instructor told me Air Law, Navigation and then it doesn't really matter (though I'd say Comm third but then thats something that comes with practice). Do you have the PPL Confuser? If so thats really useful for exam prep, especially in something like Air Law.

[mad_jock]

If your going commercial a good headset is a investment in your health

Get an ANR personally I like the old style DC's the new style ones are :mad:

[Vems]

Yeah, I have the PPL confuser. I have read all air law through, did some questions, and now I'm reading over the bits I still don't understand or can't remember. It is very useful. I was thinking about doing human factors after air law, as it's a pretty thin book and I would get through it pretty quick and then start Nav.

I'm not really sure about the selection of headsets at my flying school. I'll find out about that.

I will be going commercially so I will be definately getting a headset, I just need to have a look at few pilot supplies website's, read some reviews and maybe ask about the headsets at my flying club. Thanks for the advice guys!

[BackPacker]

If you want to take a look at a good selection of headsets, why not plan a x-country flight, eventually, to a field that has a decent pilot shop? I'm not based in the UK so I wouldn't be able to suggest one but there has to be a few good pilots shops at airfields within a reasonable distance. If it's far away, try to hook up with a fellow student who trains with the same instructor. You fly one leg, he flies the return leg.

[Vems]

I live in Scotland, and really, have no idea of a pilot shop anywhere in Scotland, I would have to go to England, that's a bit far!:rolleyes:

[RTN11]

Always read through notes on the last lesson, and the lesson ahead before you get in the plane. It's free on the ground to just go through a circuit in your head, in the air you're paying £2 a minute or more.

Stay focused, and keep looking forward. Studying the ground exams alongside flight training makes them more relevant, and therefore more interesting, but you need to get them out of the way. You don't want to end up ready for a test, but still with 3 or 4 exams to cover.

Have fun, and take something positive away from every flight.

[Vems]

I guess I'll write an exam every 2/3 weeks. Would take me quicker to get through the books but I still have full time work and other things to take care of during the week so I only study when I feel like it and when I want to.

I'll definately get the exams out of the way before my skills test. That's for sure. I have had a read through the first manual, what exercises you do on your first few lessons. I guess before every lesson I'll read what I've done, what I'll be doing today and what I'll be doing on the next lesson. Hopefully it will make it easier. :)

[JW411]

I am quite fascinated by the suggested need for fancy headsets on this (and other) private flying forums. It seems to me that there is a bit of a "posers element" involved at this level of aviation with regard to headsets, just as there is about "fancy watches".

I flew professionally for 46 years and used just about every imaginable headset from the complete bonedome package (I was in the RAF for 18 years) to the tiny little plastic frame that fitted round my left ear lobe when I flew DC-10s in the USA (used with a hand mike).

When I retired, I bought a PA-28 for fun flying and went through the "what headset shall I get" phase. I ended up buying four basic David Clark 13.4s for the aeroplane and none of my (very experienced) mates or myself has ever registered a complaint as yet.

Let's face it, you are never in a PA-28 long enough for it to matter.

You haven't lived until you have spent 14 hours listening to HF on AM in the Middle East and Africa using a "cloth hat"!

By the way, I went solo in a glider at Edzell in 1957 and a Tiger Moth at Scone in 1958.

[Cusco]

Vems wrote

I live in Scotland, and really, have no idea of a pilot shop anywhere in Scotland, I would have to go to England, that's a bit far!

Tut tut!

Harry Mendelssohn in Edinburgh advertises on the back of every UK Flying mag you can buy in UK. You just have to add VAT to the quoted prices.

One of the best Pilot shops in the UK.

website www dot gps dot co dot uk

And a great place to ring for advice.

Cusco.

[Mike Parsons]

Vems,

I have just passed Air Law (last Saturday). Human factors are next, as recommended by the Examiner. He recommended this one because I haven't yet started my instructional flying (like you I have done some with friends). So Human factors is a nice and easy one to get out of the way.

Remember you have 12 months to pass all of your exams after your first pass, then 24 months after your last pass to take your practical skills test.

A good bit of advice for someone who hasn't sat any exams yet would be not to rely on the confuser for knowing the entire question bank. I knew the entire 180 questions and could answer the question without fully reading the question, which is bad because in the exam it is completely different. So swat up on the AFE PPL2 or Pooleys Air Law book. Then goto the confuser.

I would imagine Nav and Met would be easier to pass once you have subconsciously absorbed information when you are further into your training.

[Vems]

I study the book rather than the questions to be honest. I read the book once, do the exercises, then go back to the bits I'm still not sure about, then read the book again, maybe go through the questions in confuser twice and then write the exam. This way, the knowledge will actually stay in my head!

I'm definately thinking of doing Nav and Met whilst I will be doing that bit in my training.

About the timing, I'm hoping to get my license by the end of maybe.. october? so even if I'll write an exam per month, I'll get them all passed before my skills test.

Vems

[Airbus Girl]

Sounds like you have the right attitude already. One thing I will add. Its very easy to buy all the kit, and look like a total plonker. Of course, some people want to look like "A Pilot" so must have the black leather flight bag, flying suit, David Clark headset and Top Gun sunglasses. They have umpteen different coloured pens, every available map, folded in every configuration, etc. etc.
You don't have to buy into this!!!
I didn't even buy a headset until I had many many hours, and that is only because I was abroad and there was a new policy of providing your own headsets. So I went and bought the cheapest ones, $60 I think they were, and hell, they did the job!
Most people I know who were in aviation before doing their licences are much more discreet about it all. A plastic carrier bag is just as good as a black case (probably better, actually!) or whatever bag you want. Have a biro and some paper (or a little notebook is useful) to remember what your instructor says at the end of the lesson because its easy for it to go in one ear and out the other.
Remember there is no such thing as a stupid question!
The main thing to know is everyone has a weak area(s) and so don't be disheartened if it all seems to be going really well and then you hit something that isn't so easy.
And don't over-analyse.
Enjoy!

[P.Pilcher]

In days of yore (1970) when I learned I got hold of a small transistor radio and noted that the FM tuning capacitor had a couple of fixed capacitors connected in parallel. I gently unsoldered these and Bingo! the radio was tuned to the aircraft band. I learned as I listened and listned as I learned. The fact that my local publican was an RT examiner was also helpful as I took my written paper in the public bar early one evening with a pint at my elbow and my practical test the following weekend so I was in possession of my VHF RT license even before I started in the circuit!
My instructor was a little suprised when I asked when I would be allowed to use the R.T. and on learning that I already had my rating immediately handed over the microphone. (In those days it was hand mic and loudspeaker.) I rapidly discovered that using it for real isn't quite the same as using an R.T. simulator with a friend on the other end, but I soon got the hang of it.

Subsequently I have always advised my students to get hold of an airband receiver and listen. Their progress in the ability to use the R/T is usually spectacular. One of my circuit students was so good, he sounded just like a pro on the RT when he had only just gone solo, so I had to warn him to advise ATC when he first called up on a solo detail that there was a "Student in Command". He always did, but something had to go wrong didn't it! He was doing circuits when the traffic was particularly heavy and he received an "advanced" ATC instruction that he had difficulty complying with. He got out of trouble (correctly) by going around, but in the debrief, I was a little annoyed with ATC for not listening. As I had a bit of spare time, said student was taken up the tower to meet the controller.
"I'm terribly sorry about that," said the controller in question. "Now I came to think about it you clearly stated on your first call that a student pilot was in command - but your R.T. was so good! I'll remember that in future."
Don't let that put you off! The ability to listen, interpret and talk on the R.T. is vital, and if you do it this way it's one thing less to distract you when you are concentrating hard on your flying when in the circuit.

P.P.

[BroomstickPilot]

Hi Vems,

These would be my tips.

1. As a student pilot, you are entitled to free membership of AOPA, the Aircraft Owners' and Pilots' Association. That will entitle you to receive their excellent magazine free of charge. It is worth being a member for that alone. The AOPA mag is better than any of the commercial magazines for practical flying matters.

2. Buy a cheap pilot bag from Argos. They used to have a Pierre Cardin nylon pilot bag for £20 that was every bit as good as the ones you buy at Transair for about £34.

3. Don't buy a headset, (notice its headset, not handset) until you have put in about a dozen hours or so and feel confident you are going to continue training to PPL.

4. If you do buy a headset, you can choose between two approaches. One option is to buy a cheapo headset for about £100, these are perfectly good if a bit spartan), and then buy something costing ££££ when you really go professional. Or you can buy a good, basic ANR set for about £250 and keep with it until you are earning £££. The vital thing is comfort. Most of the suppliers will allow you to take home the headset you have bought and wear it for a couple of hours to prove it is going to be comfortable for a cross country flight and take it back if it is not. (Check with them to be certain first). ANR is very worthwhile if you can afford it.

5. Finally, remember that the working relationship between you and your instructor is very special. The 'chemistry' between the two of you really must work. Over the years, I have had several occasions when I have had to change instructors because a working relationship just wasn't working. In most cases, these were really nice guys whom I liked personally, but I couldn't work with them, the 'chemistry' just wasn't there. (In one case, however, the instructor turned out to be a bully). Don't be afraid of hurting the instructor's feelings; most instructors, in their earlier careers, will have dumped the odd instructor themselves at some time, so the chances are they will understand and will not make an embarrassing scene about it.

6. Once past your first few lessons, get into the habit of arriving for your flying lesson a couple of hours before you are due to fly. This will give you plenty of time to, relax after your journey in. You can have something to eat and drink (never fly hungry), refuel and inspect the aircraft (the last person invariably leaves it half empty), check the Met, check the TAFs and METARs, find out where the Red Arrows are, do your flight planning and finally imagine in your mind's eye the excercise you are about to fly.

7. The Scottish pilot shop, I believe, is Harry Mendelsohn's. I have never bought anything from them, but they seem to be well spoken of so worth a try. They generally advertise on the back cover of the magazines.

Good luck Vems.

Broomstick.

[Vems]

I'll register with AOPA. It could be useful!

About the bag, I have bought the starter kit (pooley's) and that included a bag, so I have one, and it's pretty good.

If I'll be buying a headset, I'll definately be looking for a comfortable one. I will be going to England in mid may, I'll probably visir Transair shop. I think that I'll buy it then, rather than buy something online which won't fit. :}

I never fly hungry. Even when I fly with a friend I always have to eat something. I don't go out of the house without a breakfast :E

I may try out the Harry Mendelsohn's shop. I'll see about that. It's been reccomended to me by quite a few people so .. we'll see!

Thanks for all the advice guys! It's great. I'll let you know how the lessons will go. Any further advice still appreciated!

[Vems]

Hey guys!

I've had my first lesson today! It was awesome! I did exercise 4 today and I got on really well! I'm going to be doing climbing and descending next week and the air law exam. I've actually went through the questions about 10 times and read the book through few times, went back to few chapters and I feel confident about getting it over and done with next time I'm up. Weather was actually really nice today, when on friday schools were closing because of the snow! My instructor is also great. Really nice and explains stuff in a way easy to understand :)

Vems.

[Charlie Zulu]

Where abouts are you flying in Scotland?

I've just joined Tayside flying club at Fife as I'm just about to buy into an aircraft group (handing the money over tomorrow).

Just like other posts above I would suggest trying a few headsets out for comfort. I bought my first headset from Harry Mendelsohn mail order when I was a student (learnt to fly in Cardiff where I used to live). It was one of their own brand and cost me £90 if I remember correctly.

Served me well until I bought a couple of David Clarke 13.4's a few years ago as I had tried them on a few occassions and found them to be excellent. My old headset is still being used now and again when I have a second passenger with me. I've also got a pair from Florida that cost me $50 and they're serving as my fourth set.

Glad to hear you had a great time, it'll just get better and better...

I personally did the Air Law first (school requirement before solo), then Meteorology, Navigation, Aircraft Technical, Human Performance and Radiotelephony (written). The RT practical was non-existant when I did my PPL as it was continual assessment during the CAA PPL course pre-JAA days.

I wasn't as well prepared as you are though and took a few months to take the Air Law exam!!!

[studen]

Ive got three exams left and about 35 hours in the air just passed nav and human performance yesterday! definately start studying nav after air law or as soon as poss cos it really bent my brain everyones diffrent tho and you might skoosh it there is a lot to take in tho! HAVE FUN AND ENJOY best thing ive ever done!!!:cool:

[Kamran Bhatti]

Though fellows gave you a brief guideline,but what myself had experiance during my tranning may be helpful to you.

usually most of us do believe that 45 hours tranning and there we are,but be sure that this is minimum,the average PPL pass is inbetween 60 t0 70 hours.

I strongly recommed that if you want to complete in one go,budget at least for 60 hours.

second: Before you go for navigation exams,if you can get a couple of lessons on naviagation,beleive me that ,ll make you very close to a good pass,otherwise its not hard but its bit complex to understand in theory.

My tutor had one of his awful experiance in his teaching career,one whole class faild in first attempt,he was just shocked,next week.he looked again the areas where stdudents were having problems.and we all passed.we were not charged for the 2nd time exam fee cause this was unusal for the whole class to fail.

3rd:you may well on target if you pass all your exams here,get you medical done,pass you Radio telephony and than go to Florida.During flying tranning in UK its not only money but weather,some time you go for lesson,get off from your work,tavelling and than no suitable flying conditions etc.

hope this helps and very good luck.

[Gertrude the Wombat]

1. Get an airband radio and listen to how the pros do it (or don't!)

Sitting in the bath one day listening to the radio, not very nice weather, certainly I'm not going flying that day.

One of the local club instructors comes on. It becomes clear that he's gone up to find out where the cloud tops are. (Quite who paid for the aircraft time I never found out.)

"Tops are about 5,500'. Hey, y'know what, I've never seen this much ice on a 152 before. I'm just managing to maintain level flight ... on full power."

This is a classic "don't try this at home kids" ... you'll hear others.

[rikesh]

I got hold of a small transistor radio and noted that the FM tuning capacitor had a couple of fixed capacitors connected in parallel. I gently unsoldered these and Bingo! the radio was tuned to the aircraft band.

Would this be possible on any radio? Eg. an old Sony cassette FM/MW radio?

[jamestkirk]

My god your keen. And that is great.

Mainly just relax. If you have a good FI, then he/she will keep pointing you in the right direction.

keep looking out the window, then just keep looking out the window. Straight and level is the foundation for most exercises. Get that right and you'll probably be OK.

As others have said already, you seem to have a good attitude so again, just relax and enjoy the lesson and be confident in your ability.

As my CFI used to say, 'lookout and speed'. probably more useful in the circuit, but you'll know what i mean.

As far as equipment goes. Let your FI tell you what you need. But as someone stated earlier, a good headset is a must. People will give you loads of opinions but its not just passive or active thats important but also comfort. There is a good USA website called marvgolden that has a great range of stuff.

Sincerely, best of luck and be one of the PPL 'ers with a professional attitude. Although, I think your already there.

JTK

[Vems]

Thanks guys for all the advice. :ok: I was actually thinking of starting Human Factors & Pilot Performance for now as I'll get through the book pretty quickly and I actually have a week off college and just few hours of work in the morning, I'll have time to get through it all, studying comes easily for me :)
I think I would get on with the meteorology next and then start maybe start nav. I only fly an hour per week so to be honest by the time I'll get to navigation in my training I'll get maybe 3 or 4 exams out of the way. I was thinking also of leaving the Radiotelephony until the end of my training as by that time, I'll have a lot of practice and it would be easier.. correct me if I'm wrong.

I keep looking out of the window of the time. By the way, the views are amazing! :eek:

Kamran, I'm still full time at college and working in the mornings, part time of course, I have just enough to get one lesson per week and that's how I'll do it for the next at least 2/3 months until I finish college so then I'll be able to work full time and get more flying done over the summer and get my license fairly soon, although, I'm not in a hurry. I have time as I'm still young and the current job market for pilots isn't looking very well! I rather fly this one hour per week on sunday than fly 2 or 3 everyday and do it intensively. At least that's the only thing that keeps me alive in college (just few days 'till sunday, just few days..'). I'll get more flying over the summer, when the weather will be looking better, at least I hope so!

And about Florida, I'm not really up for going to states, I can also fly around in Europe. There are countries which are fairly warm over certain time of the year and I could go there? I don't know why but I just don't want to go to Florida to do hour building. It's cheaper as some say.. but I'll 'waste' my money in Europe :p

About the headsets, the ones I used last time were pretty comfortable and pretty good, but I'll have a look around for my own headset, but at least not for the first 2/3 months.

Charlie Zulu, I'm at Tayside too, but in Dundee :)

Kamran, I already have a Class 2 Medical. :) and as I've said I think I'll leave the Radiotelephony for now as it comes with practice from what I know, and passing it asap won't be my best option. I want to take things slowly, one at a time, not rush into finishing my training ASAP. I just want to enjoy it.

[Vems]

Hey guys!!

Me again :E

I've done my second lesson. Was pretty much amazing. :} Trimming when flying straight and level requires some practice :p I've got next lesson booked on 8th of March. Two weeks time :{. I had my bus back home booked for 3pm when I decided to write the air law exam before I went off to the bus station! Was a distaster, passed though. I did the exam in something like 14 minutes and got 80% :ugh: Next time, I'm realllyyy going to take the full time to get the exam written fully. I haven't read half of those questions fully and I guess that's why my score wasn't the highest it could have been as I know the Air Law book and the Air Law PPL confuser questions inside out! I think I'm going to get done maybe one exam per 3 weeks or something. Changing the job in the next few weeks (hopefully) had an interview today :E so I'll be able to buy 10 hour pack once per month. I've just started reading through Human Factors and Pilot performance, I think I'll get that one out of the way soon. It's a pretty thin book and this time.. I'll read ALL the QUESTIONS. FULLY. :E

At least I passed.. :huh But I'm still not happy about that score. :}

Weather was actually reallyyy goood. Some turbulences.. but pretty good. :)

Did the walk around with the instructor and the rest of the checks for the second time and started up the engine for the first time! Got on really well! :)

I haven't done any RT yet. I'm just meant to listen to the instructor..and we're starting RT next lesson. Sometimes seems like it's the hardest thing in the world and next minute it's really simple. Confused.

Doing climbing and descending next lesson. Thats going to be fun! :ok:


Vems.

[airborne_artist]

so I'll be able to buy 10 hour pack once per month

Take care when pre-paying for lessons, though. Almost certainly fine, but there have been cases when flying schools have gone bust owing lessons/cash to people like you. Some flying schools may be suffering at this time of year in a recession.

[Fright Level]

I got hold of a small transistor radio and noted that the FM tuning capacitor had a couple of fixed capacitors connected in parallel. I gently unsoldered these and Bingo! the radio was tuned to the aircraft band.

Would this be possible on any radio? Eg. an old Sony cassette FM/MW radio?

Highly unlikely. The aviation band, although close to the commercial FM band is AM not FM so I doubt this would have really worked. Even the cheap airband receivers are rubbish. Personally I'd save your money as listening in to other transmissions is either one sided (you won't hear the ground station unless you are fairly close to it) and also full of inappropriate RT chatter for a new PPL. Most of the time you'll hear heading/height acknowledgements on the airways where you really want to be learning joining instructions & MATZ penetrations etc.

Spending an hour in your local tower will be much more worthwhile.

[Captain Smithy]

Hi Vems,

Good to hear that you've got started and are enjoying it already.

One thing I would add to anything that has been said already; you said you'd hope to have your PPL by October... I would budget for quite a bit beyond that, since weather here can be fickle at times and you may find it frustrating when you have several lessons in a row cancelled due to poor Wx. We've all been there!

Good luck with your license, keep us informed as to your progress :ok:

Smithy

[Vems]

It's still cheaper to buy a 10hour block than an hour for 165 pounds though. I do take the fact that recession is here into the account, of course but hopefully nothing will happen and to be honest the school doesn't look like it's going to go bust in the near future. I think I'm pretty safe there. :)

I would be finishing my PPL by something like December if I did everything the way I do it now, although from mid march I will be flying more often than I do now, so I'll probably get less lessons cancelled, but I think that by the end of october I should be fine, as over summer I'm pretty much free for a whole month as I'm taking out holiday at work and I'm off college by the end of may and as I'm not going on holidays until something like december, I'll have a lot of time to get on with flying, and hopefully the weather will be fine :)

Thanks guys!

[high flyer 13]

Purchase a ppl confuser... very handy to help you study for the exams the book gives you previous example questions on all the subjects, i found it very helpfull. also back seat with another student when you can this is nice because you can sit back relax and watch all the other students mistakes which will help you not to make them !!
Have fun ..........:cool:

[Vems]

I had my lessons cancelled today due to the bad weather! Next lesson on saturday! :}

[Vems]

Next lesson on saturday..

Damn it. Cancelled again due to bad weather..

How can you not love scotland? :eek:

Hopefully it will get better next saturdaayyy.. HOPEFULLY!

[deltayankee]

Some days it will feel like you are making rapid progress, some days it will feel slower and some days it will feel like you are going backwards. This is perfectly normal so don't worry.

Unless you move to Phoenix quite a few lessons will be postponed for Wx, so be prepared mentally for this disappointment or comfort yourself by thinking that it is better to be disappointed on the ground than bricking it in the air. Make good use of this unexpected time to study ground stuff.

[AndoniP]

yeah i've got some advice.

don't eat fish fingers and chips half an hour before your first flight in turbulent conditions :yuk:

learned this the hard way. scratch 1 pa-28 manual :}

sorry cabair :(

[Molesworth 1]

Don't underestimate the commitment. It's worse than getting married! :=

[mstram]

If you want to listen to ATC, you can do so over the internet

Europe Airport Feeds | Live Air Traffic Control Audio Feeds | LiveATC.net (http://www.liveatc.net/feedindex.php?type=international-eu)

(I didn't see any Scottish feeds though).

Another fun way to stay sharp is with a flight simulator, especially if you're only flying once a week or less.

flightgear.org is free and just as good or better than MSFS / Xplane.It has worldwide sceney (which you have to download seperately ftp://ftp.linux.kiev.ua/pub/mirrors/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear/Scenery-1.0.1/ , (it includes one "block (10x10) degrees of scenery centered on KSFO)

Mike

[Vems]

Thanks guys!

I have Flight Gear, I use it sometimes!

[Vems]

Hey guys!

I had my lessons today and I did pretty well.. I think!

I did some trimming first, as I've not been flying for the past three weeks and as it was only my 3rd lesson I couldn't get it perfect! I guess that comes with practice! Taxying was much better this time! Oh, RT.. I messed that up, it was the first time I got to get a taxi clearance, and I was a bit slow there :ooh: I had to go through every single word in my head before I got anything out of me! Ohh, and I got to take off for the first time is well, even though I'm not supposed to be doing it yet, my instructor let me :E and as it was pretty bumpy.. i was going everywhere :E

I did second part of the straight and level and it was pretty good! Oh, I so can't wait until next week! :p

[invictaair]

I messed up with my comms the weekend so know how that feels :uhoh:

[Vems]

Lessons cancelled due to bad weather... AGAIN! :{

[jonburf]

hi all the best for your lessons.
would advise you get the tough ones out of the way first. Nav and Technical, i would advise because the Nav skills you'll learn will help with your training anyway.
with regards to headsets a decent set will let you concentrate so much better during lessons. I have allways used Dave Clarke 13.4's. They are reliable, robust, comfortable for up to 2.5 hours and not madly expensive.

all the best
J

[Vems]

Thanks!!

Once again.. lessons cancelled. Huh.

I'm not going to get a headset just yet to be honest, I'll wait another few lessons to check which one are quite good and I like wearing if you know what I mean!:E

[aviatordom]

Good to hear that it's going well so far:ok:

I can't wait until I start the proper training (hopefully i'll fight off Epilepsy!)

My suggestion is, is that if lessons keep on getting cancelled, brush up on stuff from the textbooks perhaps?

Apologies if that was a stupid question

Happy landings!

[mary meagher]

Hi, Vems! with that many cancellations, you must be trying to fly in Scotland! Never mind; you've got something pretty special up there that is worth looking into, deesideglidingclub.co.uk. Check it out and get a mate to drive there with you, but phone and ask about the weather prospects first, and probably a good idea to book as well. Sometimes spring conditions are excellent at Deeside. And there are special rates for students.

Meanwhile, here is my advice regarding RT. There are three very useful things to say to controllers:

Stand by!

Say again? and

Unable!

No seriously, do not be intimidated by radio. Controllers are there to serve you. Keep your message short and simple. If they want more information they will ask for it.

Just one more question, do they still make you use a plastic wheel calculator? In my day it was a required item on the course, never to be seen again once you had the rating!

Best wishes!

[Pull what]

Never mind; you've got something pretty special up there that is worth looking into, deesideglidingclub.co.uk.

Try and ignore the runway width though--glider pilots have a devolped sense of humour

[Vems]

Well, I do brush up on everything before I go up and go through the exercise in my head is well. Even when my lessons are cancelled, I still brush up and do the same as if I was there.

mary meagher, that's why I love scottish weather! :E

thanks for the website! I'll check it out.

About radio, I think that's the worst thing for beginners :p I guess once I'll know what to say I'll have no problems with it! It comes with practice. So I'm not that worried about it now, plus my instructor tells me exactly what to say so I don't mess it up that badly!

Haven't used the calculator yet! If they'll do make me use it, I'll let you know :cool:

Oh, I've been studying Met for the past few weeks, finished the book and started off PPL confuser questions, some are really confusing! I guess this exam will be harder than air law :p

Anyways, thanks for all the advice guys!!

Vems.

[Vems]

For some reason, weather got better this week and I didn't have my lessons cancelled. :eek: :p

Climbing, descending.. it was pretty easy stuff.

I'm well hoping that the good weather will keep up so I could fly weekly now!

[Vems]

Hey guys! Once again :E

I had my lessons cancelled today - strong winds, but I did fly last week. We basically just had a revision of what we did from my first lesson and now I'm starting turns. Was meant to start today, although due to bad weather that's moved to Saturday. Any advice on that?

I didn't really write much about 2 weeks ago, to be honest there wasn't much to write, exercise was pretty simple, straight forward.

Last week though.. I think I got it all right, apart from looking at the instruments few times and going everywhere :} But then when my instructor covered up all the instruments, my flying was perfect :} Next week I got to keep my head out of the cockpit :E

Hopefully, over summer months, I'll be able to get more hours in (depends on work, as I won't be at college from 12th of June anymore :hmm:) but from september.. Hello college again. Oh, I got into a Aircraft Engineering course so at least I won't be bored to death by the current subjects I do at college.

And.. I decided to write up the Met exam. I was a bit stressed out but the more I learned the more I got myself mixed up. Really. So I just run through the notes and went for it.. then .. got .. 85%. I got 3 questions wrong which truthfully I haven't even thought through. I decided to get Aeroplane Technical out of the way next, the book will take me a bit more time than Human Factors & Pilot Performance etc. so I'll get that out of the way by the end of May, then for June I planned to do Human Factors & Pilot Performance and maybe radiotelephony, and then over summer, get over with Nav and then just keep flying..

At least that's just 5 to go.. :E

I'm hoping that by the end of year I'll be able to finish PPL and by the begginings of next year, start ATPL and hour building.

Ohh.. I hope you're still awake.. :E

Vems.

[CaptainKing]

Hi there, Found a site which may be useful. Want to listen to real live radio trnasmissions? Go to www.liveatc.net (http://www.liveatc.net)

good luck