PPL - just about to start

[MichaelZwiener]

Hi guys,

I am just about to begin a PPL course in Jandakot (Perth). I haven't decided for a school yet but will visit some of them in the next days to make up my mind. Air Australia seems quite nice, but I will check out their planes and people...

Can you give me any advice? any mistakes you did when you started out that you'd would share with me? I am a complete novice in the field and the reason for making the PPL is that is sounds like a fun thing to do :)

I am thankful for any advice that prevents some rookie mistakes.

Cheers
Mike

[5-in-50]

1. Keep it fun. Don't put up with Instructors who make the experience negative

2. Fly early in the morning when learning basic circuits, you'll progress towards solo faster in the calm weather. Don't avoid windy days altogether, just for a few lessons until you get the hang of the pattern.

3. Don't run out of money! Have the dollars already saved and fly 3-4 times a week if you can. You'll retain lessons learned and progress faster than flying once a week.

4. Get your Student Licence, medical and security card forms submitted now! Waiting on paperwork when your ready to solo SUCKS.

5. I don't know about the schools at Jandakot, but talk to the students and don't choose a sausage-factory. Go for the smaller school that will give you personal attention when it's needed.

[SpyderPig]

Never pay for hours in advance. If it seems too good to be true...... :=:=:=

[Elfatness]

As a student pilot with 50hrs I can tell you it's the best thing you'll ever do apart from having kids!! I love it!
In saying that I dicked around a fair bit (I was more obsessed with purely just being in the air than learning to progress) before I realised that if you knuckle down and learn procedures etc.. By heart ASAP then things will move along more rapidly. Nail the theory quickly too.
Most importantly as has been stated, have fun!! I have a great bunch of instructors at a small school & regional airport so I'm lucky in that sense.

[smiling monkey]

After your first flight, you'll probably feel a bit queasy, but don't let that put you off. It's quite normal, for most people to feel that way. I still remember my TIF some 25 years ago now and logging my first 0.5 flight time in my log book. After that, I wondered whether I'd ever want to fly again after almost spewing up! LOL!

[dreamer84]

The biggest mistake I made was not flying regularly enough; In my opinion it's way more efficient to do your flying in solid blocks. Even if you can't get time off work, save enough $$$ to do say 3 or 4 x 1 hour lessons over a weekend rather than 1 hour every week.

Pick an instructor who cares about you and not just their own hour building. It's usually easy to tell them apart. Don't be afraid, like I was, to make demands. After all, you're paying good money for a service and you deserve to get what you pay for. It so often works the other way, so make sure you are happy with a particular instructor/aircraft before you progress too far. If a school isn't willing to comply with your requests its usually a solid indication that you're at the wrong place.

Keep up with the theoretical side; Some of what you study may seem a little deep at the beginning but learning the theory will really help the practical side click.

Try and wangle a tower visit at YPJT - your instructor should be able to tee that up...i think.


Most of all - enjoy it. :O.

[sisemen]

If you're prepared to travel then try Northam. The circuit is never crowded and they are a reasonably friendly bunch.

[Captain Hadock]

smiling monkey
After your first flight, you'll probably feel a bit queasy, but don't let that put you off. It's quite normal, for most people to feel that way. I still remember my TIF some 25 years ago now and logging my first 0.5 flight time in my log book. After that, I wondered whether I'd ever want to fly again after almost spewing up! LOL!
On the same topic: during my first hour (effect of controls), the workload at take off and landing (even more) seemed completely out of reach, and it left me wondering if I would ever feel in control with all these actions. Turns out you get used to it.
That sure wasn't as easy as keeping the already trimmed plane straight and level in clean air with you TIF instructor saying "you must be a natural". :ouch:

[Old Akro]

Most important thing is to start.

The best flying instructor is the one you like best who teaches in your style. Meet a few, then pick one. But start. Don't worry about money. Its like a drug. Once you start you'll find a way to feed the habit.

[flyinkiwi]

I think the best advice with regard to regularity is find the best balance between flying workload and your financial situation. I flew in weekends as I work full time. Normally I would only fly once on Saturday and again on Sunday. As I got more and more used to being in the air in a small plane I increased the number of flights until I could manage 4 trips a weekend in bursts. It is that sort of regularity that will help you progress. Once a week is not enough because you end up wasting time and money doing remedial flights when you should be working on the next topic in the syllabus.

As others have said, it is not just about getting into the air, you should also be working through your ground studies and getting your flight medical sorted.

But enjoy the journey as you go, sometimes I wish I could do it again (then I look at the costs... :}:}:})

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

I would 'second' the suggestion of going to Northam.
Its only an hour's pleasant drive or so, depending on which part of Perth you reside in.

Nice atmosphere, better weather, NO circuit 'waiting time' = more actual flying per hour of aircraft time, you take-off and, as SOON AS your wheels leave the ground you are IN the 'training area' = NIL 'transit time'....and NIL 'Landing FEES'.

IF you are committed to the Perth area, you could also get most of the above by talking to RACWA at JT, but learning at Murrayfield near Mandurah....also NIL Landing FEES....and its also a 'pleasant drive'...

JT Landing fees = $24.50 or so for each full stop ldg (C-152)
= $ 4.10 each Touch & go.....
i.e. When doing your circuit training, 6 circuits plus your full stop landing
= $49.10.....for what..??

'Rotsa ruck', whichever you decide......

Cheers:ok:

[Con_G]

When it comes time to go solo, you may s^&t yourself thinking that you are not ready, but you will be, your instructor wouldn't send you otherwise. Speaking of solos, this is where it is all down to you and you will be surprised how everything you have learned up to this point just seems to click when you are the Pilot In Command. One more thing, it will take about a week for you to come down from the high of knowing you took off, flew and landed a plane by yourself.

Also, if there is anything your not completely confident doing (e.g. crosswind circuits, stalls, steep turns e.t.c, for me it was radio calls and joining the circuit at a CTAF) then read up as much as you can on the subject, talk to your instructor about it, then get others opinions/advice on here (although you probably get alot of "ask your instructor, thats why your paying him/her" type replies but just ignore those) then ask to do a lesson just on that particular weakness until you feel you could do it in your sleep.

You will be bombarded with acronyms and abbreviations on almost everything re aviation, don't sweat it too much, it all starts to make sense eventually. I have a link on my home computer that explains every aviation abbreviation that I will post when I get home later.

As mentioned I had problems with radio calls, so when I was at my airport I had a scanner hooked up to a voice recorder recording all transmissions on tower frequency which I would listen to while driving to work which seemed to work pretty well.

[baswell]

Have you considered starting the RA-Aus route? Not encouraging one way or the other as I don't know your goals, but if I had a dollar for every recent or still learning PPL I met that went: "had I known about RA-Aus I would have gone that route", I would certainly be able to buy a schnitzel and pint on Tuesday night.

Recreational Aviation Australia (http://www.raa.asn.au/)

[motzartmerv]

Good idea:ok:. At least check it out.

[Clare Prop]

Goodness me that's quite a hefty mark up on the landing fees Ex FSO! :eek:

[in-cog-nito]

Hi Michael,
Great journey you're about to start.
A couple of tips.
Always read up on the next lesson. It can save you time and dollars. As an ex-instructor, I found the students who studied progressed quicker and have a better understanding than those who just rock up for their lesson and hadn't read a thing. Have a look at the Flight Training Manual by Aviation Theory Centre. Prefect for the job.

Theory. If the budget allows, do a BAK and PPL theory course. You can self study, but you can learn more when doing it with a group of individuals who are at the same phase of training as yourself. Good fun and good memories. Still friends with fellow BAK students some 20 odd years later. Really enjoyed teaching it too!

Only heard little bits from here and there about Air Australia which were all positive. Like what others have said, try a country flying school as well. Good atmosphere, very little waiting and no or very little in the way of landing fees. They are also less restrictive than Jandakot and the other class D airports. But then again, I'm a bit (actually a lot) biased towards country flying schools.

One last thing. There are two types of student. There are those who want a Pilot licence, and there are those who want to learn to fly! There is a difference.

Good luck, enjoy the experience and be the one who wants to learn to fly.
In-cog

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

Hi 'Clare',

Those figures taken DIRECT from the RACWA Price list dated
1/9/12 thru to 1/12/12 Inc.

Prior to that it was $24 For a Full Stop & $4.10 T&G....
(ASA + JAH Fees)

For my DH-82A Tiger Moth - Very 'light' Aeroplane
- The fees are - DIRECT to Moi FROM JAH & ASA....

JAH - $11.30 Full Stop.....T & Go - $ 3.40!!
ASA - $11.37 Full Stop.....T & Go - No Charge / NIL / Zilch / Nada....
Total = $22.67 Each Full Stop & Still $3.40 each T & Go....

The 'Chippy' is a little more...must be because its a 'little heavier'....

I 'wonder' just wot they charged for the Polytechnic '737' when it landed...??? KA - CHING!!

YOU work it out......

Been a "while" ...has it..??

Cheers;)

Sorry for the 'drift' Michael....Carry On..!! :ok::ok:

[Con_G]

As promised:

Aviation Abbreviations and Acronyms (http://www.casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WCMS:PWA::pc=PC_93071)