After the PPL

[Stairs]

Hi,

I am half way through my PPL training at Stapleford and was wondering whats in store once I get my hands on the magic bit of paper. I hadn't really thought it though when I decided to start learning!

What has everyone else done? Have you bought your own plane, joined a club that does trips away or just go up every now and then for a local flight to keep the hours up?

I live right next to Stapleford so would be interested in hearing from anyone in the area about options for aircraft share or clubs to join.

Thanks in advance.

[dagowly]

I'm part of RAFFCA so intend to do some more cross country work and gaining competency with more aircraft types :) and the obligatory taking the missus up.

[airsole]

Definitely join a club.

My advice - start taildragging.

[Corsican]

I fly out of Denham and passed in March. I then did about 5-7 solo flights (you can't take pax up until you actually receive your licence) doing some short navs and landaways (I really enjoyed my first landaway as I got to choose the destination, plan etc.) as well as circuits/general handling/PFLs to practice.

Actually, flying around on your own after your test is not bad as you don't have the sub-conscious safety net of an instructor next to you or "pressure" prior to the test, you can just enjoy it and properly apply what you learned. I also find I am constantly reading up/asking questions on things that were briefly covered during instruction to ensure I properly understand them in practice, not just sufficiently for the test (some is more important than others).

After that, I realised that flying around on my own is nice but in a C152 and a headwind, you are not going anywhere fast. Having company is nice so I converted to the PA28 and started going for longer navs (e.g. Bembridge, Old Buckenham and Le Touquet - it's good to go away from the local area) with someone else who passed their test a little before me. Good for the budget, experience and flying with another pilot splits the load.

I have wondered about a share in a plane but plan on spending at least this year and next building experience and confidence, unless I win the lottery (ha!). Still trying to define where to take this, e.g. touring, visiting airfields, aeros etc. which might determine the type of plane to get a share in.

Stapleford is nice and seems to have a lovely variety of a/c; I was given a 40 mn flight there in a Tiger Moth as a birthday present and loved it. Would love to do that again or in a PT-17 but will need to learn the tail-dragger thing.

Enjoy and good luck!

[tomtytom]

This is what you do son.

1, walk into nearest bar
2, "accidently" drop your shiny new PPL
3, ask the 20+ girls that naturally appear to form a orderly queue
4, Book a 4 seater spam can and take them all to heaven and back

You can buy me a pint after ;)

[Jan Olieslagers]

It has often been mentioned that the average PPL training does not prepare one for life as a PPL pilot - it prepares for the exam. Once the paper is there, the school has done its duty. One demanding person has even been known to rant that the average PPL instructior rarely leaves the a/d traffic circuit, being unqualified to teach anything except circuit flying.

The best thing you could do imho is, now already, if you can spare time and budget, join established pilots on their bimcles. Many will be glad to have a guest, either to share the cost of the flight or to relieve them of some work, R/T for example, or both.

Or read through the very numerous trip reports available on the www and try to imagine which would be fit for you. Only let me warn you not to be too ambitious: your first solo navigations should not be too far away, neither to challenging aerodromes or airspace.

[ChickenHouse]

What I did after my PPL? I had to wait about three weeks, as weather went bad, and than took my 50yr old C172 up in the sky. Have been flying around 120-150h a year since, used it for business trips right after PPL, use it frequently as car replacement (autobahn travel in Europe is real bad) and enjoy taking the venerable Cessna anywhere in Europe.

[P.Pilcher]

Well what I did was to start by taking some friends on jollies. As my confidence grew the cross countries grew longer then I learned how to fly foreign by going on a trip with an experienced pilot. I got my IMC then night rating and continued but decided that flying was getting a bit boring. You take off, climb to altitude point the machine in the correct direction, descend and land. What, I asked myself do you do to maintain the other skills you expensively learned? I converted on to several other types and with an experienced pilot with me learned how to fly "on top". Eventually, I had experience of flying a C152 in Canada and 150 hours in command. This was all you needed to qualify to do an AFIC course, so I did one and spent many years instructing at the local club. Then, ten years later it was more curiosity than anything else which persuaded me to attempt to get a CPL which I managed, then I plugged the I.R expensively on to it. Part time jobs than full time ones followed. I managed to complete my ATPL and finally retired as an airline captain.
I can now reminiss of numerous flying experiences which, to me, are unforgettable and if you can get as much fun out of your licence and what it should lead you to do... well that is what the hobby is all about!

P.P.

[foxmoth]

My own recommendation,
Start by doing about 5-10 hours just consolidating what you have done on your course, maybe take mates for a local jolly and a longer cross country, try flying in to something like Shuttleworth.
Look at how much flying you want/can afford following your licence and also what sort of flying, personally I would recommend an advanced PPL course with someone like Ultimate High and an Aeros course which will really teach you how to handle an aircraft. A share is a good way to go, not only brings down the cost (depending on how much you fly), but in the right group gives you other, more experienced pilots to fly with, this applies if you want to go touring, aeros or both.
Above all, USE and enjoy it.:ok:

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

4, Book a 4 seater spam can and take them all to heaven and back

A 4-seat spammy won't take anyone to heaven and back. I'd be like turning up to pick up your date in a 1963 Vauxhall Velox. Totty will not be impressed!

Try something sharp and aerobatic and tail-wheeled. If they're not impressed with that they're best avoided. :)

[Stairs]

An amazing and interesting response, thank you!

Just for the record I did my first Solo Nav today, much more enjoyable without an instructor next to you, I also found myself constantly looking for fields to ditch into if I had to, something I have not found myself doing when I am not on my own.

I feel I'm getting there but as none of my friends and family know I am doing this I only get to brag to the misses…. who only cares if I come back, she is strangely uninterested on how a 152 cut me up on final, or that I had to fly slow and safe to keep separation on downwind….. Woman eh?

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

Serious answer - what Foxmoth said, above. Especially the aeros bit with a really good instructor, even if you don't want to do aeros long term. It will teach you better than any other form of flying how to fly any aeroplane correctly.

The PPL syllabus of necessity includes many half-truths, especially regarding how aeroplanes fly and why they sometimes don't. Aeros blows all that away and leaves you with full knowledge and confidence in handling the aeroplane by feel and thought and judgement rather than rote, right up to and beyond the edge. It is a great foundation on which to build any form of future flying hobby.

[hegemon88]

Stairs,

I trained at Stapleford as well, PPL in late 2012, IMC not so long ago. Try to get an old issue of Take Off (ask reception) where Maurice the Cub instructor gives a very nice recipe for keeping your post-PPL flying exciting. All localised for Stapleford, needless to say. Or PM me and I'll send you a pdf with it.



/h88

[Armchairflyer]

Maybe have a look at 101 Things To Do After You Get Your Private Pilot's License by LeRoy Cook | 9780071422581 | Paperback | Barnes & Noble (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/101-things-to-do-after-you-get-your-private-pilots-license-leroy-cook/1029602542?ean=9780071422581) for inspiration.

But seriously, most important IMHO:
a) don't rush it, although flying is a lot about planning and being ahead of things, nothing bad will happen if you first pass your PPL and think about what to do with it afterwards (if your PPL is not a means in itself but just a stepping stone to a flying career, things may be different);
b) opt for what appeals to YOU. Whether that's just admiring the landscape, going to navigationally challenging places, getting aerobatics instruction, embarking on instrument flying or taking people up (don't expect them to appreciate the same aspects that you as a pilot appreciate, as in your example; IMHO that's not a matter of woman or man, but of PAX or PIC ;)). Fly safe and learn and most of all -- as foxmoth said -- USE and enjoy it, but don't let anyone tell you that "you are not a real pilot unless you have experience in ... (insert type of flying and/or aircraft or amount of flying hours)".

[worldpilot]

After attaining your PPL, focus on improving your situational awareness for enhanced safety operations. That is key in enjoying your PPL privileges.

WP

[thing]

I just visit places. I get a lot out of going to new places and seeing what they are like, it's a good way to see the country, plus you're going further than you would in a car in the same time. It's nice to fly into a small grass strip with a pub within walking distance, just a pleasant thing to do. I've been abroad a few times, that's good to do although I don't speak much of any mainland European language apart from 'two large beers please' so that can be a bit of a hurdle but the old translator job on the iPhone works well.

We all get different things out of it. A guy I know is a top aerobatic pilot and the worst thing about flying to him is transiting to a comp. He hates flying in straight lines. Some guys just like the kudos of being a pilot and like pulling up at places where there will be an audience. Nothing wrong with any of it, you do whatever floats your boat.

I glide as well, so that satisfies other things that I like to do. The thing to do is try different stuff and see what you like, you will invariably finish up with a mix of what people have mentioned here. The important thing is to enjoy whatever it is you do, otherwise it's a bloody expensive way to be miserable; and don't listen to anyone who says 'You're not a pilot unless you fly a twin engined triplane with floats.' just wave two fingers and get on with doing whatever it is you want to do.

[glendalegoon]

flying is ffreedom...of course it isn't free.

so, get your ppl. practice. get better as a pilot. practice landings, shortfield takeoffs, regular takeoffs, emergency instrument work, emergency landings, CROSSWIND landings.

when its a nice day, take a pretty girl flying, just around. IT really doesn't matter does it, where you go?

After my ppl, I lived in the bay area of San Francisco. When the fog cleared a beautiful sightseeing journey of less than 30 nm was a delight to everyone I took up.

Practice to be a better pilot and as opportunity arises, seize it. BUT BE CAREFUL, don't fly at night if you are not ready, or in marginal weather to impress someone.

Say something like: if it is a nice day, we can go up and fly around. if not, we can get breakfast at the restaurant near the airport and just walk around the field and look at the planes.

[Gargleblaster]

Once you've got it (the ppl), and take people on rides, be careful about your attitude. For others it's not like jumping into your car, for them it can be perceived as a potentially life threatening vehicle. Be as trustworthy and professional as you can, no jokes, no bragging. You are the captain, doesn't matter if you're paid to fly 300 people or flying 3 for free. Explain everything. Warn that it is a noisy environment. Explain that the condition of the cockpit and upholstery has nothing to do with safety. Your passengers are actually trusting you with their lives.

Read the book Propellerhed.

[Maoraigh1]

First fly enough solo to get comfortable flying that plane, in varying local weather.
Then find out what kind of flying you enjoy AND can afford. At this point you could convert to other aircraft. If cash is a problem, get into LAA Group or microlight flying.

[OhNoCB]

Something I didn't do at first but did soon after getting my PPL and wish I had done it sooner was to go and safely test my comforts and limits.

It's quite possible that others won't agree but after my first few "I'm a real pilot" flights I spent a few hours doing steep turns, stalls etc. followed by circuits with tailwinds, crosswinds, gusty winds. Doing circuits tighter and tighter to the point were the whole circuits was one low(ish) level turn etc.

I did this stuff making sure that I was doing enough to force concentration without doing so much as to cause fear or panic and I believe it really made me more confident and better for it because I felt far more comfortable doing anything else afterwards knowing what the limits of myself and the aircraft truly were and what I was comfortable with doing. I highly recommend doing the same.

[Corsican]

Foxmoth - funnily enough, I was looking at the Ultimate High website the other day. Given the price with the aeros option, has anyone done a flight instructor rating just to improve the flying skills or is that too much vs something like an advanced PPL course?

[foxmoth]

Yes people do FI ratings for that reason, but you are looking at a lot more flying and ground school for that over an Advanced PPL - plus the FI course does not necessarily teach you the same in the terms of handling skills, in fact I would say the APPL is a good thing to do before a FI course!
I am of course biased, but hopefully you will get someone on that has done one, feedback on the course has always been that it is well worth it.:ok: