Final Words of Advice

[500ft]

Make sure you have fun, it will be hard at times, but often one day it seems you will never get it, then it suddenly clicks

It seems some get all obssesed with how quickly and cheaply you can get your PPL. If your goal is airlines, or having a certificate to put on your wall then never flying again, then ok.

If you're planning to be a bimbler who flys a couple times a month, training once a week may work for you just fine. (I agree a few close together before 1st solo helps). You may take a few extra hours, but it will give you more of a chance to understand what you want to do post PPL and to understand the comittment flying will be, if you continue to do it.

I mean you should actually enjoy the flying whether it is post or pre PPL and you will be spending the money either way.

[DirtyProp]

Get ready to burn loads of money faster than you ever thought possible...

[Gertrude the Wombat]

I give early students or those considering learning to fly two promises only - it's going to take longer than you think and it will cost you more than you think!

I'm sure I remember from when I was a little boy that "everything takes longer and costs more" was quoted as a mythical additional Law of Thermodynamics. But I don't see it described as such these days?

[thing]

Hit it as hard as you can when learning. If you have the money up front then this is not an issue, and I don't mean paying up front! Don't do this; you may have noticed that this has been mentioned...But have the money put aside so that you can fly whenever the weather is flyable and you will find that the learning process becomes so much easier. Learning to fly isn't difficult (can't be, I did it), it's just regular practice that you need, same as any other motor skill.

[Pace]

Thing has a good point to consider. Weather often has a limiting factor and can be very frustrating as well as the desire by some to complete as quickly as possible
Mine took 18 months but at the time that was a financial and family consideration consideration.

To others getting a PPL is a hobby in itself and they like to spread it out.

Others have work or family commitments which means they choose to spread it out but then some want to crack it as fast as possible some on an extended holiday.

Because of our weather those who look at extended holidays may well combine that by going abroad to places like Spain or the USA where bad weather is not such an issue.

Having big breaks is not too good a thing but as long as the breaks are not from flying and you use that flying in worse wind and weather conditions with an instructor rather than chopping through the PPL process that will add to your flying ability.

Those who fly on perfect weather conditions over three weeks get their PPLs but are still not equips to fly in the UK climate
So its your choice how quickly you do the PPL

Pace

[thing]

Pace makes a good point; I meant hit it hard in this country where you will be doing your flying. I was in the lucky position of being able to fly virtually whenever I wanted when learning and although I passed in just over the 45 hours it still took me four months. That's how I personally learn the best, by total immersion. I appreciate that this wouldn't suit everyone.

[The Old Fat One]

Medical--------------------------------Check
School---------------------------------Check
Books----------------------------------Check
Enthusiasm-----------------------------Check
Money---------------------------------Check
Time-----------------------------------Check

Pre PPL list completed.

Nope

Medical--------------------------------Check
School---------------------------------Check
Books----------------------------------Check
Enthusiasm-----------------------------Check
Money---------------------------------Check
Time-----------------------------------Check
Sense of Humour..........................Check

Now it is

[Stan0147]

A genuine thanks to everyone, some things I really hadn't thought about. Not sure where I'm going to get a sense of humour from do they sell these at Flightstore and can I get a hi viz one?

I'll keep you all posted.

[Stan0147]

I thought I'd drag this up from the dim and distant past as to be fair there doesn't seem much else going on.

I've only gone and done it. Skills test past last weekend.

Other than the exams which turned out to be a real, but neccesary chore, everything went quite well. The weather played ball, I only had a few canx sessions and very few huccups. Landings ( a surprise eh?) seemed to elude me for a little while but once I'd figured out my issue it all dropped.

Thanks for you words of last year, I did come back to them a time when the books got too much.

See you at an airfield soon.

Stan

[scifi]

Well done Stan, you now need to check the Met for two airfields...!
.

[Danny42C]

"Don't forget what I've told you !", said Bob Greer to me, 76 years ago, when turning me loose on my first solo.

Never forgot that - or him.

[cavuman1]

Dear Stan 0147,

You are about to embark on a journey of such significance and magnitude that it shall become one of the more memorable accomplishments of your entire life. You will meet amazing humans and do and see things of which you have never dreamed. You will join the brother/sisterhood of those of us who feel what John Gillespie Magee, Jr. expressed with such great and honest eloquence:

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, --and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of --Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air...
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew --
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

Welcome to the SKY, Brother! Don't run out of altitude and ideas at the same time!

- Ed