experience/confidence
Pobjoy had spent many years in the Air Cadet gliding organisation which was a great start in getting 'hands on' with aviation although limited when it came to 'breaking out of the circuit'.
My answer was to buy a Turbulent ultra light and 'break out of the circuit'. You start off with local cross country and strip visiting and then extend the range as the weather and circumstances allow. It was easier back then although weather info was limited (I once phoned Gatwick for a route forecast told them my planned route/ height was to be 500 ft and they suggested I ring the AA !!!) Never bothered after that. Being 'on your own' does really concentrate the mind and is great fun plus helps with decision making as long as you remember to have an uncomplicated plan B & C. The truth is you have to get airborne and find out as reading books is ok but no substitute for DOING IT . Six decades later it is still fun with always something to learn, although I also always credit the Air Cadets as being the base factor, because as a staff Cadet we were allowed to make decisions and do the job. I might add that most of the above this was 'non radio'.
Just a quick 'add on' when I first started rather (for a Turbulent ) longer forays away from base it helped to start with a friendly area with a bit of local knowledge.
When I started to extend into the 'unknown', fellow club members were rather surprised on a rather ambitious plan to go from Redhill to Cornwall, my response was to inform them that the machine thought it was only going to Fairoaks and was not worried !!!!!
Last edited by POBJOY; 21st November 2025 at 23:34.