From Zero to Forty Five - my PPL Diary

[mazzy1026]

SKILL TEST PART ONE (a)

Knowing that my test was to be on Saturday (4th March) I knew I had to complete 15 minutes more solo in order to qualify for the PPL requirements. So, after 3 days of bad weather, Thursday was finally the day where I could go up and do 1 circuit. I had been going to the flying school each night after work. My instructor and I decided to have one last chat on Friday evening before the test the next day. I turned up on Friday, only to be told that I was an hour short of the solo time – I was shocked, but knew that it must have been a mistake on their records. I scanned over my logbook for about 30 minutes, and it was then, I realised, what a stupid mistake I had made. On my final leg of the QXC from Blackpool to Liverpool, I had written 1 hour 35 instead of 35 minutes. I was indeed an hour short. It was at this point that my whole world seemed to collapse, knowing that I had to do another hour and that the weather the next day was forecast to be good. The financial implications were in the back of my mind also, but not as much of an issue, knowing that the feeling of being able to be a pilot within 24 hours had disappeared. I know your thinking that the school should have checked this earlier, and maybe so, but it is my logbook for which I am responsible for.

After long discussions and planning, it was decided that I would turn up as normal anyway and just take it from there. My instructor phoned the examiner that evening and I hope he never got too much of a telling off! I have to admit I was mortified, completely disgusted with myself. All of the nerves which I had been feeling for a week had disappeared, because I knew I wouldn’t be doing the test.

Anyway, I turned up at 0900 on the day, and was greeted by the examiner. He is a real nice chap, and understood my situation. The fog was very thick that morning, and it was moving so fast to the south – he said to me that I could take an aircraft, do an hour, come back and then maybe do a partial test. I was feeling happier, but still gutted as I could not walk away in the evening, a qualified PPL. The examiner had slots booked after me, and due to the fog, I decided to wait no more than 2 hours before calling it a day. The fog did start to clear, and I was given an aircraft, however, by the time I was ready to go, I was informed that I should wait for the examiner to get the go ahead. After 45 mins or so, he landed, and told me that the vis was excellent, no clouds and no wind, and that I should go off for an hour and enjoy myself. That I did.

I flew north out the zone at Seaforth, and headed over Ormskirk armed with my camera. Got some cracking pictures – went over Wigan, then towards Southport to practice some steep turns and other manoeuvres. I was initially concerned about flying over a country that was completely white – wondering whether or not I would see the features I was so used to, well I have to admit, it was a bit more difficult than usual, but I managed ok! See my snow solo pictures on my photobucket account here:

http://photobucket.com/albums/d52/mazzy1026/

It was a really nice flight actually, my first solo bimble! I was directly behind another instructor who was leaving the zone ahead of me, was amazing seeing them flying in front of me. I rejoined at Kirkby and produced a satisfactory landing. By this time though, the wind had picked up a little and was coming from over the hangars, so there was a little crosswind to contend with.

Upon landing, I discovered that the chap who was due to fly with my examiner later on had cancelled, and I was duly informed that we could complete the whole test, and that we would be taking off within 40 mins…….