PPL question

[IrishJason]

Well lads. Can i just ask a question ? I'll have my ppl completed soon here in ireland. can after i complete this and have all my paper work just hire a air craft and go where i like as such. ie can i say fly from waterford too say germany on a trip with all the stop off's and the like on the way ?? or is there a load of restrictions on me too stay in my own country ? prob a stupid question but im learning as i go

Thanks

[John Farley]

There are two things to consider regarding EVERY flight you make once you have your licence:

1 The paperwork (as I realise you appreciate).
2 You and your capabilities/currency in the type of flight you are considering (as I hope you appreciate – but I have some niggling doubts).

Re 1 The organisation renting you their aeroplane will doubtless have quite a bunch of conditions – some of which you may find quite tiresome in the early days of your career.

Re 2 There are three types of pilot, those who are under-confident, those who are over-confident and those who are about right. Think about that please. If you are serious about popping over to Germany from Ireland as soon as you get your licence (and not just treating it as an example) then I would feel you have more to learn than you realise. I hope that is not the case but if it is then you are well over-confident . Which is dangerous.

[IrishJason]

Dont worry I'm not about too fly anywhere :) I was just asking generally was all. Yes I am new too the game and I am building my way up as I go along but every little counts and the more I know the better.

I'm not over confident at all and i try too my abilities at all times and never cross the line into cocky'ness as in thinking I can do what i want when i want.
All I really wanted too know was it ok too say when i build up my hours and have quite a bit of experence then could this be done and maybe someone's experence at it too see how they got on. The main reason I ask is while I'm on route too my cpl I will be building up and a few long flights may help me out. again I know it all might sound tick too experenced pilots but I'm sure ye started somewhere too :ok:

Thanks

[John Farley]

Glad to hear it Jason

Good luck with completing your licence.

JF

[Ryan5252]

You can't be serious?? Must admit after a tough day this did make me laugh. In the UK you can't do anything until you physically hold the licence and its signed in ink. I am sure similar rules apply with the IAA as it is a JAA licence. You want be able to do circuits with a passenger never mind fly to Germany, though I suspect you already knew this and are just posting for the purpose of a wind-up. Nice one! :ok:

[IRRenewal]

Ryan5252,

Re-read the original post. Although spelling is obviously not Jason's strongest point he did state he was wondering what the score is 'after i complete this and have all my paper work'.

Where did you get the idea from he wants to fly to Germany without physically holding a licence?

[Crash one]

I would think that once you have your licence you are legally entitled to fly wherever you wish. Whether the organisation you hire the a/c from would be happy for you to take it for a day or two rather than an hour or two is another matter. Once your intentions are known to the hirer they may question your current experience & advise you accordingly. But, legally & only legally, yes.
Good luck with your licence.

[Cessna 172S Skyhawk]

I wish there was no so many sarcastic comments on this sight. I have wondered this too and I am glad you have asked.

I suppose you would probably want to have say 75-100 hours or so built up before you take on a trip like this. I think it would probably be best to do something like this with maybe 3 other pilots in a 4 seater.

Does anyone know (or even IrishJason, if you have your licence at this stage), if any groups organise trips like this where everyone pitches in a few quid to fund the trip.

[Jan Olieslagers]

Jason,

Wherever you learned to fly, they ought to be available to you at least for the occasional practical question. You must have some kind of personal relation with at least one instructor, haven't you? I can never imagine any instructor refusing some little practical help to a successful ex-student. More generally: ask, ask, and ask again. And not only on the internet.

As for your eventual flight to Germany: there's the separate issues of long-distance navigation (not a big hurdle with today's technology, but do make sure to have a plan B for every possible failure) and flying over water - a subject already discussed in depth recently at my own initiative, and not for the first time either. If not VERY sure, don't! Many UK pilots seem to consider crossing to Le Touquet a big accomplishment - they might well be right. At the very least, read their stories. Then think.

Ah, and I almost forgot a third issue: other country, other rules, other traditions. Take NOTHING for granted abroad - English language is just one delicate point. Fuel might be another, as can be read elsewhere on these pages.

Come to think of it: your question seemed to aim at the legal aspects - I can't offer any answer there, unacquainted as I am with the Clover & Harp AIP. But practical issues do spring to a pilot's mind, aye they do. Actually the "can I" question should be double:
1) Am I allowed? (which I think was your real question)
2) Am I able? (which may well take some doing - and perfect ability is not of this world, anyway)