Fixed wing microlight training near Luton

[zeddie]

Hi everyone. I have been following this forum for a while, but this is my first post.:)

I have been looking at doing my PPL for a while now and have finally decided to take the plunge. However a good friend recently suggested that I do a trial flight in a fixed wing microlight of the newer variety such as the C42/Eurostar and get my NPPL instead. This does make sense as my main reason for going for a PPL is purely flying for pleasure. The NPPL(m) seems cheaper, and easier to obtain for this purpose. I dont think I have any real need to do the full PPL on the cessna/piper types since all I really want to do in the future is get up in the air and enjoy myself! I have read similar advice in these forums so am seriously considering this option.

I have been looking for a microlight club in Bedfordshire or Buckinghamshire to get a trail lesson in one of these but cant find any. Yes I have googled and found the bedford microlight club but they do not offer flights in the c42 type fixed wing aircraft. Would anyone be able to recommend one for me in this general area? I dont really want to travel into london or the midlands if i can avoid it..

many thanks for your help!

[Genghis the Engineer]

Flylight Airsports Ltd. - Tuition (http://www.flylight.co.uk/tuition/home.htm)

G

[Rhayader]

Microlight Flying School at Peterborough Conington in Cambridgeshire (http://www.flycb.uk.com/)

This place is about 45 miles from Luton just off the A1. Less than an hour probably.

[zeddie]

Wow, thanks for the fast reply guys. I am giving both of them a ring now to get further details and book a trial.:ok: They are both about over 1 hr away from me with traffic which is ok. Im surprised there are none operating from Cranfield airport.. there seem to be a lot of flying schools there.

[zeddie]

Ok, booked on a introductory flying day at the Microlight school in peterborough on saturday! Cant wait.. :eek: I wonder if there is heating in the cabin :p

thanks again

[The Fenland Flyer]

Good luck with your training :ok:, I hope you enjoy the Eurostar, but if you don't get on with it traveling slightly further will get you to a very nice C-42 at Chatteris airfield Home Page (http://aaa-microlight.co.uk) (with very good cabin heat:))

Don't be too dismissive of the Bedfordshire Microlight Center's Thruster. It's a excellent and fun aircraft to fly and it maybe more the kind of thing that's within your budget if you decided you'd like to buy your own aircraft one day.

[zeddie]

Fenland flyer, thanks for your advice sir.. I will see how the trial goes at peterborough with flycb first and then consider my options. I am trying to keep driving distance to a minimum for obvious reasons but will certainly consider chatteris if i need to.

One question guys.. I notice that the eurostar aircraft at flycb seem to have quite a bare instrument panel (http://www.flycb.uk.com/images/popup-img/gal_pop1.jpg). Is this quite normal? I have seen many videos on youtube of the same aircraft with a much more complete panel inclusive of attitude and heading indicators. I guess they must be different model variations. Just a case of looking at the horizon then!

[Fake Sealion]

I have flown a few hours in a Eurostar and rate it highly. The cockpit visibility is unsurpassed.
You are quite right! This aircraft is cleared for daylight VFR flying only and such things as artificial horizons serve no purpose if this is to be observed at all times.

As a training aircraft they have proabably fitted the aircraft with the basics but you may find one or more of the fleet has some additional instrumentation fitted, either vacuum driven or digital such as the Dynon units.

Its a great little aircraft to fly but be aware it does not cruise all that fast - 90Kts (ish) so getting from A to B can be a bit of a plod. Ideal I suppose for student navigation.

However, when you have your NPPL(M) you can consider flying some of the faster micros such as the Dynamic - 115Kts cruise.

ps the Eurostar I flew had a decent heater too !!

Good luck on Saturday - weather looks a bit breezy though.

[Genghis the Engineer]

A microlight requires:

- Airspeed
- Altitude
- Compass
- Such engine instruments as are required by the engine manufacturer

Complex navigational equipment is fun to play with, but unnecessary and frankly a distraction whilst learning. Most of such installations you'll see in private aircraft or youtube videos are also probably illegal modifications.


Looking them up, Bedford Microlight Centre seem to have a Thruster T600N Sprint. Having flown that and the Eurostar, I think I'd actually slightly favour the Thruster as the better and more rugged training aeroplane - it's just slower than the Eurostar, that's all.

If they're nearer, and presumably cheaper, I'd go with the Thruster.


That said, I think I know most of the instructors at both FlyCB and Flylight - all very good, and they look after their aeroplanes well also. So, you should have a good experience all round.


The instrument panel on the photo you posted looks perfectly normal to me and I've seen much more sparse ones on both light and microlight aeroplanes. Absolutely nothing to worry about - and you'll be taught to keep your head out (where the view is better anyhow) and just glance inside periodically anyhow, so that really is a non-issue.

G

[Alan_D]

Hello, I also live in Luton, and I fly from RAF Halton (near Aylesbury), where I did my PPL training in 2009.
They also have a microlite club with 2x Eurostars and 2x Thrusters. The aeroplane club has 3x C152's, a PA28, a Citabria and an Aquilla, all available to train in.

Halton is about 20 miles from Luton and about 40 minutes drive.
They *do* accept civilian members, and are one of the cheapest places around - and no home landing fees :)

If you'd like more info or to join me on a flight sometime, PM me.

Alan.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Hello, I also live in Luton, and I fly from RAF Halton (near Aylesbury), where I did my PPL training in 2009.
They also have a microlite club with 2x Eurostars and 2x Thrusters. The aeroplane club has 3x C152's, a PA28, a Citabria and an Aquilla, all available to train in.

Halton is about 20 miles from Luton and about 40 minutes drive.
They *do* accept civilian members, and are one of the cheapest places around - and no home landing fees :)

If you'd like more info or to join me on a flight sometime, PM me.

Alan.

Now there's an offer you shouldn't refuse !

G

[zeddie]

Guys I cant thank you enough for all the informative advice you have provided me. I have saved long and hard to do my PPL and just need to make the right decision before I part with my £££. This forum and its members are helping so much in reaching my decision.

Hopefully I will enjoy the flight in the Eurostar on Saturday. I have already had a lesson in a Cessna 172 so I can make the comparisons! NPPL(m) or PPL.. that is the question ;)

You are right Genghis.. I wouldnt dream of refusing that offer! Alan, pm sent :)

[IanPZ]

depending on which side of Luton you are, you could try

Exodus Airsports | Escape to the Sky (http://www.exodusairsports.co.uk/)

About 25 minutes from central Luton

I'm learning there, on a Eurostar, and they have 2, and 2 instructors.

[Fake Sealion]

A 172 and a Eurostar/Thruster is quite a contrast.

I migrated from PPL to Micros as I had already done Night and IR in a previous life and despite my best efforts rarely flew with two seats filled let alone four so I moved to micros and I instantly halved my cost per flying hour.

If you start with NPPL(M) its no problem moving to PPL/NPPL(SSEA) if you feel the need to make use of the utility that can offer you. . . . at a price.

[zeddie]

IanPZ.. all I can say is OMG!! That place sounds Ideal for me. Just 25 mins drive from my house and their prices also look cheaper than flycb in Peterborough.. I wish I had waited a while before I got all excited and booked a trial at flycb :ugh: Oh well, I can always do another trial there next week I suppose :bored:

Ian, how do you find the lessons there and more importantly how are the instructors? I will still do the trial at peterborough on sat but I am really leaning towards Exodus at the moment due to the location as well as the price. I will do a trial there myself, but if you give me your recommendation then ill totally be leaning towards them. I really wished id waited a bit longer for your post as Exodus seem ideal for me.

Fake Sealion (nice name), Yea the cessna i did my trial on was pretty much a dark metal box on wheels.. I still enjoyed it a lot mind you but just from looking at the pictures the Eurostar ev97 looks a lot more airy, modern and bright!

[Alan_D]

They *do* accept civilian members

I just checked, and it turns out that the microlight club are Military only :uhoh: sorry.
(I'm a member of Halton Aeroplane club that's also open to Civilians)

[IanPZ]

Zeddie, Just PMd you. Yes, I would recommend them.

Good luck, and hope to hear from you soon.

IPZ

[rans6andrew]

don't overlook Bedford Microlight Centre @ Sandy. They seem to be a happy crowd. We met them at the Blois Microlight Show.

Rans6...

[zeddie]

Not dismissing the bedford microlight centre for any other reason other than the fact that they dont have one of the more modern microlights such as the eurostar. Really not too keen on flying the thruster..Im sure they are a lovely bunch. I guess I just have my mind set on the eurostar now.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Not dismissing the bedford microlight centre for any other reason other than the fact that they dont have one of the more modern microlights such as the eurostar. Really not too keen on flying the thruster..Im sure they are a lovely bunch. I guess I just have my mind set on the eurostar now.


Which is exactly why most schools now are using something like a Eurostar, C42, CT or Dynamic. Not because they're better aeroplanes (although they're all perfectly good aeroplanes) but because they look new and shiny, and this appeals more to people who don't know much about aeroplanes so can only go on "does it look like a real aeroplane".

I think I've flown most of the more modern microlight aeroplanes - certainly everything that's been discussed in this thread so far, as well as a wide range of light aeroplanes. I choose with my own money for fun mostly to fly a really basic early Thruster. It's cheaper, handles well, and is virtually unbreakable. To be fair, the newer T600N Thrusters are much better aeroplanes than that, but I really wouldn't put much in terms of flying or learning quality and enjoyment between that and the "hot ships".

G

[Vlad the Imbiber]

Hunsdon have an Ikarus C42. Good place. http://www.hunsdonmicrolightclub.info/

[zeddie]

Genghis, I fully appreciate what you are trying to say as you are clearly far more experianced than myself.. and yes its certainly true, that I am another one who has simply fallen for the eurostars shiny new looks and modern image. To me the thruster looks very old and thats something that does put me off, but thats just me and my taste. I dont doubt its still a good aircraft and is safe to fly.

Everyone will have their own reasons and priorities for choosing what to learn on.

[The Fenland Flyer]

Interesting that the discussion so far has centered around type of aircraft, once you start training you'll soon find it's how well you get on with the instructor that's the most important thing not how shiny the aeroplane is :)
Another factor that may or may not be important to you is the social side. learning at an airfield with an active flying club can be a lot of fun, plenty of laughs, a chance to learn from other pilots plus the occasional offers spare seats in different types all add to the fun of learning :ok:

[IanPZ]

I've got to admit Genghis is spot on, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

When I was looking for what I wanted to learn in, and where, I was looking at instructors (did I feel I got on with them) and planes. I was completely wowed by the eurostar, in comparison to not just other microlights, but cessnas etc.

is this the right decision? For now, yes. The right decision is the one that makes me want to go back. Will this be the right decision in 10 lessons time? Who knows, but I can make that decision then. The one thing I was sure of is that at the very beginning, before I have any knowledge of planes, feel for them, etc, the one thing that mattered to me was whether I wanted to go back for the next lesson, and still felt like a schoolboy!

Beyond that, I suspect that I will end up leaning towards something older once I know better. I regularly read posts by a Rans S6 flyer (is it Andrew?) and that he makes it sound like that is the right thing for me in the end.

But hey, whats wrong with making a decision on gut feel if it engages you?

I know one thing. Once I have more experience, I will be coming back to this forum, looking for advice from people like Genghis, Rod1, rans6andrew etc, (all who are VERY sound in their outlook, give good advice, and should be listened to) but for now, I'm happy!

IPZ

[zeddie]

I agree with everything thats been said. IanPZ, yes this is for now just my gut decision.. but also a decision made based on advice I got from a lot of people who have already flown in the eurostar from this forum as well as colleagues and friends. After the trial flight I will know firstly if I enjoy flying in that aircraft.. If thats a :ok:then I will see if I am happy with the instructor as well. I realise I need to get on with him/her for me to benefit fully. Both of those are key factors right now for me. Fenland Flyer, thats a very good point too about the social side of things. I never thought about that before so I will try and get more information from the clubs about that.

At the moment I have a trial lesson with flycb peterborough on sat (weather permitting) and then another one next week at exodus airsports. I will make the choice after the 2 lessons to go with one of these 2 schools. There is another place which Alan mentioned but its looking unlikely because they do not train in microlights.

I will always listen to the advice of the experienced people here such as genghis et al. Theres no doubt about that, and I want to thank all of you again for taking the time to help me. Im taking everything in believe me! I think as IanPZ said, I want to get my own experience in the trials first and see if I am also blown away like he was.. If I feel like a schoolboy again.. if I also have the desire to go back and do it once more. :)

[ChasG]

Wickham air park also has microlights with a none equity share on 2 available for lessons

[IanPZ]

Chas, do wymcombe air park just charge for lessons, or do you have to buy into the syndicate before you can start, and then only pay for the actual instructor and wet time?

[zeddie]

That sounds interesting ChasG. Sent you a pm.

[Winhern]

Flylight at Sywell (Northampton) may be worth a look - they mainly train on Eurostars but do have another type of 3 axis as well.

[Fake Sealion]

Zeddie

Did you manage to make the flight in the Eurostar on Saturday?

[zeddie]

Hello :)

On sat i went down to peterborough all excited because the instructor there assured me the flight will be on in the morning. However, once I got there I was told its cancelled due to high winds but he insisted to go ahead with the "introductory flying day" anyways and talk about the course, the syllabus and costs etc. So we spent a good 2 hrs going through it all.

He then took me down to the bar area to buy me some lunch and did his very best to make me sign up haha. I didnt as I wanted to do my trial flight first to see if I liked it. Also I had major concerns about travel time as it took me 1.2 hrs to get there that day. :sad: He didnt seem to happy about my concerns and that I didnt want to sign up and pay somethign up front. He didnt feel 1.2 hrs travel time was too much.

He took the money off me anyways as he said this was their policy. He rescheduled my trial flight for the coming saturday.. So i guess ill be traveling there again to do the flight. I honestly doubt I will be using them as my school and leaning much more towards Exodus which is just 20 mins away. Having said that, Peterborough business airport is very nice with 2 long fully lit concrete runways. Exodus is a small 330m grass strip which I have been assured is fine for the eurostar! I just think the distance is too great to travel to pborough.

Oh well, so no flight yet. I have a trial booked at exodus on wed afternoon but the forecast isnt looking too great. Then I have the trial at peterborough on sat which I have to do really because Ive paid for it. I just wish the instructor there would have told me before I drove all the way down that we wont be flying in the morning so I didnt have to spend money on petrol and the money for the "flying" day!

[IanPZ]

Hang in there Zeddie. Weather for Wednesday looking good at the moment! Not so much so for my lesson Thursday! IPZ

[Grobber]

Hi Zeddie,

Light Sport Flying Club at Wycombe Air Park may well be a good option for you as you live in Luton. They operate four Eurostars and offer training for the NPPL (M) licence. The way it works is that you pay for training by the hour up to solo standard and then buy into a syndicate to continue the training, paying group wet rate for the aircraft plus an hourly rate for the instructor.

Have a look at their website http://www.lighsportflying.co.uk

[Genghis the Engineer]

And don't pay for any significant flying up front if you can avoid it - this is universal to all flying, microlights or otherwise. The business is just to unstable to risk your money to somebody else's safekeeping.

G

[IanPZ]

Ghengis. I took that to heart from your, and others posts I had read here. When I went to speak to Exodus about it, they actually said exactly the same. They would rather people pay on a per lesson basis, and as such, they offer a minimal discount for paying up front.

Their logic was that paying a large sum sets expectations of lessons, and ends up with the pupil feeling cheated when lessons are cancelled due to bad weather etc. Paying on a per lesson basis keeps the interest and engagement.

Funnily enough, I had the opposite experience to Zeddie this week just gone. I got to the airfield for my lesson, and the weather was marginal. The instructor offered me the option of cancelling, or going through the pre-flight briefing then, and seeing how the weather was when we had finished. We did the briefing, and the weather was still not up to much, so he said we'll cover the briefing again in summary before we fly this week.

I asked how much the lesson was since it was cut short, and he said "nothing. The briefing is part of the lesson."

Seems good to me. I get to cover the briefing twice, which gives me time for stuff to sink in this time, and then apply it next time, and no charge until we fly.

Fingers crossed that Thrusday stays fine enough for me to actually apply the stuff covered in the briefing!

[zeddie]

Genghis, thanks for the advice. I will not pay a large sum in advance even with the associated discounts that club seem to have. It was to his detriment because I was being pressured to pay and sign forms with the promise of a free flight case, books, flight computer and what not.. when i didnt even take a trial flight yet! When someone pressures me I dont like it.

Exodus sounds great IPZ. I cant WAIT to fly!! Enough chatting.. I want to fly!! lol :p

[micromalc]

try exodus airsports just south of St Albans they train on Eurostars

[zeddie]

its where im headed wednesday afternoon.. thanks micromalc :ok:

[IanPZ]

micromalc. Do you fly from exodus then? I've just started learning there. IPZ

[microlightgary]

I have flown a few hours in a Eurostar and rate it highly. The cockpit visibility is unsurpassed.

Au contraire! I think you'll find the Shadow trumps the Eurostar (and everything else) in that regard - well, at least if you're in the front anyway :E

[patowalker]

I think you'll find the Shadow trumps the Eurostar (and everything else) in that regard

Don't be so modest. It also trumps the Eurostar on cockpit decibel levels. :)

[IanPZ]

Never been in a shadow, but always interested in different microlights. But how is the visibility from above. One of the things I loved about the eurostar (and didn't like about things like Cessnas) was the way there was no vision upwards.

What's the shadow like?

[Genghis the Engineer]

From the front cockpit, visibility from the Shadow front cockpit is absolutely superb - a bit of distortion from the curved canopy, which tends to ruin your attempts to take good photos from the cockpit, but from a flying perspective really very good indeed.

Just look at one...

http://www.adventureflyers.asn.au/sept04/pics/p8pic1.JPG

G

[IanPZ]

Is that single seater, or is there another tucked in the back? Looks a bit cramped. Is it?

[Genghis the Engineer]

Oh the rear cockpit is tiny, cramped, with very little forward view. It's the blackened out windows under the wing (they're usually clear, it's just this picture). Good view sideways, and a bit less cramped with the small extended footwell that you can see under the pilot's backside.

It is a bit of a 1 + occasional passenger aeroplane, you'd not want to always fly with a full size adult in the back, they'd start to complain. But occasional trips, or kids, are fine.

G

[IanPZ]

So, an interesting option for when I pass.

Hmm, I suspect that won't be for a year, given the rate at which I've missed lessons due to the weather. Roll on summer, is what i say!

Ta. IPZ

[zeddie]

Hi all,

Had my trial flight at exodus today. Went really well! First time I have flown in the eurostar and I must say the visibility out was simply stunning. The plane took off in such a short field and shot up like a rocket! (well in comparison to the cessna i flew in before) Plaistows is a very small farm strip and I still remember asking Rob where the runway was..His reply: "um we;re on it!"

The only issues I had was that there was no attitude indicator or heading indicator in the plane which is something im quite used to on flight sim as well as on the cessna flight. It was tricky to maintain straight and level just by looking at the horizon. I guess this will improve as I start my proper lessons. I am also quite short being 5'5 and it would have really helped if the seat could move. Rob said he would give me a cushion next time :O We landed at another farm strip (bovington i believe) and did some circuits around there. Obviously Rob was doing most of the flying but he let me handle the controls as much as possible. I also found it very difficult to locate the short grass runways from the air. Its far easier to spot a long concrete runway with lights! This is all part of the challenge though so Im going to go for it.

Rob seems like a great guy and on initial impression a very good instructor. I like the fact that the club is very simple. They did not try to force anything on me, or ask me to sign up for blocks of lessons. I prefer to pay as you go and so did Rob. I like the fact that it took me 20 mins to get there. I really enjoyed the time there and have decided to sign up with them to start and hopefully finish my nppl in the eurostar.

My first proper lesson is on the 29th and then every weekend after that. I aim to do a lesson a week. Want to thank IPZ for informing abt exodus and the rest of the people on this thread who have guided me and helped me make the decision. Here we go!

[IanPZ]

Zeddie, had my lesson today. Damn you for stealing all the good weather!!

[zeddie]

oh great!! how did it go? Was the weather a little turbulent today? :s

[Genghis the Engineer]

Hi all,

Had my trial flight at exodus today. Went really well! First time I have flown in the eurostar and I must say the visibility out was simply stunning. The plane took off in such a short field and shot up like a rocket! (well in comparison to the cessna i flew in before) Plaistows is a very small farm strip and I still remember asking Rob where the runway was..His reply: "um we;re on it!"

The only issues I had was that there was no attitude indicator or heading indicator in the plane which is something im quite used to on flight sim as well as on the cessna flight. It was tricky to maintain straight and level just by looking at the horizon. I guess this will improve as I start my proper lessons. I am also quite short being 5'5 and it would have really helped if the seat could move. Rob said he would give me a cushion next time :O We landed at another farm strip (bovington i believe) and did some circuits around there. Obviously Rob was doing most of the flying but he let me handle the controls as much as possible. I also found it very difficult to locate the short grass runways from the air. Its far easier to spot a long concrete runway with lights! This is all part of the challenge though so Im going to go for it.

Rob seems like a great guy and on initial impression a very good instructor. I like the fact that the club is very simple. They did not try to force anything on me, or ask me to sign up for blocks of lessons. I prefer to pay as you go and so did Rob. I like the fact that it took me 20 mins to get there. I really enjoyed the time there and have decided to sign up with them to start and hopefully finish my nppl in the eurostar.

My first proper lesson is on the 29th and then every weekend after that. I aim to do a lesson a week. Want to thank IPZ for informing abt exodus and the rest of the people on this thread who have guided me and helped me make the decision. Here we go!


A few comments.

I've known Rob since he won a scholarship aged 16 to do his PPL, and (over quite a lot of years) since then he's built up an excellent reputation for both ability and integrity. I think you'll be fine with him.

If your Cessna instructor was happy to let you make ANY use of the artificial horizon on an early lesson, you are definitely better off not going back there. Almost all PPL flying and training is about visual flying with your head out of the cockpit, not fixated on instruments. This is irrespective of aircraft class.

I'm about your height, and use cushions for flying in many aeroplanes, as do lots of other people. It's just one of those things - few aeroplanes have much seat adjustment. Don't use a very soft springy cushion for safety reasons - use something good and firm, best of all from dynafoam.

You are right, finding small grass runways can be a challenge. You'll get the hang of it.

G

[IanPZ]

Zeddie,

I found the answer to finding the runway.....just look out for the pylons, and its just beyond them :-)

Luckily for me, to help, the farmer who owns the field built a huge fire nearby, which did make spotting it somewhat easier.

Good luck next Saturday. IPZ

[batninth]

I also found it very difficult to locate the short grass runways from the air. Its far easier to spot a long concrete runway with lights! This is all part of the challenge though so Im going to go for it.Nearing the end of my training, I went with my instructor to find the farm strip where the aircraft I ended up buying a share of was based. I'd been by car before but not arrived by air.

"Can't see it" said I, to which the reply from my instructor was "I can"
"So where is it?"
"It's the field with a tree in it!".......
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5285/5376438304_19a911cec8.jpg"

[zeddie]

Genghis, many thanks for your comments. Yes Rob does indeed seem to be very genuine and certainly a skilled pilot. Im sure I will enjoy learning from him. Yes the cessna instructor at cranfield did want me to look at the attitude indicator a lot specially when doing turns etc to look at my bank angle and pitch. So naturally I assumed every plane has one! Its a learning experience. Dynafoam.. I will certainly try and find a suitable cushion for myself. I need something to sit on and something to support my back too as the pedals are not so comfortable to reach at the moment. On my first lesson I will try the one Rob has to offer and see if it helps :p

IPZ, thanks for the tip about the pylons! Ill watch for them in my first lesson. Although I hope that farmer will light a fire for me too!

Batninth, thats pretty funny! Is there meant to be a runway in that picture though!? I certainly cant see it!:rolleyes:

[batninth]

Is there meant to be a runway in that picture though!? I certainly cant see it!:rolleyes:

There are two, the farm strip & an RAF base

To find the farm strip follow the disused railway that runs from the bottom right. About 3/4 of the way up the picture you'll see a building with a white roof (food processing plant) just to the left of the railway. Go right, just over the railway and there is a field that looks like a diamond shape, sqashed to be long & thin, and canted at 45degrees bottom left to top right. The instructor was actually being truthful as well as flippant, there is a single tree on the right-hand side about halfway up the field.

The RAF base is on the very right hand edge, follow the wing strut up, and then the vertical strengthener. Just where it dissapears off the picture there is a dark grey patch, that is the sothern end of the runway.

If you want to confirm what you've found, I've put a larger version here (http://flic.kr/p/9ceZhw) with annotations to show you, and a close up of the farm strip here (http://flic.kr/p/9cc3MH)

Don't worry about not being able to see it in a photo, it's easier when you're moving around.

[wacits]

Zeddie / IanPZ
great to see you are learning in one of the Eurostar at exodus. A few things.
IanPZ there are a few shadows at plaistows and am sure if you ask someone they will take you up in it.

Lesson bookings, book as many as you can because at least 1/2 will be cancelled by bad weather. then you will be 4-6 weeks when you get round to flying again and in the early days you will be going backwards....

get to love xcweather, the met office and all weather channels as your interest in the weather will go from Zero to Mega..

Google earth the air field or better still look for butterfly world big butterfly on the foot of 30.

regards

Wayne

[IanPZ]

Wayne,

Are you the Wayne who has just started sorting out the club night side of things? If so, sorry I couldn't get to the last one, and looking forward to the next one!

Yeah, the weather thing....I know what you mean. I've lost 2-3 lessons to the weather so far, although personally I blame Zeddie! He stole all the sunshine....according to XCweather he's gonna do it again this coming weekend :-) (No hard feelings Z).

As for finding it, I reckon once I relax into the whole flying thing, then looking for stuff gets easier. For the minute, I am more than happy to put all my trust in Rob finding the way back.

Are you learning there, or already passed?

Either way, if you are likely to be around this weekend, let Z and me know. He's there Sat, and I am Sunday. Be good to meet you. IPZ

[zeddie]

Batninth - Thanks for that enlarged picture. I need to train my eyes to spot different shades of green!

Wacits - Yep I have tried to book as many as I can for now doing at least 4 a month if not more. Im pretty sure some will be cancelled due to weather as you said. Unfortunately until the end of March Rob has all his weekends booked which is when I am free. I have done week days for Feb/March so had to book days off work for this. Hopefully the weather will be ok otherwise thats a lot of annual leave wasted!

Had a look at google earth and I see butterfly world. This can be quite a useful marker. thanks. Also as IPZ said, do let us know if you will be around this weekend..would be good to meet everyone!

IPZ - Yea Rob said the same thing. Concentrate on flying the plane in the first few lessons and as time passes you will learn to navigate. Hah, hope the weathers good for BOTH of us this weekend ;)