Another year of flying
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Another year of flying
I was trawling through past threads and found this one http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...threadid=74807 started by FFF this time last year, thought it was a good thread and perhaps folks would like to give us an update on how 2003 went for them.
For me:
2003
- Got my PPL(A) in August after 45 hrs
- Gained my Night rating in December
2004, hope to
- Complete my first Irish sea crossing
- Get some aerobatic training
- Have a bash at the Black Bottle challenge
- Complete my first channel crossing
- Gain IMC rating
- Buy a share
For me:
2003
- Got my PPL(A) in August after 45 hrs
- Gained my Night rating in December
2004, hope to
- Complete my first Irish sea crossing
- Get some aerobatic training
- Have a bash at the Black Bottle challenge
- Complete my first channel crossing
- Gain IMC rating
- Buy a share
Why do it if it's not fun?
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Gulp - I'd forgotten all about that 
Ok, let's see what my plans were for this year. Hmm - seems like I haven't done too badly.
I wanted to pass the second half of my ATPL exams. I did that.
I wanted to get an IMC rating. I did that.
I wanted to get a CPL. I did that.
I wanted to get a Tiger Moth checkout. Didn't manage that. I did log 1.5 hours on a Tiger Moth, and loved every minute of it, but a combination of time and money meant that I couldn't finish it off. Instead, I got a sea-plane rating - does that count?
It was a mixed year, though, because I also had my first (and, I sincerely hope, last) aeroplane accident. It was minor, no one hurt, a few lessons to be learnt, and also a serious reduction in flying while the aircraft was repaired, but it put a damper onto what would, otherwise, have been a very successful flying year.
My plans for next year? Much simpler than last year. I aim to be being paid for flying by this time next year, most likely as an instructor.
I'd be very interested to know what everyone else has done this year - especially if you posted on my thread last year, in which case did you acheive what you wanted to? And if not, why not, and did you do anything else instead?
FFF
----------------
Ok, let's see what my plans were for this year. Hmm - seems like I haven't done too badly.
I wanted to pass the second half of my ATPL exams. I did that.
I wanted to get an IMC rating. I did that.
I wanted to get a CPL. I did that.
I wanted to get a Tiger Moth checkout. Didn't manage that. I did log 1.5 hours on a Tiger Moth, and loved every minute of it, but a combination of time and money meant that I couldn't finish it off. Instead, I got a sea-plane rating - does that count?
It was a mixed year, though, because I also had my first (and, I sincerely hope, last) aeroplane accident. It was minor, no one hurt, a few lessons to be learnt, and also a serious reduction in flying while the aircraft was repaired, but it put a damper onto what would, otherwise, have been a very successful flying year.
My plans for next year? Much simpler than last year. I aim to be being paid for flying by this time next year, most likely as an instructor.
I'd be very interested to know what everyone else has done this year - especially if you posted on my thread last year, in which case did you acheive what you wanted to? And if not, why not, and did you do anything else instead?
FFF
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Well last year I said...
Well I watched rain fall until March, and haven't quite made it to 100 hours yet - logged around 50 hours (so far ) this year for a total of around 95. Wx permitting I might still make it.
Did a bit more than "nothing in particular" though; six new types (3 different Robins, 172, Citabria and Falconar) , 14/15ths of an IMC
which may still get finished this year, a few hours of aeros 
and 10 on taildraggers - and i've just acquired a fifth of a PFA taildragger based at Goodwood (an all-PPRuNer group, although I guess not all as addicted as me). Didn't expect that a year ago.
Next year? Well 1/15th of an IMC, plenty more aeros and lots of taildragging to interesting places. Still got to fly myself to a PPRuNe fly-in (rather than be flown). I've got some other plans in mind too, will see if they happen. Maybe I should say "nothing in particular" again, seems to have worked well....
watched rain fall (October -> present)
Next year? Nothing in particular other than get to the 100 hour mark. Maybe start the IMC when the weather gets crappy again...
Next year? Nothing in particular other than get to the 100 hour mark. Maybe start the IMC when the weather gets crappy again...
) this year for a total of around 95. Wx permitting I might still make it. Did a bit more than "nothing in particular" though; six new types (3 different Robins, 172, Citabria and Falconar) , 14/15ths of an IMC
which may still get finished this year, a few hours of aeros and 10 on taildraggers - and i've just acquired a fifth of a PFA taildragger based at Goodwood (an all-PPRuNer group, although I guess not all as addicted as me). Didn't expect that a year ago. Next year? Well 1/15th of an IMC, plenty more aeros and lots of taildragging to interesting places. Still got to fly myself to a PPRuNe fly-in (rather than be flown). I've got some other plans in mind too, will see if they happen. Maybe I should say "nothing in particular" again, seems to have worked well....
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2003: Got my IMC issued. Got checked out on a complex (Arrow). Hired a PA-28 from Jersey and spent a few days touring around France with an A340 captain mate of mine. Bought into a syndicate (TB-20). Started my JAA IR Ground school... very slowly
Carbonfibre-based lifeform
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I was just thinking about the old thread at the weekend.
A good flying year for me, with the exception of one major setback:
A good flying year for me, with the exception of one major setback:
- Upgraded NPPL to PPL/Night
- Aeroplane destroyed by vandals
- Got IMC rating while waiting for insurance
- Bought replacement aeroplane
- Fulfilled new year's resolution to fly myself outside the UK at least once each month
- Added a few new countries and a lot of new airfields to my logbook
- Checked out on SR20 and SR22 and had a great touring holiday around France in the former
- Didn't get around to doing a tailwheel course
- Didn't do any aeros either
- Do a tailwheel course
- Do an aeros course
- Try to keep aeroplane safe
- More touring
- Have a go in a flexwing microlight when it gets warmer again
Last edited by Fly Stimulator; 14th Dec 2003 at 00:24.
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Mmm.
Good and bad.
This year:
* Bought a new plane - broke it straight away! (should be flying again soon once I can get the Bl@@dy thing to go)
* Spent a lot of time working on my Fury - still not flying.. rahhh!
* Had some really nice trips in the Cub - Duxford was good..!
* Finally got the Spezio flying after 3 years yey. Then sold it
* Scared myself stupid in the Fred - loss of control at 150ft..
* Crash landed the Fred after an engine failure - Still being repaired.
* sold the Talorcraft (was a bit of a dog he he)
* introduced my friend to flying - he's now having lessons.
* logged 86 hrs so far this year - that's low for me, I've been busy working you see.
Next year:
*Take my Cub to Normandy to celebrate the 60th anniversary of D-Day.
* Get the Fury back in the air.
* think about doing my CPL (I want to instruct)
* spend less time tinkering, more time flying (yeah right)
* do Dawn to Dusk
* do some flying in the states
* fly into more 'real' airfields before my procedural skills slip.
* do some gliding, maybe buy a K6 or something..
Let's see how I do...
Kingy
Good and bad.
This year:
* Bought a new plane - broke it straight away! (should be flying again soon once I can get the Bl@@dy thing to go)
* Spent a lot of time working on my Fury - still not flying.. rahhh!
* Had some really nice trips in the Cub - Duxford was good..!
* Finally got the Spezio flying after 3 years yey. Then sold it
* Scared myself stupid in the Fred - loss of control at 150ft..
* Crash landed the Fred after an engine failure - Still being repaired.
* sold the Talorcraft (was a bit of a dog he he)
* introduced my friend to flying - he's now having lessons.
* logged 86 hrs so far this year - that's low for me, I've been busy working you see.
Next year:
*Take my Cub to Normandy to celebrate the 60th anniversary of D-Day.
* Get the Fury back in the air.
* think about doing my CPL (I want to instruct)
* spend less time tinkering, more time flying (yeah right)
* do Dawn to Dusk
* do some flying in the states
* fly into more 'real' airfields before my procedural skills slip.
* do some gliding, maybe buy a K6 or something..
Let's see how I do...
Kingy
Simplicate and Add Lightness
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A Good Year
All in all, an excellent flying year for me I think.
* February - Finally took & passed GFT
* April - Realised club hire was not for me, hunted around for a group
* May - Found a great 172 group at my local field, converted to type - including a cross-channel trip.
* Late May - First solo trip over water (OK - only the Solent
). First Crab & Lobster experience!
* June - Marginal WX flight to my first PPRuNe fly-in (Sherburn)
* July - Flew the group plane back from Land's End (longest single leg so far). Flew in to RAF Mona.
* August - First P1 international trip, to Galway and back.
* September - Organised a 'works' fly-out to L2K.
* November - Started IMC training.
I'll log about 55 hours this year.
Next year I'd like to...
* Finish IMC.
* Have a couple of glider lessons
* Do a long international trip (Estonia?)
* Visit friends near Aberdeen
* Maybe think about a faster steed
And finally - get my front teeth fixed properly
* February - Finally took & passed GFT
* April - Realised club hire was not for me, hunted around for a group
* May - Found a great 172 group at my local field, converted to type - including a cross-channel trip.
* Late May - First solo trip over water (OK - only the Solent
). First Crab & Lobster experience!* June - Marginal WX flight to my first PPRuNe fly-in (Sherburn)
* July - Flew the group plane back from Land's End (longest single leg so far). Flew in to RAF Mona.
* August - First P1 international trip, to Galway and back.
* September - Organised a 'works' fly-out to L2K.
* November - Started IMC training.
I'll log about 55 hours this year.
Next year I'd like to...
* Finish IMC.
* Have a couple of glider lessons
* Do a long international trip (Estonia?)
* Visit friends near Aberdeen
* Maybe think about a faster steed
And finally - get my front teeth fixed properly
The Original Whirly
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I didn't post on FFF's thread last year, which surprises me!
This year I.....
* Got my helicopter instructor's rating.
* Got a part time instructing job.
* Got current on f/w flying again (though that didn't last)
* Spent 5 days flying in the Highlands and Islands, including fulfilling a longheld ambition to land on Barra.
* Bought a share in a C150 (which has been stuck the other end of the country on maintenance ever since)
Next year I want to....
* Do more helicopter instructing than I am now
* Do some more f/w flying
* Get an IMC
* Possibly do a taildragger conversion
* Fly a floatplane
* Have a flying holiday in Europe
This year I.....
* Got my helicopter instructor's rating.
* Got a part time instructing job.
* Got current on f/w flying again (though that didn't last)
* Spent 5 days flying in the Highlands and Islands, including fulfilling a longheld ambition to land on Barra.
* Bought a share in a C150 (which has been stuck the other end of the country on maintenance ever since)
Next year I want to....
* Do more helicopter instructing than I am now
* Do some more f/w flying
* Get an IMC
* Possibly do a taildragger conversion
* Fly a floatplane
* Have a flying holiday in Europe
High Flying Bird
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This year I wanted to
I did do a few more hours in the Chippie and 35 minutes in a Cap10b with Cas Smith though. But at the weekend I'll be spending some time with an examiner to renew my licence...
- Get my tailwheel sign off
- Start my IMC
- Do some aeros training
- Enter the BWPA Chairwoman's Challenge again
I did do a few more hours in the Chippie and 35 minutes in a Cap10b with Cas Smith though. But at the weekend I'll be spending some time with an examiner to renew my licence...
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Last year I predicted:
2003 Outlook
-----------------
More aeros comps
More fun flying
A x-channel Balbo with Pitts-mates
Achieved all of the above! 84.2hrs to date with hopefully another 2 or 3 before year end!
In addition, I helped out a couple of friends with some maintenance issues and spare parts. Am custodian of a lovely single seater till the owner returns from working overseas next summer.
Have enjoyed watching Arclite01 become quite proficient in the HAL26.
Well next year is already pretty mapped out: more of the above and an upgrade of my provisional DA to a real DA
PLUS
sometime between Chrimbo and New Year I take delivery of a 40' ICAO container and spend 2004, 2005 and a bit of 2006 cutting, shaping and welding all the bits in the box together to make an aeroplane again!! And again - as I bought enough 4130, T6/T3 ally and spruce to make two!
Still need at least one Lyc O360A4A, A4M or B4A.
Safe and fun flying to all.
Stik
2003 Outlook
-----------------
More aeros comps
More fun flying
A x-channel Balbo with Pitts-mates
Achieved all of the above! 84.2hrs to date with hopefully another 2 or 3 before year end!
In addition, I helped out a couple of friends with some maintenance issues and spare parts. Am custodian of a lovely single seater till the owner returns from working overseas next summer.
Have enjoyed watching Arclite01 become quite proficient in the HAL26.
Well next year is already pretty mapped out: more of the above and an upgrade of my provisional DA to a real DA
PLUS
sometime between Chrimbo and New Year I take delivery of a 40' ICAO container and spend 2004, 2005 and a bit of 2006 cutting, shaping and welding all the bits in the box together to make an aeroplane again!! And again - as I bought enough 4130, T6/T3 ally and spruce to make two!
Still need at least one Lyc O360A4A, A4M or B4A.
Safe and fun flying to all.
Stik
Last edited by stiknruda; 11th Dec 2003 at 05:57.
Not so N, but still FG
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Well, I managed a bit more than 35 minutes in a Cap 10b, but did not have a vintage flying year (although I did a small amount of vintage flying, in a SuperCub and also in a super Cub, enjoying the latter more than the former). Missed large chunks of the summer flying weather, was forced by circumstances too tedious to relate to sell my aircraft share (though the group still let me rent it, thanks guys), and generally got a bit ground-bound for a while.
Didn't do any courses or ratings, didn't significantly improve my aeros, still didn't read the 97,000 page GPS manual. Missed Project Propeller. Carelessly allowed self to get bounced and shot down by that Chipmunk out of Booker, again. Did fly widdershins all around London without bumping into Beelzebub as legend had predicted that I would. Did some jolly foreign flying.
Next year's plans:
Stop being rubbish at stall turns.
Keep promise to fly to visit friends near Nice.
Solo a glider.
Don't miss Project Propeller.
Think a bit more about doing an IMC.
Think long and hard about buying into a certain Cub I know of.
Oh, and this time, shoot down that Chipmunk.
Didn't do any courses or ratings, didn't significantly improve my aeros, still didn't read the 97,000 page GPS manual. Missed Project Propeller. Carelessly allowed self to get bounced and shot down by that Chipmunk out of Booker, again. Did fly widdershins all around London without bumping into Beelzebub as legend had predicted that I would. Did some jolly foreign flying.
Next year's plans:
Stop being rubbish at stall turns.
Keep promise to fly to visit friends near Nice.
Solo a glider.
Don't miss Project Propeller.
Think a bit more about doing an IMC.
Think long and hard about buying into a certain Cub I know of.
Oh, and this time, shoot down that Chipmunk.
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Good thread.
This year:
Went on my first flying tour
Logged 155 hours
Got FAA IR
Did a complex check out
Changed jobs, thought seriously about flying for a living and decided not
Got IMC
Did the AOPA aeros course (nearly)
Bought a plane (OK not till next week but who's counting)
Next year:
Work out how to use that IMC and fly IFR in non-airway, non-radar environment
Join IO540's Group B (GPS thread) and see the world
Fly somewhere to ski
Fly somewhere to sail
Parachute out of a plane (once only)
Try to avoid personal bankruptcy
This year:
Went on my first flying tour
Logged 155 hours
Got FAA IR
Did a complex check out
Changed jobs, thought seriously about flying for a living and decided not
Got IMC
Did the AOPA aeros course (nearly)
Bought a plane (OK not till next week but who's counting)
Next year:
Work out how to use that IMC and fly IFR in non-airway, non-radar environment
Join IO540's Group B (GPS thread) and see the world
Fly somewhere to ski
Fly somewhere to sail
Parachute out of a plane (once only)
Try to avoid personal bankruptcy
Official PPRuNe Chaplain
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Hey stik!
What're you building, then?
Meanwhile...
Aim for 2003: have fun, avoid crashing.
Achieved both. Not as much flying as I'd have liked, but I finished a long and hard academic study.
Did have a few fun sessions poling a friend's Yak52. It's "different" from a PA28!!!
Aim for 2004: go to USA and do a goodly chunk of flying; use the FAA IR in anger for the first time. Have fun; avoid crashing.
What're you building, then?
Meanwhile...
Aim for 2003: have fun, avoid crashing.
Achieved both. Not as much flying as I'd have liked, but I finished a long and hard academic study.
Did have a few fun sessions poling a friend's Yak52. It's "different" from a PA28!!!
Aim for 2004: go to USA and do a goodly chunk of flying; use the FAA IR in anger for the first time. Have fun; avoid crashing.
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Not a bad thread at all!
At the beginning of this year I had 390 hours with a CAA PPL.
This year:
Next Year:
Happy Christmas to all.
Best wishes,
Charlie Zulu.
At the beginning of this year I had 390 hours with a CAA PPL.
This year:
- FAA IR in July 2003
- FAA CPL 4 days later
- Flown through the 500 hour mark a couple of months ago
Next Year:
- ATPL Written Exams (at least the first module)
- FAA Multi Add-On
- FAA Sea Plane Rating
- Maybe an FAA CFI ticket as well
- A shed load of hours...
- Lots of time in America (Keef please look after our favourite "airplane")
- Find an N reg aeroplane in this country to buy a share in...
- Above all else... safe flying.
Happy Christmas to all.
Best wishes,
Charlie Zulu.
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Beginning of this year I had 195 hours and was thinking of stopping flying, due to nothing new on the horizon (CAA PPL/IMC/Night/Lapsed Multi) - however :
2003
Introduced to RHS of Citation II, lots of time (which can't be logged yet!)
Renewed multi-rating, followed by building up the multi hours on an Aztec
Did the FAA PPL / Instrument / CPL writtens - all good passes.
2004
Off to USA to do FAA CPL and IR (all multi-engined)
More Citation (loggable hopefully) and Aztec time
Possible Citation type rating
At which point I shall be broke - but with a big smile
:2003
Introduced to RHS of Citation II, lots of time (which can't be logged yet!)
Renewed multi-rating, followed by building up the multi hours on an Aztec
Did the FAA PPL / Instrument / CPL writtens - all good passes.
2004
Off to USA to do FAA CPL and IR (all multi-engined)
More Citation (loggable hopefully) and Aztec time
Possible Citation type rating
At which point I shall be broke - but with a big smile
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Last year I said...
Which I did - on 11th December 2002, which means today is... MT BIRTHDAY. Not my official birthday, but my 'Pilot Birthday'. I reckon we should all celebrate this momentus day in our flying careers, after all, even the queen has two birthdays and she hasn't even soloed yet (as far as I know)
Anyway, since last year I've:
logged 38hrs of P1 time
got checked out in the Robin 2160
got my FAA reciprocal license and flown in Florida
got checked out in the pa38 in Scotland
got huge credit card bills....
Next year:
more US flying
get that taildragger training done
I'm determined to get the license before the end of the year
Anyway, since last year I've:
logged 38hrs of P1 time
got checked out in the Robin 2160
got my FAA reciprocal license and flown in Florida
got checked out in the pa38 in Scotland
got huge credit card bills....
Next year:
more US flying
get that taildragger training done
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2003:
*Got my PPL in 36 hours (Don't ask!)
*Hit 90 hours SLMG (Military)
*Started my Night Rating
Aims for 2004:
*Complete my Nigt Rating
*Find someone down south who does taildragger/SLMG skills test
*Start my IR
*Work more and get more money for an ATPL
All in all...not a bad year for a very skint 18 year old!
*Got my PPL in 36 hours (Don't ask!)
*Hit 90 hours SLMG (Military)
*Started my Night Rating
Aims for 2004:
*Complete my Nigt Rating
*Find someone down south who does taildragger/SLMG skills test
*Start my IR
*Work more and get more money for an ATPL
All in all...not a bad year for a very skint 18 year old!
This Year - Next Year
Re Read last years post, as usual didn't get to do the things I intended, didn't go far and didn't visit France (at least not by air), the club lost the use of the 172 so I never did get to fly it in England.
I did fly twice in Tenerife in a 172, out of Reina Sofia, including a practise ILS and some interesting VFR departures.
Also flew an ex-Stapleford 152 in Heraklion. 7,000 ft to get over the mountains is hard work in a 152 on a 30 C day !!!!
Apart from that pottered around southern England, made first visits to Goodwood and Sandown and did my biannual "instruction flight" at Plymouth.
Next year ??? Who knows. What I should do is an IMC and Night ratings. I will be off to Tenerife again on Orville and Wilbur's 100th anniversary, so will be airborne in a BMI A321, shame I haven't got my "hands on" for that occasion, but at least I'll be flying.
I intend to fly the 172 again in Tenerife and then whenever I can will probably just bimble about, circumnavigating the Gatwick Zone and so on.
Whatever I do, flying will always be fun.
Have a Merry Christmas and a very airborne New Year.
Dave
I did fly twice in Tenerife in a 172, out of Reina Sofia, including a practise ILS and some interesting VFR departures.
Also flew an ex-Stapleford 152 in Heraklion. 7,000 ft to get over the mountains is hard work in a 152 on a 30 C day !!!!
Apart from that pottered around southern England, made first visits to Goodwood and Sandown and did my biannual "instruction flight" at Plymouth.
Next year ??? Who knows. What I should do is an IMC and Night ratings. I will be off to Tenerife again on Orville and Wilbur's 100th anniversary, so will be airborne in a BMI A321, shame I haven't got my "hands on" for that occasion, but at least I'll be flying.
I intend to fly the 172 again in Tenerife and then whenever I can will probably just bimble about, circumnavigating the Gatwick Zone and so on.
Whatever I do, flying will always be fun.
Have a Merry Christmas and a very airborne New Year.
Dave