From Zero to Forty Five - my PPL Diary
The Original Whirly
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Belper, Derbyshire, UK
Posts: 4,326
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can really relate to your engine noises bit. I'm sure I carb heat more than I need to, just in case! Then I worry I'm doing it too much…
Spicy Meatball
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Liverpool UK
Age: 41
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm sure I carb heat more than I need to, just in case!
Hope you manage to untwist them knickers in time for your exam
I Would'nt worry too much about a high level of detail in quasi or stationary fronts, you will probably find there will only be one question on them, perhaps 2. As long as you understand the fundamentals - I am sorry but I dont have my MET book with me or I would help out, I am sat in uni (yes I know it's late) and I should be doing work - but here I am! Best of luck,
Lee
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
mazzy1026 are you flying in a Traumahawk? Is that what most people here are training in? I'm sure it's been mentioned before, but i don't have the patience to go through all the pages!
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Surrey
Age: 43
Posts: 900
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
most of my training has been on a pa38-112, but that went away for its annual in mid november so am currently flying a pa28-161 till my tommy returns. I have to say tho the pa28 is much nicer to fly then the 38. The 38 needs constant attention and it rarely will trim exactly how you want it (comes from having a crappy spring trimmer). The 28 is much more relaxing to fly.
I'm looking forward to touring in the clubs archer when I get my PPL
I'm looking forward to touring in the clubs archer when I get my PPL
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Old Warden
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hurray, hurray, unravelled knickers and passed Met! 
However, no amount of pouting or eyelash fluttering got me a flight, so back to work…
Phew, all exams completed and now I can focus on flying.
I’m in a C150-152, it’s cheap & very forgiving! Hope to convert when qualified. Looked at a share in a Piper Cub but think it's perhaps too soon; perhaps I should get qualified and do a few trips first!
Have a fun flying weekend...
However, no amount of pouting or eyelash fluttering got me a flight, so back to work…
Phew, all exams completed and now I can focus on flying.
I’m in a C150-152, it’s cheap & very forgiving! Hope to convert when qualified. Looked at a share in a Piper Cub but think it's perhaps too soon; perhaps I should get qualified and do a few trips first!
Have a fun flying weekend...
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PA28-161 at EGTB too. Stop showing off Cbert, ours are at least 10 years younger than me, even though they're probably about the same age as yours!
Excellent lesson the other day. Instructor would have let me go solo, but the vis was too poor. Even he lost his visual references in the circuit, so not much hope for me. Very hazy with the low setting sun, but beautiful colours just above the haze layer as well. Take offs and landings now just about sorted (although Thursday was so calm it felt like flying a glideslope with the autopilot engaged! I'll wait to see whether I can still pull off a reasonable landing on a gusty day)
Paul
Excellent lesson the other day. Instructor would have let me go solo, but the vis was too poor. Even he lost his visual references in the circuit, so not much hope for me. Very hazy with the low setting sun, but beautiful colours just above the haze layer as well. Take offs and landings now just about sorted (although Thursday was so calm it felt like flying a glideslope with the autopilot engaged! I'll wait to see whether I can still pull off a reasonable landing on a gusty day)
Paul
Last edited by Hampshire Hog; 5th Dec 2004 at 14:47.
The camel went through the eye of the needle - I passed!
I learned a lot on the test and I think I might do some more instructional work as well.
Two things I learned :
Don't be afraid to pull the power right back to idle if necessary, 1500-1700 rpm on approach is a guide only.
You CAN do steep turns at 500 feet with two notches of flaps at 80 knots, although its a good idea to have the fuel pump on just in case.
While we are trained to be gentle, coordinated and precise, don't be afraid to be rough if necessary to get the required performance.
Now a three week wait for the licence to arrive.
I learned a lot on the test and I think I might do some more instructional work as well.
Two things I learned :
Don't be afraid to pull the power right back to idle if necessary, 1500-1700 rpm on approach is a guide only.
You CAN do steep turns at 500 feet with two notches of flaps at 80 knots, although its a good idea to have the fuel pump on just in case.
While we are trained to be gentle, coordinated and precise, don't be afraid to be rough if necessary to get the required performance.
Now a three week wait for the licence to arrive.
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Cambridge, England, EU
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
You CAN do steep turns at 500 feet with two notches of flaps at 80 knots
At one point my film ran out, whilst we were over a glacier, between two rock walls. "No problem" said the kid who was flying, "you change your film and I'll just stay here".
He proceeded to do a steep turn on the spot until I'd changed the film. But the rock walls were sufficiently close that to get the turn tight enough he had to close the throttle somewhat, not quite how you're taught to do steep turns on the PPL course! (This was at nowhere near 500' above the ice, and nowhere near 500' from the cliffs either side.)
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Wide Brown Land
Age: 39
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey, nice work Sunfish!!
-me? FINALLY got back into an aeroplane this morning... just 1.9 hrs out and back, short nav since I hadn't flown since mid October... wasn't too bad, a bit of fun dodging cloud over the escarpment on the way back in - climbing over and coming back down the other side - then a PFL from 4000' overhead the field. Pleasant morning's work all up. Now to see if I can get the time off work for another try at that Canberra one next week!
Adam
-me? FINALLY got back into an aeroplane this morning... just 1.9 hrs out and back, short nav since I hadn't flown since mid October... wasn't too bad, a bit of fun dodging cloud over the escarpment on the way back in - climbing over and coming back down the other side - then a PFL from 4000' overhead the field. Pleasant morning's work all up. Now to see if I can get the time off work for another try at that Canberra one next week!
Adam
Spicy Meatball
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Liverpool UK
Age: 41
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well done Sunfish - I am envyous of you! Bet you cant wait for it to arrive in the post eh 
GTW - scary stuff, did you actually manage to change the film?
Me is booked in tomorrow at 1200 - I really hope the weather is ok, it should be sunny alright but I am worried whether the wind will stay at bay. Adam, now you can let go of the flight sim, you no longer need that fix (until next week) hehe
Cheers
Lee
GTW - scary stuff, did you actually manage to change the film?
Me is booked in tomorrow at 1200 - I really hope the weather is ok, it should be sunny alright but I am worried whether the wind will stay at bay. Adam, now you can let go of the flight sim, you no longer need that fix (until next week) hehe
Cheers
Lee
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sunfish,
Congratulations! It seems like you've completed your PPL incredibly quickly (compared to someone like me - taking the slow road with the help of the UK weather!).
Keep posting - it would be really interesting to know how those first few hours post-qualification feel. Fly safe!
HH
Congratulations! It seems like you've completed your PPL incredibly quickly (compared to someone like me - taking the slow road with the help of the UK weather!).
Keep posting - it would be really interesting to know how those first few hours post-qualification feel. Fly safe!
HH
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ?
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Its been a long time since i read this board (the last time it was only at page 8 (i think )
Anyways - Mazzy nice to see your still at it - and good luck for your test.
I finally had mine a couple of weeks ago (after nearly 5 years of trying!!) and passed also - that feeling is incredible when the examiner tells you.
But be prepared to be very very tired if you do it all in the one day.
The weather for my test wasn't all that great but the vis beneath the stratus was about 8km+. nice little route around oxfordshire and even had time to admire Silverston (not much but to somebody from north of Hadrians wall still a nice view!)
Had to share it with somebody sorry for butting in!
Cheers all
Anyways - Mazzy nice to see your still at it - and good luck for your test.
I finally had mine a couple of weeks ago (after nearly 5 years of trying!!) and passed also - that feeling is incredible when the examiner tells you.
But be prepared to be very very tired if you do it all in the one day.
The weather for my test wasn't all that great but the vis beneath the stratus was about 8km+. nice little route around oxfordshire and even had time to admire Silverston (not much but to somebody from north of Hadrians wall still a nice view!)
Had to share it with somebody sorry for butting in!
Cheers all
Spicy Meatball
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Liverpool UK
Age: 41
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello flyboy and welcome back - great news on your test, well done
I have had 4 solo's now, and each time they drain energy out of me due to high levels of concentration, so I understand what you mean about being tired, however, I cannot imagine what the skills tets must do to you
Cheers
Lee
I have had 4 solo's now, and each time they drain energy out of me due to high levels of concentration, so I understand what you mean about being tired, however, I cannot imagine what the skills tets must do to you
Cheers
Lee
Spicy Meatball
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Liverpool UK
Age: 41
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Speaking of 4 solo's, I havent written the last one up yet.
Havent really got much to report to be honest, apart from the fact that I only got 2 landings done in 35 mins due to the amount of orbiting I had to do. Loads of traffic this time round, EasyJet's all over the place, and yet another Citation!
One thing is, the controller asked me to remain at the start of the downind leg (I was coming towards the end of xwind). So I was wondering, which way to turn? Bearing in mind I was in a left hand circuit, I chose to turn left, as this seemed natural at the time........should I have turned right perhaps? Not too serious I presume, but worthy of a discussion hehe
Safe flying all - NAV TRAINING SOON
Lee
Havent really got much to report to be honest, apart from the fact that I only got 2 landings done in 35 mins due to the amount of orbiting I had to do. Loads of traffic this time round, EasyJet's all over the place, and yet another Citation!
One thing is, the controller asked me to remain at the start of the downind leg (I was coming towards the end of xwind). So I was wondering, which way to turn? Bearing in mind I was in a left hand circuit, I chose to turn left, as this seemed natural at the time........should I have turned right perhaps? Not too serious I presume, but worthy of a discussion hehe
Safe flying all - NAV TRAINING SOON
Lee