From Zero to Forty Five - my PPL Diary
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Whirly,
I had the experience of spacial disorientation in cloud, at night, up front in a 737 a few years ago. In the LAM hold for EGLL. I could have sworn we were turning the other way, but the instruments told the true story. A lesson I've never forgotten.
HH
I had the experience of spacial disorientation in cloud, at night, up front in a 737 a few years ago. In the LAM hold for EGLL. I could have sworn we were turning the other way, but the instruments told the true story. A lesson I've never forgotten.
HH
Spicy Meatball
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First full-on nav lesson
I took a lot on board today, and I am starting to learn the true value of flying - how to get places! We had a about 2 hours sat down with all my equipment laid out and he went through the very basics of Navigation, from the curvature of the earth and LAT/LONG lines, all the way to the numbers that go round the compass. It is good because he laid it out in a way that I had never actually thought of before, and it all helped my understanding a great deal. For anyone starting NAV - dont miss out the basic simple stuff, it all forms part of a big picture.
The main area for now was to learn how to calculate heading required and groundspeed, given a certain wind condition (this all done using the whizz wheel - by the way I have the ARC-1 from AFE, anyone got this? I have some questions about it later). He drew a straight line, which was a True Track (very important) and it represented us flying A to B. Then we went through all the necessary steps as to calculate the required heading to fly, and what are grounspeed would be (with 90kts airspeed). At first this seemed all very daunting - but as we went through each stage seperately, and I made of a note of what to do (in logical order), it all started to fit into place, and I was actually enjoying what I was doing (sad arent I)
Anyway, it all went well, but the fact it, as I left the building, I knew that by about 8pm I would have forgotten it and would need to go over it more (no way anyone would take this on first time) - I knew I was in for some serious practice in order to get it right. So I gave it a go in the evening, and honestly couldnt understand some of my notes - I went over it again and again (also using the instruction manual that came with it - this has slightly different methods though) and in the end I had cracked it - I made some further notes that were easier to understand, so at least when I come back to it (I will definately need my notes again) I can do it successfully.
I would like to thank Blinkz for his help on MSN in this subject - it was a good introduction and he was very (very) patient with me - cheers
I look forward to writing the next post - which will be my first solo trip out of the zone - I hope it goes smooth, and I hope it is tomorrow - but we will see.
FFF - if you still read this, you were right about how good all this Nav malarky is
Thanks guys,
Lee
Questions about the whizz wheel to come soon.......
The main area for now was to learn how to calculate heading required and groundspeed, given a certain wind condition (this all done using the whizz wheel - by the way I have the ARC-1 from AFE, anyone got this? I have some questions about it later). He drew a straight line, which was a True Track (very important) and it represented us flying A to B. Then we went through all the necessary steps as to calculate the required heading to fly, and what are grounspeed would be (with 90kts airspeed). At first this seemed all very daunting - but as we went through each stage seperately, and I made of a note of what to do (in logical order), it all started to fit into place, and I was actually enjoying what I was doing (sad arent I)
Anyway, it all went well, but the fact it, as I left the building, I knew that by about 8pm I would have forgotten it and would need to go over it more (no way anyone would take this on first time) - I knew I was in for some serious practice in order to get it right. So I gave it a go in the evening, and honestly couldnt understand some of my notes - I went over it again and again (also using the instruction manual that came with it - this has slightly different methods though) and in the end I had cracked it - I made some further notes that were easier to understand, so at least when I come back to it (I will definately need my notes again) I can do it successfully.
I would like to thank Blinkz for his help on MSN in this subject - it was a good introduction and he was very (very) patient with me - cheers
I look forward to writing the next post - which will be my first solo trip out of the zone - I hope it goes smooth, and I hope it is tomorrow - but we will see.
FFF - if you still read this, you were right about how good all this Nav malarky is
Thanks guys,
Lee
Questions about the whizz wheel to come soon.......
Join Date: May 2003
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You want sad? Howzabout making flight plans (complete with wind) for flights you have no intention of ever making, just to see if you can - good for those times you can't go flying for whatever reason, and always good practice too!
(Of course, it loses its appeal when you actually have to re-do a flightplan four or five times because the flight keeps getting cancelled for whatever reason... )
Having said that, I have a few days off work this weekend, hoping to do at least three of the four navs I have to do before the flight test... getting there slowly!
Adam
(Of course, it loses its appeal when you actually have to re-do a flightplan four or five times because the flight keeps getting cancelled for whatever reason... )
Having said that, I have a few days off work this weekend, hoping to do at least three of the four navs I have to do before the flight test... getting there slowly!
Adam
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What a great thread.
I am currently doing my PPL ,went solo in mid December and then did two solo flights last Thursday one 75 mins and one 40 mins so another 45 mins required to reach the three hours required.
Currently fly a C152 but the plan is to swap to a PA28 prior to Nav otherwise we will never get there! Keep it up everybody.
Bob
I am currently doing my PPL ,went solo in mid December and then did two solo flights last Thursday one 75 mins and one 40 mins so another 45 mins required to reach the three hours required.
Currently fly a C152 but the plan is to swap to a PA28 prior to Nav otherwise we will never get there! Keep it up everybody.
Bob
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Hey guys,
I finally flew on friday, after a month of nothing, and 2 months since flying a pa38. It was a navex to the east of glasgow and then south and back round to edinburgh. It went ok, altho I felt very rusty. More nice weather please!
I finally flew on friday, after a month of nothing, and 2 months since flying a pa38. It was a navex to the east of glasgow and then south and back round to edinburgh. It went ok, altho I felt very rusty. More nice weather please!
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Currently fly a C152 but the plan is to swap to a PA28 prior to Nav otherwise we will never get there!
Lots of people have done all their training on a 152 ... but it was easier in the days when people were less concerned about the strict legality of taking the things off the ground with a decent amount of fuel in them. Or perhaps we were all thinner then.
The Original Whirly
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Currently fly a C152 but the plan is to swap to a PA28 prior to Nav otherwise we will never get there!
Two of us took a C150 - slower than a C152 - to Southern Germany and back last summer. It wasn't particularly fast, but not all that slow either. C152s are just fine for touring, and certainly OK for PPL nav.
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Ahh the old 152 vs PA-28 debate... personally I changed to a Cherokee for my navs, if only for the extra space in the cockpit over two or three hours in the air! The extra 15kt or so TAS makes it slightly more bearable as well, though the extra cost is certainly becoming an issue now.
As for my flying, been foiled by the weather yet again, I'm actually staying near the airfield now (usually it's an hour and a half away), was planning to do at least two or three of the remaining navs over four days - here I am on day three with shoddy cloud over the escarpment AGAIN and all I've done is an hour in the circuit. Someone doesn't like me I think!!!
As for my flying, been foiled by the weather yet again, I'm actually staying near the airfield now (usually it's an hour and a half away), was planning to do at least two or three of the remaining navs over four days - here I am on day three with shoddy cloud over the escarpment AGAIN and all I've done is an hour in the circuit. Someone doesn't like me I think!!!
Spicy Meatball
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Guys
I am at my lowest point in training so far. I had thee worst flight ever. The trip was to be Liverpool, Kirkby, Leyland, Southport, Seaforth, Liverpool.
After take off, routing Kirkby, we were told to route Seaforth due to traffic - mix up number one. On route I just couldn't seem to relate the chart to what I was seeing out the window - There was a huge river ahead (the Ribble) but there were lots of blue lines on the chart. I should have called Wharton but did so on the last minute, so all I got was an FIS cos she could tell I was up my own ass. My heaight was all over the place - I should have been 2000ft and I was up to 2,600 (I probably busted Manchester airspace) and down to 1300 - complete hash. My airspeed was about the only thing I got right. The flight plan went out the window and I wasnt writing anything down - I had pen in one hand, chart in the other, VFR log on my other knee - a complete mess and I just wasnt doing the obvious - FLYING THE AIRCRAFT. My RT was crap too - botched up the position report (as I didn't know where I was) and kept pausing.
To top it all off - I had the worst landing ever (ok we had 14kt xwind - very close to limit, certainly the strongest one I have experienced so far). I flared early, didn't have the nose straight, floated and then WHALLOP!!
The wind was all over the place and kept gusting in different directions.
I think about the only thing we got near to correct was the timing - we did actually sort of arrive at the checkpoints within a minute of the time calculated. In all honesty, my instructor assured me not to worry as it was my first nav flight, and it was hazy, raining at times, dark(ish) and very windy. He said that a lot of people are like that on their first trip, and I bloody hope so cos if my next flight is like that then I am gonna need some serious practice. Furthermore, there wasnt any proper flight plan - I did it myself and had it checked, so for Wednesday I have booked a 3 hour slot, with groundschool before the flight, to make sure I know what I am doing.
I guess this must be the same feeling that has been experienced by several people in the past, and I have said to them "dont worry it will get better" - well I must take my own advice (and hope to
that the next flight goes alright)
Regards all - and I hope you manage to get some flying done
Lee
I am at my lowest point in training so far. I had thee worst flight ever. The trip was to be Liverpool, Kirkby, Leyland, Southport, Seaforth, Liverpool.
After take off, routing Kirkby, we were told to route Seaforth due to traffic - mix up number one. On route I just couldn't seem to relate the chart to what I was seeing out the window - There was a huge river ahead (the Ribble) but there were lots of blue lines on the chart. I should have called Wharton but did so on the last minute, so all I got was an FIS cos she could tell I was up my own ass. My heaight was all over the place - I should have been 2000ft and I was up to 2,600 (I probably busted Manchester airspace) and down to 1300 - complete hash. My airspeed was about the only thing I got right. The flight plan went out the window and I wasnt writing anything down - I had pen in one hand, chart in the other, VFR log on my other knee - a complete mess and I just wasnt doing the obvious - FLYING THE AIRCRAFT. My RT was crap too - botched up the position report (as I didn't know where I was) and kept pausing.
To top it all off - I had the worst landing ever (ok we had 14kt xwind - very close to limit, certainly the strongest one I have experienced so far). I flared early, didn't have the nose straight, floated and then WHALLOP!!
The wind was all over the place and kept gusting in different directions. I think about the only thing we got near to correct was the timing - we did actually sort of arrive at the checkpoints within a minute of the time calculated. In all honesty, my instructor assured me not to worry as it was my first nav flight, and it was hazy, raining at times, dark(ish) and very windy. He said that a lot of people are like that on their first trip, and I bloody hope so cos if my next flight is like that then I am gonna need some serious practice. Furthermore, there wasnt any proper flight plan - I did it myself and had it checked, so for Wednesday I have booked a 3 hour slot, with groundschool before the flight, to make sure I know what I am doing.
I guess this must be the same feeling that has been experienced by several people in the past, and I have said to them "dont worry it will get better" - well I must take my own advice (and hope to
that the next flight goes alright) Regards all - and I hope you manage to get some flying done
Lee
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Lee,
Dont worry about that mate! Like you said it has happened to most of us during training. You will find that you learn a hell of a lot more by making a these mistakes. I know I certainly have. I think one of the best things that I have learnt is being able to anticipate the actions that you will have to carry out and try and organise your workload so your not doing to many things at once.
Most people who have done nav would agree that it is the most demanding aspect of the training but it is also, in my view, the most rewarding.
Good luck on wednesday!
Neil
Dont worry about that mate! Like you said it has happened to most of us during training. You will find that you learn a hell of a lot more by making a these mistakes. I know I certainly have. I think one of the best things that I have learnt is being able to anticipate the actions that you will have to carry out and try and organise your workload so your not doing to many things at once.
Most people who have done nav would agree that it is the most demanding aspect of the training but it is also, in my view, the most rewarding.
Good luck on wednesday!
Neil
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Don't worry mate. Nav is easily the most tricky part of training I've had so far. All of the things you have to do in themselves are quite simple. Unfortunatly we have to do them all at the same time 
Like you say its just practice. Its sounds like you had crap weather, haze is annoying.
Don't lose heart. You'll be fine
Like you say its just practice. Its sounds like you had crap weather, haze is annoying.
Don't lose heart. You'll be fine
The Original Whirly
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my instructor assured me not to worry as it was my first nav flight,
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Well the reason that I am thinking of changing is the extra speed could be usefull also between me and the instructor the C152 is carrying 35 stone to start with , and we are both over 6 foot, it just seems to me to make more sense to swap to the PA28, did some bad weather circuits this morning , and then the weather cleared so up I went on my own, the xwind got up pretty quickly and by the time I called finals it was at 20knts , I tried to battle it and ended up almost down at about 100' over the threshold, it then hit me there was no way I was confident so I called the go around, you guessed it the next circuit very similar only now 21knts , another abort and go around, a bit of panic now set in and i just calmed myself down and had a think, it was then that the nice man in the tower made up my mind for me, he offered me runway 25 the wind was from 230 so I took it got it down taxid to the club and had a long think about what had happened, I concluded after the first go around I should have instigated the change of runway, well live and learn.
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Learning to fly
Hello All
Mazzy :
I posted a while ago and I am glad to see you are still posting your escapdes and results of lessons.
I can only echo previous comments and you will find it easier as you progress, I went through the "should I, Should I not " phase
but after spending the money I could not let failure be the end to my flying.
The rewards far outweigh the pressure of learning and it is well worthwhile just for your own self esteem.
safe flying and keep at it !!!!!!!
Regards All
ps
Blinkz and Whirly are dead right,just wait till your test !!!!!
Mazzy :
I posted a while ago and I am glad to see you are still posting your escapdes and results of lessons.
I can only echo previous comments and you will find it easier as you progress, I went through the "should I, Should I not " phase
but after spending the money I could not let failure be the end to my flying.
The rewards far outweigh the pressure of learning and it is well worthwhile just for your own self esteem.
safe flying and keep at it !!!!!!!
Regards All
ps
Blinkz and Whirly are dead right,just wait till your test !!!!!
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All of the things you have to do in themselves are quite simple. Unfortunatly we have to do them all at the same time
So much for my weekend of flying... two of the four days were weathered out, the other two my instructor was busy with something else... I'm now going to try with another instructor for a bit, who's available when I am!!!
On the plus side, PPL theory is all done now, sat the exam this morning, wasn't too difficult.
Only four navs to go!
Mazzy - try doing all that when you're flying an unfamiliar aircraft as well!! Barrels of fun...
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OK you have reached your Air Nav/ X Country stage
Why not "practice" the Nav side by using MFS2002/4 AND VFR scenery.
Before people say a flight simulator is not realistic especially for GA planes...I agree but combined with VFR scenery you can "fly"your planned route and recognise where you are ( oh look there is the River Ribble or there's Southport) as many times as you want. Once you are familar with how an area looks from the air some of the pressure is off you - allowing you to concentrate on flying or ATC
It isn't expensive and whilst its 2D and not 3D, flying at 2-3'000ft it is really really a good way of getting used to Nav side of things
I know..I used it ...and I passed !!!! There are a lot out there who do
Enjoy !!!
Why not "practice" the Nav side by using MFS2002/4 AND VFR scenery.
Before people say a flight simulator is not realistic especially for GA planes...I agree but combined with VFR scenery you can "fly"your planned route and recognise where you are ( oh look there is the River Ribble or there's Southport) as many times as you want. Once you are familar with how an area looks from the air some of the pressure is off you - allowing you to concentrate on flying or ATC
It isn't expensive and whilst its 2D and not 3D, flying at 2-3'000ft it is really really a good way of getting used to Nav side of things
I know..I used it ...and I passed !!!! There are a lot out there who do
Enjoy !!!
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Maz,
Don't worry mate! Remember all that advice you gave me when I was getting frustrated with my landings.
Don't forget all that human factors stuff either. Feeding in a load of new tasks it sounds like you're trying to do everything consciously. You can now fly the aircraft without doing this (you had the airspeed correct), so that's one thing out of the way. It also sounds like you were shocked by your altitude deviations (see below) and the difficulty of map reading whilst trying to fly in marginal weather.
I haven't started nav yet, so I have to profess considerable ignorance, but Sheepy's suggestion of using Flight Sim might be worth a try. I recon some areas of the photographic scenary are better than others, so I'm not sure how much help that would be. However, my instructor often talks about the need for practice to keep up 'scan rate' which sounds like it might have been an issue for you (with the altitude problems). FS might help you practice juggling the chart, simulated radio calls (without anyone to tell you off!), rough location (and you can double check using the GPS function!) and scanning airspeed, altitude etc all at the same time.
Don't worry - perseverance will pay off - and I'm sure you'll have a better lesson next time. Mine got cancelled yesterday - occlusion arrived over the airfield at just about the same time as I did
Paul
Don't worry mate! Remember all that advice you gave me when I was getting frustrated with my landings.
Don't forget all that human factors stuff either. Feeding in a load of new tasks it sounds like you're trying to do everything consciously. You can now fly the aircraft without doing this (you had the airspeed correct), so that's one thing out of the way. It also sounds like you were shocked by your altitude deviations (see below) and the difficulty of map reading whilst trying to fly in marginal weather.
I haven't started nav yet, so I have to profess considerable ignorance, but Sheepy's suggestion of using Flight Sim might be worth a try. I recon some areas of the photographic scenary are better than others, so I'm not sure how much help that would be. However, my instructor often talks about the need for practice to keep up 'scan rate' which sounds like it might have been an issue for you (with the altitude problems). FS might help you practice juggling the chart, simulated radio calls (without anyone to tell you off!), rough location (and you can double check using the GPS function!) and scanning airspeed, altitude etc all at the same time.
Don't worry - perseverance will pay off - and I'm sure you'll have a better lesson next time. Mine got cancelled yesterday - occlusion arrived over the airfield at just about the same time as I did
Paul
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Lost my reply!
Hmmph, I just wrote an long reply replete with all kinds of helpful advice that would not fail to revolutionise your flying, Maz, and then I was told I was not logged on and it was lost!
So it seems you'll never be enlightened.
Anyway, the basic points were:
*Pointed out that chasing an instrument not helpful mid-leg VFR. Getting really well in trim, then using the horizon to hold height & heading and referring to DI (& compass) and altimeter regularly to check you're still OK a better idea, I think. Worked for me, when I developed an unhealthy obsession with my altimeter and was more up and down than someone with PMT...
*Piquant observation that stress = screw-ups is a cruel trick on God's part.
*Said it's much easier to be ahead of your aircraft in good vis ( you can SEE what's coming! )
*Recommended the writing down of calls until you're used to it.
*General words of comfort & solidarity.
So it seems you'll never be enlightened.
Anyway, the basic points were:
*Pointed out that chasing an instrument not helpful mid-leg VFR. Getting really well in trim, then using the horizon to hold height & heading and referring to DI (& compass) and altimeter regularly to check you're still OK a better idea, I think. Worked for me, when I developed an unhealthy obsession with my altimeter and was more up and down than someone with PMT...
*Piquant observation that stress = screw-ups is a cruel trick on God's part.
*Said it's much easier to be ahead of your aircraft in good vis ( you can SEE what's coming!
)*Recommended the writing down of calls until you're used to it.
*General words of comfort & solidarity.
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Hi Mazzy, and everyone else who contributes to this thread, I am learning all sorts.
I passed my ppl over a year ago but reading this has taught more than my instructor did!
I was told 10 seconds carb heat, on downwind checks and during freda checks in the cruise, I now do 30 seconds instead!
I had to teach myself to use the wizz wheel, I booked an hours ground school with my instructor before my first nav trip and after him trying to calculate the wind for about 10 mins he declared that it was a "freaky wind" that day and gave up
I worked out the winds in my self taught way and off we flew.
Thanks to all who take time to post on here, it is very usefull to those of us who wern't really taught anything during our training!
I passed my ppl over a year ago but reading this has taught more than my instructor did!
I was told 10 seconds carb heat, on downwind checks and during freda checks in the cruise, I now do 30 seconds instead!
I had to teach myself to use the wizz wheel, I booked an hours ground school with my instructor before my first nav trip and after him trying to calculate the wind for about 10 mins he declared that it was a "freaky wind" that day and gave up
I worked out the winds in my self taught way and off we flew.
Thanks to all who take time to post on here, it is very usefull to those of us who wern't really taught anything during our training!