From Zero to Forty Five - my PPL Diary
Spicy Meatball
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Mike - we have all had that feeling, and believe me, it does start to fall into place, and all the things that you have learned so far being rolled into 10 minutes, will soon become natural. You wont even think about your radio calls and checks etc, you will just do them. I keep trying to tell myself the same thing regarding nav - but I haven't conviced myself yet 
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But before you get it, you'll reach the worst bit, which is being able to do everything in the circuit asleep and being heartily sick of it all (I recommend bringing a magazine along for the downwind leg at this point!)... except for the last 10 seconds, which you still can't quite get right... 
But really it's worth it when it finally clicks. Suddenly you feel in control; it's magic.
But really it's worth it when it finally clicks. Suddenly you feel in control; it's magic.
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Thanks guys, I feel encouraged by your comments - what do you think I should read on the downwind leg, my book on Air Law?!!
Meant to say, I felt for a young man yesterday who was in the plane before me. He set off to do his first solo, and had to hold for an MK Air 747 freighter to land, followed by an EasyJet 737. Then he had to wait for two more 737\'s to take off before finally being given take off clearance. He was sat there for around 15/20, no doubt really nerve racking minutes. When he taxied back afterwards he had one huge grin on his face!!
Meant to say, I felt for a young man yesterday who was in the plane before me. He set off to do his first solo, and had to hold for an MK Air 747 freighter to land, followed by an EasyJet 737. Then he had to wait for two more 737\'s to take off before finally being given take off clearance. He was sat there for around 15/20, no doubt really nerve racking minutes. When he taxied back afterwards he had one huge grin on his face!!
Spicy Meatball
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Sounds like my first solo - had to wait ages at the hold point, the things that were going through my mind then ...........................
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Hi Mazzy - out of interest, hour many hours were you in to your course before you went solo? I did my first circuits in my 9th hour, and I've no idea if that's on, or below average. I've been told that I'll go solo after about 10 hours in the circuits, or 18 hours in total, (as long as I can pass the Air Law exam!). I've no idea if that's good bad or indifferent, and my instructor won't give any clues, other than I'm doing "OK"!! Then again, perhaps there is no average for this sort of thing
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there is no magic number of hours about solo, it is very much 'when you are ready' I started circuits after 3hrs TT and then went solo after 11 hrs, however I am an experienced glider pilot and so alot of it I already knew how to do.
Sounds like your enjoying yourself tho and thats the main thing. As people have said it will all come, if you read through this diary is the evidence! (solo seems so far away now
Happy landings!
Sounds like your enjoying yourself tho and thats the main thing. As people have said it will all come, if you read through this diary is the evidence! (solo seems so far away now
Happy landings!
Spicy Meatball
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Yes I will echo what has been said - I really cant remember how many hours I had done without looking at my logbook, but it was about average. I was happy with the progress I was making, but was having a lot of bad luck with the weather. My instructor then told me I should have gone an hour or two earlier, but cos of the weather, they had to be dual - even my first solo was on a misty day with bad visibility, I could only just see the runway!
There was a girl who went first solo on one of the days I was flying, and she had completed 70 hours! For one reason or another she just couldn't get ready - but the thing is, she carried on and I admire her greatly for having such determination.
Your instructor will probably hate the kind of questions like:
"When can I go solo, when can I go solo" because the simple answer is "when you are ready". You will turn up for circuits one day and you wont even know when your gonna go - he should spring it on you (what a wonderfully strange experience that is).
Best of luck, and I am sure when you have done your first solo you will come back in here and tell us all about it!
Lee
There was a girl who went first solo on one of the days I was flying, and she had completed 70 hours! For one reason or another she just couldn't get ready - but the thing is, she carried on and I admire her greatly for having such determination.
Your instructor will probably hate the kind of questions like:
"When can I go solo, when can I go solo" because the simple answer is "when you are ready". You will turn up for circuits one day and you wont even know when your gonna go - he should spring it on you (what a wonderfully strange experience that is).
Best of luck, and I am sure when you have done your first solo you will come back in here and tell us all about it!
Lee
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I havn't asked him when I will go solo, and I won't!! I don't think it would help to know in advance!! I was only interested to know what others have achieved, and I've got a rough picture now - many thanks for the answers.
I did ask if I was wasting my money, and he responded "definitely not"....but then he would say that anyway. Generally I'm happy with my progress, though I'm finding the discipline to study for exams difficult. However, I'm plugging away and getting there.
I'll keep you informed.....cheers all
I did ask if I was wasting my money, and he responded "definitely not"....but then he would say that anyway. Generally I'm happy with my progress, though I'm finding the discipline to study for exams difficult. However, I'm plugging away and getting there.
I'll keep you informed.....cheers all
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Hi Chequeredflag,
I would really echo what Penguina says above. You will probably feel like you're never going to get there - and fall asleep on the downwind leg - whilst getting really frustrated that you can't quite flare at the right height, in the right direction, consistently.
If you look back through the previous pages, you'll see how frustrated I became whilst my own inexperience, weather and tensions got the better of me.
It took me around 20 hours in total, although about 15 of them were with my current flying school - since March last year. The previous 5 hours were some time ago at a different school.
Above all, don't rush. A friend of mine, who now flies A320s for BA recently told me that, when he was instructing, he found those who went solo later turned into 'better rounded pilots'. Hours to solo is rarely an indication of how long it will take you to complete the ppl and, to be honest, although I was keen to solo earlier, with hindsight I'm glad I had plenty of experience under my belt before I did. It made for a much more relaxing adventure.
Happy flying!
HH
(and wish me luck for the weather tomorrow!)
I would really echo what Penguina says above. You will probably feel like you're never going to get there - and fall asleep on the downwind leg - whilst getting really frustrated that you can't quite flare at the right height, in the right direction, consistently.
If you look back through the previous pages, you'll see how frustrated I became whilst my own inexperience, weather and tensions got the better of me.
It took me around 20 hours in total, although about 15 of them were with my current flying school - since March last year. The previous 5 hours were some time ago at a different school.
Above all, don't rush. A friend of mine, who now flies A320s for BA recently told me that, when he was instructing, he found those who went solo later turned into 'better rounded pilots'. Hours to solo is rarely an indication of how long it will take you to complete the ppl and, to be honest, although I was keen to solo earlier, with hindsight I'm glad I had plenty of experience under my belt before I did. It made for a much more relaxing adventure.
Happy flying!
HH
(and wish me luck for the weather tomorrow!)
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Hey guys,
Had another flight yesturday, nice smooth day. Was the first of my revision flights and it was good to go over the basics and learn that I've not forgotten as much as I thought. We started with stalls, clean and landing config. Then to steep turns which were good fun as always. PFLs were then on the cards, most of which were fine, altho I missed a couple of fields lol. Was a good day. Hope you all fly soon
Had another flight yesturday, nice smooth day. Was the first of my revision flights and it was good to go over the basics and learn that I've not forgotten as much as I thought. We started with stalls, clean and landing config. Then to steep turns which were good fun as always. PFLs were then on the cards, most of which were fine, altho I missed a couple of fields lol. Was a good day. Hope you all fly soon
The Original Whirly
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When I did my PPL(A), some instructor said I was near to going solo at around 25 hours. It actually took me..............48!!!!!! 
A lot of things went wrong for me; long story. And now it seems like a long time ago - well, it IS a long time ago - and very unimportant. I wish there was some way to convince people that it really doesnīt matter, itīs no big deal in the greater scheme of things, and has nothing whatsoever to do with how good or bad a pilot youīll be.
But I know that none of you will listen to any of that. And I was told it, and I didnīt listen either, just mentally beat myself up for taking so long, for ages.
Think about it though... What will you do before you go solo? Fly. What will you do after you go solo? Fly. And after youīve got your PPL? Ditto.
So enjoy boring holes in the sky and try to stop worrying about it all.
A lot of things went wrong for me; long story. And now it seems like a long time ago - well, it IS a long time ago - and very unimportant. I wish there was some way to convince people that it really doesnīt matter, itīs no big deal in the greater scheme of things, and has nothing whatsoever to do with how good or bad a pilot youīll be. But I know that none of you will listen to any of that. And I was told it, and I didnīt listen either, just mentally beat myself up for taking so long, for ages.
Think about it though... What will you do before you go solo? Fly. What will you do after you go solo? Fly. And after youīve got your PPL? Ditto.
So enjoy boring holes in the sky and try to stop worrying about it all.
Spicy Meatball
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Whirly is the perfect example of the sheer determination to complete. Like I said about the girl at Liverpool. She now instructs, so please, dont worry about how long it takes 
The Original Whirly
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Just for the record, I instruct on HELICOPTERS. I discovered the delights of whirly wings some time after I got my PPL(A), and just sort of went back for more...and more...and more. I still do some f/w flying, but I have less than 300 hours, donīt get enough practice, and get nervous occasionally at the idea of crosswind landings. Just like most other ordinary PPL(A)s in fact. 
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Hi All,
Well, another lesson cancelled yesterday, due weather. Nice high pressure, but loads of fog this time
I took the opportunity to do my Human Factors exam - the easiest yet, but I wondered about the answer to one of the questions. It concerned the time to avoid a collision between a light aircraft and a military jet, closing at a combined 600kts. Now, the calculation for a 3 minute idenfication to point of impact was 20 seconds, but the two possible answers on the paper were 20 seconds and 12 seconds. Note, the question specifically states time 'to avoid a collision'. It seemed to me that the time to 'avoid a collision' would therefore be 12 seconds. 20 would be too late, but the CAA give the correct answer as 20! Am I being pedantic, or do the guys at the CAA have Tom Cruise's reactions?
Anyway, I passed, so just a few more difficult ones to go now.
Hopefully, I'll get one of the 3 lessons I have booked over the next 2 weeks!
HH
Well, another lesson cancelled yesterday, due weather. Nice high pressure, but loads of fog this time
I took the opportunity to do my Human Factors exam - the easiest yet, but I wondered about the answer to one of the questions. It concerned the time to avoid a collision between a light aircraft and a military jet, closing at a combined 600kts. Now, the calculation for a 3 minute idenfication to point of impact was 20 seconds, but the two possible answers on the paper were 20 seconds and 12 seconds. Note, the question specifically states time 'to avoid a collision'. It seemed to me that the time to 'avoid a collision' would therefore be 12 seconds. 20 would be too late, but the CAA give the correct answer as 20! Am I being pedantic, or do the guys at the CAA have Tom Cruise's reactions?
Anyway, I passed, so just a few more difficult ones to go now.
Hopefully, I'll get one of the 3 lessons I have booked over the next 2 weeks!
HH
It's a fair point Paul. If I was 1 sec from a Tornado in my Warrior, I sincerely doubt either of us could avoid the inevitable, but then we don't work for the CAA.....
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Hampshire Hog, I too had one cancelled yesterday - very frustrating, being my second lesson in the circuits. Only 500' cloudbase..
I'm studying furiously for my Air Law exam, and frankly it's doing my head in - bored to death by the subject now! I've done two mocks (from the Jeremy Pratt Q & A book) and one from the Airquiz website. Scored 77/90/82% respectively, but I can't say I am confident! Doing a flight school mock tomorrow, prior to circuits (weather permitting). They want me to do two mocks before taking the actual exam (next week?). All I know is I'll be damned pleased to get it out of the way!
I'm studying furiously for my Air Law exam, and frankly it's doing my head in - bored to death by the subject now! I've done two mocks (from the Jeremy Pratt Q & A book) and one from the Airquiz website. Scored 77/90/82% respectively, but I can't say I am confident! Doing a flight school mock tomorrow, prior to circuits (weather permitting). They want me to do two mocks before taking the actual exam (next week?). All I know is I'll be damned pleased to get it out of the way!
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Mike - we have all had that feeling, and believe me, it does start to fall into place, and all the things that you have learned so far being rolled into 10 minutes, will soon become natural. You wont even think about your radio calls and checks etc, you will just do them.
Spicy Meatball
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Precautionary Landings
Well, yet again due to the weather, our Nav was out the window!
I started the afternoon with the RT written exam, which to be honest had some horrible, stupid questions in, but I passed anyway! I can now apply for my RT license when I get the papers tomorrow - this was a good start for the flight. It was decided that we would fly north and do a precautionary landing - something which I had not done yet, and which I had been looking forward to trying. I had this feeling in my mind that it wouldn't be too difficult, but it was not as easy as I thought....
After takeoff we asked for a non standard exit via Aintree Racecourse, instead of Seaforth - this was approved and it was good to be able to see the picture from a different angle. I am getting better now at picking out local features, and getting to know my "Ponderosa!"
Picking a spot to land was easy, we are spoiled for choice around here, it's more of a case of "spot the built up area". So, over we went to set up for a circuit pattern at about 500-600 feet. The wind at this point was roughly 22 knots, and was a little gusty, so this made things quite difficult. Keeping 80 knots, with one stage of flap and about 1800 rpm was a nightmare. On each turn I had to worry about heading correction due to the wind. I kept losing height, gaining height, going to fast, too slow etc - I just couldn't seem to get the dam aircraft in trim. Eventually, once I settled down, we flew one pattern to the right of the runway (or chosen grass area), then another one straight down the centreline, never losing sight of the landing area, this is very important. Like I say, the wind was palying havoc with my direction and at the end of it I felt quite drained - like I did at the end of my instrument flying lesson.
I have learned today that I need some more slow flight (not only by law, but I need to practice getting the aircraft in a good setup). One thing that I knew was going to be tough was the landing. We had a full 14 knots crosswind - very tasty. I set up for 80 knots, and no flap. Being totally honest, I nailed it and touched down with no problem - that felt quite good
I booked in for tomorrow as the weather (was) suppoed to be good, but it is looking like another cancellation according to the BBC.
Good to see you all making progress and getting some flying done - keep it up,
Lee
I started the afternoon with the RT written exam, which to be honest had some horrible, stupid questions in, but I passed anyway! I can now apply for my RT license when I get the papers tomorrow - this was a good start for the flight. It was decided that we would fly north and do a precautionary landing - something which I had not done yet, and which I had been looking forward to trying. I had this feeling in my mind that it wouldn't be too difficult, but it was not as easy as I thought....
After takeoff we asked for a non standard exit via Aintree Racecourse, instead of Seaforth - this was approved and it was good to be able to see the picture from a different angle. I am getting better now at picking out local features, and getting to know my "Ponderosa!"
Picking a spot to land was easy, we are spoiled for choice around here, it's more of a case of "spot the built up area". So, over we went to set up for a circuit pattern at about 500-600 feet. The wind at this point was roughly 22 knots, and was a little gusty, so this made things quite difficult. Keeping 80 knots, with one stage of flap and about 1800 rpm was a nightmare. On each turn I had to worry about heading correction due to the wind. I kept losing height, gaining height, going to fast, too slow etc - I just couldn't seem to get the dam aircraft in trim. Eventually, once I settled down, we flew one pattern to the right of the runway (or chosen grass area), then another one straight down the centreline, never losing sight of the landing area, this is very important. Like I say, the wind was palying havoc with my direction and at the end of it I felt quite drained - like I did at the end of my instrument flying lesson.
I have learned today that I need some more slow flight (not only by law, but I need to practice getting the aircraft in a good setup). One thing that I knew was going to be tough was the landing. We had a full 14 knots crosswind - very tasty. I set up for 80 knots, and no flap. Being totally honest, I nailed it and touched down with no problem - that felt quite good
I booked in for tomorrow as the weather (was) suppoed to be good, but it is looking like another cancellation according to the BBC.
Good to see you all making progress and getting some flying done - keep it up,
Lee
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Well Mazzy, looks like you had a varying sort of day. Personally, I had a "mare" of a day!! Took my mock Air Law this am, and did the most stupid of schoolboy errors - I failed to answer one of the questions. I'd left it 'cos I wasn't sure of the answer, and forgot to go back for it!! How bl@@@y stupid. Still "passed" with 82.5%, which I was happy with.
Then into the circuits. Pretty busy at E.Mids today, with a Royal flight taking priority over everything it seemed (Prince Andrew spending tax payers money again??!!). First two circuits were to the left, with a couple of orbits to wait for a 737, then two to the right (again with a couple of turns to wait for another 737). I was pretty well OK with the climb, downwind, orbits, setting up for finals, approach speed etc, but yet again made a pretty poor job of the landing(s). I'm trying to suss out in my mind why I'm still flaring too soon. I seem to be OK until I cut the revs at about 100', when the aircraft of course descends more rapidly. Panic then sets in and I pull back too hard, and it balloons and so on. I was pretty depressed on the way back home, feeling I'd made no progress at all since my last efforts, though "he who must be obeyed" in the right hand seat, told me not to be frustrated, and that I'll suddenly get the hang of it - we're going to discuss it tomorrow. I suppose I've only carried out six actual landings, so it's maybe early days.
I'm back again tomorrow, when I'm determined to do a better job.
Best of luck all.....
Then into the circuits. Pretty busy at E.Mids today, with a Royal flight taking priority over everything it seemed (Prince Andrew spending tax payers money again??!!). First two circuits were to the left, with a couple of orbits to wait for a 737, then two to the right (again with a couple of turns to wait for another 737). I was pretty well OK with the climb, downwind, orbits, setting up for finals, approach speed etc, but yet again made a pretty poor job of the landing(s). I'm trying to suss out in my mind why I'm still flaring too soon. I seem to be OK until I cut the revs at about 100', when the aircraft of course descends more rapidly. Panic then sets in and I pull back too hard, and it balloons and so on. I was pretty depressed on the way back home, feeling I'd made no progress at all since my last efforts, though "he who must be obeyed" in the right hand seat, told me not to be frustrated, and that I'll suddenly get the hang of it - we're going to discuss it tomorrow. I suppose I've only carried out six actual landings, so it's maybe early days.
I'm back again tomorrow, when I'm determined to do a better job.
Best of luck all.....