From Zero to Forty Five - my PPL Diary
Spicy Meatball
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And a recent fly-in proved to me that everyone posting here is only human, they eat, breathe and sleep just like us!!!
Gingernut - I too work in the health service - in IT. What area are you in?
Happyeater - great stuff mate ! Hope it goes well for you, and please do feel free to post your progress too !
HOUR 2 should be here Saturday afternoon !
Spicy Meatball
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Sorry
Well, there isn't going to be an hour 2 I am afraid fellow pruners. I contacted the airfirled to check the flight, and it was no longer on - whether it was because of bad weather or something else I dont know. Never really got a decent explanation (no planes were grounded and were still flying throughout the day).
As it turns out (for one reason or another, which I dont think I should go into here) I have changed flynig school. I have to find a school, with an environment, that is perfect for me, and unfortunately that was not the case. I am still flying from Liverpool so all guesses as to where I am.
On one note I must say that my decision was nothing personal about anyone in particular, I had nothing but praise for the level of instruction.
My next lesson is Sunday, and I have secured more cash, so during August where I have a month off work, my diary will have more hours on it than I thought.
First of many problems along the way, taken firmly making me even more determined !
Until then.
Maz.
As it turns out (for one reason or another, which I dont think I should go into here) I have changed flynig school. I have to find a school, with an environment, that is perfect for me, and unfortunately that was not the case. I am still flying from Liverpool so all guesses as to where I am.
On one note I must say that my decision was nothing personal about anyone in particular, I had nothing but praise for the level of instruction.
My next lesson is Sunday, and I have secured more cash, so during August where I have a month off work, my diary will have more hours on it than I thought.
First of many problems along the way, taken firmly making me even more determined !
Until then.
Maz.
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Hi Mazzy,
Nice idea. After a couple years of not flying, I am finally able to begin my PPL in earnest (loooooong overdue!!!) and am just so ecstatic to be taking that 1st step as you have done.
As has already been said, I think this thread will be helpful to those who are wanting to fly, or even for those high-timers who may be wondering what it's like now to be doing a PPL.
I too am planning to keep a diary of my PPL progress (not here though) and definitely plan to be coming back to PPRuNe with all my questions. 99% of people on here are so lovely and willing to help with anything you may want to know or be having trouble with.
Keep up the good work, I'll be interested to see how hour 2 goes. Hopefully I start my actual flying this week, as well as groundschool; we'll be learning at the same time (can compare notes even)
And as for the Trevor Thom series, I second the assessment, they are very good. For the person that was looking for them, you can sometimes find recent ones on eBay for a reasonable price.
My AU2c
Sky
Nice idea. After a couple years of not flying, I am finally able to begin my PPL in earnest (loooooong overdue!!!) and am just so ecstatic to be taking that 1st step as you have done.
As has already been said, I think this thread will be helpful to those who are wanting to fly, or even for those high-timers who may be wondering what it's like now to be doing a PPL.
I too am planning to keep a diary of my PPL progress (not here though) and definitely plan to be coming back to PPRuNe with all my questions. 99% of people on here are so lovely and willing to help with anything you may want to know or be having trouble with.
Keep up the good work, I'll be interested to see how hour 2 goes. Hopefully I start my actual flying this week, as well as groundschool; we'll be learning at the same time (can compare notes even)
And as for the Trevor Thom series, I second the assessment, they are very good. For the person that was looking for them, you can sometimes find recent ones on eBay for a reasonable price.
My AU2c
Sky
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Hi Mazzy,
The reason why you may not have flown whilst other people were out enjoying themselves with the aeroplanes was probably because you are on your first few lessons.
It is extremely important that you have excellent weather including a distinct horizon so you have something out of the window to base all of your maneouvers around.
Straight and Level requires an nose attitude against the horizon, Turns require an attitude against a horizon etc...
It won't be until later on that you will start to fly with a non-distinct horizon.
During our summer days over here in the UK we do have some nice weather, including some nice spouts of high pressure systems but usually that means haze or an temperature inversion giving no horizon available.
Personally I believe your previous school may have had your best interests at heart and plenty of other schools would probably have taken you flying with undesirable weather. However I am not implying that is why you changed schools, please forgive me if you think I'm saying that.
I'm not sure what the weather was like up in the Liverpool area on Saturday so I may be totally mistaken.
All the best for the course!
Best wishes,
Charlie Zulu.
The reason why you may not have flown whilst other people were out enjoying themselves with the aeroplanes was probably because you are on your first few lessons.
It is extremely important that you have excellent weather including a distinct horizon so you have something out of the window to base all of your maneouvers around.
Straight and Level requires an nose attitude against the horizon, Turns require an attitude against a horizon etc...
It won't be until later on that you will start to fly with a non-distinct horizon.
During our summer days over here in the UK we do have some nice weather, including some nice spouts of high pressure systems but usually that means haze or an temperature inversion giving no horizon available.
Personally I believe your previous school may have had your best interests at heart and plenty of other schools would probably have taken you flying with undesirable weather. However I am not implying that is why you changed schools, please forgive me if you think I'm saying that.
I'm not sure what the weather was like up in the Liverpool area on Saturday so I may be totally mistaken.
All the best for the course!
Best wishes,
Charlie Zulu.
Spicy Meatball
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Hi Charlie Z
Thanks for your post - I never really thought of it like that, and I do agree that this may have been in their best interest, however, an explanation of that fact from the flying school would have been nice
That isn't the reason why I am changing schools, it is more a collection of other small things, but I dont want to go into them here, as that isn't the purpose of this thread - I would like to concentrate on the flying and progress etc.
Thanks
Maz
Thanks for your post - I never really thought of it like that, and I do agree that this may have been in their best interest, however, an explanation of that fact from the flying school would have been nice
That isn't the reason why I am changing schools, it is more a collection of other small things, but I dont want to go into them here, as that isn't the purpose of this thread - I would like to concentrate on the flying and progress etc.
Thanks
Maz
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Hello to one and all. I'm after advice and saw Ravenair mentioned quite regularly in this forum, so if no one minds, I'll drop my question here. I don't see any harm though after reading the terms and conditions of forum usage.
I'm hoping to start my PPL in August after doing a fair bit of research around the flying schools in the North- West. They're all around 45 mins from me, but after doing a trial flight at Ravenair, I feel the most comfortable here.
However, I expect it will probably take me close to a year to complete due to work committments etc. I see Ravenair have a very good package on offer for the full PPL, but just have trouble parting with that much money upfront before starting my training.
Can anyone offer me some advice.
I'm hoping to start my PPL in August after doing a fair bit of research around the flying schools in the North- West. They're all around 45 mins from me, but after doing a trial flight at Ravenair, I feel the most comfortable here.
However, I expect it will probably take me close to a year to complete due to work committments etc. I see Ravenair have a very good package on offer for the full PPL, but just have trouble parting with that much money upfront before starting my training.
Can anyone offer me some advice.
Spicy Meatball
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Dont ever ever ever pay for anything up front. Ever, not even a little bit.
Maz
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but if you pay a fair bit up front then you do get a significant discount
Having read many stories of flying schools going bust over the years and losing their students' up front money I would also advise never to pay in advance.
Spicy Meatball
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GTW
Yes agreed - do all schools offer a discount ? Even if you are just hiring for 10 hours or so ? I have never been forced into giving money up front - I can imagine if it is "strongly" advised by the school then maybe there are some possibilities of things going wrong, like you correctly stated.
Maz
Yes agreed - do all schools offer a discount ? Even if you are just hiring for 10 hours or so ? I have never been forced into giving money up front - I can imagine if it is "strongly" advised by the school then maybe there are some possibilities of things going wrong, like you correctly stated.
Maz
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do all schools offer a discount
And those that do should only be offering a discount that works out at about 6% APR. If they're offering a larger discount than that it means that they're trying to borrow money from you for more than they ought to be able to borrow from the bank ... which means that they've tried borrowing from the bank and been turned down.
Does any student pilot really want to lend money to an organisation that the banks think is too dodgy?
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Thanks very much for all your wise advice. And to think I was about to send a cheque for that much. What a mistake it could have been.
I think I might do some more research before jumping in. Again, many thanks for your advice. It certainly makes a difference having a site like this where we can share opinions.
I think I might do some more research before jumping in. Again, many thanks for your advice. It certainly makes a difference having a site like this where we can share opinions.
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Mazzy, I will follow your progress with great interest as I learnt to fly at L'pool too. Enjoy your training. I took myself off to a lovely grass strip instead several years ago.
Peeking Duck. Clare Pollard left before I did. Great guy.
Peeking Duck. Clare Pollard left before I did. Great guy.
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Mazzy, great idea to put your experiences on here. I'd thought about the same myself, so I hope you don't mind if I butt in on yours.
As a 10 hour student, now flogging around the circuit, I can't emphasise enough the importance of shopping around flying schools and doing some trial flights.
Check out the briefing (and briefing facilities), instructor - technical knowledge and instructing capabilities, and the aircraft. Not all flying schools have knackered planes and, whilst individual rapport is one thing, some instructors are definitely technically better than others. I tried several schools close to home, before ending up with a well known one (albeit a good 1/2 to 3/4 hour drive from home) at Wycombe. There I found good, very experienced instructors, very well maintained aircraft (even a nice livery for posing!) and excellent club facilities, where total flying costs are less than my local clubs'.
As a lawyer, I would never advise anyone to pay up-front - even for a heafty discount. Flying in the UK is often abortive - you may be forced (rightly) to go some time between lessons. Money spent now alway has a higher cost than money spent later - think about the real value and risk involved in that discount. Almost everyone at my club pays as they fly - after the lesson - for actual chocks-chocks time. Moreover, time spent student solo is charged at the solo rate.
And what about Thom v. Pratt. Well, I've only sat the air law so far (would have been embarassing to fail!) but I actually used both books. Thom goes into the detail, but Pratt is far more readable. Use both (if you can find them/afford it). I'm convinced the differences in emphasis, presentation and thus, improved understanding, can only make you a better and safer aviator.
As a 10 hour student, now flogging around the circuit, I can't emphasise enough the importance of shopping around flying schools and doing some trial flights.
Check out the briefing (and briefing facilities), instructor - technical knowledge and instructing capabilities, and the aircraft. Not all flying schools have knackered planes and, whilst individual rapport is one thing, some instructors are definitely technically better than others. I tried several schools close to home, before ending up with a well known one (albeit a good 1/2 to 3/4 hour drive from home) at Wycombe. There I found good, very experienced instructors, very well maintained aircraft (even a nice livery for posing!) and excellent club facilities, where total flying costs are less than my local clubs'.
As a lawyer, I would never advise anyone to pay up-front - even for a heafty discount. Flying in the UK is often abortive - you may be forced (rightly) to go some time between lessons. Money spent now alway has a higher cost than money spent later - think about the real value and risk involved in that discount. Almost everyone at my club pays as they fly - after the lesson - for actual chocks-chocks time. Moreover, time spent student solo is charged at the solo rate.
And what about Thom v. Pratt. Well, I've only sat the air law so far (would have been embarassing to fail!) but I actually used both books. Thom goes into the detail, but Pratt is far more readable. Use both (if you can find them/afford it). I'm convinced the differences in emphasis, presentation and thus, improved understanding, can only make you a better and safer aviator.
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Howzabouts we leave this thread to Mazzy so people who actually want to read about the thread title can do so without having to trawl through ten or so pages of not so relevent stuff?
Just a thought - i would like to be able to see a thread written just about someone doing their PPL rather than what everyone thinks to the idea. Why not delete all irrelevent posts.
BTW - i think its a fab idea!
Just a thought - i would like to be able to see a thread written just about someone doing their PPL rather than what everyone thinks to the idea. Why not delete all irrelevent posts.
BTW - i think its a fab idea!
Spicy Meatball
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I will leave this one to develop itself! I realise it will probably take a while to finish this diary, i.e. it wont be a daily update. I dont mind people discussing other things, just as long as I can keep the diary going it aint a problem
Spicy Meatball
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Hour 2
After arriving at the flying school at 11:30 I am now settled after filling out the membership form. I have met my new instructor, who again is a real nice guy, and before I know it we are sat in the lounge having a one on one chat. Something which I hadn’t previously been able to have. He explains everything to me and asks me about my other flying experiences. This is great as it is a more personal approach for me and I feel al lot more comfortable in a ‘family’ atmosphere.
We done a basic walk around the aircraft (only basic for now as the more detailed one which should take over an hour is done on days when flying cant be done). Went over mostly the aircraft surfaces to make sure of any obvious defects like another aircraft hitting it. Also, I got the aircraft checklist – something which I hadn’t seen yet. Upon getting in the aircraft, we went through the basic checks, I would read out the item in the list, then he would take me through what it meant, whilst actually carrying out the check at the same time. This was good and I took in what was said. I hadn’t seen the primer before, and it was a bit awkward opening it and twisting at the same time as it is quite close to the side of the throttle panel. Bit of funny start to the day as we swapped headsets only to realise I had soaked them due to the heat (I know I should have my own but this will be the last thing I buy as the money IMHO is better spent on the flying for now).
So now I was beginning to understand the process in more detail, and things were slowly fitting onto place from what I remembered in the previous lesson. I am thinking “Yeah I could get used to this”!
Again, I done most of the taxiing, learned how to use the brakes at best, also the handbrake with the awkward release button on. The take off run was great, again having most of the control along the way, instructor looking after keeping it down the centreline. He explained as the aircraft left the ground it will want to turn left, so I was able to anticipate this with some yaw and aileron. Today is an extremely hazy day, with not what you would call good visibility. There is a lot of micro light activity and quite a few aircraft in the vicinity, and because my headsets are a bit better (much clearly sound) I am hearing a lot of air traffic advice etc, thus beginning to understand what is being said a lot more.
I like this lesson a lot because my instructor (after helping me with use of the throttle etc) is giving me tasks to do such as “Maintain 3000ft, 90 kts using attitude, controls, trim and throttle” etc, so after a few tries it seems relatively straight forward and I am beginning to get the hang of straight and level flight. A few more manoeuvres later over where I live (the training this time is mostly done North of the aerodrome, which is great as this is probably where I will be doing most of my flying upon passing) we are on our way back to the aerodrome. We do a gliding descent from 3000ft to 1400ft and he is explaining along the way what’s happening and why we are doing it this way etc. we see a Cessna at a slightly higher speed than us, so we do an orbit to let him/her in front, then we are number two in the join, following the Cessna. I am at the controls all the way until after touchdown – obviously being followed through and getting some excellent verbal instructions along the way. My first real attempt at landing which went very smooth without any problems. An amazing feeling, which still have now. Now it is time for my first ever RT transmission:
“Golf sierra alpha, leaving kilo, goodbye” to which I get an instant response.
Now anyone would think that is easy to say no problem, but let me tell you, as you all know when it was your first time, even remembering something as small as this is harder than you think. The PTT switch went down and it came out easy, and upon hearing the reply was probably the best feeling so far, I have attempted a landing and spoke to ATC (this must sound very sad to all you experienced guys, but I am sure it takes you back when you were in the same situation)!
We taxi back and go through the shutdown checks, all is well and I have learned a lot today. I feel more confident than ever and cant wait for the next lesson. Now its back to the school for the Air Law exam ! instructor offers me a brew and gets another chap to sort me out with the exam.
Now, I have read the AFE Air Law book twice, and go through the confuser twice also. I thought the exam went very well and hopefully I have passed. It took me about 25 mins to complete and really wasn’t difficult at all.
In summary, I have had a superb day. I have done the air law exam, tried a landing and used the radio. I am buzzing all over and will be until Friday morning, which is my next lesson.
Until then, thanks for reading and I look forward to writing hour 3.
Regards
Lee
We done a basic walk around the aircraft (only basic for now as the more detailed one which should take over an hour is done on days when flying cant be done). Went over mostly the aircraft surfaces to make sure of any obvious defects like another aircraft hitting it. Also, I got the aircraft checklist – something which I hadn’t seen yet. Upon getting in the aircraft, we went through the basic checks, I would read out the item in the list, then he would take me through what it meant, whilst actually carrying out the check at the same time. This was good and I took in what was said. I hadn’t seen the primer before, and it was a bit awkward opening it and twisting at the same time as it is quite close to the side of the throttle panel. Bit of funny start to the day as we swapped headsets only to realise I had soaked them due to the heat (I know I should have my own but this will be the last thing I buy as the money IMHO is better spent on the flying for now).
So now I was beginning to understand the process in more detail, and things were slowly fitting onto place from what I remembered in the previous lesson. I am thinking “Yeah I could get used to this”!
Again, I done most of the taxiing, learned how to use the brakes at best, also the handbrake with the awkward release button on. The take off run was great, again having most of the control along the way, instructor looking after keeping it down the centreline. He explained as the aircraft left the ground it will want to turn left, so I was able to anticipate this with some yaw and aileron. Today is an extremely hazy day, with not what you would call good visibility. There is a lot of micro light activity and quite a few aircraft in the vicinity, and because my headsets are a bit better (much clearly sound) I am hearing a lot of air traffic advice etc, thus beginning to understand what is being said a lot more.
I like this lesson a lot because my instructor (after helping me with use of the throttle etc) is giving me tasks to do such as “Maintain 3000ft, 90 kts using attitude, controls, trim and throttle” etc, so after a few tries it seems relatively straight forward and I am beginning to get the hang of straight and level flight. A few more manoeuvres later over where I live (the training this time is mostly done North of the aerodrome, which is great as this is probably where I will be doing most of my flying upon passing) we are on our way back to the aerodrome. We do a gliding descent from 3000ft to 1400ft and he is explaining along the way what’s happening and why we are doing it this way etc. we see a Cessna at a slightly higher speed than us, so we do an orbit to let him/her in front, then we are number two in the join, following the Cessna. I am at the controls all the way until after touchdown – obviously being followed through and getting some excellent verbal instructions along the way. My first real attempt at landing which went very smooth without any problems. An amazing feeling, which still have now. Now it is time for my first ever RT transmission:
“Golf sierra alpha, leaving kilo, goodbye” to which I get an instant response.
Now anyone would think that is easy to say no problem, but let me tell you, as you all know when it was your first time, even remembering something as small as this is harder than you think. The PTT switch went down and it came out easy, and upon hearing the reply was probably the best feeling so far, I have attempted a landing and spoke to ATC (this must sound very sad to all you experienced guys, but I am sure it takes you back when you were in the same situation)!
We taxi back and go through the shutdown checks, all is well and I have learned a lot today. I feel more confident than ever and cant wait for the next lesson. Now its back to the school for the Air Law exam ! instructor offers me a brew and gets another chap to sort me out with the exam.
Now, I have read the AFE Air Law book twice, and go through the confuser twice also. I thought the exam went very well and hopefully I have passed. It took me about 25 mins to complete and really wasn’t difficult at all.
In summary, I have had a superb day. I have done the air law exam, tried a landing and used the radio. I am buzzing all over and will be until Friday morning, which is my next lesson.
Until then, thanks for reading and I look forward to writing hour 3.
Regards
Lee