From Zero to Forty Five - my PPL Diary
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Hampshire Hog,
At East Midlands, we do around 4 to 6 circuits in a normal lesson -much depends on incoming commercial traffic. Today, we did 6, and that included several orbits for that reason. I have to say, I thoroughly enjoy having to mix in with the BMI Baby's, Easyjets, Britannia's, Ryanair's etc, and dealing with the very professional ATC guys is a great buzz too. I must say they are very helpful to the students under their control! The downside is having a planeload of passengers watching me land in a crosswind as they are held for my touch and go!!
I had two lessons this week, and both were subject to strong crosswinds, and a lot of turbulance. Sadly, that canned my first solo which was due on one of them. I have now been booked in for Saturday, when the weather looks much calmer, with a view to carrying out this momentous occasion (momentous for the right reasons I trust!!). I was rather hoping that I would get no advance warning, and be simply sent on my way, but I have to say I am really looking forward to it, though I shall be sh****ng bricks beforehand, no doubt, so wish me luck. It should happen as long as I don't screw up on the first two or three with the instructor on board.
Best wishes to everyone....
At East Midlands, we do around 4 to 6 circuits in a normal lesson -much depends on incoming commercial traffic. Today, we did 6, and that included several orbits for that reason. I have to say, I thoroughly enjoy having to mix in with the BMI Baby's, Easyjets, Britannia's, Ryanair's etc, and dealing with the very professional ATC guys is a great buzz too. I must say they are very helpful to the students under their control! The downside is having a planeload of passengers watching me land in a crosswind as they are held for my touch and go!!
I had two lessons this week, and both were subject to strong crosswinds, and a lot of turbulance. Sadly, that canned my first solo which was due on one of them. I have now been booked in for Saturday, when the weather looks much calmer, with a view to carrying out this momentous occasion (momentous for the right reasons I trust!!). I was rather hoping that I would get no advance warning, and be simply sent on my way, but I have to say I am really looking forward to it, though I shall be sh****ng bricks beforehand, no doubt, so wish me luck. It should happen as long as I don't screw up on the first two or three with the instructor on board.
Best wishes to everyone....
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Ch. Flag,
Best of luck for that solo. Try to relax though. It makes a big difference to your flying.
I quite look forward to the opportunity of going somewhere and mixing with the grown-ups! Wycombe is a very busy GA airfield though. We have two fixed wing schools, a lot of training and other helicopter operations and a gliding club, all operating at the same time. Fortunately, our ATC team all bring experience from Heathrow, Gatwick or the London terminal control and are really very good. If we can't get a word in to tell the tower we're on final, they'll usually call us with the relevant clearance.
HH
Best of luck for that solo. Try to relax though. It makes a big difference to your flying.
I quite look forward to the opportunity of going somewhere and mixing with the grown-ups! Wycombe is a very busy GA airfield though. We have two fixed wing schools, a lot of training and other helicopter operations and a gliding club, all operating at the same time. Fortunately, our ATC team all bring experience from Heathrow, Gatwick or the London terminal control and are really very good. If we can't get a word in to tell the tower we're on final, they'll usually call us with the relevant clearance.
HH
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I DON'T BELIEVE IT!!
Well SHMBO ("she who must be obeyed") always says I get more like Victor Meldrew every day, but with todays weather, I'm not surprised. My solo was canned last week 'cos there was too much wind, and canned again today 'cos there was too little, (that is, too little to blow away the fog that's been afflicting East Mids airport all day). The METAR has steadfastly been stuck on 2000 metres BR since 07.00, and so that's it for another week.
This country can be so frustrating - I bet when I'm there next Weds/Thurs, we'll have strong winds again!!
Now, about that 3 week course to achieve PPL in Florida...........
Well SHMBO ("she who must be obeyed") always says I get more like Victor Meldrew every day, but with todays weather, I'm not surprised. My solo was canned last week 'cos there was too much wind, and canned again today 'cos there was too little, (that is, too little to blow away the fog that's been afflicting East Mids airport all day). The METAR has steadfastly been stuck on 2000 metres BR since 07.00, and so that's it for another week.
This country can be so frustrating - I bet when I'm there next Weds/Thurs, we'll have strong winds again!!
Now, about that 3 week course to achieve PPL in Florida...........
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I know the feeling Chequeredflag. I was supposed to do my QXC today out of liverpool, but the vis is terrible. I have been trying to do this flight since August!ARGH!
Still I will try again tommorow... i will get this PPL, oh yes i will...
Still I will try again tommorow... i will get this PPL, oh yes i will...
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I finally did my first heli solo last Friday afternoon. Very weird experience!
I had just finished a couple of dual circuits when my instructor asked me to land. After landing he started talking about how different the Robi flys with only one person in it. Then he got out . . .
Before he disconnected his headset to leave, he spoke to ATC, wished me well and left me too it
The circuit wasn't the best I've flown, but I was suprised at how relaxed I was - I was expecting to be nervous and very tense (not a good combination for hovering!) but I was so relaxed everything felt perfect - even my hovering felt easier than normal.
Needless to say I was a very excited bunny afterwards.
The lesson the next day was a very different story though - for some reason I just couldn't get anything right. But that's the way it goes - good days and bad days . . .
Solouk
I had just finished a couple of dual circuits when my instructor asked me to land. After landing he started talking about how different the Robi flys with only one person in it. Then he got out . . .
Before he disconnected his headset to leave, he spoke to ATC, wished me well and left me too it
The circuit wasn't the best I've flown, but I was suprised at how relaxed I was - I was expecting to be nervous and very tense (not a good combination for hovering!) but I was so relaxed everything felt perfect - even my hovering felt easier than normal.
Needless to say I was a very excited bunny afterwards.
The lesson the next day was a very different story though - for some reason I just couldn't get anything right. But that's the way it goes - good days and bad days . . .
Solouk
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Solouk,
Many,many congrats on your solo - it's interesting that you felt so relaxed. I can't help but feel that you can be under less pressure when on your own - I find it sometimes difficult in the circuits to both listen to the "boss", and carry out all the checks, maintain correct height/speed/heading, talk to ATC etc etc etc and try to take in what he's telling me at the same time, leading me to forget things (like carb heat - another bruise on the right arm!!)
I am still awaiting my first solo. It was supposed to have happened last Tuesday - too windy, then Wednesday, too windy also. I was pretty confident it would be last Saturday, but the large anti-cyclone that brought the quiet weather, also brought a load of fog which persisted at EMA all day.
However, I arrived today, and the weather was perfect, good viz, pretty high cloud and a crosswind of around 6/8 knots. Great ,I thought, perhaps I'll finally get to go on my own. NO!! A bloomin' Thomson 757 had booked into the circuits, and we were prevented from doing the necessary 'roundy' bits.
Instead, we brushed up on stalling, with/without flap, and stalling in the turn. Also practised PFL from 4000'. I've never done this from this height, (he usually shuts the throttle at 300' just after take off). What surprised me was that from that height, just how much time there is to try to sort out why the thing failed, and also to choose a suitable landing site. That all went well.
Attempting to Zone in the EMA controlled space again, we were held in orbit for around 15 minutes, whilst all the commercial stuff (and that damned 757) filed it's way in. In spite of EM being a busy commercial airport, I've never had to hold for so long in the 21 lessons I've had from there so far. Still, a small price to pay for living with the "big boys" - I love it!
So, having now put my first solo out of my mind, I'll wait to be surprised - at least that way I'll not get too wound up beforehand. It is such a milestone however, I somehow feel I'll not progress until it's behind me........
Best of luck all,
Mike N
PS - we chartered a Jetstream 31 to take some guests to mid France on Mon/Tues of this week, and it was interesting to visit the guys up front. It was good to see the First Officer really screw up the landing back at luton - we knew we'd arrived there, but wern't sure whether we'd actually landed or crashed!! It was a real beauty - I could see him in action, and he simply failed to flare, and flew it really heavily onto the unyeilding tarmac - how the thing did not break something I'll never know as we bounced down the runway.
Made me feel really good did that!!
PPS I'm back tomorrow, but rain is forecast, so the base and viz may be against me.
Many,many congrats on your solo - it's interesting that you felt so relaxed. I can't help but feel that you can be under less pressure when on your own - I find it sometimes difficult in the circuits to both listen to the "boss", and carry out all the checks, maintain correct height/speed/heading, talk to ATC etc etc etc and try to take in what he's telling me at the same time, leading me to forget things (like carb heat - another bruise on the right arm!!)
I am still awaiting my first solo. It was supposed to have happened last Tuesday - too windy, then Wednesday, too windy also. I was pretty confident it would be last Saturday, but the large anti-cyclone that brought the quiet weather, also brought a load of fog which persisted at EMA all day.
However, I arrived today, and the weather was perfect, good viz, pretty high cloud and a crosswind of around 6/8 knots. Great ,I thought, perhaps I'll finally get to go on my own. NO!! A bloomin' Thomson 757 had booked into the circuits, and we were prevented from doing the necessary 'roundy' bits.
Instead, we brushed up on stalling, with/without flap, and stalling in the turn. Also practised PFL from 4000'. I've never done this from this height, (he usually shuts the throttle at 300' just after take off). What surprised me was that from that height, just how much time there is to try to sort out why the thing failed, and also to choose a suitable landing site. That all went well.
Attempting to Zone in the EMA controlled space again, we were held in orbit for around 15 minutes, whilst all the commercial stuff (and that damned 757) filed it's way in. In spite of EM being a busy commercial airport, I've never had to hold for so long in the 21 lessons I've had from there so far. Still, a small price to pay for living with the "big boys" - I love it!
So, having now put my first solo out of my mind, I'll wait to be surprised - at least that way I'll not get too wound up beforehand. It is such a milestone however, I somehow feel I'll not progress until it's behind me........
Best of luck all,
Mike N
PS - we chartered a Jetstream 31 to take some guests to mid France on Mon/Tues of this week, and it was interesting to visit the guys up front. It was good to see the First Officer really screw up the landing back at luton - we knew we'd arrived there, but wern't sure whether we'd actually landed or crashed!! It was a real beauty - I could see him in action, and he simply failed to flare, and flew it really heavily onto the unyeilding tarmac - how the thing did not break something I'll never know as we bounced down the runway.
Made me feel really good did that!!
PPS I'm back tomorrow, but rain is forecast, so the base and viz may be against me.
Fixed+Rotary (aircraft, not washing lines)
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Chq'd Flag - Your experiences seem to be mirroring mine. I was waiting to go solo for what seemed like an age and the wx doesn't ever seem to be favourable.
Unfortunately I've not been back in the skies since my solo on 27th Feb due to wx and I'm away over Easter so no flying until at least April.
It does concern me somewhat that I've only managed 2 hours in the past 2 months. How much of what I've experienced will go out of the window and will have to be re-validated?
Learning at EMA seems as much fun as LBA - having to juggle your learning while ensuring that you aren't getting too much in the way of the big commercial traffic. I was once asked to orbit and was doing this fine until I noticed that the wind was blowing us towards the approach path! Sometimes it is very useful to have an instructor on board ;-)
Unfortunately I've not been back in the skies since my solo on 27th Feb due to wx and I'm away over Easter so no flying until at least April.
It does concern me somewhat that I've only managed 2 hours in the past 2 months. How much of what I've experienced will go out of the window and will have to be re-validated?
Learning at EMA seems as much fun as LBA - having to juggle your learning while ensuring that you aren't getting too much in the way of the big commercial traffic. I was once asked to orbit and was doing this fine until I noticed that the wind was blowing us towards the approach path! Sometimes it is very useful to have an instructor on board ;-)
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MyData. I'm sure, rather like driving a car, or indeed riding a bike, you will not forget too much. Of course there's a lot more to flying than riding a bike, but I'm sure after a couple of minutes you will be totally back in the groove.
Best of luck...
Best of luck...
Spicy Meatball
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Pruners - firstly, apologies for not posting whilst abroad getting burned in the heat, it was an immensely packed week - lots going on and trying to cram everything in just 6 days!
Upon return I was chuffed to see my diary still on page 1, so thank you to you all for posting
I am going to keep you all waiting until tomorrow for the full Sicily writeup I'm afraid - I have some unreal pictures and lots to tell, so stay tuned! 
Cheq - I was exactly the same, hang in there and it will happen before you know it
Cheers all,
Lee
Upon return I was chuffed to see my diary still on page 1, so thank you to you all for posting
I am going to keep you all waiting until tomorrow for the full Sicily writeup I'm afraid - I have some unreal pictures and lots to tell, so stay tuned! Cheq - I was exactly the same, hang in there and it will happen before you know it
Cheers all,
Lee
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Hi All,
I had two lessons booked this week - one on Monday, when I managed to fly, and one on Tuesday where our lovely British weather intervened once again!
Spent Monday doing crosswind and flapless approaches with a different instructor from my usual - this one was an ex 757/767 captain and liked to take the dual crewed approach to checklists etc. That was quite fun, but I caught him out when he flew a circuit - on the downwind checks he touched the carb heat but didn't actually put it on! Lesson, no matter who you're flying with - always question any potential safety issue (diplomatically!)
Then some solo circuits, but it was beginning to get a bit gusty and I decided it was time to land. Delighted to be told on final to go-around (runway occupied), when I'd really had enough and wanted to get back on the ground!
Ch. Flag, your trip sounds fun - I wish I was in a business with that kind of opportunity! I've sat in the back of many an airliner watching the approach carefully and often thinking after landing "That felt like one of mine!". However, my usual instructor, an ex 747 captain, tells me that on some airliners they are trained to make a firm landing, rather than a gentle one - especially in poor weather. I was in the front of a 737 into LHR once, where the landing was so firm some of the lockers flew open. It was quite breazy and as we taxied reciprocal to the runway the captain commented to me "The great thing about heading this way is I can watch everyone else screw up their landings as well!" Anyway, I'm sure you'll get that solo soon - I remember well how frustrating it can be waiting!
My Data, don't worry too much about the gap between lessons. I didn't fly for nearly 2 1/2 months, but getting back into it only took a few minutes. Maybe you can keep up your cockpit scan rate on MS flight Sim, that helps.
Maz, can't wait to read about your trip!
HH
I had two lessons booked this week - one on Monday, when I managed to fly, and one on Tuesday where our lovely British weather intervened once again!
Spent Monday doing crosswind and flapless approaches with a different instructor from my usual - this one was an ex 757/767 captain and liked to take the dual crewed approach to checklists etc. That was quite fun, but I caught him out when he flew a circuit - on the downwind checks he touched the carb heat but didn't actually put it on! Lesson, no matter who you're flying with - always question any potential safety issue (diplomatically!)
Then some solo circuits, but it was beginning to get a bit gusty and I decided it was time to land. Delighted to be told on final to go-around (runway occupied), when I'd really had enough and wanted to get back on the ground!
Ch. Flag, your trip sounds fun - I wish I was in a business with that kind of opportunity! I've sat in the back of many an airliner watching the approach carefully and often thinking after landing "That felt like one of mine!". However, my usual instructor, an ex 747 captain, tells me that on some airliners they are trained to make a firm landing, rather than a gentle one - especially in poor weather. I was in the front of a 737 into LHR once, where the landing was so firm some of the lockers flew open. It was quite breazy and as we taxied reciprocal to the runway the captain commented to me "The great thing about heading this way is I can watch everyone else screw up their landings as well!" Anyway, I'm sure you'll get that solo soon - I remember well how frustrating it can be waiting!
My Data, don't worry too much about the gap between lessons. I didn't fly for nearly 2 1/2 months, but getting back into it only took a few minutes. Maybe you can keep up your cockpit scan rate on MS flight Sim, that helps.
Maz, can't wait to read about your trip!
HH
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HH.
Reference some airliners landing, agreed, BUT this was something else I promise you!! Runway was dry, with a slight crosswind only. No, I think on this ocassion he really bombed it!! For some reason he flew it manually on the way back and frankly his style was very erratic - not a smooth flyer at all. I think he was training, and before engine start up for the return from Nevers it was very quiet on board - you could easily hear them going through the checklists. We heard the Captain say something along the lines of
"Well, if you're not going to do it properly, I'll just have to do it myself", wherupon the !st officer retorted "OK, but a proper demonstration might help!!"
Oh dear, not a great start to the return flight, and one of our guests shouted out "Will you two stop arguing and get on with flying the plane!!" It was all a bit tense in the passenger cabin. One or two even retorted that it would be preferable if I flew it, and I've not even gone solo yet!!!! They were however relatively cheap for a two day charter of a 19 seat turbo prop.....
PS - on the way out, the captain touched down beautifully on a pretty short runway - Nevers in the Loire Vally - real text book stuff
Reference some airliners landing, agreed, BUT this was something else I promise you!! Runway was dry, with a slight crosswind only. No, I think on this ocassion he really bombed it!! For some reason he flew it manually on the way back and frankly his style was very erratic - not a smooth flyer at all. I think he was training, and before engine start up for the return from Nevers it was very quiet on board - you could easily hear them going through the checklists. We heard the Captain say something along the lines of
"Well, if you're not going to do it properly, I'll just have to do it myself", wherupon the !st officer retorted "OK, but a proper demonstration might help!!"
Oh dear, not a great start to the return flight, and one of our guests shouted out "Will you two stop arguing and get on with flying the plane!!" It was all a bit tense in the passenger cabin. One or two even retorted that it would be preferable if I flew it, and I've not even gone solo yet!!!! They were however relatively cheap for a two day charter of a 19 seat turbo prop.....
PS - on the way out, the captain touched down beautifully on a pretty short runway - Nevers in the Loire Vally - real text book stuff
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Ch. Flag
I think I'd have got out upon hearing the conversation you describe!
I like the comment that 'maybe you should fly it' though. Can't persuade any colleagues they should fly with me! In fact, a lot of members at my flying club are professional airline pilots and yet many of their wives won't fly with them!
HH
(PS, I mean many a member's wife, not to suggest that our members have many wives, although what went on 'down the route in years gone by!)
I think I'd have got out upon hearing the conversation you describe!
I like the comment that 'maybe you should fly it' though. Can't persuade any colleagues they should fly with me! In fact, a lot of members at my flying club are professional airline pilots and yet many of their wives won't fly with them!
HH
(PS, I mean many a member's wife, not to suggest that our members have many wives, although what went on 'down the route in years gone by!)
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I've done it!!!
Finally, today, I went solo for the first time. It was just brilliant, capped off with the BEST landing I've ever done - amazing that......
I'm really chuffed with myself, and there's quite a lot to tell, but as we are late leaving for our Easter break on the boat, I must dash. Will fill you in with all the details on Monday. Now, how can I get rid of the smile on my face?? Probably this evening's journey to Southampton will do the trick....!
Cheers all
Mike N
I'm really chuffed with myself, and there's quite a lot to tell, but as we are late leaving for our Easter break on the boat, I must dash. Will fill you in with all the details on Monday. Now, how can I get rid of the smile on my face?? Probably this evening's journey to Southampton will do the trick....!
Cheers all
Mike N
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And may I be the first to congratulate your instructor who clearly timed your first solo to perfection!
My landing on my first solo scared me that much I thought I snapped the nose leg off!
My landing on my first solo scared me that much I thought I snapped the nose leg off!
Spicy Meatball
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Brilliant! 
Well done mate - it was your best landing because you were concentrating harder than you ever have done before!
Enjoy the buzz, it doesn't wear off
Well done mate - it was your best landing because you were concentrating harder than you ever have done before!Enjoy the buzz, it doesn't wear off
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Chq'd Flag
Congratulations! Fantastic news! My first solo landing was also by far my best landing to date.
Let's hope the weather over the spring and summer is good and we both progress well over the coming months.
I managed to get a late booking for a 0900hrs slot this morning - Leeds/Bradford had its own rain cloud and the lesson was rained off. Less then 3 miles away in Bradford the roads were dry :-(
Congratulations! Fantastic news! My first solo landing was also by far my best landing to date.
Let's hope the weather over the spring and summer is good and we both progress well over the coming months.
I managed to get a late booking for a 0900hrs slot this morning - Leeds/Bradford had its own rain cloud and the lesson was rained off. Less then 3 miles away in Bradford the roads were dry :-(