From Zero to Forty Five - my PPL Diary
Hope you manage to fly, I'm very jealous 
The Original Whirly
Joined: Feb 1999
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 4,327
Likes: 2
From: Belper, Derbyshire, UK
(The 150s I have flown seem to work with Whirly's numbers, but in MPH.)
I just go by the numbers; I forgot the ASI on the C150 was in mph.Well, I did say you shouldn't believe what I say about f/w aircraft.
Thread Starter
Spicy Meatball
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
From: Liverpool UK
Penggy, my furry North Atlantic friend, I know what you meant, I am a tall git, (however) the width of the 152 didn't cause a problem, just the fact that I couldn't stretch my legs as much as I can in the Tommy 
I am off to try and get this scar removed now
I am off to try and get this scar removed now
Joined: May 2003
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 900
Likes: 0
From: Surrey
pfft how do u guys let this thread drop off the frontpage? 
Well after weeks of doing sweet fa I finally managed to go flying!
I wanted to go and practice some PFLs with my instuctor, so as to get them spick and span before my retest but due to one of the other instructors not being able to come in today, my instructor was pretty much double booked every slot today. My flight was looking less probable when it was suggested that I could just take the a/c out myself. Well theres only one answer to THAT question. 30mins later I was in the air
Manged to do 3 PFLs, two were good, one wasn't. Also tried to do 2 others but stopped em both, due to an a/c appearing out of no where and then my headsets ANR running out of batteries (the lesson learnt the hard way, I will carry spares from now on!) I took the headset thing and the lowering vis to be a hint and so headed for home. Was a good flight, really enjoyed it, flying solo really reminds you why were doing this flying lark. Hope you all had a decent day today.
Blue skies for the rest of the weekend(and week hopefully!!
)
Well after weeks of doing sweet fa I finally managed to go flying!
I wanted to go and practice some PFLs with my instuctor, so as to get them spick and span before my retest but due to one of the other instructors not being able to come in today, my instructor was pretty much double booked every slot today. My flight was looking less probable when it was suggested that I could just take the a/c out myself. Well theres only one answer to THAT question. 30mins later I was in the air
Manged to do 3 PFLs, two were good, one wasn't. Also tried to do 2 others but stopped em both, due to an a/c appearing out of no where and then my headsets ANR running out of batteries (the lesson learnt the hard way, I will carry spares from now on!) I took the headset thing and the lowering vis to be a hint and so headed for home. Was a good flight, really enjoyed it, flying solo really reminds you why were doing this flying lark. Hope you all had a decent day today.
Blue skies for the rest of the weekend(and week hopefully!!
)
Thread Starter
Spicy Meatball
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
From: Liverpool UK
Sounds like you had a great day Chris, a good relief of all this boredom! Going solo like that is really pleasing, especially when you land and have time to reflect - it certainly is what it is all about. PaulP and me went to see if we could get a flight in today, we were going to give Leicester a shot, but due to a/c unavailability and the bloody hazer we have been having, we didn't even get off the ground. Had a look at Ravenair's flight simulator too today - andy, you need some air conditioning in there!
Safe flying,
Lee
Safe flying,
Lee
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: NW England
LOL
Air con, well we do have the fan but that does make one hell of a noise dosant it!!!!
It was great to see you all at Ravenair yesterday a bit of a downer about the weather though wasant it
Ow well not long now until every day at EGGP will be like that apart from the vis
Well happy flying
ADWJENK
Air con, well we do have the fan but that does make one hell of a noise dosant it!!!!
It was great to see you all at Ravenair yesterday a bit of a downer about the weather though wasant it
Ow well not long now until every day at EGGP will be like that apart from the vis
Well happy flying
ADWJENK
Last edited by adwjenk; 3rd April 2005 at 19:30.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: Smurph Castle
Penggy, my furry North Atlantic friend
Very important to stretch the legs, couldn't agree more. There are advantages to being a girl with little stubby pins in this respect...
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: Blackpool/Carlisle
Well another cancellation today due to the wind, four flights last week due to haze , two the week before for the same and three the week before that due to work ,since my QCX have managed three flights , a bit of light circuit work solo, cross fixing position and some "foggles" instrument flying, am almost ready for skills test but just cant get up to do any revision , booked in for tomorrow but already the forecast is strong winds. As for exams all passed apart from the written and practical communications , have them booked at Liverpool 13th of this month. One question when you pass your skills test and all the rest how long before you can take anybody (the wife) up, do you have to wait for your paperwork to come through the post or is the signature that the examiner puts in your log book enough? I currently have 41 hours.
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Sutton, Surrey
Bob
I am in a very similar position to you. I was booked in for my QCX on Monday and again today. Due to work commitments I couldn't do yesterday which typically was fine weather!!! I have only managed to go flying 3 or 4 times since November!!!!!!
Hopefull weather permitting I will do my QCX on Sunday.
When are we going to get some decent weather for more than just the single day here and there when I am committed elsewhere?!?!?!
Anyway rant over!
I am in a very similar position to you. I was booked in for my QCX on Monday and again today. Due to work commitments I couldn't do yesterday which typically was fine weather!!! I have only managed to go flying 3 or 4 times since November!!!!!!
Hopefull weather permitting I will do my QCX on Sunday.
When are we going to get some decent weather for more than just the single day here and there when I am committed elsewhere?!?!?!
Anyway rant over!
Thread Starter
Spicy Meatball
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
From: Liverpool UK
Anyone fancy bogging off to Florida?
I went down today for some ground school. We went over the southern route for the first time today. Quite a few more checkpoints than the northern one, and a bit more work. It is a good progression on from the northern and involves flying south, overhead Sleap. I just wanna get this northern route out the way now, it is starting to hang......... It has been so windy today, gusting 45 at Liverpool. Its annoying cos as soon as the haze goes, we get wind, and when there is no wind we get cloud and viceversa..............
Hopefully I can come back with another long post next week, with my next solo 'out the cage' Got one exam left at uni, so as soon as that is done in May, gonna get the PPL exams finished off. Also, I will be writing off today for my RT licence, thing is though, the form says "send your medical certificate", I know it states the obvious but is a copy of it ok to send?
Safe flying (when you fly!)
Lee
I went down today for some ground school. We went over the southern route for the first time today. Quite a few more checkpoints than the northern one, and a bit more work. It is a good progression on from the northern and involves flying south, overhead Sleap. I just wanna get this northern route out the way now, it is starting to hang......... It has been so windy today, gusting 45 at Liverpool. Its annoying cos as soon as the haze goes, we get wind, and when there is no wind we get cloud and viceversa..............
Hopefully I can come back with another long post next week, with my next solo 'out the cage'
Got one exam left at uni, so as soon as that is done in May, gonna get the PPL exams finished off. Also, I will be writing off today for my RT licence, thing is though, the form says "send your medical certificate", I know it states the obvious but is a copy of it ok to send?Safe flying (when you fly!)
Lee
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Uk
You can take passengers when you have your licence and everything is signed - so you have to wait for the paperwork.
Yes the weather has been poor - probably the worst spell for 20 years. BUT it will improve and will do so for a few weeks and you will be able to fly yourselves silly...
Patience is a "must have" in aviation. Everyone talks about "get home-itis" and we all know that this is how accidents happen. Get used to the frustration, one day it might save your life.
Yes the weather has been poor - probably the worst spell for 20 years. BUT it will improve and will do so for a few weeks and you will be able to fly yourselves silly...
Patience is a "must have" in aviation. Everyone talks about "get home-itis" and we all know that this is how accidents happen. Get used to the frustration, one day it might save your life.
Last edited by benhurr; 7th April 2005 at 08:32.
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Hampshire
I promised myself a while ago I'd stop ranting about the weather on here, but since several of you started it ...!
I had a lesson booked last Friday lunchtime. The whole of South East England had cleared to quite nice sunshine, with the exception of the area around High Wycombe (where I fly from) which had mist and a base of 300' agl!
Next lesson booked, Monday morning. TAFs for EGGW and LHR - base around 1400' and no significant weather. Which was why it was throwing it down from cloud probably at around 500 - 800'!
My club has a trip planned to the Concord at Filton next Tuesday, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that.
Happy flying, those of you who manage some.
HH
(PS, I'm going to Penzance for a week at the end of April. Thinking about a short - sightseeing - lesson from Lands End. Can anyone recommend a club there (or should I be warned off)?)
I had a lesson booked last Friday lunchtime. The whole of South East England had cleared to quite nice sunshine, with the exception of the area around High Wycombe (where I fly from) which had mist and a base of 300' agl!
Next lesson booked, Monday morning. TAFs for EGGW and LHR - base around 1400' and no significant weather. Which was why it was throwing it down from cloud probably at around 500 - 800'!
My club has a trip planned to the Concord at Filton next Tuesday, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that.
Happy flying, those of you who manage some.
HH
(PS, I'm going to Penzance for a week at the end of April. Thinking about a short - sightseeing - lesson from Lands End. Can anyone recommend a club there (or should I be warned off)?)
PPruNaholic!
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 0
From: Buckinghamshire
Hampshire Hog, I am in the same club as you (BA) so might see you around some time. At Wycombe, being that bit higher in the Chilterns, you can often find the ceilings a bit lower there than elsewhere in the south east... better get used to the wx while you're training as it will be the same after you get your license! Seriously though, this is probably the worst time of year (from before Christmas through to mid-Spring) and it's just part of flying VFR in the UK. Making good, safe no/go weather decisions in line with your experience is, I have found, the steepest learning curve following getting the license - and the most important!
Good luck, and hope to see you around,
Andy
Seriously though, this is probably the worst time of year (from before Christmas through to mid-Spring) and it's just part of flying VFR in the UK. Making good, safe no/go weather decisions in line with your experience is, I have found, the steepest learning curve following getting the license - and the most important!Good luck, and hope to see you around,
Andy
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Northampton Sywell
Hello all!
Hello all!
I know what that solo feeling! is like now! I soloed today on my 16th birthday! Its very strange when turning x wind and u look to the right and left for traffic checks and you dont see your instructor sitting beside you!!
Overall my 4 hou long wait for the 30kts gusts to die payed off!! Although it was slighty a x wind landing everything was fine! I acted with confidence and control and I am one happy 16 year old!
I couldnt think of anyother way to cap off my birthday!
How did you guys feel?
Captain Karl
I know what that solo feeling! is like now! I soloed today on my 16th birthday! Its very strange when turning x wind and u look to the right and left for traffic checks and you dont see your instructor sitting beside you!!
Overall my 4 hou long wait for the 30kts gusts to die payed off!! Although it was slighty a x wind landing everything was fine! I acted with confidence and control and I am one happy 16 year old!
I couldnt think of anyother way to cap off my birthday!
How did you guys feel?
Captain Karl