From Zero to Forty Five - my PPL Diary
Spicy Meatball
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Thanks Tek 
It was in the bulldog that I learned two very important principles (amongst lots of other things of course). Firstly, I used to hold the control column like my life depended on it, and and the end of the flight I couldn't move my fingers - I was shown how the smallest of gentle inputs is all that is needed to fly the aircraft, so gradually I got round this problem.
Secondly, there was PAT (power, attitude, trim). It took a few lessons before this was drilled in (I was only about 13 or 14 years old). If you look at the early stages of this diary, we talked a lot about this, and I seem to recall, (without looking at the mo) that Gertrude the Wombat had an extension to the PAT - correct me if I am wrong.
Cheers all (back to work tomorrow)
Lee
It was in the bulldog that I learned two very important principles (amongst lots of other things of course). Firstly, I used to hold the control column like my life depended on it, and and the end of the flight I couldn't move my fingers - I was shown how the smallest of gentle inputs is all that is needed to fly the aircraft, so gradually I got round this problem.
Secondly, there was PAT (power, attitude, trim). It took a few lessons before this was drilled in (I was only about 13 or 14 years old). If you look at the early stages of this diary, we talked a lot about this, and I seem to recall, (without looking at the mo) that Gertrude the Wombat had an extension to the PAT - correct me if I am wrong.
Cheers all (back to work tomorrow)
Lee
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Gertrude the Wombat had an extension to the PAT
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White knuckles on the column/stick
Could not agree more Lee, I did the same thing as I would expect everybody on this thread that is learning or has gone through the course has done also ie : hang for dear life to said column/stick.
early on in lessons Bossman say's " I have control " but could not move column as I still had hold of it and he thought it had siezed.
Nxt command was RELAX !!! Easy for you to say mate sitting there doing bugger all ..... (small smirk from FI ) great bloke though.
It's about time you took that GFT Mr Mazzy..... Get it done
early on in lessons Bossman say's " I have control " but could not move column as I still had hold of it and he thought it had siezed.
Nxt command was RELAX !!! Easy for you to say mate sitting there doing bugger all ..... (small smirk from FI ) great bloke though.
It's about time you took that GFT Mr Mazzy..... Get it done
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Different kind of flying!!
Had a great evening out the other night with about 20 guys/gals from the Flyer forum. I discovered that several forumites live close by, and after contacting one of them, self and Mrs CF were invited to a forum Xmas dinner that very night. We had a superb evening, and it was very good to meet so many fellow flyers. The chap I originally contacted flies A340's around the world, and has a share in a Maule. As my flying was canned the following day due to the bloomin' weather (again, will I ever get the QXC done?), I was invited to fly with him and another forumite. The plane is kept in a hangar at a private strip, so we turned up, pushed the plane out, warmed it up, taxied and took off. No ATC, nothing!!
Boy, do those things go!! It is a very rugged "Land Rover of the skies" tail dragger. Tough and light with a big six cylinder engine and BAGS of poke. The lift off came VERY quickly, and the initial climb rate was phenomenal!! We flew cross country, and landed at another strip by a resovoir in Northants - absolutely wonderful approach. Upon landing, the farmers wife ran out and invited us in for a cuppa. Half an hour later, we took off and landed at a strip behind a pub in Keystone (Northants) with a massive crosswind taxing the pilot somewhat. Following a superb lunch, and a great couple of hours of flying talk, we took off, and flew back to the homebase strip, pushed her into the hangar, and simply went home!!!.
Absolutely brilliant day out. I could well be converted to this kind of flying. So different to flying in and out of a busy commercial airport. Can't wait to go again (I've already invited myself!)
Our intrepid captain had to shoot home, and prepare to take 300 people to Los Angeles the next day!! Envy him? You betcha!!
Boy, do those things go!! It is a very rugged "Land Rover of the skies" tail dragger. Tough and light with a big six cylinder engine and BAGS of poke. The lift off came VERY quickly, and the initial climb rate was phenomenal!! We flew cross country, and landed at another strip by a resovoir in Northants - absolutely wonderful approach. Upon landing, the farmers wife ran out and invited us in for a cuppa. Half an hour later, we took off and landed at a strip behind a pub in Keystone (Northants) with a massive crosswind taxing the pilot somewhat. Following a superb lunch, and a great couple of hours of flying talk, we took off, and flew back to the homebase strip, pushed her into the hangar, and simply went home!!!.
Absolutely brilliant day out. I could well be converted to this kind of flying. So different to flying in and out of a busy commercial airport. Can't wait to go again (I've already invited myself!)
Our intrepid captain had to shoot home, and prepare to take 300 people to Los Angeles the next day!! Envy him? You betcha!!
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Frustrating w/e
The weather has been a so and so this weekend.
On Friday I did the ground planning for a local nav exercise,a five sided course around 50 miles, which I then flew with the CFI.
It was very bumpy but I managed to keep spot on 2000 feet and did not deviate off course.
The idea was that either Sat or Sun I would do a revised plan for the same route and fly it on my own.
It hasn't happened as the weather has been really bad so now it will be next w/e all being well.
At this rate I can't realisticaly see me having my licence before Christmas ,but as someone has already said,"it isn't a race!"
Lister
On Friday I did the ground planning for a local nav exercise,a five sided course around 50 miles, which I then flew with the CFI.
It was very bumpy but I managed to keep spot on 2000 feet and did not deviate off course.
The idea was that either Sat or Sun I would do a revised plan for the same route and fly it on my own.
It hasn't happened as the weather has been really bad so now it will be next w/e all being well.
At this rate I can't realisticaly see me having my licence before Christmas ,but as someone has already said,"it isn't a race!"
Lister
Spicy Meatball
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It's about time you took that GFT Mr Mazzy..... Get it done
Cheq - that's what it's all about mate, I bet you truly appreciated the true value of being able to fly after that day. I look forward to those kinds of trips when the license hits the doormat
The weather has been a so and so this weekend
It was very bumpy but I managed to keep spot on 2000 feet and did not deviate off course
The weather has been strange recently - this morning we had heavy snow showers in Liverpool, and now I am looking at a clear blue sky
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Half an hour later, we took off and landed at a strip behind a pub in Keystone (Northants) with a massive crosswind taxing the pilot somewhat.
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Not exactly on the same plot but a quick update , since i passed my PPL in April have put a few hours in well nearly 90 to be precise, night rating finished last week , IMC test was today, however just as we were ready to go my examiner got pulled to take some people to Gloucester in the King Air and yep I got the RH seat, wow wahat an experience 14,000' down the airways Gloucester hang around a bit and then back , no test but knowledge gained immense, now for the test tomorrow, so come on people keep going the light to learn more is at the end of the tunnell!
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Wow is all I can say.. I started reading this post on Saturday or Sunday and that is me just finished...
Sitting at work - supposed to be working - but all the time thinking about starting my training..especially after reading about all the challenges that lie ahead.
I have already been reading through the Air Law & Met books - both TT and AFE (managed to pick them up on Flea Bay) and looking to start training at the beginning of 2006..
A couple of quick questions though..
I am a similar height to Mazzy 6'2" / 6'3" but on the heavier side of 17st - does this restrict the choice of training steed?? What are the limits for most training aircraft..??
Would I be right in saying that I could pick off the exams - one a month say - taking me through to the summer and then have 2 years to complete the practical side of the training??
Look forward to your comments..
Dave
Sitting at work - supposed to be working - but all the time thinking about starting my training..especially after reading about all the challenges that lie ahead.
I have already been reading through the Air Law & Met books - both TT and AFE (managed to pick them up on Flea Bay) and looking to start training at the beginning of 2006..
A couple of quick questions though..
I am a similar height to Mazzy 6'2" / 6'3" but on the heavier side of 17st - does this restrict the choice of training steed?? What are the limits for most training aircraft..??
Would I be right in saying that I could pick off the exams - one a month say - taking me through to the summer and then have 2 years to complete the practical side of the training??
Look forward to your comments..
Dave
Spicy Meatball
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Dave, welcome aboard! That is some reading!
With regards to your weight, you will probably find the Tommy more than adequate (as I do) and depending on the weight of your instructor - you will probably be ok, however, you need to think about the type of flying you will do when you get your PPL - I.e. if you want to take people, then you may need the lower restrictions of the Warrior for example (4 seater). Personally, I will be converting to the Warrior (or similar) upon completion, for when I want to take people up.
You sound like you have the right attitude towards the exams - you just need to make sure that you pass them all within an 18 month timeframe, and then (I think) you have 2 years from the date of your last exam to pass the PPL (someone correct me if I am wrong).
Best thing to do is go to your flying school and have a chat with an instructor - they should be more than happy to answer all your questions (and in my case, put your mind at rest to any initial fears). Where are you flying from?
Best of luck - look forward to reading your experiences (ahem)!
Lee
With regards to your weight, you will probably find the Tommy more than adequate (as I do) and depending on the weight of your instructor - you will probably be ok, however, you need to think about the type of flying you will do when you get your PPL - I.e. if you want to take people, then you may need the lower restrictions of the Warrior for example (4 seater). Personally, I will be converting to the Warrior (or similar) upon completion, for when I want to take people up.
You sound like you have the right attitude towards the exams - you just need to make sure that you pass them all within an 18 month timeframe, and then (I think) you have 2 years from the date of your last exam to pass the PPL (someone correct me if I am wrong).
Best thing to do is go to your flying school and have a chat with an instructor - they should be more than happy to answer all your questions (and in my case, put your mind at rest to any initial fears). Where are you flying from?
Best of luck - look forward to reading your experiences (ahem)!
Lee
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Cheers for that Mazzy.
I have still to finalise where I am going to do my training but I have the choice of several places..
Cumbernauld - Where I stay - Three FTO's at the local field.
Perth - 50 miles away but apparently cheaper (according to a mate)
Glasgow - 25 Miles no sure of prices as yet.
As far as I am aware Cumbernauld trains on Tommys or C150/152.
Dave
I have still to finalise where I am going to do my training but I have the choice of several places..
Cumbernauld - Where I stay - Three FTO's at the local field.
Perth - 50 miles away but apparently cheaper (according to a mate)
Glasgow - 25 Miles no sure of prices as yet.
As far as I am aware Cumbernauld trains on Tommys or C150/152.
Dave
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Cheapest isn't always best!
Visit them all and have a chat,you are looking for a professional set-up with realistic student performance targets and decent aircraft to obtain your licence,have a trial lesson at two on the short list.
Ask other local pilots where they trained and get as much feedback as possible before making a final choice.
I looked at four before deciding where I wanted to be and am really pleased with the end result.
Remember it might be £20-30 per hour cheaper but if it takes another 15 hours thats a lot of dosh!
Lister
Visit them all and have a chat,you are looking for a professional set-up with realistic student performance targets and decent aircraft to obtain your licence,have a trial lesson at two on the short list.
Ask other local pilots where they trained and get as much feedback as possible before making a final choice.
I looked at four before deciding where I wanted to be and am really pleased with the end result.
Remember it might be £20-30 per hour cheaper but if it takes another 15 hours thats a lot of dosh!
Lister
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RudeNot2
Lister is quite correct in that cheapest isn't always best. There may be valid reasons for a school to have lower running costs based on location but you will also have to factor in travel time and fuel in your car.
I was at Glasgow earlier this week as a passenger. A good sized airport and one that would be fun to learn at. I started my training at a major airport in controlled airspace and don't regret doing so at all. It gave me great confidence when taxying around the big jets, sharing the R/T airwaves with the commercial crews, following ATC directives regarding airspace restrictions etc. etc.
Get your exams out of the way asap and then concentrate on flying. You can always get back to the books to brush up on, for instance, navigation. I believe Mazzy is correct in the time limits - but your school will be able to put you right.
Mazzy - if it is taking people 3 or 4 days to read this thread you really must start taking the book option seriously ;-)
Still no documentation from the CAA - although they did debit my credit card in record time - at least I know the registered mail delivery worked...
Lister is quite correct in that cheapest isn't always best. There may be valid reasons for a school to have lower running costs based on location but you will also have to factor in travel time and fuel in your car.
I was at Glasgow earlier this week as a passenger. A good sized airport and one that would be fun to learn at. I started my training at a major airport in controlled airspace and don't regret doing so at all. It gave me great confidence when taxying around the big jets, sharing the R/T airwaves with the commercial crews, following ATC directives regarding airspace restrictions etc. etc.
Get your exams out of the way asap and then concentrate on flying. You can always get back to the books to brush up on, for instance, navigation. I believe Mazzy is correct in the time limits - but your school will be able to put you right.
Mazzy - if it is taking people 3 or 4 days to read this thread you really must start taking the book option seriously ;-)
Still no documentation from the CAA - although they did debit my credit card in record time - at least I know the registered mail delivery worked...
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The book option would be a good idea and possibly a money spinner!! Do the right marketing on ebay with an electronic download for £5.99 and you'd be laughing!!
I downloaded it after discovering the feature on Monday or Tuesday and put it onto the pda to read on the train to work..
I downloaded it after discovering the feature on Monday or Tuesday and put it onto the pda to read on the train to work..
Spicy Meatball
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(Blushing) Why thank you people, very kind words indeed
Wouldn't squeeze money out of people who are already in, or about to take up an expensive hobby, but I would love to make a book out of it.
BRL - glad to see you still here, t'has been a while Would love to have a "Diary" bash and Birmingham sounds excellent, all once I get that golden (well, brown) ticket 
(mazbash sounds funny though) As long as those doing the bashing are good looking
Wouldn't squeeze money out of people who are already in, or about to take up an expensive hobby, but I would love to make a book out of it.
BRL - glad to see you still here, t'has been a while
Would love to have a "Diary" bash and Birmingham sounds excellent, all once I get that golden (well, brown) ticket (mazbash sounds funny though)
As long as those doing the bashing are good looking