From Zero to Forty Five - my PPL Diary
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Norfolk UK
Age: 80
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mark,
I'm very fortunate on the sickness front,must be all those years of sailing,but I certainly would not whack a steak sandwich down me before flying,I usually have tuna mayo sandwich but I suppose they could be a bit slippery!
Well today I went up with the CFI for 50 mins and went through the things that went wrong on my test.
He said "if you had done that on the test you would have passed",it's a so and so isn't it?
Probably the result of a mixture of nerves and a poor nights sleep.
Might do the re-test next Friday or Saturday if things work out,including the weather.
We have a bit of a strange atmosphere at Old Buck at the moment as a 27 yr old parachutist client at the parachute school decided to throw away his helmet and cut through the 'chute harness on the way down.
A strange way to commit suicide and not very fair on all those who are now involved who should not have been,especially the pilot and school.
Anyway we are all sorry for his parents etc.
Lister
I'm very fortunate on the sickness front,must be all those years of sailing,but I certainly would not whack a steak sandwich down me before flying,I usually have tuna mayo sandwich but I suppose they could be a bit slippery!
Well today I went up with the CFI for 50 mins and went through the things that went wrong on my test.
He said "if you had done that on the test you would have passed",it's a so and so isn't it?
Probably the result of a mixture of nerves and a poor nights sleep.
Might do the re-test next Friday or Saturday if things work out,including the weather.
We have a bit of a strange atmosphere at Old Buck at the moment as a 27 yr old parachutist client at the parachute school decided to throw away his helmet and cut through the 'chute harness on the way down.
A strange way to commit suicide and not very fair on all those who are now involved who should not have been,especially the pilot and school.
Anyway we are all sorry for his parents etc.
Lister
Last edited by Lister Noble; 2nd May 2006 at 08:34.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Worcester
Age: 72
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mazzy and friends Hi,
What a fantastic thread!!! It's taken me 3 weeks to read it, things like eating, sleeping and work got in the way oh! and a bit of flying. This must be one of the best contributions to GA since the Wright brothers. People have received knighthoods for less than this.
May be the moderator could give it special status so it stays at the front of the forum. It really is that important.
I had my first real flying lesson on April 23rd 2005 and am now approaching 40 hours. I am due to do my second solo nav tomorrow weather permitting then its QXC dual, solo, revision & skills test. I should have found this thread moths ago!
Hope you don't mind but I posted a link to this thread on my club forum in the studes section.
Please don't stop Mazzy I can't wait for the next installments of what really happens when you have your poo coloured licence.
Best wishes and fly safe Chris
What a fantastic thread!!! It's taken me 3 weeks to read it, things like eating, sleeping and work got in the way oh! and a bit of flying. This must be one of the best contributions to GA since the Wright brothers. People have received knighthoods for less than this.
May be the moderator could give it special status so it stays at the front of the forum. It really is that important.I had my first real flying lesson on April 23rd 2005 and am now approaching 40 hours. I am due to do my second solo nav tomorrow weather permitting then its QXC dual, solo, revision & skills test. I should have found this thread moths ago!
Hope you don't mind but I posted a link to this thread on my club forum in the studes section.
Please don't stop Mazzy I can't wait for the next installments of what really happens when you have your poo coloured licence.
Best wishes and fly safe Chris
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Norfolk UK
Age: 80
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
An up and down day!
Well,I turned up at 9o'c for the skills test on the section I failed last week,the weather was just about do-able although not brilliant but I decided to give it a look.
We went up to 4000 ' but there was no horizon and vision was quite hazy,even the clouds did not have a clear base.
So I decided that trying steep 360's without any horizon was giving myself a hard time and told the examiner that I was not happy to continue.
Once she was sure that I had made the decision and ended the test, she told me that I had made the right choice.
So I may go back later today if the wx improves,if not have next Friday and Saturday booked.
Lister
We went up to 4000 ' but there was no horizon and vision was quite hazy,even the clouds did not have a clear base.
So I decided that trying steep 360's without any horizon was giving myself a hard time and told the examiner that I was not happy to continue.
Once she was sure that I had made the decision and ended the test, she told me that I had made the right choice.
So I may go back later today if the wx improves,if not have next Friday and Saturday booked.
Lister
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Made the right choice again, my friend. There's no rush at all, rather be a safe pilot than the alternative. Hope the weather clears and you get the pass you deserve.
Intelligent Idiot
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Cleethorpes, UK
Age: 66
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well did over 2 hours of circuits trying to perfect my landings.
Didnt get one of them right, arghhhh, so frustrating.
Approach was fine each time but can I hell as like get the flare right.
Too soon, too late, you name it I did it and when I did get that bit right, I didnt hold the nose up long enough, luckily Richard, my instructor got me out of bother each time.
Just to end the day nicely, after my final landing, I had to sit and wait on the runway for about £30's of minutes waiting for a Ryanair 737 to taxi to runway and backtrack from the same exit I was waiting for.
Dont know why he didnt use holding point Bravo like everyone else does.
Instructor was shaking his head but who are we to question ATC.
They must have had their reasons, expensive ones for me though.
Didnt get one of them right, arghhhh, so frustrating.
Approach was fine each time but can I hell as like get the flare right.
Too soon, too late, you name it I did it and when I did get that bit right, I didnt hold the nose up long enough, luckily Richard, my instructor got me out of bother each time.
Just to end the day nicely, after my final landing, I had to sit and wait on the runway for about £30's of minutes waiting for a Ryanair 737 to taxi to runway and backtrack from the same exit I was waiting for.
Dont know why he didnt use holding point Bravo like everyone else does.
Instructor was shaking his head but who are we to question ATC.
They must have had their reasons, expensive ones for me though.
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Not around here
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Unlucky Lister, it must have been frustrating, but it sounds like you made the right choice. I was up earlier this afternoon in the Redhill area, and it was pretty naff. No point in adding to the pressure, better luck with the weather next time.
C23
C23
FCL fees question
A big week of flying for me this week - I managed to get my QXC done (EGBT-EGSC-EGBG) on May day (don't say that over the radio!) and then my Skills Test on Friday - what a beautiful day for flying! 
I'll try to write up my thoughts in a wee while, but unfortunately, I've got a plane to catch to India this afternoon.
Before then though, I'm trying to get all my papers in order and send it off to CAA. Can anyone confirm that the £159 fee for the licence application includes the FTROL application, or do I need to pay the additional £63 for the "separate R/T grant or renewal"?
Sometimes I think the paper war is more difficult than the flying!
A
I'll try to write up my thoughts in a wee while, but unfortunately, I've got a plane to catch to India this afternoon.
Before then though, I'm trying to get all my papers in order and send it off to CAA. Can anyone confirm that the £159 fee for the licence application includes the FTROL application, or do I need to pay the additional £63 for the "separate R/T grant or renewal"?
Sometimes I think the paper war is more difficult than the flying!
A
Fixed+Rotary (aircraft, not washing lines)
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Peak District, Yorkshire, UK
Age: 56
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Andy
Big congrats. I understand the R/T licence is included if you submit all the paperwork together. That is what I did, I passed the R/T theory in July and submitted the paperwork with my application November all for £159. A bargain.
Big congrats. I understand the R/T licence is included if you submit all the paperwork together. That is what I did, I passed the R/T theory in July and submitted the paperwork with my application November all for £159. A bargain.
Spicy Meatball
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Liverpool UK
Age: 41
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well what can I say? I have not even logged into pprune for about 4 weeks and I have missed all these wonderful posts. Welcome aboard to anyone that has joined us, all's I can say is that I am truly impressed that people are still posting here, especially as the author isn't !!
To update you all, I have started a new job, and now work in Deeside in Wales/Chester - so that has been another reason why I have been so busy. Been at the hospital every night with my Dad (who is on a ticking clock) and not had the chance to do anything remotely normal really!
Well, saying that, I have clocked up 2 hours and 5 mins as a PPL - the second flight was with my Uncle, who loved every minute of it. I was in deep concentration towards the end when ATC reported the wind as 180 13kts (on runway 09) so after we landed reasonably OK, the tension in my stomach disappeared!
I am sorry I have not been replying to individual posts like I usually do - I am sure you can understand. All's I will say is that I am made up with people's progress and newcomers and all the posts still being made in here - and Lister, keep up the good work mate - chin up
Best wishes to you all,
Lee
To update you all, I have started a new job, and now work in Deeside in Wales/Chester - so that has been another reason why I have been so busy. Been at the hospital every night with my Dad (who is on a ticking clock) and not had the chance to do anything remotely normal really!
Well, saying that, I have clocked up 2 hours and 5 mins as a PPL - the second flight was with my Uncle, who loved every minute of it. I was in deep concentration towards the end when ATC reported the wind as 180 13kts (on runway 09) so after we landed reasonably OK, the tension in my stomach disappeared!
I am sorry I have not been replying to individual posts like I usually do - I am sure you can understand. All's I will say is that I am made up with people's progress and newcomers and all the posts still being made in here - and Lister, keep up the good work mate - chin up
Best wishes to you all,
Lee
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Norfolk UK
Age: 80
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mazzy,thank for the good wishes,I'm doing the partial re-sit tomorrow morning and wx looks good,so fingers crossed!
I'm sorry to hear that your father's outlook is grim,but hope the new job goes well.
Lister
I'm sorry to hear that your father's outlook is grim,but hope the new job goes well.
Lister
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Surrey
Age: 43
Posts: 900
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey guys, Glad to see the thread till active and with so many new people starting their PPLs, good luck to you all! Its a brilliant experience and everyone here is willing to give you support and help as best we can.
A quick update to what I've been doing, sorry I've not posted in so long. For the past 6 months I've been doing my ATPL ground school and that really did pretty much take up all my life, so much stuff to learn in so little time!!! Finished the exams in April with an average of 95% so was really chuffed with that. Am now in Phoenix, Arizona for my VFR training for my CPL, done 6hrs so far. Highlight of the trip so far has to have been having 3hrs flying in a Cirrus SR20. Its an amazing piece of kit compared to the warriors that I've been flying. Can cruise at around 150kts and has a full glass cockpit with moving map, autopilot, TCAS and lots of other nice toys. Great fun to fly and really impressive to see what 30 more years of desgin can do to an aircraft (yes warriors are really that old!!!)
Sorry that this isn't really suited to the PPL diary, I just thought I'd give you all a quick update, I have more time on my hands now so I'll try and post more. Good luck to you all!
A quick update to what I've been doing, sorry I've not posted in so long. For the past 6 months I've been doing my ATPL ground school and that really did pretty much take up all my life, so much stuff to learn in so little time!!! Finished the exams in April with an average of 95% so was really chuffed with that. Am now in Phoenix, Arizona for my VFR training for my CPL, done 6hrs so far. Highlight of the trip so far has to have been having 3hrs flying in a Cirrus SR20. Its an amazing piece of kit compared to the warriors that I've been flying. Can cruise at around 150kts and has a full glass cockpit with moving map, autopilot, TCAS and lots of other nice toys. Great fun to fly and really impressive to see what 30 more years of desgin can do to an aircraft (yes warriors are really that old!!!)
Sorry that this isn't really suited to the PPL diary, I just thought I'd give you all a quick update, I have more time on my hands now so I'll try and post more. Good luck to you all!
Good Luck Lister!
Spicy Meatball
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Liverpool UK
Age: 41
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Blinkz - I don't know whether to say "nice one" or "you b**tard" hehe! Very jealous indeed - all the time on the ground has finally paid off for you! Try and get some pictures if you can and stick em on photobucket!
Here is the link again to my pictures:
http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d52/mazzy1026/
Cheers,
Lee
Here is the link again to my pictures:
http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d52/mazzy1026/
Cheers,
Lee
Super-Friendly Aviator
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Reigate, UK
Age: 42
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi guys,
Booked my Skills Test for mid-June 
Solo time is fine but still need to squeeze in another 5-6 hours before then to get the 45.
50% excited, 50% daunted!
V1R
Booked my Skills Test for mid-June
Solo time is fine but still need to squeeze in another 5-6 hours before then to get the 45.
50% excited, 50% daunted!
V1R
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Norfolk UK
Age: 80
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
HOORAY!
Yep,I've done it this morning,passed my partial skills test.
I'm now going back to club with copy birth cert etc to get my PPL application in the post this afternoon.
Hope to write more later,if I'm not too pi**ed!
Lister.
I'm now going back to club with copy birth cert etc to get my PPL application in the post this afternoon.
Hope to write more later,if I'm not too pi**ed!
Lister.