From Zero to Forty Five - my PPL Diary
Spicy Meatball
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Liverpool UK
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Good to see you guys doing well - Lister, I am very jealous of your achievements, I would give my left arm for a decent share like that at Liverpool! There are one or two, but training is the problem (I.e. Chipmunk). If the Citabria ever comes back to Liverpool, then I am right in there!
Chris - feels like years since I saw "Blinkz" on here - glad the training is going well, and don't forget my jump-seat ride when you reach the top
Ding - I haven't seen such a ruling that doesn't allow you to post your own name! Send me the link to your diary and I will check it out...
As far as my online version goes, I have spent what seems like an eternity, organising and sorting out the diary. When I eventually get round to generating this site, there may well be a facility for you all to put your own up there - watch this space .....
Cheers
Lee
P.S. I was gonna give a few insults to Neil (DiscoChocolate) to once again see if he is still lurking about in here - Chris - if you chat to him, please pass on my good compliments
Chris - feels like years since I saw "Blinkz" on here - glad the training is going well, and don't forget my jump-seat ride when you reach the top
Ding - I haven't seen such a ruling that doesn't allow you to post your own name! Send me the link to your diary and I will check it out...
As far as my online version goes, I have spent what seems like an eternity, organising and sorting out the diary. When I eventually get round to generating this site, there may well be a facility for you all to put your own up there - watch this space .....
Cheers
Lee
P.S. I was gonna give a few insults to Neil (DiscoChocolate) to once again see if he is still lurking about in here - Chris - if you chat to him, please pass on my good compliments
Fixed+Rotary (aircraft, not washing lines)
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Mazzy
I've no problem with my contributions going on your diary. You might just want to get confirmation from the PPRuNe powers that be that you can effectively lift and drop content from this site to yours.
My diaries are also on-line (a search for my PPRuNe name will find the site), the PPL one is complete but now I'm doing IMC and PPL(H) which is keeping me busy as the posted diaries need to be tidied up and edited.
Went for a 'short' flight from Sheffield to Hucknall at the weekend, but the long way - tracking VOR radials across South Yorkshire / Derbs / Notts. And a land away at a small grass field - great fun! I've around 75 hrs now and 8 on rotaries. Slowly but surely making progress with no great rush.
I've no problem with my contributions going on your diary. You might just want to get confirmation from the PPRuNe powers that be that you can effectively lift and drop content from this site to yours.
My diaries are also on-line (a search for my PPRuNe name will find the site), the PPL one is complete but now I'm doing IMC and PPL(H) which is keeping me busy as the posted diaries need to be tidied up and edited.
Went for a 'short' flight from Sheffield to Hucknall at the weekend, but the long way - tracking VOR radials across South Yorkshire / Derbs / Notts. And a land away at a small grass field - great fun! I've around 75 hrs now and 8 on rotaries. Slowly but surely making progress with no great rush.
Fixed+Rotary (aircraft, not washing lines)
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Whirlybird - glad you liked the diary - I really do need to tidy it up now that I know you are reading!
Mazzy - same line of work as you, but with a few more years behind me
Mazzy - same line of work as you, but with a few more years behind me
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Hi Mazzy
Feel free to use whatever I have posted. I have not made it up to Speke yet, but will soon I hope. I'm up to 146 hours TT now and bought an old aeroplane in August. It's a 1967 PA-28, but it does have a rather nice 6 cylinder 235hp donkey. Tis a bit thirsty though at 48l/hr leaned, but hey. Done 25 hours in it since August.
Pure luck that it came up for sale at Shoreham, my home airfield, and with a place in the hangar. The previous owner had just finished building a Europa and so didn't need the PA-28. He still flies it occasionally as do the other two guys who rented it before, so it helps with the fixed costs.
I have not started my IMC rating yet due to lack of time, but did venture across the Channel for the first time last Saturday. Went to Le Touquet via Lydd and Cap Gris-Nez. Loveley weather going out at FL55, with a bit of rain over Boulogne, but nothing much. Decided to return direct from Le Touquet to Seaford and ended up dodging about between rain clouds at 3,000ft, but no real issue. We couldn't make a full day of it, of course, because of the light, but it's another box ticked
Good wishes to one and all
Lysander
Feel free to use whatever I have posted. I have not made it up to Speke yet, but will soon I hope. I'm up to 146 hours TT now and bought an old aeroplane in August. It's a 1967 PA-28, but it does have a rather nice 6 cylinder 235hp donkey. Tis a bit thirsty though at 48l/hr leaned, but hey. Done 25 hours in it since August.
Pure luck that it came up for sale at Shoreham, my home airfield, and with a place in the hangar. The previous owner had just finished building a Europa and so didn't need the PA-28. He still flies it occasionally as do the other two guys who rented it before, so it helps with the fixed costs.
I have not started my IMC rating yet due to lack of time, but did venture across the Channel for the first time last Saturday. Went to Le Touquet via Lydd and Cap Gris-Nez. Loveley weather going out at FL55, with a bit of rain over Boulogne, but nothing much. Decided to return direct from Le Touquet to Seaford and ended up dodging about between rain clouds at 3,000ft, but no real issue. We couldn't make a full day of it, of course, because of the light, but it's another box ticked
Good wishes to one and all
Lysander
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Hi Mazzy. Thumbs up from here regarding lifting the thread but you will need permission from all who have contributed, that is the difficult part!
The rest of you who have other sites, you can link to them in your profile so when someone clicks on your name, they can click on the weblink there.
The rest of you who have other sites, you can link to them in your profile so when someone clicks on your name, they can click on the weblink there.
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Hi
just thought i'd say Hi and introduce myself, I'm currently at around 13 hours on my PPL course and am doing circuits in a PA28 -160 at Newcastle airport.
I've only just started reading this thread today and i have to say its excellent, its really helped me to see I'm not the only one making mistakes and of course get things right!
A big congratulations to all who have passed their PPL's - I hope to one soon!
cheers
Craig
I've only just started reading this thread today and i have to say its excellent, its really helped me to see I'm not the only one making mistakes and of course get things right!
A big congratulations to all who have passed their PPL's - I hope to one soon!
cheers
Craig
The Original Whirly
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MyData,
Please don't worry, I only skimmed it, and probably won't have time to do much more than that. And I certainly won't have my critical instructor's hat on when I read it, I promise!!!
Please don't worry, I only skimmed it, and probably won't have time to do much more than that. And I certainly won't have my critical instructor's hat on when I read it, I promise!!!
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Hello again!!
Hi everyone, it's been months since I posted on here, and I'm pleased to see the Mazzy thread is still going strong. Firstly Lee, I'm so sorry to hear of your fathers passing - it's something we all have to face at some time, and I know what you are going through.
I hope you get your flying activities up and running again soon. I too have not spent too much time in the air since achieving ppl, averaging only about an hour a month, simply following my Garmin 296 around the Midlands. As such, I was falling into the trap of just flying to stay current, which is easy to do, so decided I needed to do something to get motivated again. Hence I've embarked on the IMC course, again out of East Midlands.
Guy's, I can thoroughly recommend the IMC course, it's absolutely fantastic!
I've had just three hours to date, flying on instruments alone and navigating by way of VOR's/DME, The best bit so far? Two full ILS approaches into East Mids in rain and poor light/viz. What an experience, I felt like a Boeing pilot!! I was allowed to look up, only at decision height. It took a few seconds for my eyes to settle to the outside world again.
I have found that the many hours I've spent on FS2004 doing blind approaches in virtually zero viz has given a tremendous grounding and understanding to instrument flying.
I have found it really sharpens up your flying - you HAVE to maintain steady height and direction, though with constant scanning, it's actually easier than when flying VFR. The first 30 seconds after entering cloud is quite strange, almost claustrophobic, and it is of course 100% essential you believe your instruments, no matter what your body senses are telling you. To date, I've had no attack of the leans, though it's probably only a matter of time!!
I can thoroughly recommend this course - it's exhilerating and great fun, but I do find at my age, I'm pretty tired after an hour of staring at instruments alone.
I was due up today for my third lesson, but my instructor was off with family problem, but I'm up again next week, so I'll update you. He reckons I should be ready at the minimum 15 hour stage - hope so, to keep the costs down.
Once again, I cannot recommend the IMC course enough - It's worth having a go!!
I hope you get your flying activities up and running again soon. I too have not spent too much time in the air since achieving ppl, averaging only about an hour a month, simply following my Garmin 296 around the Midlands. As such, I was falling into the trap of just flying to stay current, which is easy to do, so decided I needed to do something to get motivated again. Hence I've embarked on the IMC course, again out of East Midlands.
Guy's, I can thoroughly recommend the IMC course, it's absolutely fantastic!
I've had just three hours to date, flying on instruments alone and navigating by way of VOR's/DME, The best bit so far? Two full ILS approaches into East Mids in rain and poor light/viz. What an experience, I felt like a Boeing pilot!! I was allowed to look up, only at decision height. It took a few seconds for my eyes to settle to the outside world again.
I have found that the many hours I've spent on FS2004 doing blind approaches in virtually zero viz has given a tremendous grounding and understanding to instrument flying.
I have found it really sharpens up your flying - you HAVE to maintain steady height and direction, though with constant scanning, it's actually easier than when flying VFR. The first 30 seconds after entering cloud is quite strange, almost claustrophobic, and it is of course 100% essential you believe your instruments, no matter what your body senses are telling you. To date, I've had no attack of the leans, though it's probably only a matter of time!!
I can thoroughly recommend this course - it's exhilerating and great fun, but I do find at my age, I'm pretty tired after an hour of staring at instruments alone.
I was due up today for my third lesson, but my instructor was off with family problem, but I'm up again next week, so I'll update you. He reckons I should be ready at the minimum 15 hour stage - hope so, to keep the costs down.
Once again, I cannot recommend the IMC course enough - It's worth having a go!!
Fixed+Rotary (aircraft, not washing lines)
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Chequered - I'd concur 100% with what you say about the IMC. I've had around 10 hours now and it is such a good way to consolidate the PPL experience.
Doing ILS approaches is very rewarding - I use Doncaster rather than East Midlands and have been fortunate enough to have some of my lessons in real IMC conditions where focussing on the instrument scan is vital (I have veered off the straight and narrow a few times - it is so easy to do!).
I had the leans just the once. On about my third or fourth hour. We were in contact with East Midlands and heard the Emergency Response Helicopter crew return to base due to poor viz. I was being tossed about, in cloud, no reference to the ground and not feeling so great - then the leans kicked in. Quite unsettling!
Whirlybird - No problem, once it is tidy and more complete you can read at your leisure. :-)
Doing ILS approaches is very rewarding - I use Doncaster rather than East Midlands and have been fortunate enough to have some of my lessons in real IMC conditions where focussing on the instrument scan is vital (I have veered off the straight and narrow a few times - it is so easy to do!).
I had the leans just the once. On about my third or fourth hour. We were in contact with East Midlands and heard the Emergency Response Helicopter crew return to base due to poor viz. I was being tossed about, in cloud, no reference to the ground and not feeling so great - then the leans kicked in. Quite unsettling!
Whirlybird - No problem, once it is tidy and more complete you can read at your leisure. :-)
Spicy Meatball
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Cheers BRL - I think for now I will do just mine, then perhaps a link where it will be possible to download the 'lot'! And you still owe me that pint
Craig - I am shocked. A new member to my diary, not had that for a very long time! Thanks for posting, glad you enjoyed the reading - feel free to let us know how you get on - you can be in the 'New Breed'
Cheq/Data - Very tempted to sign up for the course having read what you have said (stop getting me to spend more money on training!). Thanks for that, sounds excellent....thanks for the kind words also Cheq...
Kev - from what I understand, the leans is when your body tells you that the aircraft is doing one thing, when in fact it is actually doing another. Think of VFR flying, when you look out the window, your brain and your vision will match, as you can see out the window. However, when your in cloud, you don't have the vision to rely on and MUST trust your instruments. I have never experienced this myself, but try putting your head down and staring at the floor in a moving car (not while your driving of course
)
Cheers all - good to be back
Craig - I am shocked. A new member to my diary, not had that for a very long time! Thanks for posting, glad you enjoyed the reading - feel free to let us know how you get on - you can be in the 'New Breed'
Cheq/Data - Very tempted to sign up for the course having read what you have said (stop getting me to spend more money on training!). Thanks for that, sounds excellent....thanks for the kind words also Cheq...
Kev - from what I understand, the leans is when your body tells you that the aircraft is doing one thing, when in fact it is actually doing another. Think of VFR flying, when you look out the window, your brain and your vision will match, as you can see out the window. However, when your in cloud, you don't have the vision to rely on and MUST trust your instruments. I have never experienced this myself, but try putting your head down and staring at the floor in a moving car (not while your driving of course
)Cheers all - good to be back
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another delurk....just fnished reading this thread with much interest
am currently about eight hours into my ab initio training and it is nice to have been able to gain some insight into the road ahead...
I am splitting my training between two flying schools - in melbourne and sydney as my current work commitments keep me split between the two cities - I have been managing to squeeze a couple of hours a week in the evenings after work.
am currently about eight hours into my ab initio training and it is nice to have been able to gain some insight into the road ahead...
I am splitting my training between two flying schools - in melbourne and sydney as my current work commitments keep me split between the two cities - I have been managing to squeeze a couple of hours a week in the evenings after work.
Spicy Meatball
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Shemy/Miraz - welcome 
Shemy - drop me a line next time your down, I will nip over to Ravenair
Miraz - Kookabat is the guy to talk to about flying in Australia
Shemy - drop me a line next time your down, I will nip over to Ravenair
Miraz - Kookabat is the guy to talk to about flying in Australia
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Thanks - I've been reading his postings, I am sure you don't want another bitching session about the glacial state of CASA's licensing process....been waiting over a month for my student license, security check, etc to go through - current estimate is another 6-7 weeks.
I have another round of circuits booked for tomorrow afternoon down in Melbourne...nice way to spend a Friday evening.
I used to fly Gliders in the UK many years ago, which is helping immensely with the basic handling training...it is interesting learning to fly repeatable manouvres by the numbers, and adopting a different mind set about flying the a/c. I have discovered that a sharp intake of breath from the RHS on final approach means that I have judged my flare for a glider with no undercarriage. :-)
I have another round of circuits booked for tomorrow afternoon down in Melbourne...nice way to spend a Friday evening.
I used to fly Gliders in the UK many years ago, which is helping immensely with the basic handling training...it is interesting learning to fly repeatable manouvres by the numbers, and adopting a different mind set about flying the a/c. I have discovered that a sharp intake of breath from the RHS on final approach means that I have judged my flare for a glider with no undercarriage. :-)
Last edited by Miraz; 23rd Nov 2006 at 10:42.
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Kev - from what I understand, the leans is when your body tells you that the aircraft is doing one thing, when in fact it is actually doing another. Think of VFR flying, when you look out the window, your brain and your vision will match, as you can see out the window. However, when your in cloud, you don't have the vision to rely on and MUST trust your instruments.
All your built in sensors (middle ear etc) with no visual references will tell you that the aircraft is banked left or right (most commonly) or even climbing or descending (less common) but your instruments tell you different!
You HAVE to trust the instruments, and sometimes it ain't easy!
Good luck with the IMC course anyway!
Fixed+Rotary (aircraft, not washing lines)
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You HAVE to trust the instruments, and sometimes it ain't easy!
Ears and stomach say: "We are turning left, make a correction to maintain heading"
Eyes: "No, we are straight, and level"
E+S: "No, can't be, I can feel it, put some right stick in"
Eyes: "No, look, the heading bug isn't moving"
Cue battle of the senses, until the newbie VFR PPL makes the common sense judgement and turns the aircraft to the right.
E+S: "There - thats better we are flying straight and level now"
Eyes: "Oh no we're not, look we are turning"
E+S: "We can't be turning, this 'feels' nice and straight, I'm not leaning due to turning forces anymore"
Eyes: "Look, there, look, we *ARE* turning, the AI says so, the HSI says so, the compass says so"
E+S: "Mmm.. you may have a point there..."
Another battle of the senses, IMC student takes over and turns the aircraft to the left to align the instruments. Maintain the instrument scan. Everything is OK again.
E+S: "Woah! Don't like this, we are turning again, look, I'm even leaning over to counter the forces"
Eyes: "Aw, just shut up and look at the instruments"
And so the battle continues... all the while the instructor is probably having a quiet chuckle.
But it does get tiresome and confusing. And it is so easy to get out of line if you don't maintain that instrument scan all the time! Even short actions such as radio changes and VOR idents etc. can throw everything off course.
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I've been reading his postings, I am sure you don't want another bitching session about the glacial state of CASA's licensing process....
See what bringing the thread back to the top will do... suddenly we get all the Prooners who joined since it was last 'in swing', so to speak, de-lurking. Good stuff!!
Meanwhile, I'm off to watch the Ashes