From Zero to Forty Five - my PPL Diary
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 291
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From: The noisy part of Papa 1-8 55 N 1 W
Thanks Mazzy
I had a feeling it would be you who replied,and boy did you start something with this thread. It is a long time since I have been on here and it gives me a good feeling to see it still carrying on and everybody going through the same things to gain a PPL,Nothing's changed !
I will be in Liverpool Mon/Tues and hope to fly the sights in the city,weather permitting and if so will post here.
Thanks again my friend and take care.
Fly safe all...
I had a feeling it would be you who replied,and boy did you start something with this thread. It is a long time since I have been on here and it gives me a good feeling to see it still carrying on and everybody going through the same things to gain a PPL,Nothing's changed !
I will be in Liverpool Mon/Tues and hope to fly the sights in the city,weather permitting and if so will post here.
Thanks again my friend and take care.
Fly safe all...
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 291
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From: The noisy part of Papa 1-8 55 N 1 W
liverpool
Hi all.
Left Newcastle and went to Liverpool last Monday,drove straight to airport to the sounds of " Your not going flying again are you ? " ringing in my left ear( wasn't listening ) found hangar four, and found LFS and Ravenair no problems (bollocking for no viz,slapped hands should know better ).
Nothing available that day so booked 16:30 Tuesday,Tuesday morning arrived with a nice low pressure front and poor viz,phoned and was advised no flying that day,We only had limited time so was a bit peeved but weather is so predictable I should have known better.
All was not lost,went to nearest pub !
Liverpool : Great place,people nice too.
In the words of Arney "I'll be back "
Fly safe All
Mazzy, I will let you know nxt time and maybe we can meet.
Take care...
Left Newcastle and went to Liverpool last Monday,drove straight to airport to the sounds of " Your not going flying again are you ? " ringing in my left ear( wasn't listening ) found hangar four, and found LFS and Ravenair no problems (bollocking for no viz,slapped hands should know better ).
Nothing available that day so booked 16:30 Tuesday,Tuesday morning arrived with a nice low pressure front and poor viz,phoned and was advised no flying that day,We only had limited time so was a bit peeved but weather is so predictable I should have known better.
All was not lost,went to nearest pub !
Liverpool : Great place,people nice too.
In the words of Arney "I'll be back "
Fly safe All
Mazzy, I will let you know nxt time and maybe we can meet.
Take care...
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 291
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From: The noisy part of Papa 1-8 55 N 1 W
Believe it or not No,it was a short and very apolagetic refueller ( I am 6ft 2 in and built brick outhouse style ) I should know better and it was the first and last time I'll do it,He was trying to be helpfull but he did look a little frightened.
Fly safe all.
Cheers Mazzy
Fly safe all.
Cheers Mazzy
Joined: May 2003
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 900
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From: Surrey
Well I saw the new PPL diary just started in Private flying, and then saw the link back to the original diary here and was shocked that there hasn't been a post here in 2009! So here I am fixing that! Hopefully everyone here is still managing to fly the odd hour what with the economy having destroyed itself!
Its been a while since I posted here so I guess I better update those of you who don't know what I've been up too! As I said before I joined Ryanair and flew just under 500hrs in the 737 before jumping ship and joining a REAL airline (sorry Neil
) Aer Lingus. So I'm still living in Dublin, flying around Europe but this time Its in either an A320 or A321!
Hope everyone is good, and for those still learning just stick in there! Its worth all the effort and heart ache!
Its been a while since I posted here so I guess I better update those of you who don't know what I've been up too! As I said before I joined Ryanair and flew just under 500hrs in the 737 before jumping ship and joining a REAL airline (sorry Neil
) Aer Lingus. So I'm still living in Dublin, flying around Europe but this time Its in either an A320 or A321! Hope everyone is good, and for those still learning just stick in there! Its worth all the effort and heart ache!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,200
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From: Norfolk UK
This was/is one of the best and most useful threads on Prune so we should keep it open,well done blinkz.
My news,been flying in a 1942 L4 Cub since I obtained my PPL 3 years back.
Big shock,pacemaker installed 5 weeks ago but hope to get my licence back next week as NPPL,the PPL would cost me around £7-800/year to maintain and that is too expensive for the flying I do.
Flying into Bentwaters ex USAF base tomorrow in an old Condor,should be fun even in the RH seat,but I expect I'll get some stick time.
Keep on posting.
Mazzy,any news?
Lister
My news,been flying in a 1942 L4 Cub since I obtained my PPL 3 years back.
Big shock,pacemaker installed 5 weeks ago but hope to get my licence back next week as NPPL,the PPL would cost me around £7-800/year to maintain and that is too expensive for the flying I do.
Flying into Bentwaters ex USAF base tomorrow in an old Condor,should be fun even in the RH seat,but I expect I'll get some stick time.
Keep on posting.
Mazzy,any news?
Lister
Thread Starter
Spicy Meatball
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
From: Liverpool UK
Jesus! I never thought I'd be posting here again 
I still haven't flown I'm afraid. There's been about a million times where I've nearly joined the Chipmunk group (I DEFINATELY will soon - promise!) but never have managed to get the balls to do it. My medical is due in September I think, so I'll get that renewed (what's the avg cost on a class 2 renewal these days?) I've got till March 2011 before my license expires, but all things aside it'll be a SEP renewal regardless of dates etc...
I really do feel so out of touch with the whole aviation scene I used to be in. I miss it quite a lot, and haven't posted on here since last September. I will definitely be going again soon though, that's for sure, whether it be back at the club, or in the Chipmunk. Getting married next year - that tells half the story
Blinkz - I didn't know you'd moved airlines - good to see you're doing well, and thanks for the resurrecting post! Lister - a pacemaker hey, that's an amazing thing in itself - I hope you enjoy many more hours of flying to come, and who knows, if I ever do get my ass in gear, I may fly with you one day!
All the best
Lee
I still haven't flown I'm afraid. There's been about a million times where I've nearly joined the Chipmunk group (I DEFINATELY will soon - promise!) but never have managed to get the balls to do it. My medical is due in September I think, so I'll get that renewed (what's the avg cost on a class 2 renewal these days?) I've got till March 2011 before my license expires, but all things aside it'll be a SEP renewal regardless of dates etc...
I really do feel so out of touch with the whole aviation scene I used to be in. I miss it quite a lot, and haven't posted on here since last September. I will definitely be going again soon though, that's for sure, whether it be back at the club, or in the Chipmunk. Getting married next year - that tells half the story
Blinkz - I didn't know you'd moved airlines - good to see you're doing well, and thanks for the resurrecting post! Lister - a pacemaker hey, that's an amazing thing in itself - I hope you enjoy many more hours of flying to come, and who knows, if I ever do get my ass in gear, I may fly with you one day!
All the best
Lee
Last edited by mazzy1026; 2nd May 2009 at 21:37. Reason: PS: Lister - thanks for that rather respectful comment!!!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 133
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From: N Ireland
QXC completed this week
Been ages since I posted in this thread, but on Wednesday past I successfully completed my solo QXC. Weather was great - warm & sunny but with a not insignificant wind.
QXC write-up from my blog
Nearly there then
Gav.
PS Hope everythings going well for everyone else & you're getting plenty of flying done in this good weather
QXC write-up from my blog
Nearly there then
Gav.
PS Hope everythings going well for everyone else & you're getting plenty of flying done in this good weather
Thread Starter
Spicy Meatball
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
From: Liverpool UK
Excellent, well done Gav - still buzzing?
The QXC is (I think) probably the biggest achievement when you think about it. Three hours, on your own, in an aircraft, across the country. I was only thinking about mine the other day...
I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, and have just bought a couple of books, so there's potential for me to be getting back in the air very soon!
The QXC is (I think) probably the biggest achievement when you think about it. Three hours, on your own, in an aircraft, across the country. I was only thinking about mine the other day...
I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, and have just bought a couple of books, so there's potential for me to be getting back in the air very soon!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 227
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From: Northants
Hi Guys. This thread keeps coming back to haunt us!! Quick update on me, now flying out of Coventry in one of two Warrior 3's (two years old and really nice), or lately in the CFI's Archer which he kindly lets me use I guess I only do around 20 hours a year, mostly bimbles around the Midlands for the usual very expensive bacon sarni, but the occasional "long haul" eg to Bembridge.
Had a bit of a shock last year when diagnosed with prostate cancer (removed by op and now completely cured), so did not fly for some 3 months, but all guns firing since Feb this year. With regard to the prostate bit, get yourself regularly checked if you are over 50. Caught early, it's 100%treatable.
Enjoy your flying, and Mazzy, ffs get up there again!!
Had a bit of a shock last year when diagnosed with prostate cancer (removed by op and now completely cured), so did not fly for some 3 months, but all guns firing since Feb this year. With regard to the prostate bit, get yourself regularly checked if you are over 50. Caught early, it's 100%treatable.
Enjoy your flying, and Mazzy, ffs get up there again!!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,200
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From: Norfolk UK
Update
Hi Mazzy,
I had a pacemaker fitted March 28th,JAR PPL suspended for 3 months but got back flying just six weeks after operation on NPPL.
Do between 20 -40 hrs/year ,all on the L4 Cub in which I have a share.
Did 40 mins spin trainng in an Extra 200,an awesome craft, also had a helicopter lesson and managed to hover ( untidily) after 40 mins,but prefer the fixed wing approach.
Get back in the air,none of us get any younger
Lister
I had a pacemaker fitted March 28th,JAR PPL suspended for 3 months but got back flying just six weeks after operation on NPPL.
Do between 20 -40 hrs/year ,all on the L4 Cub in which I have a share.
Did 40 mins spin trainng in an Extra 200,an awesome craft, also had a helicopter lesson and managed to hover ( untidily) after 40 mins,but prefer the fixed wing approach.
Get back in the air,none of us get any younger
Lister
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: N Ireland
Excellent, well done Gav - still buzzing?
Funny thing is, after the dual QXC I felt fresh as a daisy, after the solo one I was physically & mentally exhausted
A real feeling of achievement though to have it done, only a few more bits to do then I should (finally) have my ticket
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 779
Likes: 1
From: Kent UK
only a few more bits to do then I should (finally) have my ticket
Thread Starter
Spicy Meatball
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
From: Liverpool UK
Had a bit of a shock last year when diagnosed with prostate cancer (removed by op and now completely cured)
I had a pacemaker fitted March 28th,JAR PPL suspended for 3 months but got back flying just six weeks after operation on NPPL.
Still tired!!!!
The QXC is a funny old how-d'you-do because it's such a big achievement, you say to yourself sub-consciously "I've done it, I'm there" yet you're not! There's a little bit of a lull in between the QXC and GFT, but if you can look at it from the point of view as having a major thing completed (towards the end goal) then you'll do fine
I'm off to Cornwall for a week - happy days
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 227
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From: Northants
B737
By the way, I recently did a couple of hours in the BA 737/400 sim, with a lovely young lady as tutor - her day job is First Officer on the 747's. Based ourselves at East Midlands and did ever tougher circuits. The final one was 1km viz, 500' cloudbase, turbulence and a 17kt crosswind.
Whilst doing the IMC course, and did many ILS approaches, but this was truly awesome - made me sweat a bit, but got it in!!
Whilst doing the IMC course, and did many ILS approaches, but this was truly awesome - made me sweat a bit, but got it in!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 155
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From: Newcastle upon Tyne
I've not flown for a year now. My medical expired last September and I've not got another done. Along with family and work (never mind the weather issues) I've stayed grounded.
Few people fly up here that I could get a ride with so, it looks like unless I get the medical done and fly a dozen hours in the next 12 months, I'll run out of my licence.
Great to see this thread still alive and so nice to see some familiar names still posting too.
Few people fly up here that I could get a ride with so, it looks like unless I get the medical done and fly a dozen hours in the next 12 months, I'll run out of my licence.
Great to see this thread still alive and so nice to see some familiar names still posting too.