From Zero to Forty Five - my PPL Diary
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: N Ireland
Age: 55
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those "few more bits" have involved extensive general handling and nav revision for me - and it's not over yet! 
QXC myself soon (after what seems like an eternity!) Crap weather the last few times I was due to fly though.
Spicy Meatball
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Liverpool UK
Age: 41
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Happyeater - fear not! You won't lose you license, you'd simply have to do a scaled down flight test wih an examiner in order to renew your SEP (the rating part of the license) the PPL is always with you You're not even required to do any training, but this point is a little daft, as I'm guessing nobody goes straight into a test!
Best of luck Sue - and I feel a dejavu coming up here, but you do know we expect a write-up
You're not even required to do any training, but this point is a little daft, as I'm guessing nobody goes straight into a test! Best of luck Sue - and I feel a dejavu coming up here, but you do know we expect a write-up
Spicy Meatball
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Liverpool UK
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Back in the sky!
Today, for the first time since May 2007, I took to the air
My first in a few refresher flights with the examiner, with the aim of getting my SEP back. It's an expensive few weeks - medical due soon, membership renewals all on top of the flight!
It's good to be back
My first in a few refresher flights with the examiner, with the aim of getting my SEP back. It's an expensive few weeks - medical due soon, membership renewals all on top of the flight!
It's good to be back
Spicy Meatball
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Liverpool UK
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SEP renewed! 
Nav leg, stalls, PFL's - a few other bits and bobs and all good to go!
It feels good to be current again - and I will seriously try and not let it lapse again!
Cheers
Nav leg, stalls, PFL's - a few other bits and bobs and all good to go!
It feels good to be current again - and I will seriously try and not let it lapse again!
Cheers
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Underneath downwind R for 09 at EGLC
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Hi all, I too have just been solo again after first do so five years ago. I never got my licence back then due to financial costs and my school closing. I had did many hours (25 ) before going solo. However after just 4 hours this time I completed 9 nerve racking solo circuits with the plane a 152 (G-flip) and me in one piece ! back to nav ex's and exams again for me.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: N Ireland
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Skills test
Hi all,
Finally passed me skills test yesterday!!!! Feels great to have it done!!
www.gmcc0266.plus.com/ppl.htm#gst
Finally passed me skills test yesterday!!!! Feels great to have it done!!
www.gmcc0266.plus.com/ppl.htm#gst
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Surrey
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Yet AGAIN it has been another year since a post in this thread! So again I'm doing the duty of getting it updated!
The main news for me is that I have moved from Dublin back to the UK and am currently living in Guildford, flying still for Aer Lingus on the A320 but based in Gatwick now. I'm really enjoying being back in the UK I have to admit!
I certainly hope all the other regulars here are still flying and enjoying things! Hopefully you'll post again and update us all.
The main news for me is that I have moved from Dublin back to the UK and am currently living in Guildford, flying still for Aer Lingus on the A320 but based in Gatwick now. I'm really enjoying being back in the UK I have to admit!
I certainly hope all the other regulars here are still flying and enjoying things! Hopefully you'll post again and update us all.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The noisy part of Papa 1-8 55 N 1 W
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Hello all. Very long time since posted here but really glad to see all the original faces still flying especially the man himself Mazzy,still manage to keep current after 7 years and hope to for the forseeable future.
Best wishes to all members and safe flying.
Best wishes to all members and safe flying.
Spicy Meatball
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Liverpool UK
Age: 41
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This thread is bringing back some memories 
Glad to see people doing well - each time I write here, I always think it will be the last!
I myself have unfortunately given up my 'wings' (albeit just the fixed ones). I fell into the same group that have done the same routes, ran out of people to take, and not been able to justify the £120 a month just to fly outside controlled airspace for 20 mins. All that said - I would do it all over again if I went back in time. I would never give up the fact that I have achieved the PPL, regardless of the outcome.
All is not lost however....
For a good while now I've been thinking of another form of flying - something that costs around £3 per hour (after initial outlay) will be set up from the boot of my car, is unregulated and gives me 100% freedom. In a few weeks time, I will be taking up this:
YouTube - K2 Paramotoring NO HANDS!!! Powered Paraglider World's Safest, Most Stable & Easiest To Fly!!!
YouTube - #4 Paramotoring Spectacular Moab!! Powered Paragliding Adventure!! Backpack Aircraft Are REAL!!!
I have no particular link to the above videos - I just picked two of the good ones.
I've spent months and months researching this - it's not like buying a TV from Comet. Reviews are sparse and bias, different people just want you to buy their gear, and there's not a lot of people doing it, thus the community is a lot smaller.
Having said that, I'm at a point now where I have a club, instructor and a list of gear I need so it wont be long before I'm up again.
So, if you see a big fella tootling along under a big canopy in the north west region soon, then it may just be me (and please don't fly into me)
Cheers everyone - take care,
Lee
PS: madgav - really sorry I missed your last post. I would like to wish you belated congratulations, and I do hope you're enjoying your new found wonders...
Glad to see people doing well - each time I write here, I always think it will be the last!
I myself have unfortunately given up my 'wings' (albeit just the fixed ones
). I fell into the same group that have done the same routes, ran out of people to take, and not been able to justify the £120 a month just to fly outside controlled airspace for 20 mins. All that said - I would do it all over again if I went back in time. I would never give up the fact that I have achieved the PPL, regardless of the outcome.All is not lost however....
For a good while now I've been thinking of another form of flying - something that costs around £3 per hour (after initial outlay) will be set up from the boot of my car, is unregulated and gives me 100% freedom. In a few weeks time, I will be taking up this:
YouTube - K2 Paramotoring NO HANDS!!! Powered Paraglider World's Safest, Most Stable & Easiest To Fly!!!
YouTube - #4 Paramotoring Spectacular Moab!! Powered Paragliding Adventure!! Backpack Aircraft Are REAL!!!
I have no particular link to the above videos - I just picked two of the good ones.
I've spent months and months researching this - it's not like buying a TV from Comet. Reviews are sparse and bias, different people just want you to buy their gear, and there's not a lot of people doing it, thus the community is a lot smaller.
Having said that, I'm at a point now where I have a club, instructor and a list of gear I need so it wont be long before I'm up again.
So, if you see a big fella tootling along under a big canopy in the north west region soon, then it may just be me (and please don't fly into me)
Cheers everyone - take care,
Lee
PS: madgav - really sorry I missed your last post. I would like to wish you belated congratulations, and I do hope you're enjoying your new found wonders...
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Northwest, UK
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Hey Mazzy
Just wanted to say a quick "thanks" for starting and continuing with the thread
I came across this thread last June/July when I was pondering where to do my PPL training. I had originally (and quite obviously) thought about RavenAir, but after reading through the first few hours of your experiences, decided that Liverpool Flying School (KeenAir) was the place for me ... a quick trial flight later confirmed that decision
Well, after 12 very happy months under Phil Ryan's instruction ... 3 weeks ago my new shiny PPL came through the post
It's great that people take the time and effort to post up on the internet their experiences, you just never know when you might inspire others to follow
Thanks again, and happy safe flying
D&M
Just wanted to say a quick "thanks" for starting and continuing with the thread
I came across this thread last June/July when I was pondering where to do my PPL training. I had originally (and quite obviously) thought about RavenAir, but after reading through the first few hours of your experiences, decided that Liverpool Flying School (KeenAir) was the place for me ... a quick trial flight later confirmed that decision
Well, after 12 very happy months under Phil Ryan's instruction ... 3 weeks ago my new shiny PPL came through the post
It's great that people take the time and effort to post up on the internet their experiences, you just never know when you might inspire others to follow
Thanks again, and happy safe flying
D&M
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Northwest, UK
Posts: 3
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Hey Mazzy
Just wanted to say a quick "thanks" for starting and continuing with the thread
I came across this thread last June/July when I was pondering where to do my PPL training. I had originally (and quite obviously) thought about Ravenair, but after reading through the first few hours of your experiences, decided that Liverpool Flying School (KeenAir) was the place for me ... a quick trial flight later confirmed that decision
Well, after 12 very happy months under Phil Ryan's instruction ... 3 weeks ago my new shiny PPL came through the post
It's great that people take the time and effort to post up on the internet their experiences, you just never know when you might inspire others to follow
Thanks again, and happy safe flying
D&M
Just wanted to say a quick "thanks" for starting and continuing with the thread
I came across this thread last June/July when I was pondering where to do my PPL training. I had originally (and quite obviously) thought about Ravenair, but after reading through the first few hours of your experiences, decided that Liverpool Flying School (KeenAir) was the place for me ... a quick trial flight later confirmed that decision
Well, after 12 very happy months under Phil Ryan's instruction ... 3 weeks ago my new shiny PPL came through the post
It's great that people take the time and effort to post up on the internet their experiences, you just never know when you might inspire others to follow
Thanks again, and happy safe flying
D&M