What to do? Places to go?
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Scotland
Age: 38
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What to do? Places to go?
Hi,
Firstly i must thank the people of PPrune Private flying section, this was the first place i looked for information for my PPL, I first posted in this section last year for information for my PPL, now im a new owner of a PPL license!
Id like to thank Leading Edge FTO newly opened up and based at Cumbernauld, my ambition was to get my PPL before the end of this year, something that wouldn't have happened if I remained at Glasgow flying club, although the instruction was top class there too, Id like to especially thank Allan the owner of leading edge for ensuring that nothing affected my training and to ensure there was always an aircraft available. I also can't forget those instructors who also went out there way to help me, if yous read this...thanks guys.
Anyway, now that I have my PPL (not received it from the CAA yet, although the CAA where quick on taking payment!) I was wondering what sort of trips would suit a low houred pilot? Im based at Cumbernauld, and would like to do a little airfield touring. I was thinking a nice scenic flight up past Ben Nevis, loch ness and landing at Plockton or Skye! Anyone got any other sort of routes, or nice places to see from the air in and around Scotland > North England.
I've also enquired about flying the chippie at Prestwick for some tailwheel experiance, im considering this after the new year. I've also enquired about flying the air tourer at Cumbernauld to do some aerobatics and fly a new type...What sort of things did yous guys do after gaining your PPL?
Firstly i must thank the people of PPrune Private flying section, this was the first place i looked for information for my PPL, I first posted in this section last year for information for my PPL, now im a new owner of a PPL license!
Id like to thank Leading Edge FTO newly opened up and based at Cumbernauld, my ambition was to get my PPL before the end of this year, something that wouldn't have happened if I remained at Glasgow flying club, although the instruction was top class there too, Id like to especially thank Allan the owner of leading edge for ensuring that nothing affected my training and to ensure there was always an aircraft available. I also can't forget those instructors who also went out there way to help me, if yous read this...thanks guys.
Anyway, now that I have my PPL (not received it from the CAA yet, although the CAA where quick on taking payment!) I was wondering what sort of trips would suit a low houred pilot? Im based at Cumbernauld, and would like to do a little airfield touring. I was thinking a nice scenic flight up past Ben Nevis, loch ness and landing at Plockton or Skye! Anyone got any other sort of routes, or nice places to see from the air in and around Scotland > North England.
I've also enquired about flying the chippie at Prestwick for some tailwheel experiance, im considering this after the new year. I've also enquired about flying the air tourer at Cumbernauld to do some aerobatics and fly a new type...What sort of things did yous guys do after gaining your PPL?
Join Date: Aug 2001
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First of all... CONGRATULATIONS! You now have your Licence to Learn. 
As for what to do now, I can recommend doing a tailwheel conversion, as it will help to increase your experience of different types, teach you what your feet are actually for
, and it will keep you interested.
The newly-qualified PPL's worst enemies are Boredom and Complacency, so whatever you do, try to make it interesting and try to make sure that you're always doing something to keep your brain active. I found that planning local trips as mini Navex's was quite useful, and if you're taking friends or family up, ask them a few days beforehand whether there's anything local that they'd like to see, that way you can sit and plan the route with them, makes them feel a bit more involved and also concentrates your mind a bit.
Good luck.
As for what to do now, I can recommend doing a tailwheel conversion, as it will help to increase your experience of different types, teach you what your feet are actually for
, and it will keep you interested.The newly-qualified PPL's worst enemies are Boredom and Complacency, so whatever you do, try to make it interesting and try to make sure that you're always doing something to keep your brain active. I found that planning local trips as mini Navex's was quite useful, and if you're taking friends or family up, ask them a few days beforehand whether there's anything local that they'd like to see, that way you can sit and plan the route with them, makes them feel a bit more involved and also concentrates your mind a bit.
Good luck.
The Original Whirly
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The flight from Cumbernauld over the mountains to Oban is magnificent, though you'll need a nice day and high cloudbase. Ditto for most highlands flying. Up the Great Glen to Inverness is pretty fantastic too, though might be a bit too exciting in a strong wind. Plockton has a fairly short runway; do your sums carefully if you're going in with passengers and lots of fuel, and bear in mind getting in doesn't mean you can get out. Mull is supposed to be beautiful, not been there. Heading south, down to Carlisle is a nice trip.
I'm not one for doing any other rating or qualification immediately after getting your PPL; have some fun first, and learn to make your own decisions and generally get some experience. With winter coming along, you might find that means you're often just flying locally for the sake of getting airborne. I got my PPL at this time of year, and by the following spring felt like I hadn't done much. Then came my first real summer of flying, and I went anywhere and everywhere, and it was great. When you get tired of that, then is the time to think about other ratings.
On how much to do as a low hours pilot, my rule, even now, is to only do one new or challenging thing per flight. Either go to a new airfield OR take up a passenger who hasn't flown before OR fly in slightly challenging weather OR do a longer than normal flight. Don't try to do all those things at once. Stretching yourself a bit is good, overload isn't.
I'm not one for doing any other rating or qualification immediately after getting your PPL; have some fun first, and learn to make your own decisions and generally get some experience. With winter coming along, you might find that means you're often just flying locally for the sake of getting airborne. I got my PPL at this time of year, and by the following spring felt like I hadn't done much. Then came my first real summer of flying, and I went anywhere and everywhere, and it was great. When you get tired of that, then is the time to think about other ratings.
On how much to do as a low hours pilot, my rule, even now, is to only do one new or challenging thing per flight. Either go to a new airfield OR take up a passenger who hasn't flown before OR fly in slightly challenging weather OR do a longer than normal flight. Don't try to do all those things at once. Stretching yourself a bit is good, overload isn't.
Join Date: Mar 2001
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The west coast of Scotland is rich with airfield’s to visit.
[Oban]
However Oban on a nice day has a stunning approach to runway 01. Also a restaurant within walking distance located beside the water in North Connell.
[Broadford (Skye)]
Broadford (Skye) Also a great little field however be aware unless you can get a cab from the strip you have a 3 mile walk into town.
[Tiree]
Also recommend Tiree on a nice sunny day. The East coast beaches are stunning. We hired a car for £20's for the day and traveled around the Island.
[Campbeltown]
Another must airfield. Only at Campbeltown can you be landing at a 3000 metre runway and be one of a couple of movements that day. Very strange flying into moth balled RAF base.
[Islay]
Last but most definitely not least. ISLAY a very GA friendly airfield. A Whisky is a definite must for the PNF (Pilot not flying) at Bowmore.
Have fun flying. Spoilt for choice in Scotland.
[Oban]
However Oban on a nice day has a stunning approach to runway 01. Also a restaurant within walking distance located beside the water in North Connell.
[Broadford (Skye)]
Broadford (Skye) Also a great little field however be aware unless you can get a cab from the strip you have a 3 mile walk into town.
[Tiree]
Also recommend Tiree on a nice sunny day. The East coast beaches are stunning. We hired a car for £20's for the day and traveled around the Island.
[Campbeltown]
Another must airfield. Only at Campbeltown can you be landing at a 3000 metre runway and be one of a couple of movements that day. Very strange flying into moth balled RAF base.
[Islay]
Last but most definitely not least. ISLAY a very GA friendly airfield. A Whisky is a definite must for the PNF (Pilot not flying) at Bowmore.
Have fun flying. Spoilt for choice in Scotland.
Join Date: Sep 2004
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WBryce
Congratulations, its a wonderful feeling to know you have your PPL, even though its not physicaly with you yet
,
Some good places to go are Dornoch, Oban, islay
also try and do pfls, tight turns and stalls (general handling in general) every so often so you keep all that knowlege fresh in your mind.
check your PMs as well
Congratulations again, well done
Congratulations, its a wonderful feeling to know you have your PPL, even though its not physicaly with you yet
, Some good places to go are Dornoch, Oban, islay
also try and do pfls, tight turns and stalls (general handling in general) every so often so you keep all that knowlege fresh in your mind.
check your PMs as well
Congratulations again, well done
Spicy Meatball
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wbryce
Well done and good on ya!
I will probably be pondering over this question in a while when I eventually get mine. I quite agree with Whirly though on getting out and about and doing new things, then getting extra ratings etc, after all, it is a license to learn.
I quite fancy the idea of some aerobatics, because at least that way, you can practice all the privelages of the PPL as you normally would, but with the extra fun thrown in
Best of luck in whatever you do and have fun,
Maz
Well done and good on ya!
I will probably be pondering over this question in a while when I eventually get mine. I quite agree with Whirly though on getting out and about and doing new things, then getting extra ratings etc, after all, it is a license to learn.
I quite fancy the idea of some aerobatics, because at least that way, you can practice all the privelages of the PPL as you normally would, but with the extra fun thrown in
Best of luck in whatever you do and have fun,
Maz
Thread Starter
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Thanks for all the ideas....
I've taken note of most airfields stated in this thread, and will plan on visiting them at some point.
I am planning on taking my training to a professional level, but at this point I want to take the learning process at an easy pace and learn flying skills that takes time to develop.
Just waiting on that delivery from the CAA....
I've taken note of most airfields stated in this thread, and will plan on visiting them at some point.
I am planning on taking my training to a professional level, but at this point I want to take the learning process at an easy pace and learn flying skills that takes time to develop.
Just waiting on that delivery from the CAA....
