"Safety pilot" / "flying wives' course"
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"Safety pilot" / "flying wives' course"
After many years flying with me without really appearing interested in the mechanics of flying the a/c, , Mrs. P has expressed an interest in a safety pilot/flying wives' course. (F/W, not heli).
A few thoughts.....
Is there an approved syllabus or is it at the discretion of the Instructor? Is it any different to the first pre-solo hours of a PPL? Can a Radio licence be issued by itself? Can the hours be logged in the event of subsequently proceeding to a PPL.
This might have been asked before here. I have done a search but couldn't find anything.
A few thoughts.....
Is there an approved syllabus or is it at the discretion of the Instructor? Is it any different to the first pre-solo hours of a PPL? Can a Radio licence be issued by itself? Can the hours be logged in the event of subsequently proceeding to a PPL.
This might have been asked before here. I have done a search but couldn't find anything.
High Flying Bird
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My understanding is there is no 'approved course', but there are only a few ways it can be taught! Obviously it will be taught so she is flying in the 'wrong' seat. An RT licence is issued separately. And yes, hours logged can be brought forward to a PPL. Bear in mind that it will soon become stale, so she'll need refreshers.
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Slight thread drift:
My wife loves flying in our Cardinal but has no interest in learning to fly.
Although I’m in good shape, I’m not a spring chicken, and we fly together very often.
If for any reason I became incapacitated, then she’s dead unless she lands the plane.
I told her, “Learn this and not only do you survive, but you have a saleable asset too!”
(I did have to overcome the natural mental objection of my wife spending my money on another man, even if I was dead….)
Eventually she agreed and I had my instructor teach her how to land.
She spends an afternoon with him every 2-3 months or so, and I offer her a landing if conditions are not too challenging. (There’s no point in creating marital issues) and so far so good.
She has no license, or medical nor any inclination to get one. If the FAA ever get around to asking how she knew where the nearest airport was, or how she managed to land the plane, I told her to tell them she was lucky! I don’t think they’ll argue.
Regards,
W.B.
My wife loves flying in our Cardinal but has no interest in learning to fly.
Although I’m in good shape, I’m not a spring chicken, and we fly together very often.
If for any reason I became incapacitated, then she’s dead unless she lands the plane.
I told her, “Learn this and not only do you survive, but you have a saleable asset too!”
(I did have to overcome the natural mental objection of my wife spending my money on another man, even if I was dead….)
Eventually she agreed and I had my instructor teach her how to land.
She spends an afternoon with him every 2-3 months or so, and I offer her a landing if conditions are not too challenging. (There’s no point in creating marital issues) and so far so good.
She has no license, or medical nor any inclination to get one. If the FAA ever get around to asking how she knew where the nearest airport was, or how she managed to land the plane, I told her to tell them she was lucky! I don’t think they’ll argue.
Regards,
W.B.
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Some clubs offer a designed course, others will just fit in with what they think up at the time, I am not too far from Sussex and can probably help out if you have the aircraft (UH Instructor). PM me if any use.
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I looked at this a while ago for my lady partner.
There is no approved course of course; anything short of a full PPL is a bit like being only partly pregnant.
One can teach just basic handling and an emergency landing and that's how most of the people that teach it seem to play it. However, if there is a decent autopilot then there are alternative and interesting strategies for getting back on the ground...
There is no need for an instructor unless she wants to do the PPL one day.
An RT license is a bit pointless, for the same reason.
There is no approved course of course; anything short of a full PPL is a bit like being only partly pregnant.
One can teach just basic handling and an emergency landing and that's how most of the people that teach it seem to play it. However, if there is a decent autopilot then there are alternative and interesting strategies for getting back on the ground...
There is no need for an instructor unless she wants to do the PPL one day.
An RT license is a bit pointless, for the same reason.
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Some clubs offer "Flying Companion" courses.
Use and effect of controls, basic handling and landing.
It's about 8 hours flying plus ground school.
I'm doing my PPL but have already told my partner that I want him to do this course, when I've got my license, if he wants to fly with me.
I don't mind being responsible for myself but I'd like to empower him to live if anything ever happened to me in the air.
Use and effect of controls, basic handling and landing.
It's about 8 hours flying plus ground school.
I'm doing my PPL but have already told my partner that I want him to do this course, when I've got my license, if he wants to fly with me.
I don't mind being responsible for myself but I'd like to empower him to live if anything ever happened to me in the air.
High Flying Bird
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I hope you're not going to insist that all your passengers learn how to land the aircraft before you let them fly with you ... you'll end up very lonely if you do! 
Besides which, introducing non-fliers to the delights of light aircraft is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a PPL.
Besides which, introducing non-fliers to the delights of light aircraft is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a PPL.
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Originally Posted by AerBabe
I hope you're not going to insist that all your passengers learn how to land the aircraft before you let them fly with you ... you'll end up very lonely if you do! Besides which, introducing non-fliers to the delights of light aircraft is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a PPL.
Besides which, introducing non-fliers to the delights of light aircraft is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a PPL. Taking my friends and family will probably be shorter trips - "introducing non-fliers to the delights of light aircraft".
Trips with my partner will probably be longer trips around the country to see friends rather than drive.
As I wouldn't dream of flying if I felt under the weather whilst on the ground
- shorter trips=less time aloft= lower risk.I'm just trying to do a bit of risk management.
High Flying Bird
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Originally Posted by Mad Girl
shorter trips=less time aloft= lower risk.
Mrs M9's got around 200 hours P2 time, and while has no interest whatsover in obtaining her ppl, was happy to learn (from me) how to land in an emergency.
She now knows how to make a Mayday call, press the NRST button on the GPS, and use the extended centreline feature to set up for a long final approach and landing.
May not be pretty, but it'd get us down, and the aircraft would (most likely) be re-usable. Very easy to teach, no need (in my view) for an instructor.
She now knows how to make a Mayday call, press the NRST button on the GPS, and use the extended centreline feature to set up for a long final approach and landing.
May not be pretty, but it'd get us down, and the aircraft would (most likely) be re-usable. Very easy to teach, no need (in my view) for an instructor.
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My wife has just completed the AOPA Flying Companions course and awaits her certificate. She was the first person to do this at our club, so the CFI spoke with AOPA a few times to double check content. You can download the syllabus from the following link
http://www.aopa.co.uk/newsfromaopa/companions.htm
The basic idea for us was to enable her to land the aircraft safely in the event of my incapacitation. Now she has dipped her toe in the water she is going for the NPPL. A medical condition prevents her getting a Class 2 medical.
I will probably now rue the day I suggested the course, because we will end up having lengthy "discussions" about who will be the Pilot Flying
Having said that, it is a very "Good Thing" and can only add to safety. Yes it costs 8 hours flying and some ground school, but I'm worth it !
Cheers all
Lysander
http://www.aopa.co.uk/newsfromaopa/companions.htm
The basic idea for us was to enable her to land the aircraft safely in the event of my incapacitation. Now she has dipped her toe in the water she is going for the NPPL. A medical condition prevents her getting a Class 2 medical.
I will probably now rue the day I suggested the course, because we will end up having lengthy "discussions" about who will be the Pilot Flying
Having said that, it is a very "Good Thing" and can only add to safety. Yes it costs 8 hours flying and some ground school, but I'm worth it !
Cheers all
Lysander
I'd recommend this system to everybody.
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Strictly speaking, as taking off/landing is the most dangerous part of flying, the longer trips are safest!
Or the other statistic that 99.99% of us have more than the average number of legs. ...One in 10,000 has an amputation therefore the average number of legs is 1.9999 per person. 99.99% of us have more than that!!
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Companion lessons is a great idea, this will make you think ! when renting a R22 helicopter, if the passenger isn't a pilot, you are required to remove the dual controls, " for saftey reasons " just imagine should the worse happen to the pilot, the poor pax, would have a long time, to pray before impact, makes me shudder thinking about it
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This course has been on offer at White Waltham for a long time. Can't persuade Mrs Johnm to consider touching the controls though. However given the advice I get from the right hand seat I'm pretty sure she could get one on the ground if pushed