New Learners ?
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Join Date: Jul 2006
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hi bar shaker
Yes on both counts - Chris is instructing me and I am very impressed with his patience, tolerance etc ... I expect I am an errrrm slow learner but he keeps his cool and has an excellent sense of humour -
I'm now six and a bit hours in and both Chris and the Thruster are still in good shape. I think I have just finished ascending and descending turns and I am about to start 'the circuit' - but I am still grappling with the TLA's and unfamiliar language -
Yes my mistake, the syllabus is called PPL (A) Microlight - though it would be best to learn to fly something I might be able to afford !
I'm now six and a bit hours in and both Chris and the Thruster are still in good shape. I think I have just finished ascending and descending turns and I am about to start 'the circuit' - but I am still grappling with the TLA's and unfamiliar language -
Yes my mistake, the syllabus is called PPL (A) Microlight - though it would be best to learn to fly something I might be able to afford !
Join Date: May 2003
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Originally Posted by kevwal
Congrats bar shaker, but I get the impression your the 1 in a hundred that do 
Did you have lots of experiance before you started, be it in group A PIC or RHS etc?
Cheers
Kev
Did you have lots of experiance before you started, be it in group A PIC or RHS etc?
Cheers
Kev
Join Date: Aug 2006
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Where to train - Liverpool or Chester
Hi everyone,
im looking for some advice from anyone who has undergone PPL training in the north west. I live on the Wirral and want to start PPL training sooner
rather than later.
I am considering starting training either at Chester Flying School based at
Hawarden airport or Liverpool Flying School based at liverpool airport. I
live pretty much halfway between and would like to make my decision based on where i will get the most out of the training.
Have any of you trained at either of these FTOs? I would appreciate any
comments, both positive and negative to help me with my decision.
Thanks
Slinks
im looking for some advice from anyone who has undergone PPL training in the north west. I live on the Wirral and want to start PPL training sooner
rather than later.
I am considering starting training either at Chester Flying School based at
Hawarden airport or Liverpool Flying School based at liverpool airport. I
live pretty much halfway between and would like to make my decision based on where i will get the most out of the training.
Have any of you trained at either of these FTOs? I would appreciate any
comments, both positive and negative to help me with my decision.
Thanks
Slinks
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Originally Posted by bar shaker
Kev
I took my NPPL (M) GFT at 17 hours and passed so its perfectly feasible to finish the course on budget.
I took my NPPL (M) GFT at 17 hours and passed so its perfectly feasible to finish the course on budget.
I'm also told you can save quite a few hours training by being taught by an instructor who will also be your flight examiner.
Spicy Meatball
Join Date: Jan 2004
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Hey guys - only just found this thread - best of luck to you all - I remember writing my first post like this, not a million years ago! You will look back soon and wonder how the hell you did it!
Enjoy every step and learn from the bad times
Lee
Enjoy every step and learn from the bad times
Lee
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Join Date: Apr 2002
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Slinks Hi. Go and visit both, then decide on what you find, you will get the feel for what is right for you and how you are treated on your visits. I learnt to fly at Liverpool then moved to Hawarden. Left there to fly from a grass strip which I still do. Don't pay upfront anywhere.
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im also a ppl/nppl learner. been at it off and on for yrs. time and money problems interfere. you all know the story.
2 questions re the medical.
does anyone know the actual figures requirement for the lung capacity test? im asthmatic and have a feeling i would fail the ppl medical.
also i thought the nppl was a self certified medical. ie similar to driving a car?
2 questions re the medical.
does anyone know the actual figures requirement for the lung capacity test? im asthmatic and have a feeling i would fail the ppl medical.
also i thought the nppl was a self certified medical. ie similar to driving a car?
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Can't help with the lung capacity figures.
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?ca...=90&pageid=873 Should give you the information you need re the GP sign off for the NPPL
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?ca...=90&pageid=873 Should give you the information you need re the GP sign off for the NPPL
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Hi Microman & Runway09
I've just started, slightly over 2 hours having lost quite a few booked in lessons to WX in the last month! I'm at Stapleford on the trusty C-152s.
How are you getting on with groundschool? Decided to tackle Air Law first, required before solo (maybe everywhere?), half of it seems logical, easy and I can remember it no worries, as for the rest I guess I'll just have to hammer it in somehow!
Taking the advice above I've got quite a few lessons booked in the next few weeks, hoping to get hours up by the end of Sept. Aim at the moment is first solo before Xmas, famous last words!! But I'm finding the concept of landing bl00dy scary as well right now, loving everything else about it.
Look forward to reading everyone's progress.
cheers
Ian
I've just started, slightly over 2 hours having lost quite a few booked in lessons to WX in the last month! I'm at Stapleford on the trusty C-152s.
How are you getting on with groundschool? Decided to tackle Air Law first, required before solo (maybe everywhere?), half of it seems logical, easy and I can remember it no worries, as for the rest I guess I'll just have to hammer it in somehow!
Taking the advice above I've got quite a few lessons booked in the next few weeks, hoping to get hours up by the end of Sept. Aim at the moment is first solo before Xmas, famous last words!! But I'm finding the concept of landing bl00dy scary as well right now, loving everything else about it.
Look forward to reading everyone's progress.
cheers
Ian
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Hey, i'm pretty new too... just flown a lesson taking me up to about 5 hrs total (been flying roughly a lesson a week) - been flying circuits for the last 3 lessons and have got the hang of the touch and goes pretty well (landing isn't a problem, but missing the centreline is frustrating!). Somewhat scarily my instructor was already talking about solo circuits within the next few hours last week and got me studying up on the Law books and told me to book a medical 
.
Training at White Waltham by the by... comes highly recomended! Good luck to all you fellow newbies, and may your take-offs always be followed by landings
. Training at White Waltham by the by... comes highly recomended! Good luck to all you fellow newbies, and may your take-offs always be followed by landings
Last edited by rusty_y2k2; 6th Sep 2006 at 13:41.
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Landings
Tell me about it easy, landing scares the hell out of me, tried my first one today and ended up bouncing down the runway.
Seems to be so much to take in doing the circuits, and so little time, but i'm sure i will get the hang of it (i hope) :-)
Seems to be so much to take in doing the circuits, and so little time, but i'm sure i will get the hang of it (i hope) :-)
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For landings you need to find a way that suits you best. I'm currently 16hrs and doing solo nav's and i've tried a couple of different methods of landings here are three i tried
1. stay high and then cut the power and float the whole way down like a practise forced landing. This is ok except that you might find that it is difficult to judge the flair
2. Use some power (c152 about 1500rpm) 700 ft final and use a powered decent and then when over the threshold power to idle and flair when appropiate
however the one i find the best and maybe not the most used is
3. lower final than usual and then keep height with more power so you drag the aircraft in this gives a flatter decsent so it is easier to judge the flair when you get there. be aware however that as soon as you reduce the power when over the threshold your speed will drop and you will stall so only take the power back when your about 3ft then power back and a nice flair should give you nice landing.
However it depends on the conditions such as wind speed and direction and what you are happiest with so try them out and see what u think
hope this helps
David
1. stay high and then cut the power and float the whole way down like a practise forced landing. This is ok except that you might find that it is difficult to judge the flair
2. Use some power (c152 about 1500rpm) 700 ft final and use a powered decent and then when over the threshold power to idle and flair when appropiate
however the one i find the best and maybe not the most used is
3. lower final than usual and then keep height with more power so you drag the aircraft in this gives a flatter decsent so it is easier to judge the flair when you get there. be aware however that as soon as you reduce the power when over the threshold your speed will drop and you will stall so only take the power back when your about 3ft then power back and a nice flair should give you nice landing.
However it depends on the conditions such as wind speed and direction and what you are happiest with so try them out and see what u think
hope this helps
David
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Hello East Sider / All
I am on to about 8 hrs now and progressing nicely - so my instructor says.
Like you I am going to be taking my Air Law exam 1st and I am working on reading my Law book as much as possible. This is so I have no delays in going up for my 1st solo. I know we are going to be doing circuits over next lessons and then thinking about that solo
I know what you mean about landings! Getting up is fine its coming back down again. But on my last lesson my instructor decided to talk me down the approach and before I knew it (after a small balloon) I had landed the thing!
The best thing - and I am no expert here I have found its just small adjustments in attitude and power that work for me. From what I remember I have been told as soon as I cross the runway threshold to idle the power and keep a straight and level and then a gentle pull back should do it (this worked last time and I had a gentle landing). I am learning in a PA28.
I know the airport I am learning at (Filton, Bristol) is not the best as its so bloody long and wide that the perception is very different to most other runways, which could cause me probs in the future (only ever landed at Filton).
I have a few lessons booked but next time I get to the school think im going to get some more booked up (Its getting addictive!). I have my medical booked for 2nd Oct.
As for ground school I am thinking this may be the way for me because whenever I set some time by for study this goes out the window, whereas if pay for some tuition then I will def want to go and get my moneys worth!
I have brought a PPL confuser as advised and this helps a bit.
I am on to about 8 hrs now and progressing nicely - so my instructor says.
Like you I am going to be taking my Air Law exam 1st and I am working on reading my Law book as much as possible. This is so I have no delays in going up for my 1st solo. I know we are going to be doing circuits over next lessons and then thinking about that solo
I know what you mean about landings! Getting up is fine its coming back down again. But on my last lesson my instructor decided to talk me down the approach and before I knew it (after a small balloon) I had landed the thing!
The best thing - and I am no expert here I have found its just small adjustments in attitude and power that work for me. From what I remember I have been told as soon as I cross the runway threshold to idle the power and keep a straight and level and then a gentle pull back should do it (this worked last time and I had a gentle landing). I am learning in a PA28.
I know the airport I am learning at (Filton, Bristol) is not the best as its so bloody long and wide that the perception is very different to most other runways, which could cause me probs in the future (only ever landed at Filton).
I have a few lessons booked but next time I get to the school think im going to get some more booked up (Its getting addictive!). I have my medical booked for 2nd Oct.
As for ground school I am thinking this may be the way for me because whenever I set some time by for study this goes out the window, whereas if pay for some tuition then I will def want to go and get my moneys worth!
I have brought a PPL confuser as advised and this helps a bit.
Last edited by runway09; 9th Sep 2006 at 01:56.
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i have the Jeremy Pratt books, however I also purchased Oxford Aiation training cd roms, Practical Flying & Airlaw, I have to say, its so much easier,
I watch the lesson Im going to take next, on the cd, it just sinks in,
with the airlaw cd, there's even a test for each section, without a doubt
I would recommend them, I do not work of them either, I believe, if you call them, they supply a taster cd,
I watch the lesson Im going to take next, on the cd, it just sinks in,
with the airlaw cd, there's even a test for each section, without a doubt
I would recommend them, I do not work of them either, I believe, if you call them, they supply a taster cd,
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Thanks for the advice Tango.
I did see them in the Transair catalogue and they do really look good. I am using the Pratt set of books too. But as i said i just cant get into reading them for hrs at a time.
I am def starting to think ground school or the CD roms are way to go. Do you know if its Transair or Oxford School that you have to ring for the sample CD?
I did see them in the Transair catalogue and they do really look good. I am using the Pratt set of books too. But as i said i just cant get into reading them for hrs at a time.
I am def starting to think ground school or the CD roms are way to go. Do you know if its Transair or Oxford School that you have to ring for the sample CD?
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Thanks for the advice Tango.
I did see them in the Transair catalogue and they do really look good. I am using the Pratt set of books too. But as i said i just cant get into reading them for hrs at a time.
I am def starting to think ground school or the CD roms are way to go. Do you know if its Transair or Oxford School that you have to ring for the sample CD?
I did see them in the Transair catalogue and they do really look good. I am using the Pratt set of books too. But as i said i just cant get into reading them for hrs at a time.
I am def starting to think ground school or the CD roms are way to go. Do you know if its Transair or Oxford School that you have to ring for the sample CD?
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Good luck everyone. The important thing is to enjoy your flying and not to hurry. I'm 42 yrs old and always wanted to fly, I was convinced that I'd pass at (or around) 45 hours. I suppose it became a target and to an extent it began to spoil my lessons. The reason for that was, if I had a poor lesson (like steep turns) which took a couple of lessons to get something like decent, I considered that to have put me off my target of 45 hours, which led to a bit of dissappointment.
It was a daft thing to do. My first instructor told me after around 8-9 hours that I wasn't far from circuits and should get a medical and Air Law done so I could solo "Quite soon". Due to a change of instructors, the Club going bust and bad weather (which required refresher lessons) I solo'd at 21 hours. Do you know what, it doesn't matter! Eventually I got my PPL at just under 60 hours but I was ready and confident. I thought my Nav was good until an Instructor called Keith took me flying. Honestly, I knew nothing. He taught me more in two lessons on Nav than I'd learned from any book and 50 hours in the air.
So, take your time, its not a race. Rather be a safe pilot that someone who 'just does enough' to get the PPL licence. Now, before I get 'shot down' there are good pilots with a PPL with under 46 hours in their book but I'm simply trying to say that your PPL is an experience and the more you learn the more you'll enjoy flying and the longer you may live.
http://www.happyflyboy.blog-city.com/
Every lesson is posted over a 22 month period in the blog.
It was a daft thing to do. My first instructor told me after around 8-9 hours that I wasn't far from circuits and should get a medical and Air Law done so I could solo "Quite soon". Due to a change of instructors, the Club going bust and bad weather (which required refresher lessons) I solo'd at 21 hours. Do you know what, it doesn't matter! Eventually I got my PPL at just under 60 hours but I was ready and confident. I thought my Nav was good until an Instructor called Keith took me flying. Honestly, I knew nothing. He taught me more in two lessons on Nav than I'd learned from any book and 50 hours in the air.
So, take your time, its not a race. Rather be a safe pilot that someone who 'just does enough' to get the PPL licence. Now, before I get 'shot down' there are good pilots with a PPL with under 46 hours in their book but I'm simply trying to say that your PPL is an experience and the more you learn the more you'll enjoy flying and the longer you may live.
http://www.happyflyboy.blog-city.com/
Every lesson is posted over a 22 month period in the blog.