When to give up
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The trick as an instructor (i have trained as a driving istructor) is to critisise effectively. This is a black art and no doubt. You need to be able to pan your student, but not go so far as to knock what little confidence they have for a six!
What you are looking for is someone that can say also praise the good bits.
The guy I have now has a lot more confidence in my flying than I do, as him sending me solo yesterday when I didn't really want to is a testiment to. This is because I have had all the confidence kicked out of me earlier in my training, and am not that self assured at the best of times. His methods worked and I now feel 200% better about solo flying, the praise he heaped upon me was great, but was also tempered with "you screwed that up nicely" and "see, I told you, take that as a lesson learned and move on"
That is the sort of thing you want, tell you what you are doing wrong, to a point let you make the mistake in the first place, without compromising safety, to see if you can recognise it for what it is and put it right.
And a good de-brief afterwards, covering the good and bad bits, but always ending on a high note, and an overview of what you will do next time are a must.
As for calling you pathetic, someone started down that track with me once on a course, and got both sides of my tongue and was left in no doubt what I thought of his teaching methods. He was attempting to knock the stuffing out of me for a more than beligerant reason only came across a brick wall, and when asked the question "that is diabolical, who the hell taught you to do that?" got the reply " your companys other effing instructor, when you can all sing the off the same sheet have a pop, until then belt up whist you still can!!" I stopped the course there and then, and refused to pay his invoice as well. Take note, your money is valuable to you, don't waste it on some numpty that has a bad idea of motivation!!
What you are looking for is someone that can say also praise the good bits.
The guy I have now has a lot more confidence in my flying than I do, as him sending me solo yesterday when I didn't really want to is a testiment to. This is because I have had all the confidence kicked out of me earlier in my training, and am not that self assured at the best of times. His methods worked and I now feel 200% better about solo flying, the praise he heaped upon me was great, but was also tempered with "you screwed that up nicely" and "see, I told you, take that as a lesson learned and move on"
That is the sort of thing you want, tell you what you are doing wrong, to a point let you make the mistake in the first place, without compromising safety, to see if you can recognise it for what it is and put it right.
And a good de-brief afterwards, covering the good and bad bits, but always ending on a high note, and an overview of what you will do next time are a must.
As for calling you pathetic, someone started down that track with me once on a course, and got both sides of my tongue and was left in no doubt what I thought of his teaching methods. He was attempting to knock the stuffing out of me for a more than beligerant reason only came across a brick wall, and when asked the question "that is diabolical, who the hell taught you to do that?" got the reply " your companys other effing instructor, when you can all sing the off the same sheet have a pop, until then belt up whist you still can!!" I stopped the course there and then, and refused to pay his invoice as well. Take note, your money is valuable to you, don't waste it on some numpty that has a bad idea of motivation!!
The Original Whirly
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dingbat,
Get another instructor, immediately! You don't need someone sapping your confidence. Been there, and I know.
No, it DOESN'T mean you should give up, it means your instructor should give up instructing.
Get another instructor, immediately! You don't need someone sapping your confidence. Been there, and I know.
No, it DOESN'T mean you should give up, it means your instructor should give up instructing.
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Thanks. As it happens, I have some time booked with a different instructor next week, so I'll see what happens.
But really the problem is that no instructor has even remotely hinted that I won't succeed. I'm just comparing my (unremarkable) progress with that of other student pilots. But I presume that flying schools won't lose a paying customer without a fight, and it's not in their interests to be other than encouraging.
I guess the question I need to answer is impossible to answer: how much is it going to cost me to get to test-passing standard? I decided, on no very exact grounds, that I was prepared to spend 6,000 pounds on training and the equipment that goes with it. But I'm a reasonably successful, middle-aged family man, with absolutely nothing to prove, and I can easily find fun things to do with the 5,500 currently left in the kitty. I wouldn't want to spend all my money, and still not be anywhere in sight of completing the training.
What I'm wondering is if there's some way to predict how long it will take to succeed, based on a measure of progress over the first ten hours or so?
But really the problem is that no instructor has even remotely hinted that I won't succeed. I'm just comparing my (unremarkable) progress with that of other student pilots. But I presume that flying schools won't lose a paying customer without a fight, and it's not in their interests to be other than encouraging.
I guess the question I need to answer is impossible to answer: how much is it going to cost me to get to test-passing standard? I decided, on no very exact grounds, that I was prepared to spend 6,000 pounds on training and the equipment that goes with it. But I'm a reasonably successful, middle-aged family man, with absolutely nothing to prove, and I can easily find fun things to do with the 5,500 currently left in the kitty. I wouldn't want to spend all my money, and still not be anywhere in sight of completing the training.
What I'm wondering is if there's some way to predict how long it will take to succeed, based on a measure of progress over the first ten hours or so?
Try some training in california - spend a couple of weeks, and i'm sure that with continuity of flying every day you'll advance really quickly - and have a great time
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I'd say get another instructor before you give up - otherwise you may beat yourself up for giving up on a lifelong dream.
Good luck mate.
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Last week you said that you had another lesson booked in a week's time. No pressure but time is up: How did it go? If you haven't had the lesson yet, the secret is to trim the thing (use finger tip pressure to sense the load on controls) and make sure that you look out, not in.
Best of Luck
PM
Best of Luck
PM
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Last week you said that you had another lesson booked in a week's time. No pressure but time is up: How did it go? If you haven't had the lesson yet, the secret is to trim the thing (use finger tip pressure to sense the load on controls) and make sure that you look out, not in.
According to my instructor it is typical to be at this point after five hours' flying -- inasmuch as it is possible to judge -- so I'm not beating myself up about not being Biggles right now.
But this doesn't change the fundamental problem, which is that I can't really afford to fly
To get to PPL test-passing standard before the money I have negotiated from the domestic finance committee runs out, I need to make more than `typical' progress. I had hoped to be able to make good any deficiency in natural talent by working harder. But, as other people have pointed out, it doesn't seem to be possible to get better at flying by working harder at it. It seems that the only way to learn is to keep stumping up the hourly fees, and not worry how much it is costing. Ouch.I doubt I will ever be able to fly more than an hour a month on a long term basis, given the number of other demands there are on my earnings. And if I try to learn to fly on an hour a month, well, I'm not sure that is even possible.
So I still have a difficult decision to make: (i) fly as often as I can afford on a long-term basis, and accept that I will probably never get any good, or fly very often, or (ii) fly once or twice a week until my money runs out, whether I get to test-passing standard or (most likely) I don't. Tricky.
I have investigated flying microlights, but my height and weight make that difficult. While I might, with harsh dieting, just squeeze under the maximum seat weight in a C42, I've phoned all the clubs within an hour-or-so's drive of where I live, and none seem very keen on having me as a student (I'm nearly 6'5" tall, and three feet wide at the shoulders). This is fair enough, I guess -- who would want to teach somebody to fly in an aircraft that was loaded to within 20kg or so of MTOW, and only carrying an hour's fuel? So it seems that I'm stuck with flying expensive planes, which compounds the problem
Oh well, that's life.
Thanks to everybody for the advice and support.
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Mad Bear
Let me tell you a story, are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin
In 1991 or 15 years ago, whichever you like, my parents bought me a trial lesson. I immediately, and totally fell in love with aviation, and joined the club on the spot. I had another hour the week after and was looking forwards to training as a pilot.
2 days later the boss calls us all in the office, "times are hard" "end of the summner season" and so-on, and we all had our 40 hour week cut to about 25 on a good week. There were other pulls on my finances at that time, although being 21 they more of the "birds and booze" variety. 12 months later I lost the job, and spent 6 months on the dole, followed by 5 years in the employment wilderness trying different careers, some paid good money, but I spent all that repaying debts I run up when on the dole.
Flying never really left me, it just got shoved to the back of my brain. I met a girl, we got married, had a daughter, all the usual pulls on the money we all suffer from. Fast forward to 2001, and I decided I wanted a hobby. After nearly collapsing at the local golf club when they told me about the membership fee I thought "that's half a ppl". It then struck me, that's what I love, go for it!
So I did, I joined a club in 2002 and started training. Took me ages to get my head around stalling and circuits but got there in the end. Move to 2003 Then one night, after having a word with a neighbour about his noisy dog, I awoke to find my motor on fire outside the house. The financial manager of our house declared that we had to move, in hindsight a sensible thing to do really. Bought a new house (bigger of course) moved in the day after my first solo. Bigger house means more money, guess what suffered?
Moving to today, our daughter is no longer in a nursery that cosrs half a wage packet every month, and I can afford some more training. Having retired from being a DJ, when I can sell my equipment it will pay off the credit card bill I am currently running up. I will finish my training this time, it has taken 15 years from start to finish, and post ppl, save for a few hours flying freinds and family about to showcase my new found skills, the money will dry up again. I know it will, but occasionally there will be something in the pot for an hour here and there.
The moral of this story, don't beat yourself up. As for "affording" flying, none of us can afford it, justifying it is a different matter. It doesn't matter how long it takes. For me it has been a journey of 15 years since I first climbed into a GA plane, but I will get there. And if I never fly again post ppl (which I hope wll not happen) I will have acheived something in life that doesn't involve earning money. If for no other reason than it is one of life's great challenges, go for it, as and when you can afford it. When the money runs out, just stop. Start again when you have some more money, you will be surprised how much you will remember!
Whatever you do, good luck!!
Let me tell you a story, are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin
In 1991 or 15 years ago, whichever you like, my parents bought me a trial lesson. I immediately, and totally fell in love with aviation, and joined the club on the spot. I had another hour the week after and was looking forwards to training as a pilot.
2 days later the boss calls us all in the office, "times are hard" "end of the summner season" and so-on, and we all had our 40 hour week cut to about 25 on a good week. There were other pulls on my finances at that time, although being 21 they more of the "birds and booze" variety. 12 months later I lost the job, and spent 6 months on the dole, followed by 5 years in the employment wilderness trying different careers, some paid good money, but I spent all that repaying debts I run up when on the dole.
Flying never really left me, it just got shoved to the back of my brain. I met a girl, we got married, had a daughter, all the usual pulls on the money we all suffer from. Fast forward to 2001, and I decided I wanted a hobby. After nearly collapsing at the local golf club when they told me about the membership fee I thought "that's half a ppl". It then struck me, that's what I love, go for it!
So I did, I joined a club in 2002 and started training. Took me ages to get my head around stalling and circuits but got there in the end. Move to 2003 Then one night, after having a word with a neighbour about his noisy dog, I awoke to find my motor on fire outside the house. The financial manager of our house declared that we had to move, in hindsight a sensible thing to do really. Bought a new house (bigger of course) moved in the day after my first solo. Bigger house means more money, guess what suffered?
Moving to today, our daughter is no longer in a nursery that cosrs half a wage packet every month, and I can afford some more training. Having retired from being a DJ, when I can sell my equipment it will pay off the credit card bill I am currently running up. I will finish my training this time, it has taken 15 years from start to finish, and post ppl, save for a few hours flying freinds and family about to showcase my new found skills, the money will dry up again. I know it will, but occasionally there will be something in the pot for an hour here and there.
The moral of this story, don't beat yourself up. As for "affording" flying, none of us can afford it, justifying it is a different matter. It doesn't matter how long it takes. For me it has been a journey of 15 years since I first climbed into a GA plane, but I will get there. And if I never fly again post ppl (which I hope wll not happen) I will have acheived something in life that doesn't involve earning money. If for no other reason than it is one of life's great challenges, go for it, as and when you can afford it. When the money runs out, just stop. Start again when you have some more money, you will be surprised how much you will remember!
Whatever you do, good luck!!
The Original Whirly
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cessna l plate,
Great story, great post.
Should be required reading for every impoverished PPL student who's wondering what to do next.
Great story, great post.
Should be required reading for every impoverished PPL student who's wondering what to do next.
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Mad Bear
I can relate to your situation all too easily. I was given a flying lesson for my 40th birthday, I thought it was fantastic and started buying the Thom books with a view to going further. For all the restrictive reasons you described earlier I didn't resume my lessons until I was 52 and got my licence at 53.
I found that learning the theory and doing the exams and flying with an instructor most (but not all) weekends was a really enjoyable hobby in itself. If I had my time over again I would have done that rather younger and not worried about whether it actually led to a licence.
In fact there's little doubt that £6000 would get you a licence. That's roughly what it cost me and my spatial perception is rubbish.
I don't know where you are based but I would try to get involved with a club and more mature instructors who will be more relaxed and better equipped than the hour builders to analyse your flying and explain technique in ways you can easily understand. In a club scene you can make friends and get good right hand seat time to add to your lessons and that will help you ask good questions of your instructor as well as adding to the fun at minimal cost. (Custom says you buy the bacon sarnies and pay the landing fees
)
Just enjoy what flying you can get and relax until you get older freer and more in control of your wallet.
In my case (now 59), I have 300 hours P1 110 hours dual which got me PPL/IMC/night and complex, all of which were great fun and stand me in good stead when flying my newly acquired Archer 2
I can relate to your situation all too easily. I was given a flying lesson for my 40th birthday, I thought it was fantastic and started buying the Thom books with a view to going further. For all the restrictive reasons you described earlier I didn't resume my lessons until I was 52 and got my licence at 53.
I found that learning the theory and doing the exams and flying with an instructor most (but not all) weekends was a really enjoyable hobby in itself. If I had my time over again I would have done that rather younger and not worried about whether it actually led to a licence.
In fact there's little doubt that £6000 would get you a licence. That's roughly what it cost me and my spatial perception is rubbish.
I don't know where you are based but I would try to get involved with a club and more mature instructors who will be more relaxed and better equipped than the hour builders to analyse your flying and explain technique in ways you can easily understand. In a club scene you can make friends and get good right hand seat time to add to your lessons and that will help you ask good questions of your instructor as well as adding to the fun at minimal cost. (Custom says you buy the bacon sarnies and pay the landing fees
)Just enjoy what flying you can get and relax until you get older freer and more in control of your wallet.
In my case (now 59), I have 300 hours P1 110 hours dual which got me PPL/IMC/night and complex, all of which were great fun and stand me in good stead when flying my newly acquired Archer 2
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Just thought I'd bump this up a bit. We have all moved a week nearer our goals, and meeting our maker so let's have an update mad bear
Whilst you are at it, where do you fly from? I will hopefully and with all the ducks in a row (you can tell I work for an american company) pass the skills test later this month or early next month. Post ppl I think it might be nice for those of us that are currently able, to meet with mad bear and take him up for half an hour to just show him what is available to work towards. I am sure we are all very familiar with the local training area, but I for one would like to take MB out for a bit so he can gain the required motivation.
What do you all think, and MB, tell us where you are!
Whilst you are at it, where do you fly from? I will hopefully and with all the ducks in a row (you can tell I work for an american company) pass the skills test later this month or early next month. Post ppl I think it might be nice for those of us that are currently able, to meet with mad bear and take him up for half an hour to just show him what is available to work towards. I am sure we are all very familiar with the local training area, but I for one would like to take MB out for a bit so he can gain the required motivation.
What do you all think, and MB, tell us where you are!
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Hi
OK, I live in Kings Langley, which is on the remote fringes of North London, and about a 15 minute drive from Elstree, which is where I fly from.
I've had another hour in the air since my last update, making six in total I feel I did a lot better last time. I managed to taxi, take off (in perfect weather), fly around a bit, and get within about 20 seconds of landing before having to give up the controls to the instructor. So I feel I'm doing a lot better, although it still feels as if the plane is flying me, rather than the other way around.
The money problem is still a problem, however. As I said earlier, I have a fixed budget for training, and when it's gone, I won't be able to afford to fly more than once a month, if that. I have enough money in the `training kitty' to pay for 40 hours (total) of Cessna 172+instructor time. If I don't get reasonably competent by that time, I'm not sure that one hour a month thereafter will allow me to make much progress towards getting to PPL standard.
I appreciate that thinking this way leads to ruin but, being the kind of person I am, it's hard not to.
Best wishes
Bear
OK, I live in Kings Langley, which is on the remote fringes of North London, and about a 15 minute drive from Elstree, which is where I fly from.
I've had another hour in the air since my last update, making six in total
I feel I did a lot better last time. I managed to taxi, take off (in perfect weather), fly around a bit, and get within about 20 seconds of landing before having to give up the controls to the instructor. So I feel I'm doing a lot better, although it still feels as if the plane is flying me, rather than the other way around.The money problem is still a problem, however. As I said earlier, I have a fixed budget for training, and when it's gone, I won't be able to afford to fly more than once a month, if that. I have enough money in the `training kitty' to pay for 40 hours (total) of Cessna 172+instructor time. If I don't get reasonably competent by that time, I'm not sure that one hour a month thereafter will allow me to make much progress towards getting to PPL standard.
I appreciate that thinking this way leads to ruin but, being the kind of person I am, it's hard not to.
Best wishes
Bear
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OK MB
You are about 6 hours in, around about the point that aviation becomes addictive. Sounds like you had a good lesson the other day, and as for giving the landing to the instructor, I still do that at 40 hours on the odd occassion!
So ask yourself this, and be honest to yourself, no point in lying to yourself, "do I enjoy it", "is it a challenge"?
If you answer yes to either of these, then you are an addict, welcome to the club!!
I fully understand your financial situation (see my earlier thread). To begin with you have negotiated 40 hours flying to get your licence. A couple of reality checks here for you, legal MINIMUM for qualification is 45 hours JAR. 32 hours NPPL, but the syllabus is the same anyway. The reality is that most people take about 60 hours to qualify. Just working to minimums, you have budgeted too short to start with by 5 hours.
So after the 40 you can only fly once a month. So ??? I take it that you are quite happy in your chosen career, and have no ambition to become a boeing driver? If that is the case, then why worry about it, if you enjoy it then do it, and if you can only do it once a month then do it that way. None of us know what the future holds, and you could win the lottery next weekend. Fancy giving it up just incase you don't??
Just accept this for what it is, a great hobby, surrounded by great people, and one of lifes great acheivements, and do what you can when you can.
I promise you this, keep flying and I will come to Elstree after I qualify to take you up for an hour, just to show you that it isn't that hard, and what the end result looks like, however if someone else would like to do this sooner then all hands please help this poor tortured soul!
You are about 6 hours in, around about the point that aviation becomes addictive. Sounds like you had a good lesson the other day, and as for giving the landing to the instructor, I still do that at 40 hours on the odd occassion!
So ask yourself this, and be honest to yourself, no point in lying to yourself, "do I enjoy it", "is it a challenge"?
If you answer yes to either of these, then you are an addict, welcome to the club!!
I fully understand your financial situation (see my earlier thread). To begin with you have negotiated 40 hours flying to get your licence. A couple of reality checks here for you, legal MINIMUM for qualification is 45 hours JAR. 32 hours NPPL, but the syllabus is the same anyway. The reality is that most people take about 60 hours to qualify. Just working to minimums, you have budgeted too short to start with by 5 hours.
So after the 40 you can only fly once a month. So ??? I take it that you are quite happy in your chosen career, and have no ambition to become a boeing driver? If that is the case, then why worry about it, if you enjoy it then do it, and if you can only do it once a month then do it that way. None of us know what the future holds, and you could win the lottery next weekend. Fancy giving it up just incase you don't??
Just accept this for what it is, a great hobby, surrounded by great people, and one of lifes great acheivements, and do what you can when you can.
I promise you this, keep flying and I will come to Elstree after I qualify to take you up for an hour, just to show you that it isn't that hard, and what the end result looks like, however if someone else would like to do this sooner then all hands please help this poor tortured soul!
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why dont you switch to a 152, cheaper to fly so more hours for your book. I happen to know that Elstree have a superb 152 fully equipped that is cheaper to fly. I sold them my 152!
My friend just got a job with BA flying Dash. He spent the first 100hrs hanging onto the aircraft by the tailplane he was so far behind it. You are no different in this respect.
I think you are pushing yourself to hard and just making things more diificult for yourself. Chill out....
My friend just got a job with BA flying Dash. He spent the first 100hrs hanging onto the aircraft by the tailplane he was so far behind it. You are no different in this respect.
I think you are pushing yourself to hard and just making things more diificult for yourself. Chill out....
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Got to agree with Bose here.
This has already been said here many times, but it is worth re-iterating. Chill out!!!!!!
In life, as a whole, the best teacher we have is experience. Some we take out ourselves, some we glean from others, but experience is it. Nothing else will teach anybody anything.
I appreciate that you are one of those people that works hard to acheive goals, and that is admirable, although I have to say that in my opinion, any fool can work hard, the clever guy works smart!! But that aside, experience is the only teacher we ever have in life be it ours or someone else's.
That is why you need to chill out, you cannot work a bit harder at this game. If you push harder at work for your goal then you will acheive it, but remember this, at work you are on terra firma and it wont kill you if you disrespect it! What you need to gain is experience and lots of it. As you have said the last lesson went better than the one before, the next one will go better again, and so this will carry on, that is why we have an hours limit in aviation, so that you not only have the skills at the end of the course, you also have a reasonable level of experience. Don't forget that a ppl is a licence to learn though.
Remember learning to drive?? After about 3 hours you could probably drive in a straight line and turn corners and make gear changes, but you had to think about it didn't you. Did you always drift left or right a little when putting the indicator on?? I know you did, all learners do, bet you don't do it now though, and change gear without even giving it a concious thought. That is because you have experience as a driver. Don't believe me?, try driving a left hand drive car for a couple of days, you will have to teach yourself to drive the wrong way round and your brain will hurt for a couple of hours whilst you get used to it, and that is what is happening in your aviating career.
There is nothing you can do about it, accept that you have to chill out, and it will fall into place a lot quicker. It is surprising how much more you enjoy it when you aren't under pressure you know!
And whatever else, along with other here, take our advice and don't quit. You will forever kick yourself if you do, trust me!
This has already been said here many times, but it is worth re-iterating. Chill out!!!!!!
In life, as a whole, the best teacher we have is experience. Some we take out ourselves, some we glean from others, but experience is it. Nothing else will teach anybody anything.
I appreciate that you are one of those people that works hard to acheive goals, and that is admirable, although I have to say that in my opinion, any fool can work hard, the clever guy works smart!! But that aside, experience is the only teacher we ever have in life be it ours or someone else's.
That is why you need to chill out, you cannot work a bit harder at this game. If you push harder at work for your goal then you will acheive it, but remember this, at work you are on terra firma and it wont kill you if you disrespect it! What you need to gain is experience and lots of it. As you have said the last lesson went better than the one before, the next one will go better again, and so this will carry on, that is why we have an hours limit in aviation, so that you not only have the skills at the end of the course, you also have a reasonable level of experience. Don't forget that a ppl is a licence to learn though.
Remember learning to drive?? After about 3 hours you could probably drive in a straight line and turn corners and make gear changes, but you had to think about it didn't you. Did you always drift left or right a little when putting the indicator on?? I know you did, all learners do, bet you don't do it now though, and change gear without even giving it a concious thought. That is because you have experience as a driver. Don't believe me?, try driving a left hand drive car for a couple of days, you will have to teach yourself to drive the wrong way round and your brain will hurt for a couple of hours whilst you get used to it, and that is what is happening in your aviating career.
There is nothing you can do about it, accept that you have to chill out, and it will fall into place a lot quicker. It is surprising how much more you enjoy it when you aren't under pressure you know!
And whatever else, along with other here, take our advice and don't quit. You will forever kick yourself if you do, trust me!
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OK MB
I fully understand your financial situation (see my earlier thread). To begin with you have negotiated 40 hours flying to get your licence. A couple of reality checks here for you, legal MINIMUM for qualification is 45 hours JAR. 32 hours NPPL, but the syllabus is the same anyway. The reality is that most people take about 60 hours to qualify. Just working to minimums, you have budgeted too short to start with by 5 hours.
I fully understand your financial situation (see my earlier thread). To begin with you have negotiated 40 hours flying to get your licence. A couple of reality checks here for you, legal MINIMUM for qualification is 45 hours JAR. 32 hours NPPL, but the syllabus is the same anyway. The reality is that most people take about 60 hours to qualify. Just working to minimums, you have budgeted too short to start with by 5 hours.
What's bothering me is whether I would be happy flying, knowing that I probably wouldn't ever be basically competent at it. Knowing the kind of person I am, I have a sneaking suspicion that the answer is no. Unfortunately. This is nobody's problem but my own, of course.
As for cost-saving measures, I fly a 172 because it's the smallest thing I can fly. I am too tall, wide, and heavy for anything smaller. I've done my research, and that's just the way it seems to be, unfortunately.
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We all seem to be agreed here: if you want to fly and enjoy it, there is no point in fretting about progress at what is, after all, a fairly early stage in the training (which never stops, of course...).
My story might not ring bells throughout, but I hope parts of it might help.
I started to learn to fly in a glider and was HOPELESS, truly abysmally cack-handed. I didn't stop though, because I was probably too dim to think about it, but kept on, spending the pocket money, enjoying some occasional, temporary progress until I realised I didn't want to be anywhere else. The people I met obviously inhabited some superior world to my dull existence, but they seemed to want me to move there too. I still wasn't solo after %*$$$! launches but quite enjoyed having someone in the back to talk to and keep me safe....
One evening in the pub (which I couldn't afford either but that was part of the buddy system too) I learned from the guys that I was actually not far off solo, but seemingly lacked the motivation to be consistent. I didn't make much of an extra effort, because as has been said, you can't, but something changed and soon after I was sent off solo. From there, equally slowly, I progressed to other things. It all crept up insidiously and once addicted, I rebuilt my life around it. At one point when thing were particularly tough, domestically and it seemed I couldn't afford to keep my house, a change in the job yielded more money. Other problems arrived but somehow there was always a way to keep flying.
Of course your situation is unique and with family to consider you may feel guilty about the money spent on your 'hobby'. I'm sure you don't begrudge your family members their hobbies and they want you to be happy, so don't beat yourself up about holdays in the Bahamas. The point I'm trying to make, ineptly, is that even if you can't afford to fly as much as you want (who can?), if you are getting pleasure you will find a way. I'm not totally convinced by the 'you make your own luck' philosophy, nor that of Micawber, despite what I've written, but I do believe that if you can connect with the community prevalent in various areas of aviation, whether it's with microlights or gliders or the flight school at Elstree, any passion you feel will reap rewards. You don't have to have a specific goal, although much of what you read in the aviation comics might lead you to think otherwise. I certainly didn't ('I shall just keep on and if I make any progress, that's a bonus' was my mantra for a long time), but if you can look back on the last lesson, or any of them, with a degree of pleasure, there's your answer. Carry on while you can, for as long as you can. If you have to stop, you'll have logged experience that can always form the basis for a reprise in the future. Why think so negatively, though? You are flying now and although you've earmarked a finite amount, who knows what might change? Without knowing or wanting to know all your personal circumstances I suspect that there may be some wiggle room when you need it. Enjoy the journey and try not to worry so much. That's what makes it more enjoyable...
I'm sorry for the long post, much of which has just reiterated what others have said, more eloquently. I was moved to post again because I don't want you to give up on yourself. I wish I could say it better.
My story might not ring bells throughout, but I hope parts of it might help.
I started to learn to fly in a glider and was HOPELESS, truly abysmally cack-handed. I didn't stop though, because I was probably too dim to think about it, but kept on, spending the pocket money, enjoying some occasional, temporary progress until I realised I didn't want to be anywhere else. The people I met obviously inhabited some superior world to my dull existence, but they seemed to want me to move there too. I still wasn't solo after %*$$$! launches but quite enjoyed having someone in the back to talk to and keep me safe....
One evening in the pub (which I couldn't afford either but that was part of the buddy system too) I learned from the guys that I was actually not far off solo, but seemingly lacked the motivation to be consistent. I didn't make much of an extra effort, because as has been said, you can't, but something changed and soon after I was sent off solo. From there, equally slowly, I progressed to other things. It all crept up insidiously and once addicted, I rebuilt my life around it. At one point when thing were particularly tough, domestically and it seemed I couldn't afford to keep my house, a change in the job yielded more money. Other problems arrived but somehow there was always a way to keep flying.
Of course your situation is unique and with family to consider you may feel guilty about the money spent on your 'hobby'. I'm sure you don't begrudge your family members their hobbies and they want you to be happy, so don't beat yourself up about holdays in the Bahamas. The point I'm trying to make, ineptly, is that even if you can't afford to fly as much as you want (who can?), if you are getting pleasure you will find a way. I'm not totally convinced by the 'you make your own luck' philosophy, nor that of Micawber, despite what I've written, but I do believe that if you can connect with the community prevalent in various areas of aviation, whether it's with microlights or gliders or the flight school at Elstree, any passion you feel will reap rewards. You don't have to have a specific goal, although much of what you read in the aviation comics might lead you to think otherwise. I certainly didn't ('I shall just keep on and if I make any progress, that's a bonus' was my mantra for a long time), but if you can look back on the last lesson, or any of them, with a degree of pleasure, there's your answer. Carry on while you can, for as long as you can. If you have to stop, you'll have logged experience that can always form the basis for a reprise in the future. Why think so negatively, though? You are flying now and although you've earmarked a finite amount, who knows what might change? Without knowing or wanting to know all your personal circumstances I suspect that there may be some wiggle room when you need it. Enjoy the journey and try not to worry so much. That's what makes it more enjoyable...
I'm sorry for the long post, much of which has just reiterated what others have said, more eloquently. I was moved to post again because I don't want you to give up on yourself. I wish I could say it better.
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I have to agree with everyone on this.
I had dificulties in the early days, but the main cause was my limited budget. It meant I could fly only once or twice a month, and that isn't good enough. It meant that I took longer than I would have liked to get solo, but later it got even worse - getting close to the NFT and GFT I had to spend more than I budgeted for - the NFT practice and NFT itself cost me 2 months flying.
I got into a downward spiral - I wasn't progressing, I had long spells when I didn't fly and I seemed to be going backwards when I compared myself to other students. In fact there were whole months when I didn't want to go to the airfield at all.
In the end, I summoned up the courage to get a bank loan for funding the last 15 hours or so and piled in the hours until it was completed. I have never regretted doing that, although I do sometimes regret the divorce that my flying caused.
I had dificulties in the early days, but the main cause was my limited budget. It meant I could fly only once or twice a month, and that isn't good enough. It meant that I took longer than I would have liked to get solo, but later it got even worse - getting close to the NFT and GFT I had to spend more than I budgeted for - the NFT practice and NFT itself cost me 2 months flying.
I got into a downward spiral - I wasn't progressing, I had long spells when I didn't fly and I seemed to be going backwards when I compared myself to other students. In fact there were whole months when I didn't want to go to the airfield at all.
In the end, I summoned up the courage to get a bank loan for funding the last 15 hours or so and piled in the hours until it was completed. I have never regretted doing that, although I do sometimes regret the divorce that my flying caused.
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Mad Bear
At the risk of boring everyone by comparing flying to driving again, (I am more of an expert at that than flying) I understand what you mean. You do need to carry out a task often to be relatively competent at it.
That said, when you go off to the Bahamas for a 2 week holiday, when you get back in your car, are you as good as before you went away? Thought not, it takes a few minutes to re-adjust again, get your eye in if you like. Same with flying, again the more you do it the better you will be, but it doesn't mean that you are pathetic at it.
Affordability.
None of us, not a single one of us can afford to fly. Some might have more financial resources available to enable aviation, but no-one can actually afford it when the yardstick is other commitments like holidays. At our level of aviation, for once in your life, leave the brain out of the equation, and let your heart steer you. We all fall into two camps on this topic, those who admit that the heart rules the mind, and those that don't admit it!
Age
What the hell has that to do with the price of wet fish exactly? I can promise you the day you stop learning is the day they nail the lid down and pat your face with a shovel! They key part of flying and the number one skill is that of decision making, and making a good, safe one quickly. That skill has now spilled into my work life, and although there are other circumstances, I have gone from being a driver to being in charge of the whole operation, as I can be trusted to make quick decisions that work. All due to flying.
At the risk of sounding nasty, I don't mean to be, but you need a good swift kick in the rear. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and attempting to justify it to yourself, just get on and do it. Life is too short and too full of regrets to add another one!
Now a little help with the financial services comittee.
Yes, you could go to the Bahamas for a holiday this year on the money a ppl will cost. Now ask the kids, do they want a 2 week holiday somewhere exotic, or do they want their old man to get a ppl and have days, yes days, out in Northern France, Disneyland Paris, Scotland, Parts of near Europe etc. Would they like to be able to go to Spain (or wherever) and fly off for the day? No brainer really!! My good example is the wifes Uncle who lives 2 miles from Shoreham. We couldn't go to a party there this weekend due to other commitments, as it takes about 6 hours to drive, in each direction. It would take 1h40m by PA28. We could have gone, had a good day and come home again same day. She might not like flying, but she is sold on the part of the idea!
Now get down to Elstree, stop feeling sorry for yourself and get a ppl!
At the risk of boring everyone by comparing flying to driving again, (I am more of an expert at that than flying) I understand what you mean. You do need to carry out a task often to be relatively competent at it.
That said, when you go off to the Bahamas for a 2 week holiday, when you get back in your car, are you as good as before you went away? Thought not, it takes a few minutes to re-adjust again, get your eye in if you like. Same with flying, again the more you do it the better you will be, but it doesn't mean that you are pathetic at it.
Affordability.
None of us, not a single one of us can afford to fly. Some might have more financial resources available to enable aviation, but no-one can actually afford it when the yardstick is other commitments like holidays. At our level of aviation, for once in your life, leave the brain out of the equation, and let your heart steer you. We all fall into two camps on this topic, those who admit that the heart rules the mind, and those that don't admit it!
Age
What the hell has that to do with the price of wet fish exactly? I can promise you the day you stop learning is the day they nail the lid down and pat your face with a shovel! They key part of flying and the number one skill is that of decision making, and making a good, safe one quickly. That skill has now spilled into my work life, and although there are other circumstances, I have gone from being a driver to being in charge of the whole operation, as I can be trusted to make quick decisions that work. All due to flying.
At the risk of sounding nasty, I don't mean to be, but you need a good swift kick in the rear. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and attempting to justify it to yourself, just get on and do it. Life is too short and too full of regrets to add another one!
Now a little help with the financial services comittee.
Yes, you could go to the Bahamas for a holiday this year on the money a ppl will cost. Now ask the kids, do they want a 2 week holiday somewhere exotic, or do they want their old man to get a ppl and have days, yes days, out in Northern France, Disneyland Paris, Scotland, Parts of near Europe etc. Would they like to be able to go to Spain (or wherever) and fly off for the day? No brainer really!! My good example is the wifes Uncle who lives 2 miles from Shoreham. We couldn't go to a party there this weekend due to other commitments, as it takes about 6 hours to drive, in each direction. It would take 1h40m by PA28. We could have gone, had a good day and come home again same day. She might not like flying, but she is sold on the part of the idea!
Now get down to Elstree, stop feeling sorry for yourself and get a ppl!
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You don't have to have a specific goal, although much of what you read in the aviation comics might lead you to think otherwise.
Somehow, things changed, I changed, circumstances changed, and not all that many years later (in the greater scheme of things) I seem to have ended up as a fulltime helicopter instructor. I sometimes wonder just how it all happened.
I'm not saying I didn't help the process along, plan it, work hard, but somehow life seemed to run me rather than me it quite often.As for the age thing, I'll fly, and instruct, as long as I can pass medicals and want to and feel safe to. When I eventually get beyond that point....well, Cranfield has rather a nice sounding M Sc course on human factors in aviation or something similar. That's always been a main interest of mine, and I'm qualified to do it. Maybe I'll go for a Ph D in that area....when I'm about 95. Why not? Age has little to do with anything really, that much I've found out.
The point I'm making, rather longwindedly, is....fly if you want to, and don't worry too much about where it all leads, and when. There is such a thing as being too organised.