Do you have any advice? Starting PPL in two weeks.
I am quite fascinated by the suggested need for fancy headsets on this (and other) private flying forums. It seems to me that there is a bit of a "posers element" involved at this level of aviation with regard to headsets, just as there is about "fancy watches".
I flew professionally for 46 years and used just about every imaginable headset from the complete bonedome package (I was in the RAF for 18 years) to the tiny little plastic frame that fitted round my left ear lobe when I flew DC-10s in the USA (used with a hand mike).
When I retired, I bought a PA-28 for fun flying and went through the "what headset shall I get" phase. I ended up buying four basic David Clark 13.4s for the aeroplane and none of my (very experienced) mates or myself has ever registered a complaint as yet.
Let's face it, you are never in a PA-28 long enough for it to matter.
You haven't lived until you have spent 14 hours listening to HF on AM in the Middle East and Africa using a "cloth hat"!
By the way, I went solo in a glider at Edzell in 1957 and a Tiger Moth at Scone in 1958.
I flew professionally for 46 years and used just about every imaginable headset from the complete bonedome package (I was in the RAF for 18 years) to the tiny little plastic frame that fitted round my left ear lobe when I flew DC-10s in the USA (used with a hand mike).
When I retired, I bought a PA-28 for fun flying and went through the "what headset shall I get" phase. I ended up buying four basic David Clark 13.4s for the aeroplane and none of my (very experienced) mates or myself has ever registered a complaint as yet.
Let's face it, you are never in a PA-28 long enough for it to matter.
You haven't lived until you have spent 14 hours listening to HF on AM in the Middle East and Africa using a "cloth hat"!
By the way, I went solo in a glider at Edzell in 1957 and a Tiger Moth at Scone in 1958.
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: E Anglia
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Vems wrote
Tut tut!
Harry Mendelssohn in Edinburgh advertises on the back of every UK Flying mag you can buy in UK. You just have to add VAT to the quoted prices.
One of the best Pilot shops in the UK.
website www dot gps dot co dot uk
And a great place to ring for advice.
Cusco.
I live in Scotland, and really, have no idea of a pilot shop anywhere in Scotland, I would have to go to England, that's a bit far!
Harry Mendelssohn in Edinburgh advertises on the back of every UK Flying mag you can buy in UK. You just have to add VAT to the quoted prices.
One of the best Pilot shops in the UK.
website www dot gps dot co dot uk
And a great place to ring for advice.
Cusco.
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Haywards Heath, West Sussex
Age: 39
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Vems,
I have just passed Air Law (last Saturday). Human factors are next, as recommended by the Examiner. He recommended this one because I haven't yet started my instructional flying (like you I have done some with friends). So Human factors is a nice and easy one to get out of the way.
Remember you have 12 months to pass all of your exams after your first pass, then 24 months after your last pass to take your practical skills test.
A good bit of advice for someone who hasn't sat any exams yet would be not to rely on the confuser for knowing the entire question bank. I knew the entire 180 questions and could answer the question without fully reading the question, which is bad because in the exam it is completely different. So swat up on the AFE PPL2 or Pooleys Air Law book. Then goto the confuser.
I would imagine Nav and Met would be easier to pass once you have subconsciously absorbed information when you are further into your training.
I have just passed Air Law (last Saturday). Human factors are next, as recommended by the Examiner. He recommended this one because I haven't yet started my instructional flying (like you I have done some with friends). So Human factors is a nice and easy one to get out of the way.
Remember you have 12 months to pass all of your exams after your first pass, then 24 months after your last pass to take your practical skills test.
A good bit of advice for someone who hasn't sat any exams yet would be not to rely on the confuser for knowing the entire question bank. I knew the entire 180 questions and could answer the question without fully reading the question, which is bad because in the exam it is completely different. So swat up on the AFE PPL2 or Pooleys Air Law book. Then goto the confuser.
I would imagine Nav and Met would be easier to pass once you have subconsciously absorbed information when you are further into your training.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I study the book rather than the questions to be honest. I read the book once, do the exercises, then go back to the bits I'm still not sure about, then read the book again, maybe go through the questions in confuser twice and then write the exam. This way, the knowledge will actually stay in my head!
I'm definately thinking of doing Nav and Met whilst I will be doing that bit in my training.
About the timing, I'm hoping to get my license by the end of maybe.. october? so even if I'll write an exam per month, I'll get them all passed before my skills test.
Vems
I'm definately thinking of doing Nav and Met whilst I will be doing that bit in my training.
About the timing, I'm hoping to get my license by the end of maybe.. october? so even if I'll write an exam per month, I'll get them all passed before my skills test.
Vems
Join Date: May 2002
Location: In a nice house
Posts: 981
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sounds like you have the right attitude already. One thing I will add. Its very easy to buy all the kit, and look like a total plonker. Of course, some people want to look like "A Pilot" so must have the black leather flight bag, flying suit, David Clark headset and Top Gun sunglasses. They have umpteen different coloured pens, every available map, folded in every configuration, etc. etc.
You don't have to buy into this!!!
I didn't even buy a headset until I had many many hours, and that is only because I was abroad and there was a new policy of providing your own headsets. So I went and bought the cheapest ones, $60 I think they were, and hell, they did the job!
Most people I know who were in aviation before doing their licences are much more discreet about it all. A plastic carrier bag is just as good as a black case (probably better, actually!) or whatever bag you want. Have a biro and some paper (or a little notebook is useful) to remember what your instructor says at the end of the lesson because its easy for it to go in one ear and out the other.
Remember there is no such thing as a stupid question!
The main thing to know is everyone has a weak area(s) and so don't be disheartened if it all seems to be going really well and then you hit something that isn't so easy.
And don't over-analyse.
Enjoy!
You don't have to buy into this!!!
I didn't even buy a headset until I had many many hours, and that is only because I was abroad and there was a new policy of providing your own headsets. So I went and bought the cheapest ones, $60 I think they were, and hell, they did the job!
Most people I know who were in aviation before doing their licences are much more discreet about it all. A plastic carrier bag is just as good as a black case (probably better, actually!) or whatever bag you want. Have a biro and some paper (or a little notebook is useful) to remember what your instructor says at the end of the lesson because its easy for it to go in one ear and out the other.
Remember there is no such thing as a stupid question!
The main thing to know is everyone has a weak area(s) and so don't be disheartened if it all seems to be going really well and then you hit something that isn't so easy.
And don't over-analyse.
Enjoy!
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: U.K.
Posts: 805
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In days of yore (1970) when I learned I got hold of a small transistor radio and noted that the FM tuning capacitor had a couple of fixed capacitors connected in parallel. I gently unsoldered these and Bingo! the radio was tuned to the aircraft band. I learned as I listened and listned as I learned. The fact that my local publican was an RT examiner was also helpful as I took my written paper in the public bar early one evening with a pint at my elbow and my practical test the following weekend so I was in possession of my VHF RT license even before I started in the circuit!
My instructor was a little suprised when I asked when I would be allowed to use the R.T. and on learning that I already had my rating immediately handed over the microphone. (In those days it was hand mic and loudspeaker.) I rapidly discovered that using it for real isn't quite the same as using an R.T. simulator with a friend on the other end, but I soon got the hang of it.
Subsequently I have always advised my students to get hold of an airband receiver and listen. Their progress in the ability to use the R/T is usually spectacular. One of my circuit students was so good, he sounded just like a pro on the RT when he had only just gone solo, so I had to warn him to advise ATC when he first called up on a solo detail that there was a "Student in Command". He always did, but something had to go wrong didn't it! He was doing circuits when the traffic was particularly heavy and he received an "advanced" ATC instruction that he had difficulty complying with. He got out of trouble (correctly) by going around, but in the debrief, I was a little annoyed with ATC for not listening. As I had a bit of spare time, said student was taken up the tower to meet the controller.
"I'm terribly sorry about that," said the controller in question. "Now I came to think about it you clearly stated on your first call that a student pilot was in command - but your R.T. was so good! I'll remember that in future."
Don't let that put you off! The ability to listen, interpret and talk on the R.T. is vital, and if you do it this way it's one thing less to distract you when you are concentrating hard on your flying when in the circuit.
P.P.
My instructor was a little suprised when I asked when I would be allowed to use the R.T. and on learning that I already had my rating immediately handed over the microphone. (In those days it was hand mic and loudspeaker.) I rapidly discovered that using it for real isn't quite the same as using an R.T. simulator with a friend on the other end, but I soon got the hang of it.
Subsequently I have always advised my students to get hold of an airband receiver and listen. Their progress in the ability to use the R/T is usually spectacular. One of my circuit students was so good, he sounded just like a pro on the RT when he had only just gone solo, so I had to warn him to advise ATC when he first called up on a solo detail that there was a "Student in Command". He always did, but something had to go wrong didn't it! He was doing circuits when the traffic was particularly heavy and he received an "advanced" ATC instruction that he had difficulty complying with. He got out of trouble (correctly) by going around, but in the debrief, I was a little annoyed with ATC for not listening. As I had a bit of spare time, said student was taken up the tower to meet the controller.
"I'm terribly sorry about that," said the controller in question. "Now I came to think about it you clearly stated on your first call that a student pilot was in command - but your R.T. was so good! I'll remember that in future."
Don't let that put you off! The ability to listen, interpret and talk on the R.T. is vital, and if you do it this way it's one thing less to distract you when you are concentrating hard on your flying when in the circuit.
P.P.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Surrey, England
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Student tips.
Hi Vems,
These would be my tips.
1. As a student pilot, you are entitled to free membership of AOPA, the Aircraft Owners' and Pilots' Association. That will entitle you to receive their excellent magazine free of charge. It is worth being a member for that alone. The AOPA mag is better than any of the commercial magazines for practical flying matters.
2. Buy a cheap pilot bag from Argos. They used to have a Pierre Cardin nylon pilot bag for £20 that was every bit as good as the ones you buy at Transair for about £34.
3. Don't buy a headset, (notice its headset, not handset) until you have put in about a dozen hours or so and feel confident you are going to continue training to PPL.
4. If you do buy a headset, you can choose between two approaches. One option is to buy a cheapo headset for about £100, these are perfectly good if a bit spartan), and then buy something costing ££££ when you really go professional. Or you can buy a good, basic ANR set for about £250 and keep with it until you are earning £££. The vital thing is comfort. Most of the suppliers will allow you to take home the headset you have bought and wear it for a couple of hours to prove it is going to be comfortable for a cross country flight and take it back if it is not. (Check with them to be certain first). ANR is very worthwhile if you can afford it.
5. Finally, remember that the working relationship between you and your instructor is very special. The 'chemistry' between the two of you really must work. Over the years, I have had several occasions when I have had to change instructors because a working relationship just wasn't working. In most cases, these were really nice guys whom I liked personally, but I couldn't work with them, the 'chemistry' just wasn't there. (In one case, however, the instructor turned out to be a bully). Don't be afraid of hurting the instructor's feelings; most instructors, in their earlier careers, will have dumped the odd instructor themselves at some time, so the chances are they will understand and will not make an embarrassing scene about it.
6. Once past your first few lessons, get into the habit of arriving for your flying lesson a couple of hours before you are due to fly. This will give you plenty of time to, relax after your journey in. You can have something to eat and drink (never fly hungry), refuel and inspect the aircraft (the last person invariably leaves it half empty), check the Met, check the TAFs and METARs, find out where the Red Arrows are, do your flight planning and finally imagine in your mind's eye the excercise you are about to fly.
7. The Scottish pilot shop, I believe, is Harry Mendelsohn's. I have never bought anything from them, but they seem to be well spoken of so worth a try. They generally advertise on the back cover of the magazines.
Good luck Vems.
Broomstick.
These would be my tips.
1. As a student pilot, you are entitled to free membership of AOPA, the Aircraft Owners' and Pilots' Association. That will entitle you to receive their excellent magazine free of charge. It is worth being a member for that alone. The AOPA mag is better than any of the commercial magazines for practical flying matters.
2. Buy a cheap pilot bag from Argos. They used to have a Pierre Cardin nylon pilot bag for £20 that was every bit as good as the ones you buy at Transair for about £34.
3. Don't buy a headset, (notice its headset, not handset) until you have put in about a dozen hours or so and feel confident you are going to continue training to PPL.
4. If you do buy a headset, you can choose between two approaches. One option is to buy a cheapo headset for about £100, these are perfectly good if a bit spartan), and then buy something costing ££££ when you really go professional. Or you can buy a good, basic ANR set for about £250 and keep with it until you are earning £££. The vital thing is comfort. Most of the suppliers will allow you to take home the headset you have bought and wear it for a couple of hours to prove it is going to be comfortable for a cross country flight and take it back if it is not. (Check with them to be certain first). ANR is very worthwhile if you can afford it.
5. Finally, remember that the working relationship between you and your instructor is very special. The 'chemistry' between the two of you really must work. Over the years, I have had several occasions when I have had to change instructors because a working relationship just wasn't working. In most cases, these were really nice guys whom I liked personally, but I couldn't work with them, the 'chemistry' just wasn't there. (In one case, however, the instructor turned out to be a bully). Don't be afraid of hurting the instructor's feelings; most instructors, in their earlier careers, will have dumped the odd instructor themselves at some time, so the chances are they will understand and will not make an embarrassing scene about it.
6. Once past your first few lessons, get into the habit of arriving for your flying lesson a couple of hours before you are due to fly. This will give you plenty of time to, relax after your journey in. You can have something to eat and drink (never fly hungry), refuel and inspect the aircraft (the last person invariably leaves it half empty), check the Met, check the TAFs and METARs, find out where the Red Arrows are, do your flight planning and finally imagine in your mind's eye the excercise you are about to fly.
7. The Scottish pilot shop, I believe, is Harry Mendelsohn's. I have never bought anything from them, but they seem to be well spoken of so worth a try. They generally advertise on the back cover of the magazines.
Good luck Vems.
Broomstick.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll register with AOPA. It could be useful!
About the bag, I have bought the starter kit (pooley's) and that included a bag, so I have one, and it's pretty good.
If I'll be buying a headset, I'll definately be looking for a comfortable one. I will be going to England in mid may, I'll probably visir Transair shop. I think that I'll buy it then, rather than buy something online which won't fit.
I never fly hungry. Even when I fly with a friend I always have to eat something. I don't go out of the house without a breakfast
I may try out the Harry Mendelsohn's shop. I'll see about that. It's been reccomended to me by quite a few people so .. we'll see!
Thanks for all the advice guys! It's great. I'll let you know how the lessons will go. Any further advice still appreciated!
About the bag, I have bought the starter kit (pooley's) and that included a bag, so I have one, and it's pretty good.
If I'll be buying a headset, I'll definately be looking for a comfortable one. I will be going to England in mid may, I'll probably visir Transair shop. I think that I'll buy it then, rather than buy something online which won't fit.
I never fly hungry. Even when I fly with a friend I always have to eat something. I don't go out of the house without a breakfast
I may try out the Harry Mendelsohn's shop. I'll see about that. It's been reccomended to me by quite a few people so .. we'll see!
Thanks for all the advice guys! It's great. I'll let you know how the lessons will go. Any further advice still appreciated!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey guys!
I've had my first lesson today! It was awesome! I did exercise 4 today and I got on really well! I'm going to be doing climbing and descending next week and the air law exam. I've actually went through the questions about 10 times and read the book through few times, went back to few chapters and I feel confident about getting it over and done with next time I'm up. Weather was actually really nice today, when on friday schools were closing because of the snow! My instructor is also great. Really nice and explains stuff in a way easy to understand
Vems.
I've had my first lesson today! It was awesome! I did exercise 4 today and I got on really well! I'm going to be doing climbing and descending next week and the air law exam. I've actually went through the questions about 10 times and read the book through few times, went back to few chapters and I feel confident about getting it over and done with next time I'm up. Weather was actually really nice today, when on friday schools were closing because of the snow! My instructor is also great. Really nice and explains stuff in a way easy to understand
Vems.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Kilmacolm
Age: 47
Posts: 740
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Where abouts are you flying in Scotland?
I've just joined Tayside flying club at Fife as I'm just about to buy into an aircraft group (handing the money over tomorrow).
Just like other posts above I would suggest trying a few headsets out for comfort. I bought my first headset from Harry Mendelsohn mail order when I was a student (learnt to fly in Cardiff where I used to live). It was one of their own brand and cost me £90 if I remember correctly.
Served me well until I bought a couple of David Clarke 13.4's a few years ago as I had tried them on a few occassions and found them to be excellent. My old headset is still being used now and again when I have a second passenger with me. I've also got a pair from Florida that cost me $50 and they're serving as my fourth set.
Glad to hear you had a great time, it'll just get better and better...
I personally did the Air Law first (school requirement before solo), then Meteorology, Navigation, Aircraft Technical, Human Performance and Radiotelephony (written). The RT practical was non-existant when I did my PPL as it was continual assessment during the CAA PPL course pre-JAA days.
I wasn't as well prepared as you are though and took a few months to take the Air Law exam!!!
I've just joined Tayside flying club at Fife as I'm just about to buy into an aircraft group (handing the money over tomorrow).
Just like other posts above I would suggest trying a few headsets out for comfort. I bought my first headset from Harry Mendelsohn mail order when I was a student (learnt to fly in Cardiff where I used to live). It was one of their own brand and cost me £90 if I remember correctly.
Served me well until I bought a couple of David Clarke 13.4's a few years ago as I had tried them on a few occassions and found them to be excellent. My old headset is still being used now and again when I have a second passenger with me. I've also got a pair from Florida that cost me $50 and they're serving as my fourth set.
Glad to hear you had a great time, it'll just get better and better...
I personally did the Air Law first (school requirement before solo), then Meteorology, Navigation, Aircraft Technical, Human Performance and Radiotelephony (written). The RT practical was non-existant when I did my PPL as it was continual assessment during the CAA PPL course pre-JAA days.
I wasn't as well prepared as you are though and took a few months to take the Air Law exam!!!
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: paisley
Age: 44
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ive got three exams left and about 35 hours in the air just passed nav and human performance yesterday! definately start studying nav after air law or as soon as poss cos it really bent my brain everyones diffrent tho and you might skoosh it there is a lot to take in tho! HAVE FUN AND ENJOY best thing ive ever done!!!
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flying traning budget
Though fellows gave you a brief guideline,but what myself had experiance during my tranning may be helpful to you.
usually most of us do believe that 45 hours tranning and there we are,but be sure that this is minimum,the average PPL pass is inbetween 60 t0 70 hours.
I strongly recommed that if you want to complete in one go,budget at least for 60 hours.
second: Before you go for navigation exams,if you can get a couple of lessons on naviagation,beleive me that ,ll make you very close to a good pass,otherwise its not hard but its bit complex to understand in theory.
My tutor had one of his awful experiance in his teaching career,one whole class faild in first attempt,he was just shocked,next week.he looked again the areas where stdudents were having problems.and we all passed.we were not charged for the 2nd time exam fee cause this was unusal for the whole class to fail.
3rd:you may well on target if you pass all your exams here,get you medical done,pass you Radio telephony and than go to Florida.During flying tranning in UK its not only money but weather,some time you go for lesson,get off from your work,tavelling and than no suitable flying conditions etc.
hope this helps and very good luck.
usually most of us do believe that 45 hours tranning and there we are,but be sure that this is minimum,the average PPL pass is inbetween 60 t0 70 hours.
I strongly recommed that if you want to complete in one go,budget at least for 60 hours.
second: Before you go for navigation exams,if you can get a couple of lessons on naviagation,beleive me that ,ll make you very close to a good pass,otherwise its not hard but its bit complex to understand in theory.
My tutor had one of his awful experiance in his teaching career,one whole class faild in first attempt,he was just shocked,next week.he looked again the areas where stdudents were having problems.and we all passed.we were not charged for the 2nd time exam fee cause this was unusal for the whole class to fail.
3rd:you may well on target if you pass all your exams here,get you medical done,pass you Radio telephony and than go to Florida.During flying tranning in UK its not only money but weather,some time you go for lesson,get off from your work,tavelling and than no suitable flying conditions etc.
hope this helps and very good luck.
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Cambridge, England, EU
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
1. Get an airband radio and listen to how the pros do it (or don't!)
One of the local club instructors comes on. It becomes clear that he's gone up to find out where the cloud tops are. (Quite who paid for the aircraft time I never found out.)
"Tops are about 5,500'. Hey, y'know what, I've never seen this much ice on a 152 before. I'm just managing to maintain level flight ... on full power."
This is a classic "don't try this at home kids" ... you'll hear others.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: *
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got hold of a small transistor radio and noted that the FM tuning capacitor had a couple of fixed capacitors connected in parallel. I gently unsoldered these and Bingo! the radio was tuned to the aircraft band.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 762
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Vems
My god your keen. And that is great.
Mainly just relax. If you have a good FI, then he/she will keep pointing you in the right direction.
keep looking out the window, then just keep looking out the window. Straight and level is the foundation for most exercises. Get that right and you'll probably be OK.
As others have said already, you seem to have a good attitude so again, just relax and enjoy the lesson and be confident in your ability.
As my CFI used to say, 'lookout and speed'. probably more useful in the circuit, but you'll know what i mean.
As far as equipment goes. Let your FI tell you what you need. But as someone stated earlier, a good headset is a must. People will give you loads of opinions but its not just passive or active thats important but also comfort. There is a good USA website called marvgolden that has a great range of stuff.
Sincerely, best of luck and be one of the PPL 'ers with a professional attitude. Although, I think your already there.
JTK
Mainly just relax. If you have a good FI, then he/she will keep pointing you in the right direction.
keep looking out the window, then just keep looking out the window. Straight and level is the foundation for most exercises. Get that right and you'll probably be OK.
As others have said already, you seem to have a good attitude so again, just relax and enjoy the lesson and be confident in your ability.
As my CFI used to say, 'lookout and speed'. probably more useful in the circuit, but you'll know what i mean.
As far as equipment goes. Let your FI tell you what you need. But as someone stated earlier, a good headset is a must. People will give you loads of opinions but its not just passive or active thats important but also comfort. There is a good USA website called marvgolden that has a great range of stuff.
Sincerely, best of luck and be one of the PPL 'ers with a professional attitude. Although, I think your already there.
JTK
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks guys for all the advice. 
I was actually thinking of starting Human Factors & Pilot Performance for now as I'll get through the book pretty quickly and I actually have a week off college and just few hours of work in the morning, I'll have time to get through it all, studying comes easily for me
I think I would get on with the meteorology next and then start maybe start nav. I only fly an hour per week so to be honest by the time I'll get to navigation in my training I'll get maybe 3 or 4 exams out of the way. I was thinking also of leaving the Radiotelephony until the end of my training as by that time, I'll have a lot of practice and it would be easier.. correct me if I'm wrong.
I keep looking out of the window of the time. By the way, the views are amazing!
Kamran, I'm still full time at college and working in the mornings, part time of course, I have just enough to get one lesson per week and that's how I'll do it for the next at least 2/3 months until I finish college so then I'll be able to work full time and get more flying done over the summer and get my license fairly soon, although, I'm not in a hurry. I have time as I'm still young and the current job market for pilots isn't looking very well! I rather fly this one hour per week on sunday than fly 2 or 3 everyday and do it intensively. At least that's the only thing that keeps me alive in college (just few days 'till sunday, just few days..'). I'll get more flying over the summer, when the weather will be looking better, at least I hope so!
And about Florida, I'm not really up for going to states, I can also fly around in Europe. There are countries which are fairly warm over certain time of the year and I could go there? I don't know why but I just don't want to go to Florida to do hour building. It's cheaper as some say.. but I'll 'waste' my money in Europe
About the headsets, the ones I used last time were pretty comfortable and pretty good, but I'll have a look around for my own headset, but at least not for the first 2/3 months.
Charlie Zulu, I'm at Tayside too, but in Dundee
Kamran, I already have a Class 2 Medical. and as I've said I think I'll leave the Radiotelephony for now as it comes with practice from what I know, and passing it asap won't be my best option. I want to take things slowly, one at a time, not rush into finishing my training ASAP. I just want to enjoy it.
I was actually thinking of starting Human Factors & Pilot Performance for now as I'll get through the book pretty quickly and I actually have a week off college and just few hours of work in the morning, I'll have time to get through it all, studying comes easily for me I think I would get on with the meteorology next and then start maybe start nav. I only fly an hour per week so to be honest by the time I'll get to navigation in my training I'll get maybe 3 or 4 exams out of the way. I was thinking also of leaving the Radiotelephony until the end of my training as by that time, I'll have a lot of practice and it would be easier.. correct me if I'm wrong.
I keep looking out of the window of the time. By the way, the views are amazing!
Kamran, I'm still full time at college and working in the mornings, part time of course, I have just enough to get one lesson per week and that's how I'll do it for the next at least 2/3 months until I finish college so then I'll be able to work full time and get more flying done over the summer and get my license fairly soon, although, I'm not in a hurry. I have time as I'm still young and the current job market for pilots isn't looking very well! I rather fly this one hour per week on sunday than fly 2 or 3 everyday and do it intensively. At least that's the only thing that keeps me alive in college (just few days 'till sunday, just few days..'). I'll get more flying over the summer, when the weather will be looking better, at least I hope so!
And about Florida, I'm not really up for going to states, I can also fly around in Europe. There are countries which are fairly warm over certain time of the year and I could go there? I don't know why but I just don't want to go to Florida to do hour building. It's cheaper as some say.. but I'll 'waste' my money in Europe
About the headsets, the ones I used last time were pretty comfortable and pretty good, but I'll have a look around for my own headset, but at least not for the first 2/3 months.
Charlie Zulu, I'm at Tayside too, but in Dundee
Kamran, I already have a Class 2 Medical.
and as I've said I think I'll leave the Radiotelephony for now as it comes with practice from what I know, and passing it asap won't be my best option. I want to take things slowly, one at a time, not rush into finishing my training ASAP. I just want to enjoy it.
Last edited by Vems; 16th Feb 2009 at 10:02. Reason: spelling.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey guys!!
Me again
I've done my second lesson. Was pretty much amazing. Trimming when flying straight and level requires some practice I've got next lesson booked on 8th of March. Two weeks time 
. I had my bus back home booked for 3pm when I decided to write the air law exam before I went off to the bus station! Was a distaster, passed though. I did the exam in something like 14 minutes and got 80% 
Next time, I'm realllyyy going to take the full time to get the exam written fully. I haven't read half of those questions fully and I guess that's why my score wasn't the highest it could have been as I know the Air Law book and the Air Law PPL confuser questions inside out! I think I'm going to get done maybe one exam per 3 weeks or something. Changing the job in the next few weeks (hopefully) had an interview today so I'll be able to buy 10 hour pack once per month. I've just started reading through Human Factors and Pilot performance, I think I'll get that one out of the way soon. It's a pretty thin book and this time.. I'll read ALL the QUESTIONS. FULLY.
At least I passed.. :huh But I'm still not happy about that score.
Weather was actually reallyyy goood. Some turbulences.. but pretty good.
Did the walk around with the instructor and the rest of the checks for the second time and started up the engine for the first time! Got on really well!
I haven't done any RT yet. I'm just meant to listen to the instructor..and we're starting RT next lesson. Sometimes seems like it's the hardest thing in the world and next minute it's really simple. Confused.
Doing climbing and descending next lesson. Thats going to be fun!
Vems.
Me again
I've done my second lesson. Was pretty much amazing.
Trimming when flying straight and level requires some practice I've got next lesson booked on 8th of March. Two weeks time . I had my bus back home booked for 3pm when I decided to write the air law exam before I went off to the bus station! Was a distaster, passed though. I did the exam in something like 14 minutes and got 80% Next time, I'm realllyyy going to take the full time to get the exam written fully. I haven't read half of those questions fully and I guess that's why my score wasn't the highest it could have been as I know the Air Law book and the Air Law PPL confuser questions inside out! I think I'm going to get done maybe one exam per 3 weeks or something. Changing the job in the next few weeks (hopefully) had an interview today so I'll be able to buy 10 hour pack once per month. I've just started reading through Human Factors and Pilot performance, I think I'll get that one out of the way soon. It's a pretty thin book and this time.. I'll read ALL the QUESTIONS. FULLY. At least I passed.. :huh But I'm still not happy about that score.
Weather was actually reallyyy goood. Some turbulences.. but pretty good.
Did the walk around with the instructor and the rest of the checks for the second time and started up the engine for the first time! Got on really well!
I haven't done any RT yet. I'm just meant to listen to the instructor..and we're starting RT next lesson. Sometimes seems like it's the hardest thing in the world and next minute it's really simple. Confused.
Doing climbing and descending next lesson. Thats going to be fun!
Vems.
Red On, Green On
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Between the woods and the water
Age: 24
Posts: 6,487
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
so I'll be able to buy 10 hour pack once per month
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: one dot low as usual
Age: 66
Posts: 536
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got hold of a small transistor radio and noted that the FM tuning capacitor had a couple of fixed capacitors connected in parallel. I gently unsoldered these and Bingo! the radio was tuned to the aircraft band.
Would this be possible on any radio? Eg. an old Sony cassette FM/MW radio?
Highly unlikely. The aviation band, although close to the commercial FM band is AM not FM so I doubt this would have really worked. Even the cheap airband receivers are rubbish. Personally I'd save your money as listening in to other transmissions is either one sided (you won't hear the ground station unless you are fairly close to it) and also full of inappropriate RT chatter for a new PPL. Most of the time you'll hear heading/height acknowledgements on the airways where you really want to be learning joining instructions & MATZ penetrations etc.
Spending an hour in your local tower will be much more worthwhile.
Would this be possible on any radio? Eg. an old Sony cassette FM/MW radio?
Highly unlikely. The aviation band, although close to the commercial FM band is AM not FM so I doubt this would have really worked. Even the cheap airband receivers are rubbish. Personally I'd save your money as listening in to other transmissions is either one sided (you won't hear the ground station unless you are fairly close to it) and also full of inappropriate RT chatter for a new PPL. Most of the time you'll hear heading/height acknowledgements on the airways where you really want to be learning joining instructions & MATZ penetrations etc.
Spending an hour in your local tower will be much more worthwhile.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: .
Age: 36
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Vems,
Good to hear that you've got started and are enjoying it already.
One thing I would add to anything that has been said already; you said you'd hope to have your PPL by October... I would budget for quite a bit beyond that, since weather here can be fickle at times and you may find it frustrating when you have several lessons in a row cancelled due to poor Wx. We've all been there!
Good luck with your license, keep us informed as to your progress
Smithy
Good to hear that you've got started and are enjoying it already.
One thing I would add to anything that has been said already; you said you'd hope to have your PPL by October... I would budget for quite a bit beyond that, since weather here can be fickle at times and you may find it frustrating when you have several lessons in a row cancelled due to poor Wx. We've all been there!
Good luck with your license, keep us informed as to your progress
Smithy