Whatever next?
Guest
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Whatever next?
Well, I got my PPL (A) some time ago. What next?
- canīt afford to fly helicopters
- donīt want to turn pro
- Iīm learning aeros īcos theyīre fun and it feels like flying. Pottering along straight and level has lost its thrill, it feels like driving.
However, I donīt want to give up. What have other people done to keep their flying challenging and exciting after PPL?
- canīt afford to fly helicopters
- donīt want to turn pro
- Iīm learning aeros īcos theyīre fun and it feels like flying. Pottering along straight and level has lost its thrill, it feels like driving.
However, I donīt want to give up. What have other people done to keep their flying challenging and exciting after PPL?
Guest
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Dificult one ZaZa. I lapsed, I ran out of people to take, like you straight and level didn't appeal. Get an IMC rating, then go VMC on top. There is nothing like it, you can really feel you are flying. I got mine hoping for a bit of paper that would increase my priveleges, I ended up a sharper, better pilot.
Other than that, use it to go places, now I am in a group and flying costs me only fuel, I can go to Paris with four of us for about 40 quid each, not bad.
Why not start with the PPRuNe fly in?
Other than that, use it to go places, now I am in a group and flying costs me only fuel, I can go to Paris with four of us for about 40 quid each, not bad.
Why not start with the PPRuNe fly in?
Guest
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Zaza.
Came back to the UK with about 300 hrs, most of which my overseas employer funded as I used to fly myself and colleagues up and down the country in a Seneca/Chieftian/Cheyenne, whatever.
Went to the local aerodrome (where I met Fallen Eagle!) after sending my licence and Ģ340 to the CAA for conversion to a UK one, and was horrified to pay Ģ70 an hour for a Cessna 152. Almost stopped flying....and then by chance heard of a third share in a vintage taildragger for a couple of grand. Went to see the world's ugliest aircraft which was 5 miles from my house on a farm strip and fell head over heels in love with it!
It then cost Ģ18 an hour to operate, was a wee bit slower than a 152, had bags of character (adverse aileron yaw), had to be side slipped and was hardly ever used. I racked up 200 hours in it in 3 years - fun to fly, no guilt about the expense and enjoyed the maintenance.
Have recently finished a PFA building project which I thoroughly enjoyed and am now getting to grips with that aircraft
I have learned more about flying and aeroplanes in the past 4 years on taildraggers than I ever did monitoring instruments and systems in Piper twins at FL105 over E Africa.
In fact still so smitten by aviation that I have just moved to a house with a long front garden and a big shed!
Don't give up, keep looking and you'll find something that will rekindle your interest.
sNr
Came back to the UK with about 300 hrs, most of which my overseas employer funded as I used to fly myself and colleagues up and down the country in a Seneca/Chieftian/Cheyenne, whatever.
Went to the local aerodrome (where I met Fallen Eagle!) after sending my licence and Ģ340 to the CAA for conversion to a UK one, and was horrified to pay Ģ70 an hour for a Cessna 152. Almost stopped flying....and then by chance heard of a third share in a vintage taildragger for a couple of grand. Went to see the world's ugliest aircraft which was 5 miles from my house on a farm strip and fell head over heels in love with it!
It then cost Ģ18 an hour to operate, was a wee bit slower than a 152, had bags of character (adverse aileron yaw), had to be side slipped and was hardly ever used. I racked up 200 hours in it in 3 years - fun to fly, no guilt about the expense and enjoyed the maintenance.
Have recently finished a PFA building project which I thoroughly enjoyed and am now getting to grips with that aircraft
I have learned more about flying and aeroplanes in the past 4 years on taildraggers than I ever did monitoring instruments and systems in Piper twins at FL105 over E Africa.
In fact still so smitten by aviation that I have just moved to a house with a long front garden and a big shed!
Don't give up, keep looking and you'll find something that will rekindle your interest.
sNr
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I suppose that you can have too much of a good thing.
Like yourself I don't intend to go commercial... a bit to old now.
Flying is something I get into for a while then leave for another while.
Same with gliding...
Things are beginning to get a bit stale at the moment again, if I leave alone I'll miss it and then get into going on trips again.
I suppose I have active and inactive periods but it's always there.
Like yourself I don't intend to go commercial... a bit to old now.
Flying is something I get into for a while then leave for another while.
Same with gliding...
Things are beginning to get a bit stale at the moment again, if I leave alone I'll miss it and then get into going on trips again.
I suppose I have active and inactive periods but it's always there.
Guest
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A few ideas....
Enter some aerobatic competitions, beginners level is great fun.
Taildraggers add another challenge
Gliding also provides a challenge and a structure for improvement
Join a goup (Ideally a taildragging aerobatic motor glider :-))
Ian
Enter some aerobatic competitions, beginners level is great fun.
Taildraggers add another challenge
Gliding also provides a challenge and a structure for improvement
Join a goup (Ideally a taildragging aerobatic motor glider :-))
Ian
Guest
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zaza, buy a taildragger with a dodgy compass, fly amongst the Welsh hills in mist and rain. Survive, count your blessings, swear you will never do it agian and get drunk.
I still come alive as soon as I push the Cub out of the hangar. Fly an aeroplane that you enjoy being in. Flying is like sex, do it with the one you enjoy being with, all flying is fun. Flying in something that responds to your moves is much more fun than flying something that you have to persuade to edge it's way around the airfield.
I still come alive as soon as I push the Cub out of the hangar. Fly an aeroplane that you enjoy being in. Flying is like sex, do it with the one you enjoy being with, all flying is fun. Flying in something that responds to your moves is much more fun than flying something that you have to persuade to edge it's way around the airfield.
Guest
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Zaza,
It is each to their own and there may be several types of flying that give you a buzz. Personally I find I need to continue challenging myself and have done this by touring increasingly long distances each year. Extra fun is added by involving friends. I help run a group of pilots based in the City and we meet for socials each month and often fly together. We all enjoy touring, eating and drinking (!) and got as far as Corsica this year with 4 aircraft. I really enjoy planning such trips, flying them to the best of my ability and knowing that I am in good company with old friends on the way. However I do sometimes wonder whether sitting over large expanses of water (eg France - Corsica - 1 hour) in a single is really a very good idea! But I still do it and try to minimise the risks. Oh and you need a cheap to fly aircraft as well - this really means joining a group. I fly my Arrow for Ģ37/hour wet - not bad!!
Oh and an IMC is invaluable for this - as New Bloke says there is nothing like entering a thin layer at 800' and seeing your surroundings gradually get brighter until you pop out suddenly into bright blue at 1500'!!
arrow 2
[This message has been edited by arrow2 (edited 15 September 2000).]
It is each to their own and there may be several types of flying that give you a buzz. Personally I find I need to continue challenging myself and have done this by touring increasingly long distances each year. Extra fun is added by involving friends. I help run a group of pilots based in the City and we meet for socials each month and often fly together. We all enjoy touring, eating and drinking (!) and got as far as Corsica this year with 4 aircraft. I really enjoy planning such trips, flying them to the best of my ability and knowing that I am in good company with old friends on the way. However I do sometimes wonder whether sitting over large expanses of water (eg France - Corsica - 1 hour) in a single is really a very good idea! But I still do it and try to minimise the risks. Oh and you need a cheap to fly aircraft as well - this really means joining a group. I fly my Arrow for Ģ37/hour wet - not bad!!
Oh and an IMC is invaluable for this - as New Bloke says there is nothing like entering a thin layer at 800' and seeing your surroundings gradually get brighter until you pop out suddenly into bright blue at 1500'!!
arrow 2
[This message has been edited by arrow2 (edited 15 September 2000).]
Guest
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ZAZA Please dont get bored not even when flying straight and level 
its got to be one of the more difficult things to do correctly over even a fairly short distance 
YES I am trying out the smilies.If you want real fun find a good taildragger instructor and let the learning begin.:0:0
its got to be one of the more difficult things to do correctly over even a fairly short distance YES I am trying out the smilies.If you want real fun find a good taildragger instructor and let the learning begin.:0:0
Guest
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Bored with flying? Nah! I quote Sir Norman Foster-Architect (Nearjet owner I beleive):
"I think you see a lot of things with more clarity when you fly......No matter how many times you do it, there is still a sense of absolute wonderment"
After ten years and 500 hours, I can but agree.
Don't give up!
"I think you see a lot of things with more clarity when you fly......No matter how many times you do it, there is still a sense of absolute wonderment"
After ten years and 500 hours, I can but agree.
Don't give up!
Guest
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Tail dragging sounds great fun, as does joining a group. My flying has been with a school so far, but itīs getting a bit expensive - 37 per hour sounds just right!
But how do I find a good group? When Iīm checking them out, what are the warning signs I should look out for? Has anybody got any tips for making a success of a share?
But how do I find a good group? When Iīm checking them out, what are the warning signs I should look out for? Has anybody got any tips for making a success of a share?
Guest
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ZaZa
-------------
Groups
+
Taildraggers
+
Affordable Flying
= THE PFA (popular Flying Assoc)
www.pfa.org
I think it costs about Ģ38 to join - cheap in real terms because it has brought me hundreds of hours of fun affordable flying.
Yep - there are the ubiquitous quota of anoraks and spotters but the annual fly-in normally receives between 1600 - 1700 aeroplanes in the UK! (Hardly Oshkosh but the biggest GA event in Europe)
sNr
-------------
Groups
+
Taildraggers
+
Affordable Flying
= THE PFA (popular Flying Assoc)
www.pfa.org
I think it costs about Ģ38 to join - cheap in real terms because it has brought me hundreds of hours of fun affordable flying.
Yep - there are the ubiquitous quota of anoraks and spotters but the annual fly-in normally receives between 1600 - 1700 aeroplanes in the UK! (Hardly Oshkosh but the biggest GA event in Europe)
sNr
Guest
Posts: n/a
'Got to agree with the previous one.
I'm in 2 groups - a permit 2 seater and a Private cat. 2+2, both taildraggers & at different fields. Flying costs Ģ20-Ģ25 an hour + a share of fixed hangarage, insurance etc (about Ģ800 for the two). Theres always at least one available, there both nice to fly and practical tourers (I've been over the Alps in both).
Check out the club noticeboards at your local fields and the ads in Pop. Flying, Flyer, Pilot etc..
One tip, a busy, active group is better than a sleeping group as their more likely to keep everything clean ,serviceable and in good condition.
Not really a downside, in my opinion, but expect to spend a bit more time getting involved with paperwork, 50 Hr checks and so on.
Insurers are usually happy if you get a thorough check out/ conversion.
I'm in 2 groups - a permit 2 seater and a Private cat. 2+2, both taildraggers & at different fields. Flying costs Ģ20-Ģ25 an hour + a share of fixed hangarage, insurance etc (about Ģ800 for the two). Theres always at least one available, there both nice to fly and practical tourers (I've been over the Alps in both).
Check out the club noticeboards at your local fields and the ads in Pop. Flying, Flyer, Pilot etc..
One tip, a busy, active group is better than a sleeping group as their more likely to keep everything clean ,serviceable and in good condition.
Not really a downside, in my opinion, but expect to spend a bit more time getting involved with paperwork, 50 Hr checks and so on.
Insurers are usually happy if you get a thorough check out/ conversion.
Guest
Posts: n/a
ZAZA
Where are you based?
For groups you can:
Check out the club advert boards, but also ask the regulars & instructors at each one.
I have bought shares twice now. The first group had 9 in a near dead 150. I was pleased to get out before the engine quit.
The second group I have been in for 9 years, thick & thin. Both were found from the back end of Pilot mag. I understand that there are even groups with more than one aircraft. (Is that a club? I'm not quite sure).
Absolutely vital is a decent set of group rules. Like any contract, they are completely pointless until you need them...
Where are you based?
For groups you can:
Check out the club advert boards, but also ask the regulars & instructors at each one.
I have bought shares twice now. The first group had 9 in a near dead 150. I was pleased to get out before the engine quit.
The second group I have been in for 9 years, thick & thin. Both were found from the back end of Pilot mag. I understand that there are even groups with more than one aircraft. (Is that a club? I'm not quite sure).
Absolutely vital is a decent set of group rules. Like any contract, they are completely pointless until you need them...
Guest
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Post PPL I did my IMC & twin rating (simultaneously, one in a C150, the other in a twin Commanche, I'll leave it to you to work out which was which). The IMC has served me well but is lapsed as is the twin rating, thanks JAR's). I now fly the cheapest (I think) 2 seater in the UK. Slow but lots of fun, a reasonable range (thanks to the wing tank), I can maintain it myself (under the supervision of the local PFA inspector). Cost as much as a Ford Escort to buy, and the annual costs including hangerage (in the London area) and insurance are around Ģ2,00/pa. Hourly costs around Ģ15-Ģ20/hour.
Join the PFA and see what's on offer!!!!!!!!
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I can fly for free, I can fly for free. CubTrek, to slowly go.....
Join the PFA and see what's on offer!!!!!!!!
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I can fly for free, I can fly for free. CubTrek, to slowly go.....
