Where to train for a PPL North of London
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: London
Age: 54
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Ok, so decision made for now. I popped in to Denham and Elstree in the last couple of days. So, what can I say.
Elstree, was a bit tatty, and I just ended up feeling it was a little hands off and worn out. Might suit some, but I wanted something more encouraging.
Denham, well, what can I say. The school I went in to (the pilot centre) were amazingly helpful, friendly, really made me feel at home. Told me to go wander round the planes, look inside, then come back to the office and we can run through things. (Sounds good so far, right?)
Only problem was looking in the planes. I got in a Cessna 152, and I'm afraid the only response I had was one of a bit of claustrophobia. It was dark, cramped, and just made me feel that I couldn't imagine spending 55+ hours in there. It reminded me of an old Triumph Herald. Solid, reliable, but just not a place I wanted to spend a lot of time. The Piper PA28 was much better, but still, it didn't give me the feeling of space and visibility that the little Eurostar did.
So, decision (for today) is that I am going to start off in 3 axis microlights, do a few hours (5-10) and see how I feel. It ticks all the boxes for now, and I somehow felt so much comfier in it. Best comparison was my car to my motorbike. I sit in my car, feel detached from everything, and hope there's something interesting on the radio. I sit on my motorbike and suddenly driving becomes engaging. I had the same feeling just sitting in the Cessna and the Eurostar.
However, I know that at some point, there is a good chance I will go forwards with a full PPL, and at that point, I also know I will be going to Denham to learn!
So, thanks to all the help here, thanks to the wonderful people at Denham (I will be back one day!) and for now, its the Eurostar for me.
If any one is interested, I'll post as I learn. Let you know what it's like and how I progress.
Thanks all.
IPZ
Elstree, was a bit tatty, and I just ended up feeling it was a little hands off and worn out. Might suit some, but I wanted something more encouraging.
Denham, well, what can I say. The school I went in to (the pilot centre) were amazingly helpful, friendly, really made me feel at home. Told me to go wander round the planes, look inside, then come back to the office and we can run through things. (Sounds good so far, right?)
Only problem was looking in the planes. I got in a Cessna 152, and I'm afraid the only response I had was one of a bit of claustrophobia. It was dark, cramped, and just made me feel that I couldn't imagine spending 55+ hours in there. It reminded me of an old Triumph Herald. Solid, reliable, but just not a place I wanted to spend a lot of time. The Piper PA28 was much better, but still, it didn't give me the feeling of space and visibility that the little Eurostar did.
So, decision (for today) is that I am going to start off in 3 axis microlights, do a few hours (5-10) and see how I feel. It ticks all the boxes for now, and I somehow felt so much comfier in it. Best comparison was my car to my motorbike. I sit in my car, feel detached from everything, and hope there's something interesting on the radio. I sit on my motorbike and suddenly driving becomes engaging. I had the same feeling just sitting in the Cessna and the Eurostar.
However, I know that at some point, there is a good chance I will go forwards with a full PPL, and at that point, I also know I will be going to Denham to learn!
So, thanks to all the help here, thanks to the wonderful people at Denham (I will be back one day!) and for now, its the Eurostar for me.
If any one is interested, I'll post as I learn. Let you know what it's like and how I progress.
Thanks all.
IPZ
