Fixed wing microlight training near Luton
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I think you'll find the Shadow trumps the Eurostar (and everything else) in that regard
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Never been in a shadow, but always interested in different microlights. But how is the visibility from above. One of the things I loved about the eurostar (and didn't like about things like Cessnas) was the way there was no vision upwards.
What's the shadow like?
What's the shadow like?
From the front cockpit, visibility from the Shadow front cockpit is absolutely superb - a bit of distortion from the curved canopy, which tends to ruin your attempts to take good photos from the cockpit, but from a flying perspective really very good indeed.
Just look at one...
G
Just look at one...
G
Oh the rear cockpit is tiny, cramped, with very little forward view. It's the blackened out windows under the wing (they're usually clear, it's just this picture). Good view sideways, and a bit less cramped with the small extended footwell that you can see under the pilot's backside.
It is a bit of a 1 + occasional passenger aeroplane, you'd not want to always fly with a full size adult in the back, they'd start to complain. But occasional trips, or kids, are fine.
G
It is a bit of a 1 + occasional passenger aeroplane, you'd not want to always fly with a full size adult in the back, they'd start to complain. But occasional trips, or kids, are fine.
G
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So, an interesting option for when I pass.
Hmm, I suspect that won't be for a year, given the rate at which I've missed lessons due to the weather. Roll on summer, is what i say!
Ta. IPZ
Hmm, I suspect that won't be for a year, given the rate at which I've missed lessons due to the weather. Roll on summer, is what i say!
Ta. IPZ
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Hi all,
Had my trial flight at exodus today. Went really well! First time I have flown in the eurostar and I must say the visibility out was simply stunning. The plane took off in such a short field and shot up like a rocket! (well in comparison to the cessna i flew in before) Plaistows is a very small farm strip and I still remember asking Rob where the runway was..His reply: "um we;re on it!"
The only issues I had was that there was no attitude indicator or heading indicator in the plane which is something im quite used to on flight sim as well as on the cessna flight. It was tricky to maintain straight and level just by looking at the horizon. I guess this will improve as I start my proper lessons. I am also quite short being 5'5 and it would have really helped if the seat could move. Rob said he would give me a cushion next time
We landed at another farm strip (bovington i believe) and did some circuits around there. Obviously Rob was doing most of the flying but he let me handle the controls as much as possible. I also found it very difficult to locate the short grass runways from the air. Its far easier to spot a long concrete runway with lights! This is all part of the challenge though so Im going to go for it.
Rob seems like a great guy and on initial impression a very good instructor. I like the fact that the club is very simple. They did not try to force anything on me, or ask me to sign up for blocks of lessons. I prefer to pay as you go and so did Rob. I like the fact that it took me 20 mins to get there. I really enjoyed the time there and have decided to sign up with them to start and hopefully finish my nppl in the eurostar.
My first proper lesson is on the 29th and then every weekend after that. I aim to do a lesson a week. Want to thank IPZ for informing abt exodus and the rest of the people on this thread who have guided me and helped me make the decision. Here we go!
Had my trial flight at exodus today. Went really well! First time I have flown in the eurostar and I must say the visibility out was simply stunning. The plane took off in such a short field and shot up like a rocket! (well in comparison to the cessna i flew in before) Plaistows is a very small farm strip and I still remember asking Rob where the runway was..His reply: "um we;re on it!"
The only issues I had was that there was no attitude indicator or heading indicator in the plane which is something im quite used to on flight sim as well as on the cessna flight. It was tricky to maintain straight and level just by looking at the horizon. I guess this will improve as I start my proper lessons. I am also quite short being 5'5 and it would have really helped if the seat could move. Rob said he would give me a cushion next time
We landed at another farm strip (bovington i believe) and did some circuits around there. Obviously Rob was doing most of the flying but he let me handle the controls as much as possible. I also found it very difficult to locate the short grass runways from the air. Its far easier to spot a long concrete runway with lights! This is all part of the challenge though so Im going to go for it.Rob seems like a great guy and on initial impression a very good instructor. I like the fact that the club is very simple. They did not try to force anything on me, or ask me to sign up for blocks of lessons. I prefer to pay as you go and so did Rob. I like the fact that it took me 20 mins to get there. I really enjoyed the time there and have decided to sign up with them to start and hopefully finish my nppl in the eurostar.
My first proper lesson is on the 29th and then every weekend after that. I aim to do a lesson a week. Want to thank IPZ for informing abt exodus and the rest of the people on this thread who have guided me and helped me make the decision. Here we go!
Last edited by zeddie; 19th Jan 2011 at 22:46.
Hi all,
Had my trial flight at exodus today. Went really well! First time I have flown in the eurostar and I must say the visibility out was simply stunning. The plane took off in such a short field and shot up like a rocket! (well in comparison to the cessna i flew in before) Plaistows is a very small farm strip and I still remember asking Rob where the runway was..His reply: "um we;re on it!"
The only issues I had was that there was no attitude indicator or heading indicator in the plane which is something im quite used to on flight sim as well as on the cessna flight. It was tricky to maintain straight and level just by looking at the horizon. I guess this will improve as I start my proper lessons. I am also quite short being 5'5 and it would have really helped if the seat could move. Rob said he would give me a cushion next time We landed at another farm strip (bovington i believe) and did some circuits around there. Obviously Rob was doing most of the flying but he let me handle the controls as much as possible. I also found it very difficult to locate the short grass runways from the air. Its far easier to spot a long concrete runway with lights! This is all part of the challenge though so Im going to go for it.
Rob seems like a great guy and on initial impression a very good instructor. I like the fact that the club is very simple. They did not try to force anything on me, or ask me to sign up for blocks of lessons. I prefer to pay as you go and so did Rob. I like the fact that it took me 20 mins to get there. I really enjoyed the time there and have decided to sign up with them to start and hopefully finish my nppl in the eurostar.
My first proper lesson is on the 29th and then every weekend after that. I aim to do a lesson a week. Want to thank IPZ for informing abt exodus and the rest of the people on this thread who have guided me and helped me make the decision. Here we go!
Had my trial flight at exodus today. Went really well! First time I have flown in the eurostar and I must say the visibility out was simply stunning. The plane took off in such a short field and shot up like a rocket! (well in comparison to the cessna i flew in before) Plaistows is a very small farm strip and I still remember asking Rob where the runway was..His reply: "um we;re on it!"
The only issues I had was that there was no attitude indicator or heading indicator in the plane which is something im quite used to on flight sim as well as on the cessna flight. It was tricky to maintain straight and level just by looking at the horizon. I guess this will improve as I start my proper lessons. I am also quite short being 5'5 and it would have really helped if the seat could move. Rob said he would give me a cushion next time
We landed at another farm strip (bovington i believe) and did some circuits around there. Obviously Rob was doing most of the flying but he let me handle the controls as much as possible. I also found it very difficult to locate the short grass runways from the air. Its far easier to spot a long concrete runway with lights! This is all part of the challenge though so Im going to go for it.Rob seems like a great guy and on initial impression a very good instructor. I like the fact that the club is very simple. They did not try to force anything on me, or ask me to sign up for blocks of lessons. I prefer to pay as you go and so did Rob. I like the fact that it took me 20 mins to get there. I really enjoyed the time there and have decided to sign up with them to start and hopefully finish my nppl in the eurostar.
My first proper lesson is on the 29th and then every weekend after that. I aim to do a lesson a week. Want to thank IPZ for informing abt exodus and the rest of the people on this thread who have guided me and helped me make the decision. Here we go!
A few comments.
I've known Rob since he won a scholarship aged 16 to do his PPL, and (over quite a lot of years) since then he's built up an excellent reputation for both ability and integrity. I think you'll be fine with him.
If your Cessna instructor was happy to let you make ANY use of the artificial horizon on an early lesson, you are definitely better off not going back there. Almost all PPL flying and training is about visual flying with your head out of the cockpit, not fixated on instruments. This is irrespective of aircraft class.
I'm about your height, and use cushions for flying in many aeroplanes, as do lots of other people. It's just one of those things - few aeroplanes have much seat adjustment. Don't use a very soft springy cushion for safety reasons - use something good and firm, best of all from dynafoam.
You are right, finding small grass runways can be a challenge. You'll get the hang of it.
G
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Zeddie,
I found the answer to finding the runway.....just look out for the pylons, and its just beyond them :-)
Luckily for me, to help, the farmer who owns the field built a huge fire nearby, which did make spotting it somewhat easier.
Good luck next Saturday. IPZ
I found the answer to finding the runway.....just look out for the pylons, and its just beyond them :-)
Luckily for me, to help, the farmer who owns the field built a huge fire nearby, which did make spotting it somewhat easier.
Good luck next Saturday. IPZ
Oh Shazbat!
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Beware Yorkshire Instructors
I also found it very difficult to locate the short grass runways from the air. Its far easier to spot a long concrete runway with lights! This is all part of the challenge though so Im going to go for it.
"Can't see it" said I, to which the reply from my instructor was "I can"
"So where is it?"
"It's the field with a tree in it!".......
"
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Genghis, many thanks for your comments. Yes Rob does indeed seem to be very genuine and certainly a skilled pilot. Im sure I will enjoy learning from him. Yes the cessna instructor at cranfield did want me to look at the attitude indicator a lot specially when doing turns etc to look at my bank angle and pitch. So naturally I assumed every plane has one! Its a learning experience. Dynafoam.. I will certainly try and find a suitable cushion for myself. I need something to sit on and something to support my back too as the pedals are not so comfortable to reach at the moment. On my first lesson I will try the one Rob has to offer and see if it helps 
IPZ, thanks for the tip about the pylons! Ill watch for them in my first lesson. Although I hope that farmer will light a fire for me too!
Batninth, thats pretty funny! Is there meant to be a runway in that picture though!? I certainly cant see it!
IPZ, thanks for the tip about the pylons! Ill watch for them in my first lesson. Although I hope that farmer will light a fire for me too!
Batninth, thats pretty funny! Is there meant to be a runway in that picture though!? I certainly cant see it!
Oh Shazbat!
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Is there meant to be a runway in that picture though!? I certainly cant see it!
To find the farm strip follow the disused railway that runs from the bottom right. About 3/4 of the way up the picture you'll see a building with a white roof (food processing plant) just to the left of the railway. Go right, just over the railway and there is a field that looks like a diamond shape, sqashed to be long & thin, and canted at 45degrees bottom left to top right. The instructor was actually being truthful as well as flippant, there is a single tree on the right-hand side about halfway up the field.
The RAF base is on the very right hand edge, follow the wing strut up, and then the vertical strengthener. Just where it dissapears off the picture there is a dark grey patch, that is the sothern end of the runway.
If you want to confirm what you've found, I've put a larger version here with annotations to show you, and a close up of the farm strip here
Don't worry about not being able to see it in a photo, it's easier when you're moving around.
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Zeddie / IanPZ
great to see you are learning in one of the Eurostar at exodus. A few things.
IanPZ there are a few shadows at plaistows and am sure if you ask someone they will take you up in it.
Lesson bookings, book as many as you can because at least 1/2 will be cancelled by bad weather. then you will be 4-6 weeks when you get round to flying again and in the early days you will be going backwards....
get to love xcweather, the met office and all weather channels as your interest in the weather will go from Zero to Mega..
Google earth the air field or better still look for butterfly world big butterfly on the foot of 30.
regards
Wayne
great to see you are learning in one of the Eurostar at exodus. A few things.
IanPZ there are a few shadows at plaistows and am sure if you ask someone they will take you up in it.
Lesson bookings, book as many as you can because at least 1/2 will be cancelled by bad weather. then you will be 4-6 weeks when you get round to flying again and in the early days you will be going backwards....
get to love xcweather, the met office and all weather channels as your interest in the weather will go from Zero to Mega..
Google earth the air field or better still look for butterfly world big butterfly on the foot of 30.
regards
Wayne
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Wayne,
Are you the Wayne who has just started sorting out the club night side of things? If so, sorry I couldn't get to the last one, and looking forward to the next one!
Yeah, the weather thing....I know what you mean. I've lost 2-3 lessons to the weather so far, although personally I blame Zeddie! He stole all the sunshine....according to XCweather he's gonna do it again this coming weekend :-) (No hard feelings Z).
As for finding it, I reckon once I relax into the whole flying thing, then looking for stuff gets easier. For the minute, I am more than happy to put all my trust in Rob finding the way back.
Are you learning there, or already passed?
Either way, if you are likely to be around this weekend, let Z and me know. He's there Sat, and I am Sunday. Be good to meet you. IPZ
Are you the Wayne who has just started sorting out the club night side of things? If so, sorry I couldn't get to the last one, and looking forward to the next one!
Yeah, the weather thing....I know what you mean. I've lost 2-3 lessons to the weather so far, although personally I blame Zeddie! He stole all the sunshine....according to XCweather he's gonna do it again this coming weekend :-) (No hard feelings Z).
As for finding it, I reckon once I relax into the whole flying thing, then looking for stuff gets easier. For the minute, I am more than happy to put all my trust in Rob finding the way back.
Are you learning there, or already passed?
Either way, if you are likely to be around this weekend, let Z and me know. He's there Sat, and I am Sunday. Be good to meet you. IPZ
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Batninth - Thanks for that enlarged picture. I need to train my eyes to spot different shades of green!
Wacits - Yep I have tried to book as many as I can for now doing at least 4 a month if not more. Im pretty sure some will be cancelled due to weather as you said. Unfortunately until the end of March Rob has all his weekends booked which is when I am free. I have done week days for Feb/March so had to book days off work for this. Hopefully the weather will be ok otherwise thats a lot of annual leave wasted!
Had a look at google earth and I see butterfly world. This can be quite a useful marker. thanks. Also as IPZ said, do let us know if you will be around this weekend..would be good to meet everyone!
IPZ - Yea Rob said the same thing. Concentrate on flying the plane in the first few lessons and as time passes you will learn to navigate. Hah, hope the weathers good for BOTH of us this weekend
Wacits - Yep I have tried to book as many as I can for now doing at least 4 a month if not more. Im pretty sure some will be cancelled due to weather as you said. Unfortunately until the end of March Rob has all his weekends booked which is when I am free. I have done week days for Feb/March so had to book days off work for this. Hopefully the weather will be ok otherwise thats a lot of annual leave wasted!
Had a look at google earth and I see butterfly world. This can be quite a useful marker. thanks. Also as IPZ said, do let us know if you will be around this weekend..would be good to meet everyone!
IPZ - Yea Rob said the same thing. Concentrate on flying the plane in the first few lessons and as time passes you will learn to navigate. Hah, hope the weathers good for BOTH of us this weekend
