Poke holes in my plan

[FlyingKiwi_73]

But don't be afraid of the DARK (gps) side LUKE

<in my best yoda voice> Strong is GPS, but updated libray you do not have, that way leads to busted airspace, this leads to pain and suffering.

Not ready for this burden are you....


sorry couldn't help it.

[ah147]

Thanks for the hlp everyone. I'm picking up allsorts of little bits that are useful.

Something that intrigues me is the SVFR in Class A. Would that be visibility under that which is required in the airspace, but still over the 1500mm in uncontrolled airspace?

Or would just the IMC allow you to land in IFR conditions?

As per the advice for choosing suitable aircraft for people/luggage and IR/IMC requirements, I'm getting well ahead of myself but I like the cherokee 6s, that said, I'm flying back in a Beech Bonanza tommorrow. So all could change..

Sorry for any typos, just got in from the pub. Night all.

[Slopey]

From Pooley's;

Special VFR clearance to operate within the Channel Islands CTR, for the purpose of proceeding to or from an aerodrome within the CTR, will not be granted to aircraft if the reported visibility is less than 3km or the reported cloud ceiling is less than 600 ft at the aerodrome concerned.

[bingofuel]

Stick to basics and consider GPS to be "Looxury, pure looxury.

I couldn't agree more. If you cannot navigate with a map watch and compass, then what do you do when your GPS batteries go flat, or it loses signal.
I will happily admit a functioning GPS with an accurate, up to date data base is a very useful aid, but is not a replacement for good flight planning.
I also think it is much more satisfying to fly from A-B using traditional methods than just following a magenta line. You also tend to look outside more and enjoy that special view from an aeroplane.

[ah147]

I've done a lot of ground based map reading and tend to enjoy that quite a lot. So with a few extra variables in the air should make it a bit more interesting for me too!

[miroc]

If you cannot navigate with a map watch and compass, then what do you do when your GPS batteries go flat, or it loses signal.

You will use backup GPS or other navigation aids like VOR, NDB and as a very last resort a chart and compass. We are in 21st century...

I will happily admit a functioning GPS with an accurate, up to date data base is a very useful aid, but is not a replacement for good flight planning.

It is IMHO not a replacement, it is a tool you do the planning with.

I also think it is much more satisfying to fly from A-B using traditional methods than just following a magenta line.

Sure, for a hamburger run. Flying somewhere for personal transportation is a different thing. Flying 4 hours long legs is very demanding by visual navigation. And slightly unreliable in unknown areas.

GPS is IMHO the most important navigation tool. Not a replacement for something, the primary one. Compass charts and watch are backup tools if everything else fails, we need them but there are more modern things.

Miroc

[bingofuel]

However to pass the skills test in the UK you need to prove an ability to navigate with a map.

[ah147]

Just to through a spanner in the works, I've just had a very helpful email off a forum member thats highlighted another airfield in my area and leads me to ask the question.

What are the benefits of learning on a grass airfield versus learning on a tarmac/concrete/Idon'tknowtheterm airfield?

[IO540]

You need to do dead reckoning to pass the UK PPL skills test.

Then, if you want to go somewhere for real, you move on, to the real world. Get the best GPS you can afford. Back it up with VOR/DME navigation.

I did not do DR since the day after the skills test. Actually I had to do some on the FAA CPL too, but they weren't too bothered.

[24Carrot]

You need to do dead reckoning to pass the UK PPL skills test.

Not even that. I would say you need to 'demonstrate the skill'. Having done skills tests around Heathrow and Gatwick, in practice I track crawled around the zones, and my examiners knew it. You aren't allowed to use GPS/VOR/DME on the first leg, and it's no good making your mid-course correction from inside the zone you just busted...

[24Carrot]

What are the benefits of learning on a grass airfield versus learning on a tarmac/concrete/Idon'tknowtheterm airfield?

One benefit: you probably don't spend much time waiting for ATC to give you a clearance.
One drawback: you probably don't spend much time talking to ATC, who are actually really useful in lots of useful places.

[The Old Fat One]

AH147,

You seem to mixing up three different objectives here...

Your desire to fly (or become a PPL).
The economics of transport.
The viability of transporting a small group of people by GA.

I would advise you to sort out your priorities, rather than mix them in together.

In one post you comment on the expense of commercial air travel. If you think getting a PPL and hiring/buying a four seater is going to work out cheaper than taking regular flights I would advise you to invest in a good pocker calculator.

Likewise, a number of posters have already advised on the limitations of both PPL VFR flying and the type of aircraft you might end up using.

However, if you have pots of cash and flying is what floats your boat, then go for it....you'll get lots of good advice on here on how to proceed.

[cockney steve]

nobody seems to have mentioned the old dictum ,-
" if it flies, floats or fxxks....RENT IT that was a wise person,said that.