Why the UK is starting to get me down!
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: N Yorks
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Can I suggest you look at what time you book your lessons?
I know it might sound daft, but I always tried to book either the first lesson slot of the day or the last of the day and only had 2 cancelled due to weather.
The weather just seems more stable first thing in the morning and then again in the evening.
I know it might sound daft, but I always tried to book either the first lesson slot of the day or the last of the day and only had 2 cancelled due to weather.
The weather just seems more stable first thing in the morning and then again in the evening.
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: London
Age: 54
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Yorkphil, not daft at all, all my lessons are last thing in the day for that reason. However....
You'll never believe what just happened. Not sure if its just luck, or if one of you really did go up to your deity of choice with boxing gloves, but my instructor just called to say weather report for blackpool (where his competition was) this weekend is pants, and competition is cancelled, so did I want a lesson last thing this sunday!....what a result!
You watch, the whole sunny weekend thing will change now :-)
You'll never believe what just happened. Not sure if its just luck, or if one of you really did go up to your deity of choice with boxing gloves, but my instructor just called to say weather report for blackpool (where his competition was) this weekend is pants, and competition is cancelled, so did I want a lesson last thing this sunday!....what a result!
You watch, the whole sunny weekend thing will change now :-)
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Glasgow
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I've been really lucky in that my instructor only takes on a few pupils at a time (part time) and so is fairly relaxed time wise, and the aircraft utilisation isn't huge so I normally look for good weather a couple of days away and book 
. I've also got a second instructor for when he is away on business...
I can see an advantage in having a second instructor - although you have to keep you wits about you as the two of them use different speeds in the circuit on the same aircraft
Did first solo last week in perfect weather
For a few weeks where the weather was woeful they suggested doing "currency" flights - just to keep my hand in and potentially do something a little different. Really it was to stop me moving backwards in my training! Mind you - I have now done an introduction to aeros
Crossing my fingers tomorrow in Prestwick - aircraft booked - weather doesn't look too bad now - but we'll see tomorrow!
. I've also got a second instructor for when he is away on business...I can see an advantage in having a second instructor - although you have to keep you wits about you as the two of them use different speeds in the circuit on the same aircraft
Did first solo last week in perfect weather
For a few weeks where the weather was woeful they suggested doing "currency" flights - just to keep my hand in and potentially do something a little different. Really it was to stop me moving backwards in my training! Mind you - I have now done an introduction to aeros
Crossing my fingers tomorrow in Prestwick - aircraft booked - weather doesn't look too bad now - but we'll see tomorrow!
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Join Date: Nov 2010
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So, after having whinged so much, I thought I would just resurrect this thread and let you know what happened
So, first thing, my instructor called me last minute before last sunday and said "hey, I can do a lesson now if you want". Then, the weather held out today as well, and I had another one.
And, you ask, have these lessons done any good?
Well, I am happy to report that after what I think is 15 or more takeoffs and landings, I have worked out which the stick is, and which the rudder is. Not using them right, but at least I know which one I am screwing up, and when.
Of course, we then added radio calls in, and that left me like a rabbit, staring at the runway, trying to remember the name of the airfield as i called finals. My instructor did point out that at that particular point, 200ft up or so, it might be better to land the plane, and forget the name of the airport, than to tell them clearly who I was as I ploughed into the airstrip....lucky for me he was there.
But, and this is a big but,.....it is starting to go in...slowly. I have about 4 hours of takeoffs and landings under my belt (well, 3 and a bit, as we did some flying around as well the first time, and went to a different airstrip), and I can see there is some kind of sense to it.
Now, all I need is another few months of this, and perhaps I will actually know how to land (and take off?)
Thanks all again for the support. IPZ
So, first thing, my instructor called me last minute before last sunday and said "hey, I can do a lesson now if you want". Then, the weather held out today as well, and I had another one.
And, you ask, have these lessons done any good?
Well, I am happy to report that after what I think is 15 or more takeoffs and landings, I have worked out which the stick is, and which the rudder is. Not using them right, but at least I know which one I am screwing up, and when.
Of course, we then added radio calls in, and that left me like a rabbit, staring at the runway, trying to remember the name of the airfield as i called finals. My instructor did point out that at that particular point, 200ft up or so, it might be better to land the plane, and forget the name of the airport, than to tell them clearly who I was as I ploughed into the airstrip....lucky for me he was there.
But, and this is a big but,.....it is starting to go in...slowly. I have about 4 hours of takeoffs and landings under my belt (well, 3 and a bit, as we did some flying around as well the first time, and went to a different airstrip), and I can see there is some kind of sense to it.
Now, all I need is another few months of this, and perhaps I will actually know how to land (and take off?)
Thanks all again for the support. IPZ
Join Date: Jun 2011
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Great news! Keep at it. I remember when I first started my PPL and totally hated the radio, although enjoyed the flying! For me radio telephony was the hardest part and I remember thinking I would never be able to take it in and learn the dark art. Talking to tower, talking to radar, flying, checks, changing frequency, noting the pressure settings, transponder frequencies, flying, working out where we were, holding the correct altitude, holding correct heading, checking, aaarrggh! My head used to be battered after each lesson!
Its just one of those things and it will all come together. Using the radio is about confidence and partly knowing what the controller might say to you. Once you get the hang you will start enjoying it.
Its just one of those things and it will all come together. Using the radio is about confidence and partly knowing what the controller might say to you. Once you get the hang you will start enjoying it.
Join Date: Jan 2009
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regarding radio - couple of tips
You can earn the patience of the Air Traffic Controller, by prefixing your transmission with "Student Pilot" or something along these lines
And by remembering that they - the controllers -are there to help you, that is their job! (and to keep us from bumping into each other, of course).
So if you don't get your transmission exactly right, just say the station you are calling, eg. "Enstone Radio" or "Birmingham Approach" or whatever, followed by your identification - " this is Golf- Oscar Foxtrot Echo Romeo"
and if you can't think of anything else you were supposed to say, they will kindly ask for it.
Old adage: Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.
1. Aviate - keep the aircraft right side up, etc.
2. Navigate - be reasonably certain where you are ( or ask ATC to identify your position, if you are lost, confess!)
3. Communicate - if you are not too busy doing the first two items; but if you are actually landing, or otherwise seriously overworked, say "Stand by!"
And by remembering that they - the controllers -are there to help you, that is their job! (and to keep us from bumping into each other, of course).
So if you don't get your transmission exactly right, just say the station you are calling, eg. "Enstone Radio" or "Birmingham Approach" or whatever, followed by your identification - " this is Golf- Oscar Foxtrot Echo Romeo"
and if you can't think of anything else you were supposed to say, they will kindly ask for it.
Old adage: Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.
1. Aviate - keep the aircraft right side up, etc.
2. Navigate - be reasonably certain where you are ( or ask ATC to identify your position, if you are lost, confess!)
3. Communicate - if you are not too busy doing the first two items; but if you are actually landing, or otherwise seriously overworked, say "Stand by!"
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Join Date: Nov 2010
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Sounds right enough to me.
Interestingly, I was talking it over with my instructor afterwards, and each time he fed a new activity into the process, I think that I was so busy concentrating on that, that I forgot to worry about the previous one, and so did it ok....or at least it worked until the radio.
It's weird really, I am very used to using vhf from other activities I am involved in, but I think this was just a case of one thing too much....I am sure once it becomes habit I wont even realise I am doing it.
But can I just say.....taking off and landing.....what a blast.
Perhaps its just run of the mill for you old timers with hundreds....nay thousands of hours under your belt, but for me, I really wanted to just stop and stare and be completely wowed by the whole thing....right up to the point the instructor suggested I clear the landing strip.
Ah well, just another few hundred to go, right? :-)
Interestingly, I was talking it over with my instructor afterwards, and each time he fed a new activity into the process, I think that I was so busy concentrating on that, that I forgot to worry about the previous one, and so did it ok....or at least it worked until the radio.
It's weird really, I am very used to using vhf from other activities I am involved in, but I think this was just a case of one thing too much....I am sure once it becomes habit I wont even realise I am doing it.
But can I just say.....taking off and landing.....what a blast.
Perhaps its just run of the mill for you old timers with hundreds....nay thousands of hours under your belt, but for me, I really wanted to just stop and stare and be completely wowed by the whole thing....right up to the point the instructor suggested I clear the landing strip.
Ah well, just another few hundred to go, right? :-)
