First Solo!!!

[mary meagher]

Yo Andy, helicopters are a pain in the butt because they follow no known rules. We had to put up with them at Wycombe Air Park. And when on approach in a glider, one hasn't the choice of going around or taking any dramatic evasive measures.....fortunately they were not bolshie crop spraying types, intent on completing their spray jobs rather than keeping their incredible wash clear of other airport users....

Which is the problem at your place. Have a chat with the management of the flying school, see if you can avoid helicopter traffic next time you fly. Wake turbulence is definitely to avoid. Don't fly too close to the rump of a 747 either, for that matter! (but at least these don't fly backwards!)

Crosswind landings can be tricky as well. But don't let this scare put you off, I think it shows commendable caution and a sense of your limits, which will be cured by experience.

Actually, are you too far away to visit any other flying school? which might have a quieter environment? or even, forgive me for mentioning it, a gliding club? in other words, as you are taking a break from flying anyhow, sample something different, and a different place, when you are ready to start flying again.

Don't worry, stay happy, have fun, that's what its about, really!

[m.Berger]

So you piloted a 'plane. One day it will feel normal. Nevertheless, it is a great thing to have done and every pilot on here knows the elation and wishes you well. Only about one in three thousand people have done it (Which is surprising considering all the pilots you now know!) The first cross country is the one that makes you feel like a pilot and the grin lasts for days.
Hearty congratulations; Welcome to the sky and best of luck with the surgery.

[Andy_P]

Thanks everyone.

Already over my little fright the other day. I know dealing with those situations will come with experience.

Surgery went well, however the surgeon has grounded me for 2 months. I thought it would be 2 weeks. Unfortunately this means I need to notify CASA and also means I need to be cleared by my DAME. Not going to jump the gun yet though, there is a slim chance I might be released to fly sooner!

Good time to get the BAK exam done and dusted I guess!

Is there any other tips on things I can do so I don't lose all the skills I have learnt so far?

[thing]

Is there any other tips on things I can do so I don't lose all the skills I have learnt so far?

First of all congrats on the solo! Have imaginery conversations with yourself and ATC. I don't know what the score is in Oz regarding RT but just have a departure conversation or a zone crossing conversation with yourself while cracking a tinny.

By the way, I go to Bris every year for a month and looked into doing a conversion over there so I could rent a plane when on holiday. That was until I found out the cost...jeez you guys pay top dollar for flying, I'll never complain about the cost of flying in the UK again. I tried Archerfield and Redcliffe, where do you fly from?

[Andy_P]

Originally Posted by thing

First of all congrats on the solo! Have imaginery conversations with yourself and ATC. I don't know what the score is in Oz regarding RT but just have a departure conversation or a zone crossing conversation with yourself while cracking a tinny.

By the way, I go to Bris every year for a month and looked into doing a conversion over there so I could rent a plane when on holiday. That was until I found out the cost...jeez you guys pay top dollar for flying, I'll never complain about the cost of flying in the UK again. I tried Archerfield and Redcliffe, where do you fly from?

I fly out of Redcliffe. I like the instructors there, and its one of the cheaper places around. Its also convenient for me and allows me to get some flight time in before work. Not to mention, the 172's are all pretty modern.

No ATC at Redcliffe, its CTAF. We have to do some time at Archerfield eventually to learn all that stuff. I do my radio training in my motorcycle helmet on the way to and from work!

I have a British Passport, maybe I should come do some training over there if its cheap!

[cockney steve]

Yankeeland is , apparently, a lot cheaper than UK.......have a look at the "aeros" thread....it's about training, not aerobatics!
...so, how about posting the sort of prices you pay in Aus?

fuel, landing fees, instruction, aircraft hire ? we thing our prices are dear, yet thing hints that you are really getting your hat nailed on, over there!

[Andy_P]

I just pay a flat fee, $345/VDO hour GST included for a dual flight. Solo drops to $295. Current model Cessna 172. No landing fees. I think ground briefings early on in the training were $70 per hour.

[PatrickF]

Andy_P - well done on the solo - enjoy those crosswinds on 07! Off topic but to answer thing - relative cost really depends where you are earning and the exchange rates which have been all over the place. That said the Americans seem to have low costs covered whenever. I got my PPL in Aus then spent 2000-2009 in the UK without doing a lot of flying but when I did it was a hell of a lot cheaper in Aus with the pound worth nearly 3 to 1 at some stages. Since then the pound has been as low as $1.5 in the last year but is now creeping back up towards 2. Now I'm back here and earning $ it doesn't matter. I fly a lot more here than I did in the Uk - the weather may have a bit to do with that.

I fly mostly at Redcliffe. The rates: Redcliffe Aero Club - Hire Rates[ Redcliffe Aero Club - Hire Rates ] So as a private hire I can do an hour in the cct at $253 on the tacho and it sets me back around $160, pretty good for a brand new Cessna. or if I want to go somewhere in a hurry I hire a Cirrus SR20 out of Archerfield at $305 on the VDO - don't know anywhere in the Uk I could do that for 160 GBP/hr all in.