XC?
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: England
XC?
Aviators,
Those who have read my other posts, im roughly 14 hours into my PPL. I just wanted to ask, generally, when do you start Nav lessons and doing XC's? My jnstrcutor has already said that my next lesson will be on steep turns if the weather is good or if not so some more time in the circuit building confidence on going solo (also weather depending).
The comments on my 'Everybody should be able to pilot an aircraft' thread have really got me excited for more soloing and flying XC hence asking this question.
Happy flying
Pilot CR
Those who have read my other posts, im roughly 14 hours into my PPL. I just wanted to ask, generally, when do you start Nav lessons and doing XC's? My jnstrcutor has already said that my next lesson will be on steep turns if the weather is good or if not so some more time in the circuit building confidence on going solo (also weather depending).
The comments on my 'Everybody should be able to pilot an aircraft' thread have really got me excited for more soloing and flying XC hence asking this question.
Happy flying
Pilot CR
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,270
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From: The World
What do you mean by XC, only leaving the field or actual starting small scale orientation training?
I don't remember exactly when I started NAV training, but first acquaintance with VOR/HSI etc must have been around 20-25 hours into PPL, with dedicated training right before x-country flying myself (does make little sense before, you will forget anyways). Started x-country flying at about 45 hours and passed exam end of 50ies in the hours (all JAR-FCL, so including extensive CVFR). But I have to admit, passing exam was not my goal, learning to fly was, so I did not hurry at anything.
I don't remember exactly when I started NAV training, but first acquaintance with VOR/HSI etc must have been around 20-25 hours into PPL, with dedicated training right before x-country flying myself (does make little sense before, you will forget anyways). Started x-country flying at about 45 hours and passed exam end of 50ies in the hours (all JAR-FCL, so including extensive CVFR). But I have to admit, passing exam was not my goal, learning to fly was, so I did not hurry at anything.
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Wales
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Hi CR, my first dual XC (Ex 18A.) was at 32hrs, then my first solo XC was at 34hrs. (Second XC at 37hrs.) Fortunately, I followed the correct railway-line out of Crewe, unlike one member of our school who ended up into Manchester airspace.
Up until then all my solos where in the circuit (Ex 12-13.), must have racked up way over 100 T+Gs.
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Hi CR, my first dual XC (Ex 18A.) was at 32hrs, then my first solo XC was at 34hrs. (Second XC at 37hrs.) Fortunately, I followed the correct railway-line out of Crewe, unlike one member of our school who ended up into Manchester airspace.
Up until then all my solos where in the circuit (Ex 12-13.), must have racked up way over 100 T+Gs.
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Joined: Mar 2014
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From: The World
Interesting issue - I just looked up my number of landings: at 14 hours about 40 LDG, at 40 hours first solo about 200 LDG, start x-country 230 LDG, licensed 250 LDG. So at 14 hours I was a long way from ready ...
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: UK
My jnstrcutor has already said that my next lesson will be on steep turns if the weather is good or if not so some more time in the circuit building confidence on going solo (also weather depending).
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Mare Imbrium
Its perfectly acceptable for the instructor not to follow the exact sequence of the syllabus. There are many factors that might mean on a particular day that a first solo is inadvisable. Its not right to delay progression through the exercises just because a suitable day for first solo hasn't come along yet.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 24
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From: England
Maybe I have been unclear what I mean. What I mean is generally when do you start lessons involving navigation and flying to other airfields etc. I mean I have left the ATZ in my earlier lessons before circuit work, but I meant visiting other airfields?
Pilot CR
Pilot CR
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 639
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From: Mare Imbrium
Ask your instructor if its OK to fly to another airfield while doing whatever exercise is planned for that day, stop and have a bacon sandwich with the debrief, and then fly back. Most instructors will jump at the chance for the change of scene and it will be a good introduction for you to other airfields. They may be happy for you to start to do some of the nav too, but it will depend.
Sounds like you need to discuss this with your instructor. I'm very keen to make sure my students do this fairly early on - it can be pretty boring just flying exercises in the local area.
My comments relate to leisure flying PPL students spending there own money of course.
It may be that the flying school schedules wont allow this (it will take a bit longer) but its worth asking.
Sounds like you need to discuss this with your instructor. I'm very keen to make sure my students do this fairly early on - it can be pretty boring just flying exercises in the local area.
My comments relate to leisure flying PPL students spending there own money of course.
It may be that the flying school schedules wont allow this (it will take a bit longer) but its worth asking.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,625
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From: UK
Most schools will have a specific Navigation syllabus detailing the order of things with details of routes to be flown and any land aways. Are your Training Records not kept alongside the syllabus so that you can see where you are and what comes next?
