My PPL journey.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: A land down under
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I might get shouted at as apparently we are only allowed to look at the scenery for a few minutes but, if it were me, I'd enjoy learning to fly where you are lucky enough to live in some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.
I absolutely loved doing my PPL in Scotland - was very fun times!
I absolutely loved doing my PPL in Scotland - was very fun times!
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Ireland
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Hi all, Thanks for the replies, some really good useful tips, answers that made me think again about how great it is and how much i really do love it.
I get worried easy, I done the same when I went back to school at 26 to sit State examinations and was always worried and nervous, done the exams and flew them
.. I need to get negative thoughts away.
Im currently doing the training in a C152. Have any of you ever used a guide while doing the circuit, like on a kneeboard just to glimpse at, when you reach a certain point in flight when to reduce power, speeds to reach etc?
Is twice a week flying enough, and how much study would many of you done in your own time of the PPL books or whatever you used?
Im waiting for a few more weeks to take annual leave to fly everyday as much as I can weather dependant. My finance situation is ok for PPL. If I don't fly one week its an extra weeks wage to save for when I do get out. Thanks again guys, as i said im not chasing the solo but I do look forward to that day
I get worried easy, I done the same when I went back to school at 26 to sit State examinations and was always worried and nervous, done the exams and flew them
.. I need to get negative thoughts away. Im currently doing the training in a C152. Have any of you ever used a guide while doing the circuit, like on a kneeboard just to glimpse at, when you reach a certain point in flight when to reduce power, speeds to reach etc?
Is twice a week flying enough, and how much study would many of you done in your own time of the PPL books or whatever you used?
Im waiting for a few more weeks to take annual leave to fly everyday as much as I can weather dependant. My finance situation is ok for PPL. If I don't fly one week its an extra weeks wage to save for when I do get out. Thanks again guys, as i said im not chasing the solo but I do look forward to that day
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: England
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Twice a week is great, the more you fly the more simple the routine becomes.
I know how it feels, but just relax and enjoy the journey, you clearly want to fly so enjoy being in the aircraft.
There's no need for a guide, read up on the circuit in the flying manual, and then apply it. Climb at 80kts, turn left after passing end of runway not above 15° bank, climb to desired height, anticipate level out, let speed settle, reduce power, TRIM!!! (A correctly trimmed aircraft makes life a lot easier) Turn left over your turning point,radio downwind, repeat clearance, checks, BUMFLICH, turn left at base turn point, descend to appropriate height, reduce speed,trim flaps, turn left into final. Radio in, repeat clearance, next flaps. Land.
There's nothing in the chain you haven't done or are not capable of. Just enjoy it and enjoy the landing. You are doing what a lot of people dream of doing, enjoy it and relax!
I know how it feels, but just relax and enjoy the journey, you clearly want to fly so enjoy being in the aircraft.
There's no need for a guide, read up on the circuit in the flying manual, and then apply it. Climb at 80kts, turn left after passing end of runway not above 15° bank, climb to desired height, anticipate level out, let speed settle, reduce power, TRIM!!! (A correctly trimmed aircraft makes life a lot easier) Turn left over your turning point,radio downwind, repeat clearance, checks, BUMFLICH, turn left at base turn point, descend to appropriate height, reduce speed,trim flaps, turn left into final. Radio in, repeat clearance, next flaps. Land.
There's nothing in the chain you haven't done or are not capable of. Just enjoy it and enjoy the landing. You are doing what a lot of people dream of doing, enjoy it and relax!
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Colchester, Essex
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As Jamesgrainge said. A guide could be used, but you want to avoid it as it's just another thing that ruins your concentration whilst flying. The acronyms, once memorised, are really, really helpful, and after a few times, will literally just roll off the tongue. Practice them when you're not flying and just visualise the cockpit whilst you do it. Sounds silly, but it really works.
Same goes for all checks whilst flying, like FREDA and HASELL checks, as well as those you do for a forced landing. There's a lot to learn, but the acronyms are really, really useful.
Twice a week is a good amount of time. I've never flown the 152, but in terms of power reduction etc, I'd imagine it's similar to most aircraft. As you climb away from the runway, you want to be on full power. Perform a climbing turn (not necessarily left, and not as soon as you pass the runway, different airfields have different circuit patterns). Chances are, just as you are ready to turn downwind, you'll be at circuit height. Level off, reduce power to required RPM, then trim for straight and level. Straight away, carry out your BUMFICH checks.
On the turn onto base leg, I personally set power and flaps as I turn, so you start your descent sooner rather than later (this is mostly in part to noise restrictions where I can't overfly certain areas at my home airfield). Reduce your speed, turn onto final and radio. Enjoy it.
@jamesgrainge, interesting, you have an L in your BUMFICH *BUMFLICH checks.... Please enlighten me as to what it is, as I've never seen it before and am genuinely interested if I've forgotten something.
Thank you
Same goes for all checks whilst flying, like FREDA and HASELL checks, as well as those you do for a forced landing. There's a lot to learn, but the acronyms are really, really useful.
Twice a week is a good amount of time. I've never flown the 152, but in terms of power reduction etc, I'd imagine it's similar to most aircraft. As you climb away from the runway, you want to be on full power. Perform a climbing turn (not necessarily left, and not as soon as you pass the runway, different airfields have different circuit patterns). Chances are, just as you are ready to turn downwind, you'll be at circuit height. Level off, reduce power to required RPM, then trim for straight and level. Straight away, carry out your BUMFICH checks.
On the turn onto base leg, I personally set power and flaps as I turn, so you start your descent sooner rather than later (this is mostly in part to noise restrictions where I can't overfly certain areas at my home airfield). Reduce your speed, turn onto final and radio. Enjoy it.
@jamesgrainge, interesting, you have an L in your BUMFICH *BUMFLICH checks.... Please enlighten me as to what it is, as I've never seen it before and am genuinely interested if I've forgotten something.
Thank you
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: England
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Lights. I've seen both versions dont worry,I may have added it or the trainer aircraft may have added it.
Funny about the Cessna, I didn't like the in and out manner of the throttle. I much prefer the push up and down style. That used to take me an extra second to work out the odd times I flew it.
Interesting use of flaps before the base turn. I always do flaps after, I can totally see where you are coming from though, it does feel a little rushed occasionally to slow the plane, apply flaps and descend all at once while looking for your final point. May be an idea for OP to brief with his instructor and try your technique to buy more time? Does require a little more throttle management in windy conditions I imagine?
Funny about the Cessna, I didn't like the in and out manner of the throttle. I much prefer the push up and down style. That used to take me an extra second to work out the odd times I flew it.
Interesting use of flaps before the base turn. I always do flaps after, I can totally see where you are coming from though, it does feel a little rushed occasionally to slow the plane, apply flaps and descend all at once while looking for your final point. May be an idea for OP to brief with his instructor and try your technique to buy more time? Does require a little more throttle management in windy conditions I imagine?
Join Date: Dec 2010
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Ah, thought it might be. Haven't done any night flying yet, so generally just told to leave most lights alone for the flight.
I'm not particularly keen on the push/pull throttle, but I learnt in a Robin and a 172, so kind of used to it. However, when I transitioned to the PA28, I much prefer the up down style.
Certainly when it's a bit windy it's a tad trickier, just where I fly, one of the runways needs a very tight base turn, where instead of flying perpendicular to the runway, you fly towards it at about 45 degrees, then turn final much closer than you normally would. I'm not a great fan of that circuit as it's a little harder, but unfortunately, it's the runway that seems to always be in use
I'm not particularly keen on the push/pull throttle, but I learnt in a Robin and a 172, so kind of used to it. However, when I transitioned to the PA28, I much prefer the up down style.
Certainly when it's a bit windy it's a tad trickier, just where I fly, one of the runways needs a very tight base turn, where instead of flying perpendicular to the runway, you fly towards it at about 45 degrees, then turn final much closer than you normally would. I'm not a great fan of that circuit as it's a little harder, but unfortunately, it's the runway that seems to always be in use
