'The Flying School' Documentary on Channel 5...
Join Date: May 2001
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Ahhh pants! I can't believe it! I wait months for this, then I go flying, and I forget it! Can anyone sort me out with a tape in return for several pints? Or a flight when I've got my licence... 
Join Date: Dec 2000
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I was very impressed (even though I was expecting different since it was being shown by Ch5) I saw things which reminded me of my training days, and also some of the reasons why I developed an interest in flying. I agree that it should have become a series, other 'fly on the wall' tv shows are, it is a shame this one isn't. It would have been nice to see how some of the students got on.
Also, it's good to see a programme which promotes general aviation as opposed to constantly going on about the dangers, noise, low flying etc.
I hope another programme like that is broadcast again soon
Also, it's good to see a programme which promotes general aviation as opposed to constantly going on about the dangers, noise, low flying etc.
I hope another programme like that is broadcast again soon
Join Date: Oct 2001
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PeteB
I had heard on the aviation grapevine (yes, there is one other than Pprune
), that the programme was originally commissioned as a series.
Having just watched the programme, it does look to me as if it has been seriously edited down to 105 minutes (less adverts). And, with the number of lose ends, it does look as if there was ample material for a series.
If so, what happnened
I had heard on the aviation grapevine (yes, there is one other than Pprune
), that the programme was originally commissioned as a series.Having just watched the programme, it does look to me as if it has been seriously edited down to 105 minutes (less adverts). And, with the number of lose ends, it does look as if there was ample material for a series.
If so, what happnened
Join Date: Oct 2002
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Actually remembered to watch it...cracking stuff. It was great to see so many people enjoying themselves so much. Shame really it was so short, I could easily have done with a whole series.
More imporantly, I thought it was actually a really good avert for GA in general, I could well see it persuading a few NIMBYs that GA is something which normal people do ie its not a form a devil worhsip exclusivley practised by Ferrari-driving city boys (although if anybody wants to give me a £1m a year job with an Aston Martin as a company car then I'm not going to complain
)
More imporantly, I thought it was actually a really good avert for GA in general, I could well see it persuading a few NIMBYs that GA is something which normal people do ie its not a form a devil worhsip exclusivley practised by Ferrari-driving city boys (although if anybody wants to give me a £1m a year job with an Aston Martin as a company car then I'm not going to complain
)
Join Date: Nov 2002
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Good tv (for a change)
Brought back recent memories....first solo, passing skill test etc........(i thought the bloke talking to, and cuddling the teddybear on his first solo was a bit dodgy....surely he should have been putting all his attention into flying his aeroplane)..but still,...he made a good landing..........really enjoyed it !!
Join Date: May 2001
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Cheers Ed, you're a dude! Check your PMs...
Wonder if I'm in any of the shots walking past or anything. Remember there was cameras around during the time I was doing my Air League Engineering thingy...Only dawned on me what they were for when I read about this show in Flyer...
Wonder if I'm in any of the shots walking past or anything. Remember there was cameras around during the time I was doing my Air League Engineering thingy...Only dawned on me what they were for when I read about this show in Flyer...
Well done Guys (and Caroline) for coming across so well on air - I think you did yourselves and WAC a lot of credit.
As I said at the start of this thread, I was surprised (and disappointed) that there was only one programme - they seemed to be filming for absolutely ages last Summer.
The ethos of the whole thing reminded me how lucky and I am to have been able to learn to fly.
Strange that the CFI was the one whose unmistakeable tones we heard but who's face we didn't see - (during the aeros sortie) - being a nosey ****** I'll have to ask him why sometime
As I said at the start of this thread, I was surprised (and disappointed) that there was only one programme - they seemed to be filming for absolutely ages last Summer.
The ethos of the whole thing reminded me how lucky and I am to have been able to learn to fly.
Strange that the CFI was the one whose unmistakeable tones we heard but who's face we didn't see - (during the aeros sortie)
- being a nosey ****** I'll have to ask him why sometime
Last edited by Wycombe; 3rd Feb 2003 at 08:07.
Carbonfibre-based lifeform
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I thought it was very good, and could easily stretch to a series.
I'm intrigued to know what happened to some of the characters. Did Mr Teddy get his nav sorted or did he chuck it in? Was Ms ATC-to-be tempted to carry on in the end?
And most importantly, does Wycombe really attract such a high proportion of nice young lady members, or was it simply that all the spotty lads and wrinkled old f*rts typical of most flying clubs ended up on the floor of the edit suite?
I'm intrigued to know what happened to some of the characters. Did Mr Teddy get his nav sorted or did he chuck it in? Was Ms ATC-to-be tempted to carry on in the end?
And most importantly, does Wycombe really attract such a high proportion of nice young lady members, or was it simply that all the spotty lads and wrinkled old f*rts typical of most flying clubs ended up on the floor of the edit suite?
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I thought it was a great programme but was I the only one that thought Mr.Teddy's instructor was terrible? He seem to alternate between being condescending and sarcastic and didn't seem too interested in his student. No wonder Mr.Teddy had all his confidence sapped. If I had been in his position I hope I would have had the courage to change instructors.
On the one occasion I've flown with "Mr Teddy's" instructor, Andy, (just on a Club currency check) I found him very easy to get on with - I'd better say that, as he was reasonably complimentary about my flying!
What a pity the producers didn't want to focus on those of us who already have a PPL (I was approached by the production lady one day, and once it became clear that I already have a PPL she lost interest in me!!).
The programme could have covered the fun you can have once you've got your licence, as well as the fun (?!?) you can have getting it - we could have then showed the nice new aeroplanes on the fleet rather than just the 152's.
I suppose if they wanted to do a series, this all might have happened - pity!
What a pity the producers didn't want to focus on those of us who already have a PPL (I was approached by the production lady one day, and once it became clear that I already have a PPL she lost interest in me!!).
The programme could have covered the fun you can have once you've got your licence, as well as the fun (?!?) you can have getting it - we could have then showed the nice new aeroplanes on the fleet rather than just the 152's.
I suppose if they wanted to do a series, this all might have happened - pity!
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I had my first PuT flight with Caroline one glorious summers day - was completely hooked. The programme brought all the memories of that first flight back... now all I have to do is find the money to keep going
[edited to add] I've also got a copy of the video if anybody else want's to have a look
[edited to add] I've also got a copy of the video if anybody else want's to have a look
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Cayambe
I think they made brief reference in the programme to the fact that Mr Teddy had asked his instructor to treat him in that manner as he found it the best way to make progress - each to their own I suppose. I may be wrong of course.
Thought it was fantastic and really wish they would make a decent series out of it. I am just gutted that I forgot to video it.
I think they made brief reference in the programme to the fact that Mr Teddy had asked his instructor to treat him in that manner as he found it the best way to make progress - each to their own I suppose. I may be wrong of course.
Thought it was fantastic and really wish they would make a decent series out of it. I am just gutted that I forgot to video it.
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KEEP GOING
I've started to feel a bit sorry for MR TEDDY.......DONT PACK IT IN !!!!
I had a couple of occasions where i nearly threw the teddy in.....(i mean the towel)....once i encountered wind shear on final approach....really shook me up ( terrified me actually)..and i started thinking, maybe its not for me....then i thought...every student must have similar experiences/doubts....talking to other students really helped me.....knowing i wasn't alone, thinking these things only happened to me. IT WILL BE ALL WORTH IT WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR LICENCE.....GOOD LUCK..KEEP GOING !!
I had a couple of occasions where i nearly threw the teddy in.....(i mean the towel)....once i encountered wind shear on final approach....really shook me up ( terrified me actually)..and i started thinking, maybe its not for me....then i thought...every student must have similar experiences/doubts....talking to other students really helped me.....knowing i wasn't alone, thinking these things only happened to me. IT WILL BE ALL WORTH IT WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR LICENCE.....GOOD LUCK..KEEP GOING !!
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Enjoyable to watch people you know but only see on the ground doing their stuff in the air.
Regarding accuracy of titles etc, it was a pity to see Pete talk about recovery from a spiral dive, only to cut to air-to-air film of a spin entry and recovery...
I hope that 'hands-on-face-at-the-flare' ATC lady doesn't have the same attitude when faced with two head-on at the same level on radar..
Well done the guys!! 
Regarding accuracy of titles etc, it was a pity to see Pete talk about recovery from a spiral dive, only to cut to air-to-air film of a spin entry and recovery...
I hope that 'hands-on-face-at-the-flare' ATC lady doesn't have the same attitude when faced with two head-on at the same level on radar..
Well done the guys!!
Join Date: Apr 2001
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I taped it too
Best TV Prog for ages.
How do we let CH5 know that so many of us appreciated it and want more!?
I would have thought that Joe Public would enjoy the programme as well. Screaming and attractive girlies, young blokes with relationship problems, 'schoolmastery' type gets come uppance on Nav (I thought that that was why the Instructor adopted his style, didn't he say as much?), the 'older woman' who wants a good time, will they pass/won't they, will brave ATC woman keep it up?. As well as the flying, the prog seemed full of the kind of real life soap stuff people watch these days. It was much more interesting than the Easyjet prog with tension built-up around "and will pompous business person get to check-in on time".
It was great to see bus drivers and postmen doing it, to dispell the popular belief that flying is only for rich people.
If you want the video, mail me and I'll send it.
How do we let CH5 know that so many of us appreciated it and want more!?
I would have thought that Joe Public would enjoy the programme as well. Screaming and attractive girlies, young blokes with relationship problems, 'schoolmastery' type gets come uppance on Nav (I thought that that was why the Instructor adopted his style, didn't he say as much?), the 'older woman' who wants a good time, will they pass/won't they, will brave ATC woman keep it up?. As well as the flying, the prog seemed full of the kind of real life soap stuff people watch these days. It was much more interesting than the Easyjet prog with tension built-up around "and will pompous business person get to check-in on time".
It was great to see bus drivers and postmen doing it, to dispell the popular belief that flying is only for rich people.
If you want the video, mail me and I'll send it.