'The Flying School' Documentary on Channel 5...
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Sounds like it was a good programme and worth waiting for. Unfortunately I missed it! If anyone would be willing to lend me a copy please could you email me.
I can offer a copy of the Scraphead Challenge Flying prog. in return.
I can't believe that I forgot it was on!
I can offer a copy of the Scraphead Challenge Flying prog. in return.
I can't believe that I forgot it was on!
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The Low Down!
Hi, I am the Instructor that took Steve, the one with the teddy (called Charlie-Echo!). I'd just like to give my view on the doc. I am very dissapointed that they portrayed Steve as they did, they basically made him out to look like an idiot which he is not. He has had problems just as everyone has but is coming on well now. The reason for my attitude towards him was this: They basically showed him getting lost and also not sure how to get back into Wycombe Airfield, they were both on the same flight! That flight was supposed to be the one before his first solo so we decided to cut the chatter and get serious to make sure Steve could do it (his request). He also seems to like the role I played for some reason. I couldn't help him as you can't when you are trying to get someone solo otherwise they can't go solo! He got lost and I wanted to make sure he understood how serious and important it was not to do so! That is where Channel 5 left him and what they failed to show were all the great flights we had together before and even after that! My normal instructional technique is that of most, people are doing it for a hobby so you have to make it fun yet safe. But at certain times you do have to be more serious and change your technique to suit your student. Anyway, we were not happy with all of this and since then Steve has mastered diversions and has already done his first solo nav route! He is in soon for an intensive week and might even get his PPL in a couple of months! The new rumour is also that Flyer magazine were also upset with how Ch 5 left Steve and want to do a special follow up report on him to show that he has carried on and is enjoying it too, which is the best news he could have, what we have to remember is that television can portray you however they want even in it bares no resemblance to the truth, and that is what they did to him and to me.
On the rest of the Doc, it was good but it would have been nice to have seen more PPL students rather than the ATC lady and the screamers. The Producer was not happy with it and it was supposed to be on in the evening about 2100 (prime time), but Ch 5 basically wanted lots of screaming which they did not get fully and therefore showed it at 1425!
We are all a really happy family at Wycombe and will continue to be so, keep an eye out in Flyer in about 2 months or so incase they carry on with Steve which I hope they do. If you have any other questions about the doc please post below and I will try to get round to replying to them, stay happy!
On the rest of the Doc, it was good but it would have been nice to have seen more PPL students rather than the ATC lady and the screamers. The Producer was not happy with it and it was supposed to be on in the evening about 2100 (prime time), but Ch 5 basically wanted lots of screaming which they did not get fully and therefore showed it at 1425!
We are all a really happy family at Wycombe and will continue to be so, keep an eye out in Flyer in about 2 months or so incase they carry on with Steve which I hope they do. If you have any other questions about the doc please post below and I will try to get round to replying to them, stay happy!
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I wouldn't worry too much about the ATC student. When I was doing my 15 hours (wish it was more!), we had a couple of people that hated the flying, but are doing very well at ATC.
I just caught the end of the program. Didn't see it hidden in the TV times.
I just caught the end of the program. Didn't see it hidden in the TV times.
But isn't there something basically odd (and perhaps inappropriate) about a person controlling aircraft about which she has what appears to be a clinical phobia?
I used to instruct at WAC but in those days we never had our own "Test Pilot". Presumably he can conduct CofA airtests etc but that's not quite the same thing!
The CFI was more than somewhat camera-shy.
I used to instruct at WAC but in those days we never had our own "Test Pilot". Presumably he can conduct CofA airtests etc but that's not quite the same thing!
The CFI was more than somewhat camera-shy.
Hew,
The word I have from the Club (admittedly, not the aforementioned CFI directly) is that he "didn't want to be in it".
As I said in a previous reply, it does seem a little strange - bearing in mind his position at the Club, you'd have thought this was a golden opportunity to promote it??
At least the "Test Pilot" (sorry, Chief Engineer) let us see his face!
Good news is that I'm told they've had plently of calls requesting info since the programme was shown
Andy, must be very frustrating for you - to your credit I think you've articulated how it fits into the "bigger picture" very well.
The word I have from the Club (admittedly, not the aforementioned CFI directly) is that he "didn't want to be in it".
As I said in a previous reply, it does seem a little strange - bearing in mind his position at the Club, you'd have thought this was a golden opportunity to promote it??
At least the "Test Pilot" (sorry, Chief Engineer) let us see his face!
Good news is that I'm told they've had plently of calls requesting info since the programme was shown
Andy, must be very frustrating for you - to your credit I think you've articulated how it fits into the "bigger picture" very well.
Last edited by Wycombe; 6th Feb 2003 at 12:57.
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HJ, I understand your concerns, but at the end of the day she is at the very early stages of her training. If she is not up to it, they will find out at the college (hopefully).
Good luck to her (Sorry didn't get her name)
Good luck to her (Sorry didn't get her name)
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Saw it and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thought all the participants came across very well and were a good advert for WAC and GA.
If I had to criticise anything, I would say that footage of the one-off Trial Lesson screamers and joyriders was too lengthy and had little to do with learning to fly.
If I had to criticise anything, I would say that footage of the one-off Trial Lesson screamers and joyriders was too lengthy and had little to do with learning to fly.
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I'm not a regular in this forum but saw this thread and couldn't resist! Thought the program was pretty good but wanted to say well done to Tom, he was my CPL inst back in June last year, you came across well m8...nice one! hope all's well with wife and bin lid etc etc.........get a proper job someone was trying to kill you there 
..............tailwinds.........STU
..............tailwinds.........STU
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Saw the film, and, as a newly qualified pilot, thoroughly enjoyed it. As Jayemm said: it gave a good picture of how egalitarian flying really is.
It was sad, however, that the one serious flaw seemed to be the partial depiction of Steve on a cross-country. I for one felt that, when you think about it, his self-imposed grounding - to sort out his navigation on the ground before trying again in flight - showed a really positive approach to a difficulty. That sort of mature thought, caution, and determination, seems to me to be very valuable.
I do hope he gets his PPL shortly - and I wish him and the school concerned all the best.
It was sad, however, that the one serious flaw seemed to be the partial depiction of Steve on a cross-country. I for one felt that, when you think about it, his self-imposed grounding - to sort out his navigation on the ground before trying again in flight - showed a really positive approach to a difficulty. That sort of mature thought, caution, and determination, seems to me to be very valuable.
I do hope he gets his PPL shortly - and I wish him and the school concerned all the best.
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For those who are interested, I contacted the relevant people at five and informed them of the positive response to 'flying school', and gave them a link to this thread so that they could see for themselves.
I received a response on thursday which basically stated that the program was made for them by an independant production company, and that they have the rights to show a repeat but have no plans to do so at present.
I received a response on thursday which basically stated that the program was made for them by an independant production company, and that they have the rights to show a repeat but have no plans to do so at present.
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....no plans for a repeat.
I understand there way of thinking, they would have to find a space in the schedual amongst all the other top quality entertainment that Channel 5 show.
28th,,
I understand there way of thinking, they would have to find a space in the schedual amongst all the other top quality entertainment that Channel 5 show.
28th,,
In common with a few people here, I blinked and missed it. TKF, I'll be taking you up on your offer of a copy if it's still available
I'll PM you my address and compensate you when we meet up (as I'm sure we will) sometime during the glorious summer full of wonderful flying weather that we are going to get this year........
I'll PM you my address and compensate you when we meet up (as I'm sure we will) sometime during the glorious summer full of wonderful flying weather that we are going to get this year........
Dancing with the devil, going with the flow... it's all a game to me.
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Well luckily I managed to see the show but only cuz me mate who is totally unconnected with flying had the kindness of heart to phone me up and say "oi you, there's this f*$£&*g programme on channel 5 about these people learnin' ta fly!". It was a good production in my opinion and we all enjoyed it.
One thing however made me think and that was the girl who was determined to fly even though she was scared stiff the entire time. Now I know most people will say "good on her" for trying to conquer her fears but I just thought "why bother?". I mean if she has no intention of going into a commercial flying role and is merely trying to fly a plane to prove to herself she can do it then what's the point in spending all that dosh? It's not as though flying a plane is something to be compared to say, swimming whereby you might find yourself in a situation where your skills are needed! In short, flying is not exactly much use to Joe Average in a day to day crisis so I was kinda perplexed at that.
Still, I've got respect for her not giving up.
VFE.
One thing however made me think and that was the girl who was determined to fly even though she was scared stiff the entire time. Now I know most people will say "good on her" for trying to conquer her fears but I just thought "why bother?". I mean if she has no intention of going into a commercial flying role and is merely trying to fly a plane to prove to herself she can do it then what's the point in spending all that dosh? It's not as though flying a plane is something to be compared to say, swimming whereby you might find yourself in a situation where your skills are needed! In short, flying is not exactly much use to Joe Average in a day to day crisis so I was kinda perplexed at that.
Still, I've got respect for her not giving up.
VFE.
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Watched the tape this morning and thoroughly enjoyed it , it brought back all those memorable and not so memorable training moments.
Just remember that it is television and has been edited to show the best & worse moments, the documentary is a product and has to be tailored be sold to a TV company. Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
No mention of the cancelled lessons and hours spent waiting for the weather to improve.
I have to confess that Mrs Kolibear does have an impressive collection of fluffy toys and that one or two of them, the pilot ones, have been known to stowaway.
Are any of the students/PPLs featured ppruners??
Just remember that it is television and has been edited to show the best & worse moments, the documentary is a product and has to be tailored be sold to a TV company. Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
No mention of the cancelled lessons and hours spent waiting for the weather to improve.
I have to confess that Mrs Kolibear does have an impressive collection of fluffy toys and that one or two of them, the pilot ones, have been known to stowaway.
Are any of the students/PPLs featured ppruners??
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Just looked in out of interest as I know the producer & things were somewhat taken out of her control once she had done the actual filming. Channel 5 told the TV papers that the prog was a repeat (oops!) & so nothing was done to promote it. Channel 5 wanted a programme with lots of screaming (Driving School style) & when they found that it didn't happen hid the whole thing as it wasn't felt that any one would be interested. Don't want to winge on her behalf but thought you should know.
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One thing however made me think and that was the girl who was determined to fly even though she was scared stiff the entire time. Now I know most people will say "good on her" for trying to conquer her fears but I just thought "why bother?". I mean if she has no intention of going into a commercial flying role and is merely trying to fly a plane to prove to herself she can do it then what's the point in spending all that dosh? It's not as though flying a plane is something to be compared to say, swimming whereby you might find yourself in a situation where your skills are needed! In short, flying is not exactly much use to Joe Average in a day to day crisis so I was kinda perplexed at that.
IIRC NATS have now got rid of this need for flying hours.
tKF
Dancing with the devil, going with the flow... it's all a game to me.
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Ah, I seeeeeee!!
That must've been explained in the first 10 minutes or so which I missed. I thought there might be more to it than was first apparent.
Thanks for the info.
VFE.
That must've been explained in the first 10 minutes or so which I missed. I thought there might be more to it than was first apparent.
Thanks for the info.
VFE.