The perversity of inanimate objects (e.g. wx)
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Manchester, England
The perversity of inanimate objects (e.g. wx)
Day off on Wednesday, 3 hrs booked for solo consolidation. Winds 190 at 20G30.
Cancelled.
Thursday at work. Wx not perfect but flyable. Can't get away.
Friday (today) day off. 3hrs booked for... etc.etc.
No wind, viz less than 2km due mist.
Cancelled.
Next day off Wednesday 4th. No a/c available
Next day off Thursday 5th. 1 hr booked for solo etc.
What's the betting it'll be off as well, making it a month since I did first solo, with no solo time since.....
Suddenly Florida is looking very inviting
Cancelled.
Thursday at work. Wx not perfect but flyable. Can't get away.
Friday (today) day off. 3hrs booked for... etc.etc.
No wind, viz less than 2km due mist.
Cancelled.
Next day off Wednesday 4th. No a/c available
Next day off Thursday 5th. 1 hr booked for solo etc.
What's the betting it'll be off as well, making it a month since I did first solo, with no solo time since.....
Suddenly Florida is looking very inviting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, UK
You and me both mate!
I am off all week this week. I a couple of hours a day. Instead all my booked flights have been cancelled due to xwinds or general atmospheric nastyness (doing circuits so instructor was unhappy with xwind) and then good weather days were already booked up. How does everyone in my club know what days are flyable in well in advance 'cept me
That first solo remains just out of reach...but soon
I am off all week this week. I a couple of hours a day. Instead all my booked flights have been cancelled due to xwinds or general atmospheric nastyness (doing circuits so instructor was unhappy with xwind) and then good weather days were already booked up. How does everyone in my club know what days are flyable in well in advance 'cept me
That first solo remains just out of reach...but soon
Supercharged PPRuNer
Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 15
From: Doon the watter, a million miles from the sandpit.
Welcome to my world . . .
I need 1 hour of solo x-country before the skills test. 1 measly hour. My log book reckons it's over a month since I flew. 
I was going to Florida in February for hours building, but the way it's going I could be finishing the PPL there as well.
I was going to Florida in February for hours building, but the way it's going I could be finishing the PPL there as well.
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
From: Paros, Greece
Me too, same reasons. Fog all last week, wind on Wednesday, Fog again today. As I was just saying in another thread my skills test was cancelled for the SEVENTH TIME 
today!
I'd booked seven different dates and thought I was being WAY pessamistic so didn't book any more. Now I have to wait 2 weeks before my next attempt as everything is booked solid!
today! I'd booked seven different dates and thought I was being WAY pessamistic so didn't book any more. Now I have to wait 2 weeks before my next attempt as everything is booked solid!
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: North Weald, UK
Some people claim that landings are the most difficult part of flying, others say navigation. They are all wrong.
The most difficult part of flying is getting the aircraft, the weather and the money to arrive together.
I'm rapidlly coming to the conclusion that if the weather is good and the time is available - go fly! , beacause if you book a slot in the future, the Weather Gods get to hear about it and all hell breaks loose.
knobbygob - you have my sympathy as I don't recall having such extended periods of bad weather when I did my training.
I wonder how many grass airfields are toying with the idea of tarmac?
The most difficult part of flying is getting the aircraft, the weather and the money to arrive together.
I'm rapidlly coming to the conclusion that if the weather is good and the time is available - go fly! , beacause if you book a slot in the future, the Weather Gods get to hear about it and all hell breaks loose.
knobbygob - you have my sympathy as I don't recall having such extended periods of bad weather when I did my training.
I wonder how many grass airfields are toying with the idea of tarmac?
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: London, UK
WHC - ain't that the truth.
I have been battling with the wx (I am doing circuits too) but also Redhill grass strip gets boggy - they have drainage, but it takes a while to work
I guess it's all good experience
grrrr
SOMP
I have been battling with the wx (I am doing circuits too) but also Redhill grass strip gets boggy - they have drainage, but it takes a while to work
I guess it's all good experience
grrrr
SOMP
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
From: Paros, Greece
Yes WHC, Sherburn is MUCH better since the tarmac runway was laid (unashamed plug). I think they now need to invest in a 10km diameter glass dome to keep the fog out 
Kinda like in 'The 'Truman Show'.....
G SXTY, are you still trying to do that last hour? I'm just going to do the test with 43.2 in the book - I'm sure it'll be OK (still awaiting the letter from the CAA, by the way).
Kinda like in 'The 'Truman Show'.....G SXTY, are you still trying to do that last hour? I'm just going to do the test with 43.2 in the book - I'm sure it'll be OK (still awaiting the letter from the CAA, by the way).
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: www.tiovicente.com
Stick with it guys. This is the worst bit nearly over! Just you wait until next summer when your shiny new PPL arrives and you are at the airfield after a good flight, soaking up the sights and sounds. Then you'll realise it was all worth it.
High Flying Bird
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 0
From: Old Sarum ish
Aircraft availability - great.
Weather - mixed, but my time is flexible.
Money - yes, well... erm...
Stick with it guys, like the others have said, it's all worth it in the end. You can have some great flying days in winter. This time last year I went up for my last lesson, and it was grey, windy, wet, and thoroughly miserable. The next day was beautiful - clear skies, very little wind, great vis. Got straight on the phone to my examiner and dragged him out of bed just in time to fit the GFT in before it got dark Of course there were many more days like that during the next couple of weeks, while I was waiting for the licence to come back. Then as soon as it did it was back to rain, wind, etc etc
Weather - mixed, but my time is flexible.
Money - yes, well... erm...
Stick with it guys, like the others have said, it's all worth it in the end. You can have some great flying days in winter. This time last year I went up for my last lesson, and it was grey, windy, wet, and thoroughly miserable. The next day was beautiful - clear skies, very little wind, great vis. Got straight on the phone to my examiner and dragged him out of bed just in time to fit the GFT in before it got dark
Of course there were many more days like that during the next couple of weeks, while I was waiting for the licence to come back. Then as soon as it did it was back to rain, wind, etc etc
Why do it if it's not fun?
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,782
Likes: 12
From: Bournemouth
Like others have said, stick with it.
I really can't describe how important it is to not get stressed by the weather. Going to Florida is tempting, but what are you going to do when you get back? Even after getting your PPL, you're still going to be hampered by the weather! So just relax, and take whatever the weather-gods decide to throw at you.
If it's any consolation at all (it won't be, but it'll at least show you that getting the PPL isn't the end of the weather problems), I'm in exactly the same situation, and I've already got a PPL and a little over 200 hours. I'm still trying to get my check-flight done at a new school so I can hire a PA28 for night flying. (Already got the night rating, and experience on type - just need one night flight, and one day flight.) I've booked every Saturday since the clocks changed... and flown once! And I've also only flown my Europa once in the same period. But I just head down to the airfield and hang out with other pilots, or stay at home and study, or do some Christmas shopping instead. No big deal.
FFF
--------------
I really can't describe how important it is to not get stressed by the weather. Going to Florida is tempting, but what are you going to do when you get back? Even after getting your PPL, you're still going to be hampered by the weather! So just relax, and take whatever the weather-gods decide to throw at you.
If it's any consolation at all (it won't be, but it'll at least show you that getting the PPL isn't the end of the weather problems), I'm in exactly the same situation, and I've already got a PPL and a little over 200 hours. I'm still trying to get my check-flight done at a new school so I can hire a PA28 for night flying. (Already got the night rating, and experience on type - just need one night flight, and one day flight.) I've booked every Saturday since the clocks changed... and flown once! And I've also only flown my Europa once in the same period. But I just head down to the airfield and hang out with other pilots, or stay at home and study, or do some Christmas shopping instead. No big deal.
FFF
--------------
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, UK
Yup. I have been trying to bury my head in books in the time I would have been flying. When that gets too boooring I practice my circuits in FS. When that is too tedious it is out with Unreal Tournament for a session of anger management....works wonders
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Between Galaxies
Tell me about it
I came back from sunny San Diego on the 21st of Aug with 39 hours under my belt with only the cross country to do - great! I thought....
I've flown three times since I arrived home.
Just one of those things 'eh, FSIM 2002 is getting a good bash now tho
Ian
I came back from sunny San Diego on the 21st of Aug with 39 hours under my belt with only the cross country to do - great! I thought....
I've flown three times since I arrived home.
Just one of those things 'eh, FSIM 2002 is getting a good bash now tho
Ian
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: kent
PPPPP - Know just how you feel. First solo on the 24th October but the wx/and or the runway has been too awful since to go solo again. I have managed to fly with the instructor twice since practising steep turns, PFLs etc but at this rate the second solo will feel as if its the first.
Guess we just have to stick with it.
Guess we just have to stick with it.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
From: UK
You're all flying in the wrong place!!!....the last two days have been lovely at Gloucester...even my Cub, complete with new cylinder flew today....sadly, I was behind my desk and not the controls!
Did take me about three months (in 1996) to get the QXC done on a day when the wx was OK, a/c serviceabe and available, and a 'day out' pass issued by Mrs mats!!
It's worth the wait!!
Did take me about three months (in 1996) to get the QXC done on a day when the wx was OK, a/c serviceabe and available, and a 'day out' pass issued by Mrs mats!!
It's worth the wait!!
Guest
Posts: n/a
Dont worry guys!
Take heart....i took my skills test on the 14th December of last year....yes 14th of Dec! It was a cloudless crisp morning...absolutely glorious....just keep those fingers crossed!
I'm now at Uni....so think how i feel not being able to fly....and my degree is Avionic Engineering...so i have to think about them all the time!!
Chin up
Tom
I'm now at Uni....so think how i feel not being able to fly....and my degree is Avionic Engineering...so i have to think about them all the time!!
Chin up
Tom
Supercharged PPRuNer
Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 15
From: Doon the watter, a million miles from the sandpit.
Knobbygb
Before taking the skills test, thou shalt complete all required training, i.e. at least 25 hours dual & 10 hours solo, including 5 hours solo x-country, + the QXC.
Looking on the bright side, with all that money I’m not spending on flying, I might even afford a pint or two at the Gatbash.
Before taking the skills test, thou shalt complete all required training, i.e. at least 25 hours dual & 10 hours solo, including 5 hours solo x-country, + the QXC.
Looking on the bright side, with all that money I’m not spending on flying, I might even afford a pint or two at the Gatbash.
Guest
Posts: n/a
well Aerbabe....I dont have any access to an aeroplane! Simple And i also dont have the money spare....or the time...however i am just about to start on the Uni Air Squadron which will allow some flying courtesy of her majesty.
(I am currently waiting for the final acceptance letter.)
Tom
And i also dont have the money spare....or the time...however i am just about to start on the Uni Air Squadron which will allow some flying courtesy of her majesty.(I am currently waiting for the final acceptance letter.)
Tom
High Flying Bird
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 0
From: Old Sarum ish
Where there's a will there's a way. I did my entire PPL while at university, and the only bit someone else paid for was the postage to send my licence off (and then only because it was Christmas).
Still, if you can get into a UAS then all the better, something I couldn't do.
Still, if you can get into a UAS then all the better, something I couldn't do.