A year of flying
Guest
Posts: n/a
2002
2003
My main aim for next year is to get the ATPL's and do some flying in the USA or Canada. I'm not too sure how my money is gonna hold out so I want to plan the next stage after my exams. Might need to search for a j-j-job. I miss being able to spend cash freely without comparing value to flying hours. I'd like to do some night flying and cross channel trips etc. but I'm under money pressure by having no income and this is my main worry! Trying to stay focused on enjoying flying and not thinking too much about funds.
- Realised I was working for cash....and nothing else
- Quit job in March to gain PPL (life long ambition) and relax a bit after 18 months of 11-12 hour working days
- Passed PPL(A) Skills Test first time (personal goal) after 45 hours between April and September
- Realisation that I'm a pilot and that I couldn't stand to go back to a desk job!
- Passed Class 1 medical
- Serious research into gaining fATPL (thank you so much PPRuNe and PPRuNers!) amongst others
- Enrolled on ATPL theory course to start in Jan 2003
2003
- Work like crazy to pass all ATPL exams by August
- Assess the cash situation and hopefully go to the USA for some recreational flying/hour building and QXC
- Begin CPL/IR training or realise I need a stack more cash
My main aim for next year is to get the ATPL's and do some flying in the USA or Canada. I'm not too sure how my money is gonna hold out so I want to plan the next stage after my exams. Might need to search for a j-j-job. I miss being able to spend cash freely without comparing value to flying hours. I'd like to do some night flying and cross channel trips etc. but I'm under money pressure by having no income and this is my main worry! Trying to stay focused on enjoying flying and not thinking too much about funds.
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: UK
This year (2002)
I got medical clearence to be allowed to be sent solo and am now restricted to type demonstrated.
I got sent solo when I went to Inverness - That was after only 7 hours on type - still have yet to be allowed to solo the type I have most hours on.
Passed all my ground exams.
Next year (2003)
Get my PPL early Jan I hope (going back to Inverness for that)
Hope to be allowed to solo the PA28 in Southampton doubt it can happen before then now. For those of you who know me you will be pleased to hear if it dosent happen soon I will be going elswhere.
Oh and If I can handle it without getting scared I will do my night.
I got medical clearence to be allowed to be sent solo and am now restricted to type demonstrated.
I got sent solo when I went to Inverness - That was after only 7 hours on type - still have yet to be allowed to solo the type I have most hours on.
Passed all my ground exams.
Next year (2003)
Get my PPL early Jan I hope (going back to Inverness for that)
Hope to be allowed to solo the PA28 in Southampton doubt it can happen before then now. For those of you who know me you will be pleased to hear if it dosent happen soon I will be going elswhere.
Oh and If I can handle it without getting scared I will do my night.
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Moe's Tavern, Springfield
This year..2002
1. Changed aircraft type C172 to C150 to PA28 and back to C172
2. Hours Building in UK and Europe
3. Bought a share in a C172
Next year...2003
1. Build up skills in new a/c
2. Night Rating
3. IMC
4. Oh yes and new addition to the family (should be on finals by early May).
5. And baby seat for Cessna
Barney
1. Changed aircraft type C172 to C150 to PA28 and back to C172
2. Hours Building in UK and Europe
3. Bought a share in a C172
Next year...2003
1. Build up skills in new a/c
2. Night Rating
3. IMC
4. Oh yes and new addition to the family (should be on finals by early May).
5. And baby seat for Cessna
Barney
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Over the hedge... just!
In 2002 I:
Discovered taildraggers,
Did a tailwheel checkout in a J3 Cub in Florida (FAA) while on a business trip.
Did the CAA tailwheel checkout in the UK
Packed in flying the club PA28.
Joined a PFA group PA18 -95 Supercub flying from a Farm Strip.
Did FAA biennial in a Supercub 150 in Phoenix on another business trip.
Did my first Pprune fly in (Sywell).
In 2003 I intend to:
Try and arrange a 'business trip' to Alaska and do some floats.
Find time to fly to the IOM T.T.
Have some quality time with the Cub touring UK farmstrips.
Be a better Pilot.
A safe a prosperous 2003 to all PPRUNErs
CC
Discovered taildraggers,
Did a tailwheel checkout in a J3 Cub in Florida (FAA) while on a business trip.
Did the CAA tailwheel checkout in the UK
Packed in flying the club PA28.
Joined a PFA group PA18 -95 Supercub flying from a Farm Strip.
Did FAA biennial in a Supercub 150 in Phoenix on another business trip.
Did my first Pprune fly in (Sywell).
In 2003 I intend to:
Try and arrange a 'business trip' to Alaska and do some floats.
Find time to fly to the IOM T.T.
Have some quality time with the Cub touring UK farmstrips.
Be a better Pilot.
A safe a prosperous 2003 to all PPRUNErs
CC
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Nottingham,UK
2002 was not a good flying year for me...
So, 2003 has to better by default except that now there is the NPPL to take into consideration...hmm more decisions. So in 2003 I will:
- Went to Florida, visited some of the schools that advertise in the UK, quite liked Ormond Beach
- A 1 hour trial flight in Georgia turned into a 2 hour flight when we got lost.
- Decided probably better off doing PPL in UK where I might stand a chance of knowing where I am...
- Went to Sywell and loved it. Right, this is the place!
- Made redundant, got a new job, moved house, spent all my money.
- 2002 has almost ended and I've achieved nothing
So, 2003 has to better by default except that now there is the NPPL to take into consideration...hmm more decisions. So in 2003 I will:
- Finally get my PPL!
- Even if I have to sell my parents and their dog into slavery
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: Almost Scotland
2002: Started flying training (5th Aug) again after some years.
Joined Sherburn, and soloed again after getting GP finally to accept NPPL scheme! (reluctant because GPs not notified in advance.)
Passed all ground exams for PPL.
Passed NST (4th Dec)
"Passed" QXC (9th Dec)
Now awaiting decent weather to coincide with a booked slot to go for GFT!
2003 aspirations:
Build hours locally, and slightly further afield.
Get Class 2 medical to convert NPPL to PPL
Start on IMC and night ratings.
Perhaps look for a syndicate to join.
Enjoyed, continue to enjoy, and anticipate continuing to enjoy flying!! Best wishes to all for 2003.
Joined Sherburn, and soloed again after getting GP finally to accept NPPL scheme! (reluctant because GPs not notified in advance.)
Passed all ground exams for PPL.
Passed NST (4th Dec)
"Passed" QXC (9th Dec)
Now awaiting decent weather to coincide with a booked slot to go for GFT!
2003 aspirations:
Build hours locally, and slightly further afield.
Get Class 2 medical to convert NPPL to PPL
Start on IMC and night ratings.
Perhaps look for a syndicate to join.
Enjoyed, continue to enjoy, and anticipate continuing to enjoy flying!! Best wishes to all for 2003.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: Horsham UK
Erm let's see
2002
Went to the Popham fly-in the company of his moderatorness BRL
Didn't make it to Sywell (ADI went tits up return to EGKA and low and behold two wheels on my wagon - an interesting experience (and confidence building since it was an actual crap-fan interface situation and the training worked).
Added following types to the log book
C172
CRJ200
DHC8-Q400
717-200
ATR72-500
Except the 172 the others came under the heading - 'gawd I love my job'
Managed to convince my boss that a Arrer or a Seneca IS a cost and time effective alternative to going commercial especially on multi-stop near continent trips (well sort of, depending on his mood) 
Oh yeah, learned how to roll and dead stick land a Dash 8 (in a sim)
Flew and ER145 under the Golden Gate bridge (a sim again but this was a level D so the external views and what not were the bollocks) - I want you all to understand this was not pissing about (oh no) this was serious and meaningful research.
2003
Fly more for work and fun (if it all works out I should get three maybe four more turbine types in the book during the year)
Get involved with the Project Propellor fly-in that has to be a kick flying with those types and maybe do something to pay the debt we all owe to these heroes.
2002
Went to the Popham fly-in the company of his moderatorness BRL
Didn't make it to Sywell (ADI went tits up return to EGKA and low and behold two wheels on my wagon - an interesting experience (and confidence building since it was an actual crap-fan interface situation and the training worked).
Added following types to the log book
C172
CRJ200
DHC8-Q400
717-200
ATR72-500
Except the 172 the others came under the heading - 'gawd I love my job'
Managed to convince my boss that a Arrer or a Seneca IS a cost and time effective alternative to going commercial especially on multi-stop near continent trips (well sort of, depending on his mood)
Oh yeah, learned how to roll and dead stick land a Dash 8 (in a sim)
Flew and ER145 under the Golden Gate bridge (a sim again but this was a level D so the external views and what not were the bollocks) - I want you all to understand this was not pissing about (oh no) this was serious and meaningful research.
2003
Fly more for work and fun (if it all works out I should get three maybe four more turbine types in the book during the year)
Get involved with the Project Propellor fly-in that has to be a kick flying with those types and maybe do something to pay the debt we all owe to these heroes.
Carbonfibre-based lifeform
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 747
Likes: 0
From: London
OK, it's getting towards Christmas again and so it is time to revive the annual tradition of the "Year of flying" thread.
There was a different one last year, but I thought I'd delve further into the archives and resurrect this one.
For me it has been another good flying year
This Year
Same ambitions as last time:
There was a different one last year, but I thought I'd delve further into the archives and resurrect this one.
For me it has been another good flying year
This Year
- Opened the year with a three-day flight to Alicante at the start of January in a rather basic C150. Genuinely fun, improbable as that may sound!
- Flew to Scandinavia in early summer, saw lots of wonderful scenery and made several new friends.
- Had a wonderful 10 days flying around France in late summer with several old friends
- Had lots of shorter weekend trips to all sorts of nice places
- Am currently ending the year by flying a microlight from Sardinia to Sweden. After a good start last weekend the aircraft is currently marooned in northern France but I hope to complete the trip this year rather than next!
- Did my first amphibian flying - a wonderful way to fly, but not ideally suited to the London area unfortunately
- Best of all, met a wonderful woman who, in spite of never having done it before, turns out to enjoy travelling in small aeroplanes
- On the downside, weather prevented my planned weekend in France with Aussie Andy
- Failed to fulfil most of last year's plans, such as trying aeros, taildraggers and flexwing microlights
Same ambitions as last time:
- Do a tailwheel course
- Do an aeros course
- More touring
- Have a go in a flexwing microlight when it gets warmer again
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
From: UK,Twighlight Zone
It has been a pretty good year for flying for me with more than 350hrs flown this year and a lot of really great trips to places like Texel, Chataeu La Chassagne, Waterford and the regulars such as the Channel Islands and France.
This Year:
Logged 78 New Airfields
Coverted to Tailwheels
Renewed my Microlight Rating
Jersey Air Ralley
Added new types including, Extra 300, Piper Super Cub, DA40, B58, Navajo
Next Year:
More new airfields
Turboprop Conversion
Malta Air Ralley
Jersey Air Ralley again (superb event)
Sea Plane Rating in Canada
Finish JAR IR - Or maybe wait and see if the new PPL IR materilises!
The great beauty of flying is that you are always learning and there is always something new to do!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.
Bose-X
This Year:
Logged 78 New Airfields
Coverted to Tailwheels
Renewed my Microlight Rating
Jersey Air Ralley
Added new types including, Extra 300, Piper Super Cub, DA40, B58, Navajo
Next Year:
More new airfields
Turboprop Conversion
Malta Air Ralley
Jersey Air Ralley again (superb event)
Sea Plane Rating in Canada
Finish JAR IR - Or maybe wait and see if the new PPL IR materilises!
The great beauty of flying is that you are always learning and there is always something new to do!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.
Bose-X
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Cote d'Azur
Best of all, met a wonderful woman who, in spite of never having done it before, turns out to enjoy travelling in small aeroplanes
ps Bose-x - great to meet you in Waterford... a bigger, juicier barbecue is already in the planning for '05.
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: London
Its been quite a good one for me.
Highlights
150 hours or so
1. 2 weeks flying round most of Europe (having bought the full Europe Bottlang, I thought I should make the most of it)
2. a fantastic few days back home on the west coast of Scotland and bagging airstrips in the Orkney Islands
3. various other shorter trips to Germany
Lowlights
1. Letting my SEP rating lapse by mistake (LPC next week )- thank goodness for my FAA licence in the meantime.
2. The odd IFR "moment"
Plans for next year
1. A Baltic trip (the one in Flyer looked fun though I can't really understand people who fly 1000 miles and only stop for lunch)
2. That
Courchevel rating I've been promising to do for the last couple of years.
3. Keeping flying fun.
Highlights
150 hours or so
1. 2 weeks flying round most of Europe (having bought the full Europe Bottlang, I thought I should make the most of it)
2. a fantastic few days back home on the west coast of Scotland and bagging airstrips in the Orkney Islands
3. various other shorter trips to Germany
Lowlights
1. Letting my SEP rating lapse by mistake (LPC next week
)- thank goodness for my FAA licence in the meantime.2. The odd IFR "moment"
Plans for next year
1. A Baltic trip (the one in Flyer looked fun though I can't really understand people who fly 1000 miles and only stop for lunch)
2. That
Courchevel rating I've been promising to do for the last couple of years.3. Keeping flying fun.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: Smurph Castle
From the other thread linked above:
-----------------------------------
Next year I would like to:
Save in the first half of the year then hours build somewhere exciting in the second half;
Do at least one aerobatics lesson;
See what the North of England and Scotland charts look like!
Meet more people of my level I can fly with;
Do some more easy competitions because they're fun!
Would dearly love to get IMC, but might need death of rich uncle to achieve it on top of keeping current and saving.
And to stay safe and to trust myself more.
------------------------------------
On paper, I've been largely unsuccessful.
I had a shot in September at doing a flying trip in France, if you remember, but the flu stopped me making the trip in the end.
No aeros achieved.
No more competitions, only one attempt.
No IMC.
I have, however, got a Northern chart and used it to go up north!
I have met more people - haven't flown with them much though.
The last I have achieved. Which is the really important thing
Next year - well, that's another story....
-----------------------------------
Next year I would like to:
Save in the first half of the year then hours build somewhere exciting in the second half;
Do at least one aerobatics lesson;
See what the North of England and Scotland charts look like!
Meet more people of my level I can fly with;
Do some more easy competitions because they're fun!
Would dearly love to get IMC, but might need death of rich uncle to achieve it on top of keeping current and saving.
And to stay safe and to trust myself more.
------------------------------------
On paper, I've been largely unsuccessful.
I had a shot in September at doing a flying trip in France, if you remember, but the flu stopped me making the trip in the end.
No aeros achieved.
No more competitions, only one attempt.
No IMC.
I have, however, got a Northern chart and used it to go up north!
I have met more people - haven't flown with them much though.
The last I have achieved. Which is the really important thing
Next year - well, that's another story....
Thread Starter
Why do it if it's not fun?
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,782
Likes: 12
From: Bournemouth
I guess I'd better reply to this one, since it was me who started it (Not that I wouldn't reply anyway, you understand...)
So, last year I said the following:
And yes, I achieved it! 
Aims for next year, then:
FFF
---------------
(Not that I wouldn't reply anyway, you understand...)So, last year I said the following:
My plans for next year? Much simpler than last year. I aim to be being paid for flying by this time next year, most likely as an instructor.
Aims for next year, then:
- Get an Instrument Rating. And not only that, but also to get a first-time pass. (If you don't frequent the Wannabes forum you may not realise that the first-time pass rate for JAR IRs is unbelievably small.)
- Be paid enough to be able to live on
- Carry on enjoying flying at least as much as I have done for the past 4 and a bit years
FFF
---------------
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,547
Likes: 0
From: Dublin
Well, I’ve had a very enjoyable year.
I suppose the only real hopes I had for the year, were to get checked out on my new clubs Arrow, and to make the most of it there after, and that’s pretty much what I did!
2004 saw 45 hours flown, and 11 new airfields visited.
A retractable carriage checkout for the Arrow
A cross water checkout.
I too got to attend the Waterford Fly-in, but sadly didn’t get to meet the stealthy Bose-X!
I have a very enjoyable trip to the Outer Hebrides.
I got to spend a great weekend in Blackpool, on the Pprune Bash, and meet the fun loving gang!
I also managed to bring 4 people for their first ever flight in a light aircraft.
Oh, and I’ve managed to beat IO540’s statistics, and had my first rating re-validation
Plans for next year?
Well more of the same really. But I would like to put a bigger emphasis on overnight trips in 2005, so as to make the absolute most of the trips!
I would also like to do a trip to the Arran Islands off the Irish west coast, and maybe a flight further into the England than I’ve managed so far!
I’ve also promised to show Penguina & Smurf some of our isle from the air, if they manage to make it over next year. And hopefully some of the other Ppruners that I met in Blackpool will manage an Irish trip next year too! Any chance you could all arrange to be here for the same weekend? That would be lots of fun
So I guess my plans are more around having fun, than adding ratings etc.!
Looking forward to 2005!
dp
I suppose the only real hopes I had for the year, were to get checked out on my new clubs Arrow, and to make the most of it there after, and that’s pretty much what I did!
2004 saw 45 hours flown, and 11 new airfields visited.
A retractable carriage checkout for the Arrow
A cross water checkout.
I too got to attend the Waterford Fly-in, but sadly didn’t get to meet the stealthy Bose-X!
I have a very enjoyable trip to the Outer Hebrides.
I got to spend a great weekend in Blackpool, on the Pprune Bash, and meet the fun loving gang!
I also managed to bring 4 people for their first ever flight in a light aircraft.
Oh, and I’ve managed to beat IO540’s statistics, and had my first rating re-validation
Plans for next year?
Well more of the same really. But I would like to put a bigger emphasis on overnight trips in 2005, so as to make the absolute most of the trips!
I would also like to do a trip to the Arran Islands off the Irish west coast, and maybe a flight further into the England than I’ve managed so far!
I’ve also promised to show Penguina & Smurf some of our isle from the air, if they manage to make it over next year. And hopefully some of the other Ppruners that I met in Blackpool will manage an Irish trip next year too! Any chance you could all arrange to be here for the same weekend? That would be lots of fun
So I guess my plans are more around having fun, than adding ratings etc.!
Looking forward to 2005!
dp
Guest
Posts: n/a
A so so year.
* Got me Night Qualification
* Got an IMC
* Passed me ATPLs
* Started me CPL
* 75hrs TT but only 52hrs P1
* 9 new airfields.
* Actually done some grass field stuff.
* First farm strip too.
* First aborted take-off
* Still haven't managed to get to Caenarfon!
Next Year.
* Complete CPL
* Complete IR or FI (can't decide yet)
* Leave the FIR
* Get to Caenarfon - godamit!
* Got me Night Qualification
* Got an IMC
* Passed me ATPLs
* Started me CPL
* 75hrs TT but only 52hrs P1
* 9 new airfields.
* Actually done some grass field stuff.
* First farm strip too.
* First aborted take-off
* Still haven't managed to get to Caenarfon!
Next Year.
* Complete CPL
* Complete IR or FI (can't decide yet)
* Leave the FIR
* Get to Caenarfon - godamit!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Brighton, UK
Achievements this year:
And for next year:
- Passed all my ground exams for PPL in February
- Obtain JAR PPL in April
- Fly Tomahawk, Warrior and Cessna 152 Aerobat
- Cross channel checkout
- 3 trips to France including one to Deauville
- 20 new airfields logged
- 98.2 hours logged (will be 100 by year end)
- 0.7 hours in Extra 300
- aero's in a bulldog as part of conversion
- 1/6th share in an aerobat
- Fly-Ins at Sandown, Le Touquet, Bembridge, Deauville and Kemble
- Met loads of fellow pilots
- Introduction to formation flying
And for next year:
- Obtain IMC
- Do AOPA Aerobatic Course
- Do initial formation flying course
- Fly around Britain for the hell of it
- Visit loads of new places and meet loads of new people
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: Up there somewhere
This year I have:
Next year I plan to:
- Won the Diana Britten Aeros. Scholarship
- Passed 120hrs on one type (tailwheel)..nearly did 100+ on the other!
- Had my first engine problem while flying
Next year I plan to:
- Complete my scholarship in the Cap10
- Do some aeros comps!
- Go past 200hrs TT before I'm 20 (Feb)
- Fly in the USA - California and also go and view the Grand Canyon
- Find a way to get some money while at uni.....
Last edited by Flik Roll; 11th December 2004 at 08:10.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: DNMM/UK
2002
First flight
2003
PPL
PA28 conversion
Night Qualification
This year
aprox. 150hrs
20+ new airfields
visited my first "international airport"
ASI failure
Flew in another country for the first time
1200nm round trip cross country in a C152
A few 4+hr flights in a C152 (long range tanks)
New Types: Beech 95 Travelair, C172, Piper navajo, Citabria (back seat )
ICAO CPL MULTI-IFR
Canadian winter flying experience
Visited a few treelined gravel strips
Flew across a time zone for the first time
First weather diversion
Flew in rain for the first time
6hrs actual IMC
2005
Get job flying something fun while getting paid loads of cash
Tail dragger checkout
JAR ATPL writtens
First flight
2003
PPL
PA28 conversion
Night Qualification
This year
aprox. 150hrs
20+ new airfields
visited my first "international airport"
ASI failure
Flew in another country for the first time
1200nm round trip cross country in a C152
A few 4+hr flights in a C152 (long range tanks)
New Types: Beech 95 Travelair, C172, Piper navajo, Citabria (back seat
)ICAO CPL MULTI-IFR
Canadian winter flying experience
Visited a few treelined gravel strips
Flew across a time zone for the first time
First weather diversion
Flew in rain for the first time
6hrs actual IMC
2005
Get job flying something fun while getting paid loads of cash
Tail dragger checkout
JAR ATPL writtens