A year of flying

[FlyingForFun]

We're well into December now, there's only a couple more weekends left this year, and the chances are that weather will stop us from flying on those weekends anyway... So I thought it was a good point to ask what you've acheived, as far as flying is concerned, this year. And, more importantly, what would you like to achieve next year? Maybe there's a particular rating you want? Or are you looking to buy a new aircraft? Maybe all you want to do is log more hours? Or do you have your skills test booked or planned for next year?

I'll start. This year, I have:

• Got a complex checkout
• Got a night rating
• Had some aerobatic training
• Had some multi-engine training
• Bought a share in a Europa
• Passed the first half of my ATPL exams.

Next year, I plan to:

• Pass the second half of my ATPL exams
• Get an IMC rating
• Get a Tiger Moth checkout
• Get a CPL

I'd also love to do some formation flying, but there's only so many things you can do in a year, and I don't think there'll be time for that next year. But never mind, I've got the rest of my life to do everything I won't be able to do next year!

FFF
--------------

[Kefuddle_UK]

Congrats Fun. You seem to have acheived a hell of a lot there

My overly ambitious plan for next year is:

* Complete PPL
* Buy plane
* Ensure that I am completey at ease with any RT, controlled airspace, MATZ, SVFR or VFR situation!
* Fly some good journeys. I would love to fly to see Le Mans next year
* Get a night rating.
* Get an IMC rating.
* Complete first half of ATPLs
* Enjoy every minute of it

I don't ask for much do I

[Dave Gittins]

This year and next year

This year was good. After more than 10 years "training", (at Ringway, Chester, Barton and Luton) I passed my skills test in Feb - flying out of Luton.

I moved to Kingston upon Thames and joined LTFC at Fairoaks & "converted" from a 1999 Warrior with twin GNS 430s to a 1968 Cherokee 140 (with a VOR but no DME) and discovered the Fairoaks "local area" and learned how to leave the big boys at the big airport up the road alone (unlike one of our unfortunate number who strayed a bit and stopped LHR for 10 mins).

Had a few flights around the south coast on glorious summer days and an LTFC cross channel checkout to Le2K. Lately my flying's been confined to scurrying down to Fairoaks as soon as the sun comes out, to look for a free (sorry vacant ... wouldn't free be nice !!!) aeroplane and keep current in the circuit or down and around Guildford.

I've bought a GPS and more or less discovered what it can do for me.

Last thing for this year is to go to Tenerife for Christmas and hope I can fly there.

Next year ..... If I don't get to fly in Tenerife this year, I am there 'til after new year, so maybe I can start the year with a scenic tour around Mount Teide.

I want to "convert" back to the 172 at Fairoaks, although I have a fair few Barton 172 hours already.

Will I do my IMC & night ??? Well I have had a fair bit of practise whilst at Luton ... Skill test took almost 12 months 2 perform because of weather restrictions so did a fair bit of dual night and real IMC and ILS's and PRAs. Although Fairoaks isn't really a night and IFR place (non FMI aeroplanes and nothing else either) the additional skills and maintaining their currency might save my ass some day so I should ....

The main thing is to use my hard won license as much as I can and get as far as I can. France again, the deep South West, up to the East and the North. ... maybe as far as Scotland.

Above all there is only one real goal in my aviation in 2003 .... to enjoy my flying as much and as often as I can.

Sooo .......... to all the usual suspects on this forum .... All the best for Christmas and a Happy New Year and I hope YOU get what you want out of flying next year.

Dave G

[Keef]

Yes, it's been a good year for flying and an awful year financially

Went to Florida, got the FAA IR and an unrestricted FAA PPL to attach it to. Nearly got an FAA CPL; decided not to bother, given no need ever to fly commercially. FAA issued me a CPL anyway. Sent it back.

Not enough flying after that. Kept the IR in currency, but only just. A few nice trips, but more would have been nicer.

Next goal? To get the aeroplane back from the painters at Biggin tomorrow...

[AerBabe]

This year:

• PPL arrived in the post (GFT taken 12.01)
• Got checked out on my second aircraft - PA28-140
• Went to my first (Popham) and second (Sywell) fly-ins
• Started tailwheel conversion in Chipmunk - yay!!!
• Had my first experience of aerobatics - bleeping amazing
• Took part in my first competition - the BWPA Chairwoman's Challenge - and came joint 3rd out of 10 entries
• Ran out of money.

Next year:

• Do some motor gliding (cos it's cheap!)
• Finish tailwheel conversion

If I get a job...:

• Start IMC
• Try out some new aircraft!
• Go to more fly-ins
• Fly as much as possible...

I'm pretty happy with what I've managed to achieve this year, considering I'm a full-time student. I became officially unemployed (and unemployable while I've still got the thesis to write) at the end of September, so I pretty much stopped flying at the beginning of that month. I've done a fair bit of RHS flying though (many thanks to anyone reading this who's taken me up, it is very much appreciated). As always there is so much more I'd like to do, but time and money are too limiting.

Next year I'll be concentrating on writing my thesis, but I should have a bit more income. I've got to pay off my overdraft before I can think about flying though. The motor gliding has been offered to me by my Chippie instructor, when he was feeling sorry for me! It's a tailwheel, and a new type to add to the notches on my headset...

[kabz]

Congrats AerBabe !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's my own puny efforts :

- Passed FAA glider in March (after 11 Months)
- Passed FAA private airplane in June (15ish months)
- Passed FAA IR Dec 1st (5 months)

Gonna try and get a multi-rating before the end of the year ...

Next year :

- FAA Commercial/Multi/IR any way I can (need 80 hours or so)
- FAA CFI ratings at a 'good school' (need $$$)

Donations gratefully received !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Who has control?]

In 2002 I managed to:-

Buy a share in my own aircraft.
I went to my first Pprune Fly-in so....
I met ppruners. (a scary experience!)


In 2002 I also intend to go to my first Gatbash. If I survive into the New Year...


In 2003 -

Fly more.
Fly even more.
Fly further.

[vancouv]

This year I managed to:

Get my PPL in trusty C152s
Convert to PA28s
Do a X-channel check
Start a night qualification
Watch the rain and cloud from the club windows (a lot!)

Next year I hope to:

Complete the night qualification
Do an IMC rating
Fly loads more and to more airfields
Hopefully get a GPS for Xmas and learn how to use it!
Spend no time looking out at rain and clouds (mmmmmm, perhaps optimistic!)

[Rod1]

FFF

That is quite a list!!!

This year;

Sold two out of three shares in my AA5B
Almost got a part built Europa XS TG.
Did a particularly challenging 8-day tour of France in the summer, including the RSA flyin (the weather was very poor most of the time)
Still hope to revalidate my night rating
Tried to get Notam system fixed

Next year;
Get part built kit aircraft (Europa or MCR01 probably) and get building
Get up to Scotland for some serious touring (weather stopped me last two years)
Do another 8-day French trip, in good weather.
Sell remaining share in AA5B
Get Notam system fixed
Win lottery so I can fly more

Rod

[Evo]

I guess mine was Solo (3rd March), QXC (one Thursday in August, I forget which), Skills test (2nd Sept), Licence issued (11th Sept) watched rain fall (October -> present)

Next year? Nothing in particular other than get to the 100 hour mark. Maybe start the IMC when the weather gets crappy again...

[big.al]

Triple F - you've had quite a year with many achievements - many congratulations.

Aerbabe - considering you've no income as a student, that's a marvellous achievement. Very well done.

My list is;

1) passed three ground exams between Jan and March (plus two others at the end of the previous year)
2) went to Florida on 13 April 02 to start lessons
3) first solo after 12 hrs - about a week later
4) passed QXC and remaining ground exams a week later
5) managed to cope with engine failure on last practice before final check ride prior to GFT (coaxed the 152 down onto first available runway at Winter Haven)
6) did ok (but not great) on check ride late that same afternoon
7) passed skills test 7th May 2002, despite making a complete hash of my initial heading (wrote down the WRONG bl**dy number on the flight log in planning..... doh!).
8) got PPL ticket through the post and had a few extra 'lessons'/check ride with local club to get used to (very) short field grass landings.
9) have mainly poodled around the area since (a couple of scenic flights over Derbyshire with Mrs Big and my boss).
10) did my first UK land-away at Norwich on 12th October (picked up mother to bring her back to Derbyshire for the weekend).

Haven't flown since. Four cancellations due to wx (aaarrrggh!) and one (yesterday) due to Bronchitis, but the weather would have meant cancelling again anyway....

Plans for next year mainly consist of:

a) hours consolidation and getting back into practice.
b) would like to try out a PA28 or C172 (have only flown two-seaters so far).
c) hope to fly down to Blackbushe to see a friend who is also learning to fly (Hi Des, if you're reading this.....)

Had hoped to plan a weekend flying trip to the Channel Isles with aforementioned flying buddy but I guess this depends on whether (sorry - WHEN) - he passes and whether I feel confident enough to tackle this in six months time....

A bit early I know, but warm Christmas wishes to all PPruners, especially those who frequent the Private Flying forum...

[stiknruda]

2002 Hi-lights
------------------

Competed in 3 aeros comps in the single seat Pitts and loved them!!

Broke the 700hr TT barrier.

Took The Kentish Fledgling for 20 mins of gentle Sunday morning aeros in a borrowed Pitts S2A.

Let Aerbabe pole me around the sky in the my rebuilt Aeronca for a couple of fun hours


2003 Outlook
-----------------

More aeros comps
More fun flying
A x-channel Balbo with Pitts-mates


Safe flying to all for 2003



Stik

[Fly Stimulator]

FFF,

Good thread - it's a good time of year to look back, and to daydream about the warm summer days to come next year (surely we're due a really decent summer by now!)

This year:

• First Channel crossing
• First Irish Sea crossing
• Bought first aeroplane and took it to France every week for the next two months
• Flew amongst some fabulous scenery on holiday in New Zealand
• Got an NPPL SEP licence
• Started on JAR upgrade and night rating

Next year:

• Finish JAR
• Do IMC
• Do an aerobatics course
• Do some time in a ‘classic’ – Tiger, Cub etc.
• Do more farm strips in the UK
• Do more touring across the Channel

[BlueRobin]

This Year:

Completed PPL
Converted to Warrior (still rated the HR200 over it though)
First Channel Crossing
(which incorporated) Three days touring Europe.
Full Tailwheel Conversion to Cub (unlike AerBabe!)
Flew with friends (extra 6 types gained)

Next Year:

Don't care, but currently spending non-flying times plotting for a group aircraft. I must have buy in or this hobby will have to stop due to expense. Flying 10-20 hours a year is no good.

Do you know how hard it is to get an aeroplane share for £5000, 50pcm and 50ph in Deepest Warwickshire?

[knobbygb]

Well, on the face of it I haven't actually achieved much. Done 38 hours of training, 'passed' the QXC and currently trying to break the record for the most number of cancelled Skills Tests (Yes, I know I keep going on about it, but it's just a LITTLE frustrating being so close). Flew in the USA for the first time (Kingman, Arizona) and can't wait to go back.

I'm determined to get the license before the end of the year, so next year.... Going to do the night qualification over winter, then back to Arizona before spring (the whole of February and March would be very nice, but I don't think so somehow).

Then... well, just relax, take friends up and try to get to a couple of Pprune fly-ins. Think about possibly trying one of those old-fashioned tail wheel thingies perhaps. Would also like to fly in Greece, but I'll save that for when I have more experience.

big.al, didn't know about your engine failure, well done! Would have been ironic if you'd coped with that OK then later the same day screwed the GFT up on a dodgy PFL

[FNG]

Not a vintage year of flying for me. I aim to fly about 80 hrs a year, but so far this year have flown fewer than 40. Far too many "Waltham-Waltham" entries in my logbook, although at least a fair few of these were aerobatic trips. I took my solo aerobatics up to a modest standard, but then had long lay-offs and lost aerobatic currency. Flirted with idea of getting involved in classic jet syndicate, but nothing came of it.

No particular milestones, but one day of exceptional memories: sharing my aircraft with Typhoon, Spitfire and Hurricane pilots during Project Propeller at Kemble.

Next year:

- more aeros, more sophisticated aero sequences
- longer European trips (just a couple of Deauville hops this year)
- keep trying to persuade people to come in with me on that Fairchild Argus
- maybe an IMC, not sure
- maybe read the 97,000 page instructions for the GPS, and turn it on some times

[AerBabe]

Thanks Kabz and Big Al. Yup, it's difficult working 15 hours a week to pay for 1 hour of flying, but very satisfying! I'm proud that I've had no financial help with my flying (although mum did pay for the postage to send my licence application off, but only because it was Christmas!).
Very impressed you managed to get down safely from an engine failure while still a student. Wonder how well some PPL holders would cope, especially those that don't practise PFLs very often.

Stik, yup, I should have added that to my list! ARGH!!! Thanks again... Has the a/c been the same since?
Another thing to add to my 'to do' list for next year is farm strip flying. My Chipmunk instructor has offered to do this with me.

[Hampstead]

OK this year...

Got made redundant as part of general worldwide fall out post Enron. Spent redundancy money and the whole "summer" getting my PPL (A) in a C152.

Converted to PA28 Archer.

Flew most of the way to Montpellier as part of club fly out in terrible weather. Instructor on board !

Got new job and hence more flying vouchers.

Finished night qualification

Finished IMC course and was due to take GFT yesterday but clouds at 300feet . Took written part yesterday and by some miracle got 100%.

Now looking for a share.....

[EI_Sparks]

God I hate topics like this, I wind up feeling terribly depressed at not having gotten anything done *sigh*
Oh well, it gives me something to aim for for next year

[Rote 8]

This year

As a Christmas gift I received membership of a gliding club. I hoped that this would make me a better pilot all around and improve my chances of pulling off a more successful forced landing if the time ever came as well as being good fun. Whilst the gliding has definitely been fun I can’t help feeling that I have not actually done a great deal of it. You do seem to spend a huge amount of time on the ground when gliding as compared to the amount of time in the air. Over the summer when the weather was nice I was torn between getting my gliding up to scratch and getting on with some hour building. I would say that my lack of gliding progress has been my biggest aviation disappointment this year. Despite that I have had one or two noteworthy flights in a glider and will be torn next year when I come to decide whether or not to renew my club membership.

I completed the first half of the ATPL Groundschool and exams, passed the 100hr TT mark, and will hopefully finish my Night Qualification this week if the weather is kind.

Next year

I plan to start an IMC early in the New Year whilst the weather is still poor, complete the ATPL exams and get my CPL and Instructor Rating.

I would also like to do some Aerobatics, cross the channel, and get some more types in my logbook. So far only C152 and PA28.

Good luck to everyone on fulfilling next year’s goals.