What do i do now?
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What do i do now?
Hi guys
i could do with a little advice
two months ago i quit learning to fly for various reasons mainly money related and also underconfidence. i have since got a better job that will give me enough money to finish my PPL i have also started to really miss flying and want to go back. But im not sure now if i should go back to my old club or if i should try somewhere new. I have looked at the ads in the back of various flying mags and have wondered if a concentrated course would be better
i have completed all the written exams and have 40hrs i was just starting solo navigation exercises whan i quit
thanks for any help you might be able to give
LIZ
i could do with a little advice
two months ago i quit learning to fly for various reasons mainly money related and also underconfidence. i have since got a better job that will give me enough money to finish my PPL i have also started to really miss flying and want to go back. But im not sure now if i should go back to my old club or if i should try somewhere new. I have looked at the ads in the back of various flying mags and have wondered if a concentrated course would be better
i have completed all the written exams and have 40hrs i was just starting solo navigation exercises whan i quit
thanks for any help you might be able to give
LIZ
The Original Whirly
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Hi Liz,
Welcome to PPRuNe, and it's great that you've decided to get back into flying - you won't regret it!
As for what to do...you haven't really given enough information in your post. Why don't you want to go back to your old club, or why are you considering somewhere else? If you're on to solo navs, you don't really need a concentrated course as such, just as many hours of flying as you can cram in, if that's what you want. The advantages of that are that you may learn a little quicker (although as you've already got the basics, I'm not so sure about that), and that you might manage to get your PPL before the end of this summer, and then do some flying before winter hits. The disadvantage is that intensive flying can be tiring and stressful, and therefore stop being fun - I for one don't do well on intensive courses! Were there problems, with the school or instructor? Or do you just fancy a change? Or want to see if somewhere else is better?
Since at least some of the above are probably true or you wouldn't have posted, I'd suggest doing an hour with an instructor at a couple of other flying schools, talking to people there about what you want to do, and just hanging around absorbing the atmosphere. All flying schools and airfields are different, and all experience is good, so it won't be time wasted whatever you decide.
Another small point is that if you change schools, you will have to get used to different procedures, a different airfield, maybe a different type of aircraft. It's not a big deal, but maybe something to bear in mind, especially if you're still counting the pennies at all, as it may add a couple of hours or so to the course.
Good luck whatever you decide to do!
Welcome to PPRuNe, and it's great that you've decided to get back into flying - you won't regret it!
As for what to do...you haven't really given enough information in your post. Why don't you want to go back to your old club, or why are you considering somewhere else? If you're on to solo navs, you don't really need a concentrated course as such, just as many hours of flying as you can cram in, if that's what you want. The advantages of that are that you may learn a little quicker (although as you've already got the basics, I'm not so sure about that), and that you might manage to get your PPL before the end of this summer, and then do some flying before winter hits. The disadvantage is that intensive flying can be tiring and stressful, and therefore stop being fun - I for one don't do well on intensive courses! Were there problems, with the school or instructor? Or do you just fancy a change? Or want to see if somewhere else is better?
Since at least some of the above are probably true or you wouldn't have posted, I'd suggest doing an hour with an instructor at a couple of other flying schools, talking to people there about what you want to do, and just hanging around absorbing the atmosphere. All flying schools and airfields are different, and all experience is good, so it won't be time wasted whatever you decide.
Another small point is that if you change schools, you will have to get used to different procedures, a different airfield, maybe a different type of aircraft. It's not a big deal, but maybe something to bear in mind, especially if you're still counting the pennies at all, as it may add a couple of hours or so to the course.
Good luck whatever you decide to do!
Why do it if it's not fun?
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Hi Lizzie!
I read your question, thought of what I'd write, then realised that Whirly had written exactly what I was going to say!
There is absolutely nothing to be lost by having a couple of "trial lessons" with other schools before you make up your mind (but do make sure that the instructors are aware of your experience, and don't treat you as a normal trial lesson).
But once you've done this, I suspect it will come down to some very wise words which someone once told me: Toss a coin - and when the coin comes up with the wrong answer, you'll know what the right answer is.
Let us know how you get on!
FFF
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I read your question, thought of what I'd write, then realised that Whirly had written exactly what I was going to say!
There is absolutely nothing to be lost by having a couple of "trial lessons" with other schools before you make up your mind (but do make sure that the instructors are aware of your experience, and don't treat you as a normal trial lesson).
But once you've done this, I suspect it will come down to some very wise words which someone once told me: Toss a coin - and when the coin comes up with the wrong answer, you'll know what the right answer is.
Let us know how you get on!
FFF
-----------------
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I think you need to be sure about the reasons you quit origianlly - sounds from the tone of your post like it wasn't JUST money. If you weren't enjoying yourself, you need to be sure why. Problems with attitude of staff/instructors at the club? Having to drive too far? Didn't feel you were receiving value for money?
The fact that you're missing flying means you're doing the right thing getting back into it. You obviously enjoy flying - as we all do, so don't let any bad experience you've had spoil that future enjoyment. Tell us more - I guarantte you've come to the right place for encouragement
The fact that you're missing flying means you're doing the right thing getting back into it. You obviously enjoy flying - as we all do, so don't let any bad experience you've had spoil that future enjoyment. Tell us more - I guarantte you've come to the right place for encouragement
The Original Whirly
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I see you're from Shropshire - pretty much my area. I probably have a bit of an idea at least about moost of the flying schools around there. Send me a PM if you prefer.
Whirly
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2 months is not a long break, a couple of hours and you should hopefully be back up to speed, if you have started solo Xcountry you could then finish off in less than a week given good wx and taking a bit of a run at it, I did mine on an intensive course (ATC flying schol. when they did them) and found that a good way - especially only having left the bit you need. Do make sure though that you are at a school YOU are comfortable with - you may like to look at the advice on another thread -"changing flying schools" about someone not happy with the school he was at.
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...threadid=91672
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...threadid=91672
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Liz
Welcome onboard – I also note that you are from my part of the world. It is always nice to see Shropshire based pilots on here; most appear to be from more southerly latitudes.
I do not know where you fly from, but I have a short shortlist. Reading between the lines of your post, as others have there is an implication that you have a reluctance to go back to your previous club and I suspect that you feel that the previous club did not suit you.
As foxmoth points out 2 months is not a long break, I had a 3 month gap immediately following my first solo (working out of the country), but it only took a few lessons to get myself back up to solo standard again.
The most important thing, I think it to find a club that you are happy with. Take a day and visit some of the local clubs and talk to the instructors and the staff behind the desk there, do they seem friendly and receptive? Are they reasonable priced? Have a look at the aircraft – wings held on with duck tape? – That will be my club!
Remember that for the moment at least you are probably doing this for a hobby (and an expensive one at that). If you are spending all that money and dedicating your time to something outside of work then you are entitled to be enjoying yourself.
As Whirly points out a different field may mean different procedures to learn, perhaps not ideal whilst getting back up to speed but it may prove good experience in the longer term.
Whatever you do make sure that you get back on the horse and have fun. Let us know how you get on.
Welcome onboard – I also note that you are from my part of the world. It is always nice to see Shropshire based pilots on here; most appear to be from more southerly latitudes.
I do not know where you fly from, but I have a short shortlist. Reading between the lines of your post, as others have there is an implication that you have a reluctance to go back to your previous club and I suspect that you feel that the previous club did not suit you.
As foxmoth points out 2 months is not a long break, I had a 3 month gap immediately following my first solo (working out of the country), but it only took a few lessons to get myself back up to solo standard again.
The most important thing, I think it to find a club that you are happy with. Take a day and visit some of the local clubs and talk to the instructors and the staff behind the desk there, do they seem friendly and receptive? Are they reasonable priced? Have a look at the aircraft – wings held on with duck tape? – That will be my club!
Remember that for the moment at least you are probably doing this for a hobby (and an expensive one at that). If you are spending all that money and dedicating your time to something outside of work then you are entitled to be enjoying yourself.
As Whirly points out a different field may mean different procedures to learn, perhaps not ideal whilst getting back up to speed but it may prove good experience in the longer term.
Whatever you do make sure that you get back on the horse and have fun. Let us know how you get on.
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thanks for all your replys
the reason i dont really want to go back to my old school is i felt that at times the instructor wasn't to interested in weather i was learning or not and he didn't give me much feedback so i thought that now would be the perfect time to change schools and try somewhere new the problem is where
thanks for any recomendations that you have
liz
the reason i dont really want to go back to my old school is i felt that at times the instructor wasn't to interested in weather i was learning or not and he didn't give me much feedback so i thought that now would be the perfect time to change schools and try somewhere new the problem is where
thanks for any recomendations that you have
liz
The Original Whirly
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Liz,
Another alternative would be just to change instructor. Shropshire isn't exactly crowded with airfields, so that might solve the problem, if you din't want to have to travel too far.
Another alternative would be just to change instructor. Shropshire isn't exactly crowded with airfields, so that might solve the problem, if you din't want to have to travel too far.
