Good Luck Lister :ok:

Lysander

Yes, good luck indeed Lister, I've got my fingers crossed for you!

This next bit is lifted directly from "the other place". Sorry, I'm just too tired to type a different post!

"Just returned from a fantastic few hours of flying.

I'm very tired now, so will post a little report tomorrow.

However, I've done my QXC and I'm well chuffed! Because I hadn't flown in a month or so, I needed a checkout. Was decided to do a fairly full one, including steep turns, PFLs, stall, spiral dive and a couple of landings. That was 55 minutes, and my QXC was 2H35. So I am indeed very tired after an enjoyable 3H30 flying! Route was Newcastle - overhead Silloth - Carlisle - Teesside (now known as Durham, very confusing!) - Newcastle.

Well chuffed! Watch this space.

Cheers!"

:D

Happy flying everyone!

:ok:

Solo
 

First solo today! In a Citabria :D

Iain

Congrats Iain - you didn't choose an easy way to learn. More fun that way I reckon, should have done the same thing (ab initio on tailwheel) myself.

Tailie conversion coming up eventually.... promise!:O

First solo
 

Kookabat

You've correctly pinged my motivation - to have fun. I expect it to become a means of transport at some future point, but I've been dreaming of flying for a long time and there's a romance about tailwheelers that's hard to beat. It's also meant to teach good rudder skills.

Of course if someone had taken me aside at the start and told me it would take about a bazillion circuits to learn to keep it straight I might have thought twice. :hmm:

If you want a laugh over some of my earlier efforts, follow the links back from my solo flight here: http://www.iainhosking.com/flying/training/lesson23.php

Iain

Skills or no skills!
 

Did my skills test today with mixed results.
The navigation Old Buck-Spalding-Little Gransden went well,turned onto Gransden leg and was diverted to Sheperds Grove near Honington via Lakenheath,everything was more or less spot on and I was very chuffed.
Examiner said it was well done afterwards.
Then the flying bit,most of my stuff was OK but I was let down by steep turns losing 300 ft in the first one,I regained it before completing the 360 but that was too late,Stalls I thought were OK but was told I left putting full power on a bit late,then some probs with a couple of landing configurations,lots of crosswind but I normally cope quite well with all of these exercises.
I didn't sleep too well last night,I suppose I was thinking about it too much and the whole test took 2hrs 35 mins so I was absolutley knackered by half way through.
Any way the upshot is I need an hours re-training to sit the three failed exercises again,probably do this on Monday and sit the 1 hr partial test in next week or so.
I am obviously very dissapointed, but as several pilots have said ,I am 90% there and to be glad of that.
Lister (Shattered)

You're probably 90% of the way there, Lister. The hard works mainly done, just go and finish it off next week. Well done on the partial.

Chin-up Lister, at least you haven't got to do the whole test again. Sounds like you were wound up like a spring. Try to relax more and remember that the examiner wants you to pass.

C23.

Congrats on the partial pass Lister
 

People forget that not everyone passes their skills on the first go. I know many who had partials (or nothing at all!) and passed on the second. Maybe lots of different things made up one big thing that meant you didn't fly as you'd like today. After monday, no doubt you'll have it covered :ok:

ffw

Quite possibly... I know I was $hitting myself leading up to my flight test last year.
It pretty much guarantees better performance the second time around I'd say. Having at least been in the whole skills test environment before you'll have no worries this time.

And a partial is better than a kick in the teeth!! :ok:

Hehehe.... Cherokees don't have rudder pedals... they have footrests!! :O

Nice write-up there, by the way mate

Thanks Kookabat, glad you liked the writeup.

If you get to Curtis for tailwheel stuff, mention my name - they'll know who you mean.

Cherokees seem very practical. A friend has one, and we're planning a trip up to the Hunter Valley when I'm allowed out.

Cheers

Iain

Well done on the navigation Lister, at least that's out of the way. Steep turns are a bu**er sometimes (most of the time in my case), but I'm sure you will be fine next week.

Keep smiling :)

Lysander

Lister, WELL DONE AND CONGRATULATIONS! You're nearly there, and you will be in a very short time. I know just how disappointing it is; nearly all my tests - PPL, CPL, FI rating - haven't been straightforward; they've been conditional on a bit of extra training, or told I just made it but didn't do well, or something like that. It's common. It's just that after all the build-up, you feel awful about it; the adrenaline wears off and you just feel exhausted and depressed. Been there! And most people don't post about it, so the rest of us don't know. And not all of us can fly for nearly three hours and still be able to keep going - it's a bloody endurance test, not a flying test!!!!

I'd wish you luck for next week, but you won't need it. :ok:

Thank you all for the good wishes,this really is a worthwhile forum.
I feel a lot better today,spoke to CFI this morning and have a flight booked for 0930 tomorrow.
It is a truly beautiful day and I've been gardening most of this morning,just got my old Riley Special out of the garage and after lunch I'm going up to Felthorpe for the AGM and hopefully a flight in the Tiger Moth or Chipmunk.
It's not all that bad is it!:D

Re posting "bad news",I'm sure it must help new bods to know that not everyone passes everthing first time or in minimum hours etc etc.
At Old Buck yesterday there was a Stearman fly in and barbecue, I was talking to several pilots about my partial pass, several said they had or knew pilots who had re-tests,fails etc,so as Whirly says ,maybe the majority of those keep quiet.
I never was too good at that;) ;)
Lister

Well ,today went up to Felthorpe and tried my hand at the Moth controls,I've done this several times before but not with a lot of input and not for many months, there was a experienced pilot on board with me.
Really responsive compared with the PA28-180 ,I tried steepish turns etc,and I reckon one could get into a spot of bother without realising it!
The Felthorpe group have a Chipmunk that is one of the Red Sparrows group and I will be going with as a non competing co-pilot to some very interesting airshows this year.
Must pass that last test ASAP.
All good stuff ,but how many r's in interesting?;)
Lister:)

Wretch!
 

Lister - keep going mate, and I agree about bad as well as good news being posted on this increasingly brilliant thread.

Well, it was finally hour three for me on Saturday, after a cancellation for weather the week before. I remembered some of the stuff, took ages over the pre flight checks, and then got up there.

There was a vague smell of vomit in the plane, and when I questioned this I was told that an earlier trial flight and one student had had some 'problems' due to the turbulence, that really was quite rough. Now, I have never ever had problems with travel sickness, sea sickness or anything, so confidently boasted to the instructor "oh, don't worry about me, I can handle this". How wrong I was.....

We did 30 degree turns, and the move itself wasn't too bad, didn't lose too much height and started to get a good feel for what was required on the controls. And then it hit me. The worst feeling of nausea I have felt in many a year!! The plane was being buffeted all over the place and I had turned green.

Sadly, the rest of the lesson involved me concentrating not on straight and level flight, but on ensuring that I didn't pebbledash the cockpit with the steak baggette I had for lunch. I can't find any reference to this exercise in the Trevor Thom books!! Anyone help?!;)

Anyway, its not put me off and I'm back up next week weather permitting. I'll be investing in some travel sick tablets and plastic bag, just in case!

Cheers
Mark

What is your instructor doing taking up newish students in weather like that?!!!! It may not have put you off, but it could put some people off.

Next time, tell your instructor how you feel. We're not psychic, and feedback helps. Maybe you could have done something else, or abandoned the lesson and not wasted your money.

Be careful with travel sick tablets. While it's OK legally to take medication if flying dual, you'll find that a lot of fairly innocuous drugs will affect either your concentration or coordination when learning to fly. Stay off them! Herbal tablets are OK if they work for you, as is ginger (the crystallised stuff tastes best). But basically, don't fly in conditions that make you feel ill. It gets easier as you do more flying; trust me on this; I'm a weak-stomached aviator, and I know about it. But knowing you have a sick bag to hand helps, as it takes away some of the tension, so keep one in your pocket or your kneeboard. :ok:

Thanks Whirlybird re: the medication advice. Didn't think of that, and I really don't like popping pills for anything if at all possible.
To be honest, if the instructor had asked me before hand if I was ok to go up I would have said I'd be fine as I never have suffered before. I was warned it would be a bit bumpy, but thought nothing of it.
I agree about the sick bags, and will have a supply next time. My instructor was very sympathetic when up there, and I was fine once we got back down. And I didn't actually 'vom' thank god.
Probably just one of many of surprises and challenges I have ahead over the next many hours to come!! :ugh:
Cheers
Mark

Mark,
I'm very fortunate on the sickness front,must be all those years of sailing,but I certainly would not whack a steak sandwich down me before flying,I usually have tuna mayo sandwich but I suppose they could be a bit slippery!
Well today I went up with the CFI for 50 mins and went through the things that went wrong on my test.
He said "if you had done that on the test you would have passed",it's a so and so isn't it?
Probably the result of a mixture of nerves and a poor nights sleep.
Might do the re-test next Friday or Saturday if things work out,including the weather.

We have a bit of a strange atmosphere at Old Buck at the moment as a 27 yr old parachutist client at the parachute school decided to throw away his helmet and cut through the 'chute harness on the way down.
A strange way to commit suicide and not very fair on all those who are now involved who should not have been,especially the pilot and school.
Anyway we are all sorry for his parents etc.
Lister

Mazzy and friends Hi,

What a fantastic thread!!! It's taken me 3 weeks to read it, things like eating, sleeping and work got in the way oh! and a bit of flying. This must be one of the best contributions to GA since the Wright brothers. People have received knighthoods for less than this.:ok: May be the moderator could give it special status so it stays at the front of the forum. It really is that important.

I had my first real flying lesson on April 23rd 2005 and am now approaching 40 hours. I am due to do my second solo nav tomorrow weather permitting then its QXC dual, solo, revision & skills test. I should have found this thread moths ago!

Hope you don't mind but I posted a link to this thread on my club forum in the studes section.

Please don't stop Mazzy I can't wait for the next installments of what really happens when you have your poo coloured licence.

Best wishes and fly safe Chris

An up and down day!
 

Well,I turned up at 9o'c for the skills test on the section I failed last week,the weather was just about do-able although not brilliant but I decided to give it a look.
We went up to 4000 ' but there was no horizon and vision was quite hazy,even the clouds did not have a clear base.
So I decided that trying steep 360's without any horizon was giving myself a hard time and told the examiner that I was not happy to continue.
Once she was sure that I had made the decision and ended the test, she told me that I had made the right choice.
So I may go back later today if the wx improves,if not have next Friday and Saturday booked.
Lister

Made the right choice again, my friend. There's no rush at all, rather be a safe pilot than the alternative. Hope the weather clears and you get the pass you deserve.

Happeater,thank you,I'm sure it will all work out in the end.
Lister:)

Well did over 2 hours of circuits trying to perfect my landings.
Didnt get one of them right, arghhhh, so frustrating.
Approach was fine each time but can I hell as like get the flare right.
Too soon, too late, you name it I did it and when I did get that bit right, I didnt hold the nose up long enough, luckily Richard, my instructor got me out of bother each time.
Just to end the day nicely, after my final landing, I had to sit and wait on the runway for about £30's of minutes waiting for a Ryanair 737 to taxi to runway and backtrack from the same exit I was waiting for.
Dont know why he didnt use holding point Bravo like everyone else does.
Instructor was shaking his head but who are we to question ATC.
They must have had their reasons, expensive ones for me though.:confused:

Unlucky Lister, it must have been frustrating, but it sounds like you made the right choice. I was up earlier this afternoon in the Redhill area, and it was pretty naff. No point in adding to the pressure, better luck with the weather next time.

C23

FCL fees question
 

A big week of flying for me this week - I managed to get my QXC done (EGBT-EGSC-EGBG) on May day (don't say that over the radio!) and then my Skills Test on Friday - what a beautiful day for flying! :)

I'll try to write up my thoughts in a wee while, but unfortunately, I've got a plane to catch to India this afternoon.

Before then though, I'm trying to get all my papers in order and send it off to CAA. Can anyone confirm that the £159 fee for the licence application includes the FTROL application, or do I need to pay the additional £63 for the "separate R/T grant or renewal"?

Sometimes I think the paper war is more difficult than the flying!

A

Andy

Big congrats. I understand the R/T licence is included if you submit all the paperwork together. That is what I did, I passed the R/T theory in July and submitted the paperwork with my application November all for £159. A bargain. ;)

MD, thanks and thanks! I've got it all ready to go off in the post now. Not that I'll get to use it in anger for a while. Back in the UK in August.

A

Well what can I say? I have not even logged into pprune for about 4 weeks and I have missed all these wonderful posts. Welcome aboard to anyone that has joined us, all's I can say is that I am truly impressed that people are still posting here, especially as the author isn't !!

To update you all, I have started a new job, and now work in Deeside in Wales/Chester - so that has been another reason why I have been so busy. Been at the hospital every night with my Dad (who is on a ticking clock) and not had the chance to do anything remotely normal really!

Well, saying that, I have clocked up 2 hours and 5 mins as a PPL - the second flight was with my Uncle, who loved every minute of it. I was in deep concentration towards the end when ATC reported the wind as 180 13kts (on runway 09) so after we landed reasonably OK, the tension in my stomach disappeared!

I am sorry I have not been replying to individual posts like I usually do - I am sure you can understand. All's I will say is that I am made up with people's progress and newcomers and all the posts still being made in here - and Lister, keep up the good work mate - chin up :ok:

Best wishes to you all,

Lee :ok:

Mazzy,thank for the good wishes,I'm doing the partial re-sit tomorrow morning and wx looks good,so fingers crossed!
I'm sorry to hear that your father's outlook is grim,but hope the new job goes well.
Lister:)

Hey guys, Glad to see the thread till active and with so many new people starting their PPLs, good luck to you all! Its a brilliant experience and everyone here is willing to give you support and help as best we can.

A quick update to what I've been doing, sorry I've not posted in so long. For the past 6 months I've been doing my ATPL ground school and that really did pretty much take up all my life, so much stuff to learn in so little time!!! Finished the exams in April with an average of 95% so was really chuffed with that. Am now in Phoenix, Arizona for my VFR training for my CPL, done 6hrs so far. Highlight of the trip so far has to have been having 3hrs flying in a Cirrus SR20. Its an amazing piece of kit compared to the warriors that I've been flying. Can cruise at around 150kts and has a full glass cockpit with moving map, autopilot, TCAS and lots of other nice toys. Great fun to fly and really impressive to see what 30 more years of desgin can do to an aircraft (yes warriors are really that old!!!)

Sorry that this isn't really suited to the PPL diary, I just thought I'd give you all a quick update, I have more time on my hands now so I'll try and post more. Good luck to you all!

Good Luck Lister!
 

Bags of confidence! You know you can do it - enjoy yourself! :ok:

Kev.

Blinkz - I don't know whether to say "nice one" or "you b**tard" hehe! Very jealous indeed - all the time on the ground has finally paid off for you! Try and get some pictures if you can and stick em on photobucket!

Here is the link again to my pictures:

http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d52/mazzy1026/

Cheers,

Lee :ok:

Hi guys,

Booked my Skills Test for mid-June :) :bored:

Solo time is fine but still need to squeeze in another 5-6 hours before then to get the 45.

50% excited, 50% daunted!

V1R

HOORAY!
 

Yep,I've done it this morning,passed my partial skills test.
I'm now going back to club with copy birth cert etc to get my PPL application in the post this afternoon.
Hope to write more later,if I'm not too pi**ed!
Lister.

Lister

That must be the most understated 'I've Passed' message ever!

Congrats!!!!!

Well done Lister, I can feel the relief from here!

Knew you'd do it, old boy! :) :ok: I'll have one or two on you tonight!

Kev.