Ben's PPL Diary
 

Hello,
I am Ben Coulthard, this is a PPL diary, I'm not sure if this forum needs another PPL diary but its as much for me to get my thoughts down and if its any use to anyone then you are very welcome.

I wanted to learn to fly helicopters about 5 years ago, however ££££ was limited and the idea never got off the ground. Pardon the pun.

Here I am 18 months after starting my own business and things are going well. I started looking into the idea again, however helicopters just are not affordable to buy after your PPLH. After treating my brother to a 21st birthday present 1 hour trial lesson the decision was made to do the good old regular PPL for myself and fullfil an ambition.

My 1st lesson was last Saturday, April 29th 2006, booked a 2 hour slot for midday.

On the morning of the lesson I called the school for a weather check. All was well and I headed off to the school early giving myself good time to get there, dropped the Mrs at the shopping mall en route and arrived at the school with 30 mins to spare.

After a coffee and a PFP(pre flight pee) I met my instructor. He took me into the flight briefing room and we had a little chat. Told him I'd flown radio controlled planes and helis and he realised I knew what all the controls did. His next words were "well you know all that bollocks so lets go fly". I'm not sure that's what I wanted to hear but away we went.

I then did the pre-flight checks outside and in, which everything seemed fine to a newb.

Next I found myself sat in the pilots seat, amazingly calm to my suprise, but sat on the left(thought we drove right hand drive in UK) half a steering wheel and all the clocks were wrong!! After being assured this left hand drive stuff is normal we continued. With all systems go. We fired up a few more checks and started to taxi, TAXIING good god these things don't handle on the ground.

After a few strange cornering manouvers we got to the end of the runway in 1 piece. The next hour or so went quickly, time flies whan your having fun and when you fly too!!

The controls seemed fairly natural to me, apart from the crazy taxiing there were no suprises. We flew a few basic moves and all went as well as could be hoped for a 1st lesson, untill, my instructor got on the radio requesting to land, he's pointing ahead to me and saying line yourself up with the runway. WHAT RUNWAY? I can't see it, I felt stupid, he's pointing and I can't see, after about a minute I realise he's not pointing so far into the distance and the runway has some great big lights and its right under my nose :confused: IDIOT!!

Lesson 2
Wednesday 3rd May, Went to the airfield midday to talk about the possibility of hiring a plane i buy back to the school (before the flood starts i've decided against this) and realised it was such a nice day that i should stay for a lesson. None were available until 1830 so I got comfy with a few magazines and a coffee.

1815 I went out to check the plane over with my new gotten cessna 150/152 checklist feeling all pilot like. Nothing found untoward except low fuel. Waited for fuel 10 mins and away we go.

I was suprised how much i remembered from the 1st lesson, take off and climb with no assistance and spent the next hour climbing and descending. For some reason I can't seem to get it in my stupid head that when exiting a climb its Attitude, Power, Trim, I keep doing P.A.T. like you do at all other times. Little things confuse little minds.

All went well except for the landing. 70kts he tells me 3 stages af flaps. But I wasn't paying attention to the ASI and at 65kts we were descending too fast. :eek: DROPPED LIKE A BRICK!!!! glad it wasn't my plane. Nothing damaged on further inspection. PHEW!!

So now my hours total 2.9. I found a great 50% share for sale at another airfield so I decided to shoot over this morning and check out the flying school. Luckily they had a slot at 1200 and I booked it.

As usual I arrived with 30 mins to spare, the guy who is selling the 50% was there with the other 50% owner, they were planning to fly somewhere scenic. Had a quick chat and went to tell the school I was available. They gave me the 1st bad news of the day, unknowingly the instructor had booked another pupil in and my lesson was delayed until 1330:* . Never mind :mad: happens.

I had a good chat with the guy selling the plane and watched them plot a route, which at my level of training just confused me, but was interesting to watch.

1330 came and so did the instructor, we had a 10 min chat about what i'd done already and we set off towards the plane. Half way there he says "nothing personal but what do you weigh" I reply "16 and a half stone".

OH DEAR 2nd bad news of the day 16 and half stone pupil and 15 and a half stone instructor = 2 fatties that are not flying today.

Apologies were offered and accepted all round. Still at 2.9 hours then!

If I've learned anything from my 1st few hours its;
1: There is lots of planning and preparation in flying and if you are not the sort of person who likes doing this then flying is not for you.

2: Gravity gets you down or in my case not even up. If you are a fatty you need a thin instructor, think about it in advance.

3: Buy some good shades, my regular sunglasses are dark enough but the lenses are just 2 small so when i'm flying I look like a nodding dog looking down to the guages all the time.

4: Be prepared for delays and cancellations for whatever unforseen reason.

That's about it for now, I'm going to go tuck into my slim fast (fly quick) shake. Now I have to consider if I should learn in a bigger aircraft and stand the expense or get a slimmer instructor:) .

good luck people and enjoy flying

Ben

Fatty
 

Hi Mate
Started my PPL late Feb and now 15 hours in with Air law and Met in the bag.I started at 16st 2lb but I was determined to reduce that (less me=more fuel).
In spite of my weight,I do not eat a great deal so exercise is the only way.
Started walking for about 30mins every night (nearly every night anyway) and now now I am at 14st 12lb and feel better for it.(my motorbike appreciates it as well!).

Good luck
Modelman

Hi BEN I notice that you are from Halifax,is that westYorkshire? If so where are you learning?

I'm sure my bulk comes from over-eating good food too much too often and all that. Talk about inspiration and motivation boost though.

Halifax W.Yorks yes, tried Sheffield and Barton airfields.

Thats also part of the problem. You need to eat MORE. If you don't each much, your body goes into starvation mode and stores what you eat as it doesn't know how long until it gets its next fuel source.

If you eat more (little and often is the best) then you will actually loose weight.

Eating one meal a day was my main reason for never being able to loose weight. Now I've started eating alot more often, it's slowly beginning to come off.

:)

Ben

Have you read through the "From Zero to 45" thread on here? Some excellent stuff on there for anyone at any stage of their training. Give yourself a few days to get through it though :D

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=138022


Oh yes indeed. This will become a very real part of your training in your part of the world. I had my first lesson 2 years ago last weekend and finally attained the PPL last November i.e. 18 months later. I can only fly on weekends and was available every single weekend for 18 months but the number of delays and cancellations can be very frustrating - but it is worth it in the end.

I'm just across the road (M62), from you near sunny Holmfirth and did half my training at Leeds and the other half at Sheffield with lots of time out at Sandtoft (first solo) and Gamston (first landing). Never been to Barton though, but I know of a couple of friends who learned there and had a great time.

And as for the weight thing - are you currently on Cessnas? That could be an issue on the smaller machines. I went for a PA-28 from the start as I wanted the extra seats to take friends flying later on. I'm around 95kg (don't know what that is in the old money) and have had a couple of instructors who must weigh the same and this isn't a problem at all with full fuel on a PA-28. You will get to know just how sensitive aircraft are to weight when you do your first solo with no one in the right seat. The climb from take off is incredible! ;-) And as you progress in your training, and after qualifying, you can convert to Cessnas etc. as you please.

I'm 106 Kg and now I have some motivation, I won't be for long, I'll post the weight loss here too to shame myself into less pork pies.

I think I'll buy this 50% share of a 150 I found so I'll be learning in that.

Good write-up, Ben. Judging by the length and popularity of mazzy's thread, I think this forum can probably cope with another one.

A couple of things come to mind. You talk about a 50% share being for sale. Perhaps you shouldn't buy anything just yet. There are all sorts of things to take into account - what sort of flying do you want to do, do you want to tour and go fast, do you want something which is good for short fields, do you want to do aerobatics, etc etc? You may find all that changes as you learn more about flying. So why not wait a bit? There are always shares for sale.

On a similar note, you mentioned you'd wanted to fly helicopters for a long time. Now, I know I'm biased :) but if that's what you really want, it won't just go away. I know quite a few people who got a PPL(A), then realised that it wouldn't quite do, what they really, really wanted was still to fly helicopters. Well, nothing wrong with flying both, which is why I still do that, but it's hard on the bank balance, and quite difficult to keep current on both too.

Anyway, your choice, but maybe a few things to think about.

Hi all. I have decided to allow this one and have just one at a time with this 'diary' kind of thread.

Mazzy's one at the moment is coming to a natural end as the guys there are almost done now. His thread was a huge success and clearly helped many people out who were in the same position at the same time.

For someone coming into it now and starting training I think it would be too much for them to go back and read through it all, hence the admission of this new one.

For those of you who are thinking, (and I know there are) "Not another one", simply don't click on it!! Easy really. :)

Good luck Ben, I hope it all goes well for you and this diary is as good as the last one we had here. :)

Ben

Have you tried Sherburn? Im learning there at the moment. 4 runways 1 tarmac which reduces number of flying days with wet runways and crosswinds above limits. Also mix of aircraft from C150's PA28 Cadets which Im learning in and also PA28 Warriors which you move onto when doing Nav. There is also a Robin for Aerobatics. There are 700 members,not all students,so there are quite a few aircraft based at the field and usually shares available. I currently pay £110.00 per hour including aircraft Hire,fuel and instructors fee.

Also the clubhouse has just been upgraded.

I know it may be a trek from Halifax,but I recommend you try Sherburn.

If you want a good look round I would be quite happy to meet you for a Beer and show you round.

Also Ben have you thought about asking on here if anyone would like to start a share sindicate? I would be interested if you want to go that way?

Ben,

I'm not sure that that's a good idea.

I have a share in a C150, so I know about them. With full fuel, enough for three and a half hours flying, we can carry the equivalent of two twelve stone people. OK, individual aircraft vary a little, but that's a good ballpark figure. But that means if you weigh sixteen and half stone, your instructor would need to be seven and a half stone or less! OK, you may say, why not carry less fuel? Well, you can. But most C150 fuel gauges aren't very accurate, and neither is dipping the tanks. So most people tend to fill the tanks; it's easier and safer. Also, the numbers still won't really work out. A gallon of fuel weighs approximately 6lbs. For you to carry yourself and an average size instructor - say, 12 stone - you'd need about ten gallons less than the maximum...if my mental arithmatic is wrong due to fatigue, let me know, but I think that's right. That leaves you with around 10 gallons, or one and a half hours of flying time (assuming half an hour of fuel for emergencies). Now, that'll be OK in the early days, and in the circuit, but what about when you need to go on longer cross countries? And when you've got your PPL, and want to take a friend and fly to another airfield....maybe two hours away? And I haven't allowed for headsets, flight bags, winter jackets, spare oil, tie down kit, etc. And while you can fly slightly overweight without dire consequences - and many schools do - it invalidates your insurance, and is positively dangerous on hot days or short runways.

Here endeth your first lesson on weight and balance. And it also proves my point about not buying anything yet. You may be going to lose weight, but even so, this doesn't seem like a good idea. Don't do it Ben!

I've spent most of today reading book 1 of the Trevor Thom, about half way through now. Seems straight forward stuff.

Pilotdom
Thanks for the invite, only thing is its just over an hour for me to get there in the trusty old land rover. Whereas Barton is under 30mins as I live near junction 23. And Crossland moor is 20 mins.

Whirlybird
You have a good point and my decision is not made yet, there is a 10 stone instructor at Barton which suits for now (just can't go up in the aerobat).

Girlfriend weighs 9 stone. This losing weight idea is a good plan, I'll get her on a diet right away!!!!!!!

Hi Ben

No problem,it is a bit far from you,my ivitation will remain to stand though and if you would ever like to visit Sherburn let me know. Good Look with the training and I will watch with interest your progress,I have 9 hours at the moment and am 2 lessons into circuits,net time up its Engine failure after Take-Off (EFATO).

Good Luck and look forward to the diary

the sky is blue, the sun is shining and one of my guys is off work so i have to work all week

i've booked a lesson for saturday in a p28, two reasons for this, firstly i found one for sale and secondly the weight issue of the 150 has put me off a little

unfortunately they only had 1 hour available but i'd rather have one than none

anyone got any opinions on the pa28 180?

Ben
(fingers crossed for good weather saturday)

No chance. Trust me, you spend all week at your desk looking out of the window at the beautifully clear skies but come the weekend it will be raining, windy and seriously low overcast.

:p

Not good for short fields, and personally I don't like having only one door. Apart from that, a good aircraft to learn on, and good for touring etc. But I still think you should wait till you know more about flying and different sorts of aircraft before buying.

I've done all my training in a PA28-180 and it suited me down to the ground.
It has good power to weight ratio compared with some of the other trainers.
Good luck ,but I wouldn't even think about buying anything until you have finished your training ,got your licence and flew a few more hours.
But what do I know, I'm just a lowly student,just!
Lister;)

Don't worry about what you learn in. It makes no PRACTICAL difference (tailwheel aircraft excluded, though even learning in one of those isn't half as big a deal as some people would have you believe). Once you've got your PPL transitioning to something else is very straightforward.

Friday Sunrise 05:15 (BST)Sunset 20:54 (BST)http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/images/...eday_sym/3.gifhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/images/.../5day/c/23.gif23°Chttp://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/images/.../5day/c/11.gif11°Chttp://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/images/...m/wind/v_S.gif6 good 1017 37

SaturdaySunrise 05:13 (BST)Sunset 20:56 (BST)http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/images/...eday_sym/7.gifhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/images/.../5day/c/13.gif13°Chttp://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/images/...s/5day/c/5.gif 5°Chttp://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/images/.../wind/v_NW.gif6 moderate 1014 78


you are right about the weather, i rebooked for friday morning, bugger work until afternoon

Today I had my 3rd lesson, 1:10 bringing me up to 4 hours total.

I tried a different school today, the instructor was very professional and I felt I learnt a lot more and got some great advive.

If you are starting to learn to fly I suggest you try at least 2 instructors before you decide which to go with, otherwise you may have the worst instructor in the world and you don't know it as you have noone to guage them against.

It was very hazy today during the lesson and I found it hard to fly VFR properly as I couldn't see the real horizon.

I've decided I'm sticking with this instructor even if it is a little more expensive I think I'll save in the long run.

Ben

I think having the same instructor all the way through training is a must, mainly for consistancy, but you need to find someone you click with. The majority of my training I had with one instructor, she was very down to earth and wasn't affraid of calling you a ****, if you were flying like one! This suited me as I much prefer to be told I'm flying badly than have an instructor be too nice and worry about offending me!

However, I did find it very helpful to fly with other instructors especially later on in my training as they always pointed out things that I hadn't looked at before, this is in no means a bad reflection on my main instructor, but sometimes when someone explains something differently it makes more sense and in the long run makes you better for it.

Go with who you feel comfortable with but don't be affraid to change if you are struggling.

Great thread - I've had 4 lessons so far so it's nice to have a thread with people at a similar stage to me :D On the topic of instructors, I've had 3 different ones so far and I can't say continuity has been too much of a problem. It may be a problem further down the line I guess, but it's good to get different teaching styles and perspectives on things.

Costs of PPL
 

Does anyone else think it would be a good idea for me to do a running total on what my PPL as essential kit has cost me so far?

Thought it might help others starting from the begining to get a real life price not just the 45 hours you tend to think of.

Regards

Ben

Ben

That would be a good idea - but it might put off potential wannabees as they see the cost go up :{

As a rough measure, I estimate my PPL cost around £7500 in the last couple of years so figures should be still valid - bar the increase in fuel costs raising the hourly rate by perhaps £5-£10.

Costs to include: lessons (obviously), books, checklists, kneeboard, chinagraph pencils (ah, the cheap bit), headphones, CRP computer, charts, medical, ground exams, R/T theory test, skills test, land away fees, circuits / touch & go fees, licence application. And in the UK you will be doing very well to get in at 45 hours due to our wonderful weather.

But was it all worth it? 100% YES.

That tallies with my overall costs,I reckon around £7500 for flying 53 hours plus £500 for the books,equipment,headset and club membership etc.
I think it is important that students know the real cost as you can look at 45 hrs x£145 and arrive at £6500 which is £1500 short of what it actually cost me.
At some places landing fees can add quite a bit!
Lister:)

Indeed. Hence the reason I specifically included them. You might also find that your school might charge you, say, £5 for every T&G at a remote airfield. Yet if you ask the right people at said airfield you might find they have a deal of say £10 for unlimited T&G in one hour. I'm not suggesting anyone is pulling a fast one, but it is worth while asking if there are any special rates directly at the remote airfield. Your flying school will probably be charging the standard landing fee and simply multiplying it.

My figure of £7500 was for 53 hours total, which included the 2 hours skill test.

What I wished I'd had when I did my PPL was someone local to go flying with. Before getting my license it would have been great to get some extra experience, see how a PPL works "in the real world" by flying with an existing private pilot, fly different types etc. If anybody is learning at Elstree and seeks such a person, let me know; am happy to oblige.

Couldn't agree more with drauk.........before taking the plunge and learning to fly, I had the opportunity to fly with a good friend who had access to a T61 Falke MG, a Tiger Moth and a J2 Cub. All very different animals, but I learnt a lot about the basics of flying and therefore it wasn't too difficult to transpose most of what I'd experienced to flying PA28s. I managed to obtail my PPL back in 1996 in 48 hours with a total calendar time of 7 months - Feb to Aug, but boy was I lucky with the weather and the cash flow at the time. 10/10 for you guys who are training under the JAA syllabus as I'm told it's way more arduous and the content is way more involed/ complex? I think it cost me £5k all-in, or thereabouts, back then.

Ive just started my PPL diary also. Everybody ive spoken too has been really interested and wanted to hear what its like to learn to fly, so im putting it together as a complete "life-story" of learning to fly. Hopefully when its done it will include pictures from flights out etc. too...

7 months must have taken some going, as an 18 year old student im finding cash flow really tight, but working two jobs is definately worthwhile when you're up there learning... I dont doubt its going to be expensive, but the reward of a pilots licence is more than enough for me :D

(http://www.adamboyle.co.uk)

I started my PPL on the 29th March and have 15 hours in up to now.
I estimated costs at around £5000 for the flying and allowed approx another £1000 for extras such as landings, medical, books etc.
At this stage of the game, my estimates are looking on the low side although I have been doing circuits so that has upped the costs but once I get back to the hourly rate without additional landings, it may bring it back a little.
Current expenditure is around £2500 but that includes books, medical, additional landings at £6 each and some groundschool and exam fees.
There is of course the unknown factor of how many hours it takes to get to my skills test and I have started to break it gently to she who must be obeyed just in case.
I am at the raised eyebrow stage with her at the minute so I am hoping it doesnt rise too dramatically or else..:{

My estimate was about $12K Aussie over three years for my PPL - took me close to 80 hours; I did it slowly.

Have to agree with the above posters re. flying with others. You learn to fly how your instructor flies - you see what really happens 'out in the real world' with other guys - and hopefully you find your own way to operate, striking a happy medium. Great once you have the PPL as well - with pilots both more experienced and of similar levels.

If nothing else, it's a good excuse to go flying!

Running PPL expenses
 

Well here it is. 4 hours in and I have spent the following.

£234 1st lesson and club membership
£179.50 lesson 2, pilot's log book and cessna 150 check list
£205.68 lesson 3 at new flight school, fuel tester, checklist for PA28,
1 hour ground school.
£123.70 Club membership at new place
£368.49 flight bag, 5 Pratt books, PPL confuser book, IMC confuser book,
LASORS 2006 book, Pooleys UK flight Guide 2006 loose leaf and
binder, CRP-5 flight computer, AirSpeak Radio telephony CDs,
Knee board, CAA chart, Protractor and Ruler, AFE AVP-1 allin one
plotter, chart markers, Propelling pencils, Oxford nav tutor CD
and finally Never Get Lost book.

£1111.37 Total so far

To be continued

Running PPL expenses
 

£50 2nd hand excellent condition headset
£100 Decent sunglasses, my lenses were too small on my old ones

£1261.37 Total so far

To be continued

Ben

I just found this post today - firstly, may I say Good Luck in your flying. You will certainly enjoy it, and at times you will feel like giving up, but don't. I remember writing my first post in my diary, and I can honestly say I never thought of myself as being a pilot, nor did I think I would ever finish the course, yet here I am some time later with a PPL. I have had a great bunch of people follow my diary (and they still do) and I hope the same thing happens for you - I will certainly be following your progress :)

The first part of the course is general handling, and while it is the most enjoyable part, it is by far the least rewarding. When you start navigation you may start to wonder why you bother, but when you have done your first solo nav, you will only then realise the true meaning of your privilege - and the buzz you get is great :8

Try not to get too wound up with the cancellations (you will) they are something we just have to put up with in this country, it is all about discipline and realising when you can and can't/shouldn't fly.

Keep us all up to date on how you get on - I look forward to reading.

Best wishes,

Lee :ok:

Hi All,

Well, although I've nearly finished my PPL, I found myself migrating here from the 'zero to 45' forum - it's interesting to review the thoughts of those just starting out!

Ben, hope you enjoy the training. As others have said, I wouldn't buy a plane until you've finished the licence - there are all sorts of things that can affect you en-route and I hate to think what the insurance would be for someone learning!

Having said that, I've read your comments about the cessna and PA28. I have flown both (and the AA5), but my preference now is firmly the PA28. Lots of people (including me) don't like the single door, but it is the most forgiving aircraft you can ever hope to fly; stable, hard to stall, practically impossible to spin (which is not permitted anyway) and reasonably quick compared to the 152.

Best of luck with the learning!

HH

I am being poached hehe (just kidding)...

Enjoy :ok:

PPL expenses
 

My costs so far:(approx)
18 hours
£2300 for below:
I pay £100/hr inc tuition/C150/fuel/vat/1 landing.
Landing fees are £4.30 inc vat.
I get high quality training with a good 25 mins brief in classroom,10 debrief.

Have most of the stuff I need,Pratt books,CRP-1,confuser,rulers,protractor,charts,headset,checklist.
Have taken 2 exams ( passed)

If I need another 32 hours to complete ( 50hrs) should be on schedule for sub £6000

Modelman

Jury is still out on whether to buy into a plane or not so soon. It all needs more thought.

Thanks for the approval Mazzy wondered what you might think about me stealing your thunder, but as it was stated earlier, you've "been there n dunnit" so time for a fresh newb.

Does anyone know if your regular GP can do your medical? I went to my docs today and they were like "oh I guess its just like a HGV medical". I told them its a bit more involved "which I was guessing" and they said I should find out myself. Bleedin NHS.

Also what's with the thread rating score? 2.33? Rubbish, Mazzy are you secretly getting all your buddies to vote me down and poach em back?:}

Final note next lesson is booked for Monday, weather looks crap, fingers crossed.

Regards
Ben

Ben

You need to get your medical done by an approved practioner. There is one located permanently at the place where the DiamondStars fly. Drop me a PM for details, and have your cheque / cash ready (you soon learn that this flying lark is a great way to hand over lots of money to lots of people :hmm: )

Your club / school will also have details of their local specialist, or use the CAA search page

http://www.caa.co.uk/application.asp...plicationid=21

Note that you need to have passed your medical *AND* the Air Law exam before going solo. Book the medical asap as there could be a waiting list.

If you have a prescription for glasses / contact lenses you must also obtain that from your opticians and take it along - the AME (the doc.) will tell you what he/she wants on the opticians report.

At least you get a decent check up and your own CAA reference number.

If you are only looking for PPLing, a Class II medical will suffice. If you want to progress to CPL etc. you will need a Class I, which is more expensive £435 v £160 and you have to go to Gatwick to undertake it.

Medical
 

Why don't you get the DVLA HGV standard med that is reqd for NPPL?
Will cost you about £15 from your GP (you don't even have to go there!)and will see you through solos etc and defer the renewal time for a JAR med.Forms downloadable from www.nppl.uk.com/
I have done this as I originally intended going for NPPL but have decided on the 'full fat' licence instead.It also lasts until you are 45 years old then is renewed at more regular intervals.
Modelman