First Lesson
 

So, here it is, my first post (been lurking around here for quite a while though) and, more importantly my first (ever) lesson coming up in about a weeks time.....

Any useful tips???

Simple ENJOY Be warned it's addictive:)

Lemons help against the grin on your face afterwards.

First lesson will be ace, have you been up in a small plane before?

Things to ask the Instructor..........

"Can it point straight down"?

and

"So, why aren't you a proper pilot who flys big jets....."?

That should make a good start to the student/instructor relationship. Also:

"If I may say so, I thought you would have made a better landing than that!"

Thanks everyone....

NEVER been in a plane smaller than a 28 seater so it will be quite an experience.....

My favourite is going to be "So, why aren't you a proper pilot who flys big jets....."?

If he doesn't laugh I'll change instructor.

It's something I've always wanted to do, and now it's approaching I guess the nerves are going to kick in...... Hope the weather stays clear!

Make sure that the instructor knows you are on the first lesson of a full course and not just a one-off trial flight.

Ask lots of questions before, during and after the flight.

Don't worry if it is harder than you thought (it will get easier).

Don't get cocky if it is easier than you thought (it will get harder :\).

As previously said, have fun and get used to being poor.

Do bear in mind...

(a) He's probably heard it 20 times before.

(b) He might well be wishing he was flying big jet, with the salary to match. :(

"So, why aren't you a proper pilot who flys big jets....."?

Closely followed by:

"Oh well, at least it''s a proper aeroplane, not one of those helichopper things!"



How long will it take Whirly to get here? Do I have time to build a castle........? Or should I make a run for it now?

:uhoh: :eek:


Have fun!

You mean that he isn't hour building?

Ignore our humour, you will have a ball - where are you learning from? Very best of luck.

Tall guy in a 152,

Well, as far as I'm concerned, you'll get treated just the same, a FULL briefing on the aircraft and Ex 4.1 (effects of controls). You'll be invited to take control and practice after demo of each of the primary effects, then fly the aircraft for the rest of the time, at least to base, maybe final if it goes well. If you politely decline to fly the a/c, well, that's a shame but your business. On the other hand, if you find it getting a bit much and want a break in the middle, that's fine too, I watch out for that; re-assurance and confidence is important.

Obviously for some people it is just cashing in the voucher they were given as a present but I'm sure most instructors are keen to try and convert even these people into students; that's my aim, anyway. We want people to come back.

Fully agree with everything else you said.

Cheers,
TheOddOne

The normal questions to ask:

So how long have you been doing this?
Have you never thought of "going commercial"

and the instructor will cringe!

Ask him to show you what the plane can do, steep turns, stalls, aero's! you'll have much more fun and he wont think your a ****.

Well you should. But you won't necessarily. A friend of mine, very intelligent and game for anything, but in her 70s, was keen to start a PPL and booked herself a trial lesson. She was patronised, not taken seriously, and treated like a little old lady who naturally wouldn't want to take it any further. It shouldn't happen...but it does. :(

Well, to be fair, most ladies in their 70's who go for a trial lesson ARE just wanting a one-off flight. The instructor was probably just going by experience (though it is NO excuse for being patronising!).

I told my first instructor I wanted to learn to fly but became so nervous and (mildly) airsick he didn't believe me. But I turned up for the next lesson, and the next and he treated me with every respect as a 'proper' student from then on.

When the instructor lands do a violent twitch and mention how that felt like a car going over a speed bump at 60mph ;).
All jokes aside I recommend what adversebump said, stalls, spins, steep turns... you'll love the experience so much more.

Sorry, don't agree.

If my instructor had done spins, aeros, steep turns in my first lesson I'd have been sick all over him.

my first flight is next wednesday too, out of Sheffield City.

Cant wait :)

well hopefully u'll get the weather.. dont be toooo disheartened by the British stuff :}

emphasise that you want to take your flying further though (presuming u do obv)

you'll get a more thorough lesson than if you were just a 1 off sightseeing pax...(well, depending on the instructor of course but i think your given more attention if the prospect of a new student arises)

Have a wonderful time Lanes and liam.

I was as high as a kite for hours after my first lesson.

As 17thhour says, don't be disappointed if the weather won't let you go flying - it happens. Just book another lesson (they'll know you're serious if you do that).

If you are lucky a cold, crisp day in winter is the nicest flying of all - you can see for miles.

mmm weds rain... ive got to phone an hour before arrival to check about weather.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?world=4897

Far too much on a first lesson, which is not Ex 4 but Ex 1 - 3.

You are trying to sell the idea to a customer that learning to fly is simple and fun, the time to do extensive briefings comes later.

Everything needs to be kept simple and short on the first lesson. Our briefings covers the area we will be flying in, the weather and a simple explanation of the aircraft and syllabus and advice on text books to buy.

Thanks again every body and good luck Liam! I'm flying (hopefully) out of Cranfield. Daren't check the weather yet though. Today is sooooo foggy. Hope the weather is clear for you.

This first lesson is the culmination of a life long ambition, so it will be questions all the way. If he passes "his" first test (and laughs) it could be the start of a long relationship. If not, well there are plenty more birds in the sky to chose from.....

Fortunately I don't get air sick so with any luck we can have a right old time up there!

Few photos here..

http://www.flickr.com/gp/22755305@N03/1saW9t

and take off..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYwmVGZm9iE

Great experience. Instructor was only 20 years old :) Younger than the rest of us at 22, 25 and 26 lol

A lot to take in but a great day all the same. Weather was great compared to what is has been. Was over so soon! Can't stop smiling.

Got an evening at Leeds Bradford on monday at Multiflight to discuss things.

Liam

1st lesson!
 

How cool is the first lesson ?

I split up with a long term partner of 7 years, and was at a loose end. Went to see portsmouth football club at every home game but still had weekends spare and didn't fancy hanging around night clubs looking for miss right number 2.

Went to the airfield to start my life long ambition of learning to fly. Did lesson 1. Came back with a huge grin on my face. Started studying Air Law & Flight Training straight away. Went for lesson number 2 the next day.

Thought it was an incredible hobby and just loved the fact I was busy all of the time. Every time I went to the airfield I felt exhilirated.

The ex missus told me I had to choose. Either pay for a big wedding, or do my PPL. I did my PPL :)

There were times were going to the airfield felt like going to work. Especially when I took a week of work to crunch through some exams and flying. It was a full time job, getting to the airfield @ 10:00 and leaving @ 17:30 that evening.

Getting a PPL is incredible though.

You always have something to talk about with strangers and people are naturally impressed. It shows that you can stick to something. It shows that you are responsible and it shows you do something with your spare time other than get drunk in pubs or "hang out with mates".

Sorry for the rambling, just remembering the first days of the PPL. From a miserable 7 year relationship, to constant excitment and exhiliration, it really was born again :)

For various reasons, its been so long since my last lesson that when I finally get the weather to fly again (or, more likely escape to another country) it will almost be like a first lesson again :D