PPL (H) Continue or not
Join Date: Apr 2006
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To Fly or not to Fly that is the Question
Definition of Experience: An ever increasing time period between mistakes.
Flying is by its very nature a dangerous occupation, because it puts you into an environment that the human being was never designed to be in. There can be very few (if any) pilots around today who have not at some time or other, and probably on several occasions, scared themselves because they forgot what they had been taught and tried to push the envelope. Helicopters are by design unstable. If you forget that, they will bite.
I know it's a cliche but it is definitely true "There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there are no old bold pilots"
To answer your question smtp, continue to fly, remember what you've been taught and enjoy the experience.
Flying is by its very nature a dangerous occupation, because it puts you into an environment that the human being was never designed to be in. There can be very few (if any) pilots around today who have not at some time or other, and probably on several occasions, scared themselves because they forgot what they had been taught and tried to push the envelope. Helicopters are by design unstable. If you forget that, they will bite.
I know it's a cliche but it is definitely true "There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there are no old bold pilots"
To answer your question smtp, continue to fly, remember what you've been taught and enjoy the experience.
Join Date: Mar 2006
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What a nice ballanced thread, unlike some others......! If one is honest we are all scared/ nervous/ cautious etc every time we fire the machine up, that's natural..... Press on, fly by the numbers, and god willing you will have many years of enjoyment and self achievement.
As CMAC said many times " your here for a good time, not a long time ".
E.
As CMAC said many times " your here for a good time, not a long time ".
E.
Join Date: Dec 2004
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A fascinating, polite thread. As a PPL(H) with family, I have had all the same thoughts at various times. Even during training, I "gave up" briefly after a near miss with a FW whilst joining the circuit. He certainly didn't see me.
Last weekend was a tragic accident. More so with the involvement of children. Tomorrow sees the funeral of a colleague and his daughter who were killed in a FW accident in Essex a couple of weekends ago. He had a CPL, but was taking a pleasure flight.
My wife is remarkably supportive of my continued flying time, and that the children should benefit. They love it, though are not yet at an age to consider it a risk in any shape or form. I cannot contemplate them continuing their lives without me. I guess if I say I cannot fly as often as I'd like, that says I still have a passion and desire for this hobby. But even when flying as a commercial passenger, if I am without the family, the thought that I may not return crosses my mind.
I hope to continue to enjoy safe flying, and be able to look back on a full log book with fond memories. And that you all will too.
Last weekend was a tragic accident. More so with the involvement of children. Tomorrow sees the funeral of a colleague and his daughter who were killed in a FW accident in Essex a couple of weekends ago. He had a CPL, but was taking a pleasure flight.
My wife is remarkably supportive of my continued flying time, and that the children should benefit. They love it, though are not yet at an age to consider it a risk in any shape or form. I cannot contemplate them continuing their lives without me. I guess if I say I cannot fly as often as I'd like, that says I still have a passion and desire for this hobby. But even when flying as a commercial passenger, if I am without the family, the thought that I may not return crosses my mind.
I hope to continue to enjoy safe flying, and be able to look back on a full log book with fond memories. And that you all will too.
Join Date: Mar 2005
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This really is a good thread showing how we are all similar in thoughts of mortality.
As someone said, I rather not fly with anyone who has not thought about that!
Learning to fly is about writing a cheque, more cheques, and always another cheque.
So it is easy to remember the best advice given to me about minimising risk:
Check, more checks and always another check.
As someone said, I rather not fly with anyone who has not thought about that!
Learning to fly is about writing a cheque, more cheques, and always another cheque.
So it is easy to remember the best advice given to me about minimising risk:
Check, more checks and always another check.
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Great thread - have similar dilemma, currently 20 odd hours into PPL H .
My wife will never get in any helicopter no matter who the pilot is and not a chance of her letting me take kids in - Begs me to give it up every week , which I have always dismissed , until the events of last weekend .
Last Thursday my instructor had to auto in an Enstrom as some pully failed not long after transition !!
Then to my disbelief , I read about CMAC and the next day Dave Richards.
All these events in one week have left me scratching my head at the minute, but want to pursue something I thoroughly enjoy.
Not sure what to do.
My wife will never get in any helicopter no matter who the pilot is and not a chance of her letting me take kids in - Begs me to give it up every week , which I have always dismissed , until the events of last weekend .
Last Thursday my instructor had to auto in an Enstrom as some pully failed not long after transition !!
Then to my disbelief , I read about CMAC and the next day Dave Richards.
All these events in one week have left me scratching my head at the minute, but want to pursue something I thoroughly enjoy.
Not sure what to do.
Hi Data. .
Doesnt the fact that you wrote that post mean you want to continue? Why dont you just quit?
Having said that - if you have already read all the above posts and you are still unsure maybe you have already made up your mind. . ?
Doesnt the fact that you wrote that post mean you want to continue? Why dont you just quit?
Having said that - if you have already read all the above posts and you are still unsure maybe you have already made up your mind. . ?
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Join Date: Sep 2007
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PPL (H) Continue or not?
Many thanks to all for the great response.
This thread has helped me to take a very in depth view of my flying and my life, and I now feel very much more positive when taking all into account. I have just returned from a few days away, as I wanted to spend some quality time with my wife and two sons to reflect on our situation.
What is clear from many of the replies is that we all have very similar thoughts regarding flying. Fear is a good thing and it should ensure that all of us check, check and check again.
I hope to be in a position to make a decision on my flying next week. When I look back to my early lessons, I realise that a lot of time, money and effort has gone in to getting me to this point, and it would be a great shame for this to be wasted!
Thanks again folks
SMTP
This thread has helped me to take a very in depth view of my flying and my life, and I now feel very much more positive when taking all into account. I have just returned from a few days away, as I wanted to spend some quality time with my wife and two sons to reflect on our situation.
What is clear from many of the replies is that we all have very similar thoughts regarding flying. Fear is a good thing and it should ensure that all of us check, check and check again.
I hope to be in a position to make a decision on my flying next week. When I look back to my early lessons, I realise that a lot of time, money and effort has gone in to getting me to this point, and it would be a great shame for this to be wasted!
Thanks again folks
SMTP
