I've done it!!!
Discussion
Well started anyway. Thanks to the Mrs being thoughtfull and buying me a flying lesson I've started my PPL. My first flight was from Sibson yesterday (even though I live in leeds). After being nervous for the first 10 mins I found it amazingly great fun, and I've just got back into the office after joining up at Sherburn aero club (10 mins from my house).
If anyone is interested I'll keep adding to this thread, so people who are tempted can get an understanding of the expereinces and whats involved.
Ironically my first lesson was exrcise 4 - effects of controls - this will mean something to the PPL's
My Instructor at Sibson was Chaz, and he is brilliant at calming your nerves. He even let the Mrs and little one come along for the ride. The flight was that smooth the child even fell asleep. and we got to watch a bit of the racing at Rockingham whilst we were up there.
Lesson 2 is Thurs morning at Sherburn so I'll add to the thread after then.
If anyone is interested I'll keep adding to this thread, so people who are tempted can get an understanding of the expereinces and whats involved.
Ironically my first lesson was exrcise 4 - effects of controls - this will mean something to the PPL's
My Instructor at Sibson was Chaz, and he is brilliant at calming your nerves. He even let the Mrs and little one come along for the ride. The flight was that smooth the child even fell asleep. and we got to watch a bit of the racing at Rockingham whilst we were up there.
Lesson 2 is Thurs morning at Sherburn so I'll add to the thread after then.
One bit of advice from a an ex-Chief Flying Instructor. Do not muck about jumping between aircraft types. Stick with the warrior or the AT-3 and one school/instructor.
Have fun!
The only aircraft I'd avoid is the Tomahawk, not because it's a bad training machine (it isn't) I just hate the things, oh and a Pitts special might be a bit much as an ab-initio training machine, but other than that, it's more down to the Instructor than the aircraft you are in.
Have fun!
The only aircraft I'd avoid is the Tomahawk, not because it's a bad training machine (it isn't) I just hate the things, oh and a Pitts special might be a bit much as an ab-initio training machine, but other than that, it's more down to the Instructor than the aircraft you are in.
Edited by IforB on Monday 21st September 12:13
insurance_jon said:
I see - one of them new-fangled modern lightweight jobbies. I'm not really up to speed on the newer light aircraft that are increasingly being used.Having never completed a PPL course it would be rude of me to attempt to advise someone who is giving it a go.
As has been said, the type of aircraft isn't that major an issue - as long as the quality of instruction is good.
Having said that, I've never been a huge fan of the AA-1/AA-5 family.
Edited by Eric Mc on Monday 21st September 12:18
IforB said:
Do not muck about jumping between aircraft types. Stick with the warrior or the AT-3 and one school/instructor.
Agreed. 100%What you need, certainly when you start, is continuity. Don't leave big gaps between lessons. Fly in the same type and with the same instructor. You will never become confident otherwise.
Spend some time at home learning all your checks, speeds, attitudes, radio calls etc off by heart so you can concentrate on flying when you are in the aircraft. Sit down and practice all your drills scans etc by imagining you are in the aircraft and actually reach for where the relevant switches controls etc should be. Even get one of those instrument panel posters for your type and use that to help.
Flying is expensive, make sure you learn what you can at home when you are not paying so you can spend all the time in the aircraft actually thinking about the handling. You don't want to be faffing around downwind or on final trying to remember what "g" stands for on the landing checks
You will like a nob but it's a great way to learn.
Enjoy it.
Edited by el stovey on Monday 21st September 12:35
insurance_jon said:
do I get these posters from the pilot shops?
is it worth getting a decent sim for at home?
http://www.transair.co.uk/product4.asp?SID=2&Product_ID=1371is it worth getting a decent sim for at home?
This sort of thing,
or
My toilet under the stairs has seen a few of them over the years.
Sims can be great for learning procedures and drills etc but they will still handle very differently from the aircraft. I certainly don't think you need one but if you like flying I'm sure you'd enjoy it.
If you can spare the time at work then try and fly every day you possibly can, nothing worse than taking a month or so's break and having to do two or three lessons to get back to where you were.
I drifted along progressing but not very fast, then spent a solid week flying, and was solo at the end of it. Even though we're getting toward winter there are always good days to fly.
I drifted along progressing but not very fast, then spent a solid week flying, and was solo at the end of it. Even though we're getting toward winter there are always good days to fly.
insurance_jon said:
do I get these posters from the pilot shops?
is it worth getting a decent sim for at home?
A sim is OK for learning the basics and for making you think about flying, other than that, unless it's a full size approved jobbie, then they are just toys.is it worth getting a decent sim for at home?
The posters can be got from any of the pilot supplies places, Transair, Pooleys etc. Another technique is to actually go to the airfield and familiarise yourself when the weather is too gash to fly (There will be plenty of days like that!)
Make sure you keep up your studying, don't arrive for a lesson having done naff all, as all you are doing is wasting your money and the FI's time also don't leave all your groundschool exams until the end. You need the knowledge whilst you are training, it will help you massively.
These are just a couple of things that will make a massive difference to how you progress.
As to which aircraft, frankly, you haven't got a clue which one you actually prefer in any real sense. Just fly whichever you feel most comfortable in and don't worry about things like stick or yoke controls, just go with your gut instinct, though depending on budget you might want to factor in which one will cost you less and is likely to be off-line less often.
The keys to successful training are:
1) The amount of effort you put in.
2) How regularily you fly. (The more often the better)
3) The relationship with your FI. Make sure you like them both as a person and a teacher. If they are miserable, shouty idiots, then you won't progress anywhere near as well as you would with someone who keeps you relaxed and happy.
4) Do not let the school muck you around with instructor changes or aircraft type changes. It does happen occasionally and there are times when a different FI is good, but as a rule, your training should be as continuous as possible.
5) Make sure you have fun! Flying is ace, try to avoid getting dragged into club politics or PPL bullsh*t sessions and you'll get on fine.
IforB said:
insurance_jon said:
do I get these posters from the pilot shops?
is it worth getting a decent sim for at home?
A sim is OK for learning the basics and for making you think about flying, other than that, unless it's a full size approved jobbie, then they are just toys.is it worth getting a decent sim for at home?
The posters can be got from any of the pilot supplies places, Transair, Pooleys etc. Another technique is to actually go to the airfield and familiarise yourself when the weather is too gash to fly (There will be plenty of days like that!)
Make sure you keep up your studying, don't arrive for a lesson having done naff all, as all you are doing is wasting your money and the FI's time also don't leave all your groundschool exams until the end. You need the knowledge whilst you are training, it will help you massively.
These are just a couple of things that will make a massive difference to how you progress.
As to which aircraft, frankly, you haven't got a clue which one you actually prefer in any real sense. Just fly whichever you feel most comfortable in and don't worry about things like stick or yoke controls, just go with your gut instinct, though depending on budget you might want to factor in which one will cost you less and is likely to be off-line less often.
The keys to successful training are:
1) The amount of effort you put in.
2) How regularily you fly. (The more often the better)
3) The relationship with your FI. Make sure you like them both as a person and a teacher. If they are miserable, shouty idiots, then you won't progress anywhere near as well as you would with someone who keeps you relaxed and happy.
4) Do not let the school muck you around with instructor changes or aircraft type changes. It does happen occasionally and there are times when a different FI is good, but as a rule, your training should be as continuous as possible.
5) Make sure you have fun! Flying is ace, try to avoid getting dragged into club politics or PPL bullsh*t sessions and you'll get on fine.
Stick with one aircraft type, a PA-28 is a perfect start. Keep it convntional. No idea about this new AT aircraft, but if it's glass cockpit, I'd give it a wide berth for now. Wonderful as glass is, I don't feel it's a good environment to learn.
And yes, stick to one instructor. Make sure you like/trust him. The only time I would recommend my students going up with another instructor would be a couple of days before a checkride. Never hurts to get a second set of eyes on the student, and makes the student feel better about having only flown with one instructor.
Enjoy it. It's a wonderful, wonderful passtime. Any questions, let me know. There's a good number of pilots here, both instructor and airline. I'm sure between us we could cobble together a feasible answer to any queries!
And yes, keep updating this thread - tell us about the lesson plan, how it went etc. Would love to hear about it, and offer any advice I may have..
just done my second lesson in the low wing warrior. I must say i prefer it's handling to the high wing aircraft I used at sibson. confidence is growing by the minute, and although some parts are like trying to pat your head and rub your stomache, I'm loving it. More detailed response later!
Good man, glad you're enjoying it. I have always preferred low-wing aircraft as trainers. Much better air-air visibility, and the PA-28 family is nice and stable, whilst retaining the ability to maneuvre nicely.
Great to see you aiming to keep nicely current, too. Do you plan to do 2 lessons a week?
Great to see you aiming to keep nicely current, too. Do you plan to do 2 lessons a week?
Perfect. Once you have a decent grasp of the knowledge, get your hands on the 'PPL Confuser' book/CD ROM, it's pretty much the question database used for the test. It's a great aid, because the questions are infamous for their wording, which can catch you out.
Good on you for hitting it hard. It'll ultimately save you money this way, as you won't need to waste time and cash on recurrency.
Good on you for hitting it hard. It'll ultimately save you money this way, as you won't need to waste time and cash on recurrency.
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