Starting on the path to a PPL
Discussion
OK guys you asked for my experiences here it is.
I got my Class 2 medical in Feb & then the weather was bad, then Covid!
So just rung up & booked my initial PPL stint, 3 1/2 hours. Will be Wednesday 26th.
For those that remember or care I was debating between Rochester (30mins Bike, 15 in the car) or Headcorn (45mins on avg in the car). This was also dictated by aircraft I can get into & also availability of airfields as they both flood in the winter but Rochester is probably worse.
I made the decision to go with Rochester https://www.skytrekair.com/ as I work from home & the capability of just popping down there is a big advantage.
Headcorn can be a long run if the traffic is bad. Skipping out for a couple of hours (I work from home) is doable, whereas 3-4 is not so possible.
Rochester do a 5 hour starter package which I'll go for, put on a credit card so I'm protected.
Current Covid regs mean gloves, face mask & own headset. I ordered a headset from Amazon which gets good ratings. I used to service the things whilst an apprentice & wearing one for a long time I know how specific they can be, one persons love will be anothers hate.
Nearly two weeks can't wait!
I got my Class 2 medical in Feb & then the weather was bad, then Covid!
So just rung up & booked my initial PPL stint, 3 1/2 hours. Will be Wednesday 26th.
For those that remember or care I was debating between Rochester (30mins Bike, 15 in the car) or Headcorn (45mins on avg in the car). This was also dictated by aircraft I can get into & also availability of airfields as they both flood in the winter but Rochester is probably worse.
I made the decision to go with Rochester https://www.skytrekair.com/ as I work from home & the capability of just popping down there is a big advantage.
Headcorn can be a long run if the traffic is bad. Skipping out for a couple of hours (I work from home) is doable, whereas 3-4 is not so possible.
Rochester do a 5 hour starter package which I'll go for, put on a credit card so I'm protected.
Current Covid regs mean gloves, face mask & own headset. I ordered a headset from Amazon which gets good ratings. I used to service the things whilst an apprentice & wearing one for a long time I know how specific they can be, one persons love will be anothers hate.
Nearly two weeks can't wait!
Nice - I did my PPL many years ago. It's really enjoyable although you'll get very used to waiting for the weather to do the right thing while sat in the flying club 
There's nothing quite like the first solo as an experience : For me, I was in a Cessna 152, I was 16 and had done 9 hours or so. One lesson, we had done several touch and gos and the instructor said on landing one of them, "stop here and I'll jump out". He did, and off I set off for a circuit alone.
A couple of radio calls and I was full throttle down the runway for the first time alone.
At about 400 feet in the climb it all went wrong - The seat I was in slid backwards (the seat pins on the 150/2 have a habit of popping out of the rails) and I could no longer reach the pedals. I had to undo the belts and reach forward to carry on.
I dealt with that and turned right out of the climb at about 700 ft - at which point the door opened. Had to try and slam it shut before turning onto the downwind leg.
On the downwind leg, I managed to slide the seat forward again and belt up - all the checks were fine and the rest of the circuit went without a hitch. Base and finals and stuck it on the numbers stopping right back where the instructor was stood for an outwardly looking perfect circuit.
After that, I always felt like nothing would be too much of a worry...
There's nothing quite like the first solo as an experience : For me, I was in a Cessna 152, I was 16 and had done 9 hours or so. One lesson, we had done several touch and gos and the instructor said on landing one of them, "stop here and I'll jump out". He did, and off I set off for a circuit alone.
A couple of radio calls and I was full throttle down the runway for the first time alone.
At about 400 feet in the climb it all went wrong - The seat I was in slid backwards (the seat pins on the 150/2 have a habit of popping out of the rails) and I could no longer reach the pedals. I had to undo the belts and reach forward to carry on.
I dealt with that and turned right out of the climb at about 700 ft - at which point the door opened. Had to try and slam it shut before turning onto the downwind leg.
On the downwind leg, I managed to slide the seat forward again and belt up - all the checks were fine and the rest of the circuit went without a hitch. Base and finals and stuck it on the numbers stopping right back where the instructor was stood for an outwardly looking perfect circuit.
After that, I always felt like nothing would be too much of a worry...
fat80b said:
I dealt with that and turned right out of the climb at about 700 ft - at which point the door opened. Had to try and slam it shut before turning onto the downwind leg.
My wife said "Choose - It's either me, or the Cessna". So I slammed the door 4 times to close it and took off. 48k said:
Best of luck, learning to fly is great fun. Don't leave it too long to hit the books though - it's good to get exams under your belt asap particularly Air Law which most schools insist on before being allowed to go solo.
Absolutely this. Learn all the checklists etc before getting to the aircraft as that’s the bit you’re paying for, plus it frees up mental capacity. I used to always have big posters of aircraft cockpits to help, but I suppose now there’s loads of apps or even flightsims etc you can practice scans and procedures on etc.
Armchair flying for me works really well. My wife and kids always laugh at me practicing engine failures on take off or decompressions etc whilst sitting on a chair with my eyes closed and arms and legs moving around like a thunderbirds puppet calling for “gear up” or whatever.
Less leg movement required for the engine failures on take off as my career progressed though.
You want to be going downwind in the circuit looking forwards to your silky smooth landing rather than trying to remember what you do next.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 13th August 15:31
So, it wasnt a unique thing, the door coming open on a 152?
I did my PPL at 17 out of Skegness Aerodrome back in 1991... on one trip, we took a rather tired 152 Aerobat out and my instructor was showing off doing barrel rolls, at the second one, whilst at the top of the barrel, inverted, my door flew open... I thought it was just unlucky... seems this happened regularly on this particular aeroplane!
I don't remember my solo tbh... similar ish... did some circuits, instructor jumped out, i went round again... nothing of note.
However, I do remember my Gliding solo, when I was 16. I was in Air Cadets and got on the Gliding course out of RAF Catterick in N. Yorkshire. On my solo, I took off and as I'm scooting on the downwind leg I see a civilian glider come in and land directly where I should be landing. First off, it wasn't a civvy airbase.. so shouldn't have really been there. In the end, it wasn't much of an event.... I extended the base leg, landed and more or less stopped in line with him about 40 ft away! Still.. it was memorable enough. I remember they had these clapped out winches that got you to about 800ft and that was it...My log book is filled with 3 and 4 minute trips... i think the best we ever got was about 12 mins when we found one brief thermal.
Good luck with the PPL! Great fun!
I did my PPL at 17 out of Skegness Aerodrome back in 1991... on one trip, we took a rather tired 152 Aerobat out and my instructor was showing off doing barrel rolls, at the second one, whilst at the top of the barrel, inverted, my door flew open... I thought it was just unlucky... seems this happened regularly on this particular aeroplane!
I don't remember my solo tbh... similar ish... did some circuits, instructor jumped out, i went round again... nothing of note.
However, I do remember my Gliding solo, when I was 16. I was in Air Cadets and got on the Gliding course out of RAF Catterick in N. Yorkshire. On my solo, I took off and as I'm scooting on the downwind leg I see a civilian glider come in and land directly where I should be landing. First off, it wasn't a civvy airbase.. so shouldn't have really been there. In the end, it wasn't much of an event.... I extended the base leg, landed and more or less stopped in line with him about 40 ft away! Still.. it was memorable enough. I remember they had these clapped out winches that got you to about 800ft and that was it...My log book is filled with 3 and 4 minute trips... i think the best we ever got was about 12 mins when we found one brief thermal.
Good luck with the PPL! Great fun!
El stovey said:
48k said:
Best of luck, learning to fly is great fun. Don't leave it too long to hit the books though - it's good to get exams under your belt asap particularly Air Law which most schools insist on before being allowed to go solo.
Absolutely this. Learn all the checklists etc before getting to the aircraft as that’s the bit you’re paying for, plus it frees up mental capacity. I used to always have big posters of aircraft cockpits to help, but I suppose now there’s loads of apps or even flightsims etc you can practice scans and procedures on etc.
Armchair flying for me works really well. My wife and kids always laugh at me practicing engine failures on take off or decompressions etc whilst sitting on a chair with my eyes closed and arms and legs moving around like a thunderbirds puppet calling for “gear up” or whatever.
Less leg movement required for the engine failures on take off as my career progressed though.
You want to be going downwind in the circuit looking forwards to your silky smooth landing rather than trying to remember what you do next.
Edited by El stovey on Thursday 13th August 15:31
By getting your head in the books, understanding the aerodynamics at play, understanding the technical bits, understanding what ATC are about to throw at you next, you free up your mental capacity for the really important part - aviating.
Aviate, Navigate, Communicate. It’s an old saying, but it’s a very good mental model to follow when it feels like the odds are stacking up against you.
How are you getting on with the studying? Has your school indicated whether or not you’ll be doing your exams online, or via the paper format?
I had my first lesson back yesterday; 6 months out due to lockdown. Really happy with how it went and it looks like I’ll be doing my QXC next week - excited but nervous at the same time!
Another thing to consider is the FTROL (RT practical). Perhaps worth thinking about when and where you want to get it done. I wish I’d done it sooner (prior to starting nav).
I had my first lesson back yesterday; 6 months out due to lockdown. Really happy with how it went and it looks like I’ll be doing my QXC next week - excited but nervous at the same time!
Another thing to consider is the FTROL (RT practical). Perhaps worth thinking about when and where you want to get it done. I wish I’d done it sooner (prior to starting nav).
ben_h100 said:
How are you getting on with the studying? Has your school indicated whether or not you’ll be doing your exams online, or via the paper format?
I had my first lesson back yesterday; 6 months out due to lockdown. Really happy with how it went and it looks like I’ll be doing my QXC next week - excited but nervous at the same time!
Another thing to consider is the FTROL (RT practical). Perhaps worth thinking about when and where you want to get it done. I wish I’d done it sooner (prior to starting nav).
Spooky the CFI just phoned as I was opening this! He's bought the first session forward from 09:30 to 08:30 this coming Wednesday (26th) I had my first lesson back yesterday; 6 months out due to lockdown. Really happy with how it went and it looks like I’ll be doing my QXC next week - excited but nervous at the same time!
Another thing to consider is the FTROL (RT practical). Perhaps worth thinking about when and where you want to get it done. I wish I’d done it sooner (prior to starting nav).
I've sorted headset & found online a C172S checklist, I've also been reading & watching Youtube for anything UK PPL related. Not sure how they'll do the exams, will be able to answer that on Wed PM!
I'm a long standing aeromodeller so know the controls & movements & basic aerodynamics. I also have Day Skipper theory from when we had a boat, so hoping Nav from that will help. Also have Marine VHF licence & trained as a radio tech on aircraft which may help. Going forward we'll see!
Good luck for the QXC how many hours do you have now?
ben_h100 said:
I had my first lesson back yesterday; 6 months out due to lockdown. Really happy with how it went and it looks like I’ll be doing my QXC next week - excited but nervous at the same time!
1 lesson in 6 months. Will you be having another before your QXC? Muddle238 said:
Aviate, Navigate, Communicate. It’s an old saying, but it’s a very good mental model to follow when it feels like the odds are stacking up against you.
Yes, and Rule 1, fly the plane. Seems obvious, but.tr7v8 said:
ben_h100 said:
How are you getting on with the studying? Has your school indicated whether or not you’ll be doing your exams online, or via the paper format?
I had my first lesson back yesterday; 6 months out due to lockdown. Really happy with how it went and it looks like I’ll be doing my QXC next week - excited but nervous at the same time!
Another thing to consider is the FTROL (RT practical). Perhaps worth thinking about when and where you want to get it done. I wish I’d done it sooner (prior to starting nav).
Spooky the CFI just phoned as I was opening this! He's bought the first session forward from 09:30 to 08:30 this coming Wednesday (26th) I had my first lesson back yesterday; 6 months out due to lockdown. Really happy with how it went and it looks like I’ll be doing my QXC next week - excited but nervous at the same time!
Another thing to consider is the FTROL (RT practical). Perhaps worth thinking about when and where you want to get it done. I wish I’d done it sooner (prior to starting nav).
I've sorted headset & found online a C172S checklist, I've also been reading & watching Youtube for anything UK PPL related. Not sure how they'll do the exams, will be able to answer that on Wed PM!
I'm a long standing aeromodeller so know the controls & movements & basic aerodynamics. I also have Day Skipper theory from when we had a boat, so hoping Nav from that will help. Also have Marine VHF licence & trained as a radio tech on aircraft which may help. Going forward we'll see!
Good luck for the QXC how many hours do you have now?
Sticks. said:
ben_h100 said:
I had my first lesson back yesterday; 6 months out due to lockdown. Really happy with how it went and it looks like I’ll be doing my QXC next week - excited but nervous at the same time!
1 lesson in 6 months. Will you be having another before your QXC? That sounds very well thought out, I hope you don't mind me asking and it goes well. Mine was a bit too blowy for me. When I approached the first landing ATC suggested I join below the normal 2000ft where the wind was less, at my discretion. At that point in my training I don't think I'd have asked, so good thinking by them.
Well first lesson just completed, around a 2 hours briefing, then a preflight & then onto a lesson. Kent still has the remnants of the storm blowing through so 20knt winds gusting 25 this morning although by the time we flew it had eased. Bumpy take off & landing but surprisingly smooth once up there. All basic stuff today, concentrating on trimming the aircraft & the controls. Flew in a big ACW loop from Rochester down to Bewl water, then east across towards Ashford & then back to Rochester. 1st entry in my Logbook.
Booked a package of 5 lessons, plus documents. All lessons now all in the diary next one at silly o'clock on the 1st Sept. So around £1200 poorer.
Amazon purchased headset worked well, which was good as no way of testing it before hand!
Booked a package of 5 lessons, plus documents. All lessons now all in the diary next one at silly o'clock on the 1st Sept. So around £1200 poorer.
Amazon purchased headset worked well, which was good as no way of testing it before hand!
Without wanting to take over the OPs thread, I thought I’d add where I’m up to. Still not done the QXC yet (weather was rubbish last week), but today I did my first solo landaway, across to Shobdon and back. Approached this with some trepidation as I hadn’t visited Shobdon for well over a year, but I know that my Nav is pretty much there now and my CFI was happy to send me off.
I was told to go around on finals at Shobdon (heli landing on the grass runway), so full power, drag flap away and a slight right, then left turn to fly parallel with the runway, before reducing the flap in stages and climbing away to try again. Shobdon is a much narrower runway than I’m used to (Cotswold Airport) which can present a sort of optical illusion (you can end up feeling that you are higher than you actually are), but I was very happy with the landing and chuffed to make it there without any uncertainty on my position throughout. Rewarded myself with a cake and cuppa.
Back to Kemble and this went without issue. I noticed that I’d written an incorrect heading on my chart for one of the legs, so flew off the info on my PLOG (kneeboard table). This could have caused me issues if I wasn’t as switched on so one to note for the future.
CFI now talking about a QXC next week; he’s also looking a finding me an examiner so it’s all coming together quite nicely..!
I can’t emphasise enough how this has tested my patience and determination. Multiple setbacks, due to weather and work commitments, but it really feels like it’s coming together now.
I wish I had done the FTROL earlier tbh, as it’s really sharpened my RT and general route/flying awareness. So OP, consider getting it booked.
I was told to go around on finals at Shobdon (heli landing on the grass runway), so full power, drag flap away and a slight right, then left turn to fly parallel with the runway, before reducing the flap in stages and climbing away to try again. Shobdon is a much narrower runway than I’m used to (Cotswold Airport) which can present a sort of optical illusion (you can end up feeling that you are higher than you actually are), but I was very happy with the landing and chuffed to make it there without any uncertainty on my position throughout. Rewarded myself with a cake and cuppa.
Back to Kemble and this went without issue. I noticed that I’d written an incorrect heading on my chart for one of the legs, so flew off the info on my PLOG (kneeboard table). This could have caused me issues if I wasn’t as switched on so one to note for the future.
CFI now talking about a QXC next week; he’s also looking a finding me an examiner so it’s all coming together quite nicely..!
I can’t emphasise enough how this has tested my patience and determination. Multiple setbacks, due to weather and work commitments, but it really feels like it’s coming together now.
I wish I had done the FTROL earlier tbh, as it’s really sharpened my RT and general route/flying awareness. So OP, consider getting it booked.
Well the lesson on the 1st was good apart from an 08:00 start! Compared with the previous lesson weather couldn't have been better, bright sunny with virtually no wind. 1 Hour flying learning what flaps do & power variations change the handling. This was on a different slightly older C172 which threw me a bit as some of the minor controls & switches were slightly different. Also cockpit is some what tighter, especially getting in & out. The CFI got me to do the pre-flight check list so yet another bit ticked off. Also learnt FREDA which is check Fuel, Radio, Engine, Direction, Altitude.
The lesson last Thursday was cancelled which was no surprise, gusty (38kts +!) and low cloud base. Yesterdays was cancelled as well due to low cloudbase. Oh the joys of training in the UK.
Todays went ahead, still 10-15kts so a little bumpy. This is a two part lesson, this was the first part covering climbing & descending both power on & off. Started to come together a bit, also helped that I was back in the C172 I started with so slightly more familiar. I was astonished on how much muscle the controls need at times.
Someone told me about a brilliant app for the phone, PPLTutor. Which covers the 9 exams both revision & dummy Q & A. All for £20. Been bashing away at that & the works in spare time.
Next lesson Saturday which will be a continuation of diving & climbing.
The lesson last Thursday was cancelled which was no surprise, gusty (38kts +!) and low cloud base. Yesterdays was cancelled as well due to low cloudbase. Oh the joys of training in the UK.
Todays went ahead, still 10-15kts so a little bumpy. This is a two part lesson, this was the first part covering climbing & descending both power on & off. Started to come together a bit, also helped that I was back in the C172 I started with so slightly more familiar. I was astonished on how much muscle the controls need at times.
Someone told me about a brilliant app for the phone, PPLTutor. Which covers the 9 exams both revision & dummy Q & A. All for £20. Been bashing away at that & the works in spare time.
Next lesson Saturday which will be a continuation of diving & climbing.
48k said:
tr7v8 said:
I was astonished on how much muscle the controls need at times.
Did you talk that through with your instructor? It's usually a sign the aircraft isn't trimmed correctly.I just extended my SEP another 24 months last week.
Keep at it, it can be a challenge, especially with UK weather and the now added complications of Covid, but it is worth it in the end.
Oh, and the Air Law exam is a real test of commitment. The others are somewhat more interesting and less dry.
Keep at it, it can be a challenge, especially with UK weather and the now added complications of Covid, but it is worth it in the end.
Oh, and the Air Law exam is a real test of commitment. The others are somewhat more interesting and less dry.
LimaDelta said:
I just extended my SEP another 24 months last week.
Keep at it, it can be a challenge, especially with UK weather and the now added complications of Covid, but it is worth it in the end.
Oh, and the Air Law exam is a real test of commitment. The others are somewhat more interesting and less dry.
I will 4th Lesson Saturday so still trying.Keep at it, it can be a challenge, especially with UK weather and the now added complications of Covid, but it is worth it in the end.
Oh, and the Air Law exam is a real test of commitment. The others are somewhat more interesting and less dry.
Interesting the comment about Air Law. Everyone said it was their hardest but I've been bashing the books as I was told & PPLTutor on the phone & not found it too bad. Classes of airspace still does my head in but generally getting passes on most trial exams.
Once I settle in a bit more I'll ask the process at my school for exams & start on them.
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