Starting flying lessons!

[RossP]

Just booked the 1.30pm slot on a Saturday at my local flying school for the forseeable, starting on the 4th May (they were booked up till then).

All advice and guidance gratefully received!

[VernalEquinox]

Be prepared. Put in the study time, so that when you're briefing the lesson you're not starting from scratch, you've already done the legwork.

Works for me anyway.

[anonymous-user]

Start on the ground school now, then you can focus on flying during the summer.

Good luck. What seems impossible at the first go will become second nature after a few goes.

[CharlieCrocodile]

VernalEquinox said:

Be prepared. Put in the study time, so that when you're briefing the lesson you're not starting from scratch, you've already done the legwork.

Works for me anyway.

This.

Always read up on the next few lessons ahead so you know what to expect and not wasting money.

Try both a high wing and low wing aircraft, personally the low wing suited me so I've stuck with a Robin.
Might be worth you registering here - flyer.co.uk lots of good advice and people embarking upon the same trip as you i.e. me!

Buy PPL 1 now so you know what's coming up, personally I've got the AFE books by Jeremy Pratt, but others are available.

After the first few lessons, register on airquiz.com for the test questions, I think it's £20 for the year but I've found it invaluable so far. It really helped with meteorology & air law.

Other than that, have fun and enjoy it, be prepared for lesson cancellations due to bad weather too.

[RossP]

Thanks Guys. I have the AFE PPL1 book so starting swotting tonight!

[jonnyb]

Above all enjoy it, it's supposed to be fun.

[RossP]

jonnyb said:

Above all enjoy it, it's supposed to be fun.

That's the plan!

[Geneve]

RossP said:

Just booked the 1.30pm slot on a Saturday at my local flying school for the forseeable, starting on the 4th May (they were booked up till then).

Have I read that correctly - they are fully booked until 4th May?

Is that because business is so good, or are all their a/c in maintenance, or is the long range met that bad ?

Edited by Geneve on Thursday 21st March 23:28

[speedtwelve]

Fly as frequently as you can afford to. Back when I instructed PPL students the ones that could do at least a trip a week tended to progress more quickly. Also, make sure you have the same instructor as much as possible, and that you both get on. If after a few trips you're not comfortable with them in the cockpit ask for a change; it's your money!

Have fun!

[RossP]

They are fully booked on Saturdays till the 4th May if I want their main (only full time) instructor (which I do). I have had a trial lesson with him and he seems like a good guy. They only had one mid-week spot available with him till then anyway.

So I have booked regular 1.30pm slot for the forseeable future every Saturday. I will also try and squeeze some mid-week stuff in too if I can. Also on standby list for any cancellations.

Had a proper sit down with the PPL1 book last night so plenty of time to get some swotting in before my first lesson.

Any advice on headsets? The club have their own but I was thinking of buying one.

[jonnyb]

RossP said:

They are fully booked on Saturdays till the 4th May if I want their main (only full time) instructor (which I do). I have had a trial lesson with him and he seems like a good guy. They only had one mid-week spot available with him till then anyway.

So I have booked regular 1.30pm slot for the forseeable future every Saturday. I will also try and squeeze some mid-week stuff in too if I can. Also on standby list for any cancellations.

Had a proper sit down with the PPL1 book last night so plenty of time to get some swotting in before my first lesson.

Any advice on headsets? The club have their own but I was thinking of buying one.

You won't go far wrong with a DC10-13.4 for about £270. Above that your into Bose and Lightspeed noise cancelling stuff. They are better than the DC but expensive.

[jonnyb]

The other thing I would say is that gaining a PPL is an achievement, its not an end in its self. Many people get a PPL, spend a few hours stooging around, and then give up as they feel there is nowhere to go and it ends up a very expensive exercise.

I have no idea what you want to do with your new licence, but have an idea of where you want go with it. There are many options.

Heres my sugesstions:

First get some experience, 10 or so hours. Then do an IMC course, the rating may be dead, but the course will save your life and increase your confidence levels no end. Tack a night rating on to it too.

Go to a few flyins, maybe even a flying holiday in France or the USA.

Group ownership is a good way to cut costs. If you have the time and inclination then you could build your own aircraft quite cheaply.

It's just a good idea to have in mind where you want to go with the licence before you set about getting it.

[RossP]

Thanks Jonny. First off, I have always wanted to learn to fly and now I have the means to do so, so in that sense it is a goal to aim for and I am looking forward to the challenge of learning. However I view it that each lesson is also an opportunity to experience flying so in that sense I want it to be enjoyable.

As for what I will do when I have my licence, that will evolve over the next few weeks when I better understand what the options are.

[RossP]

Update - they have had a cancellation so first lesson now a week tomorrow!

[CharlieCrocodile]

RossP said:

They are fully booked on Saturdays till the 4th May if I want their main (only full time) instructor (which I do). I have had a trial lesson with him and he seems like a good guy. They only had one mid-week spot available with him till then anyway.

So I have booked regular 1.30pm slot for the forseeable future every Saturday. I will also try and squeeze some mid-week stuff in too if I can. Also on standby list for any cancellations.

Had a proper sit down with the PPL1 book last night so plenty of time to get some swotting in before my first lesson.

Any advice on headsets? The club have their own but I was thinking of buying one.

I got one of these - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pilot-Headset-Aviation-H...

Cannot see the point in buying an ANR Bose or Sennheiser one just yet. The Knight Tec is perfect for a student.

[JBACON01]

For the ground exams I found it very helpful to get into a classroom with an instructor who has a talent for teaching! No matter how much I read books at home there was always a distraction. And if you are then unsure of something you can ask and get a definite answer.

[ETOPS]

Great stuff, Ross, keep us posted...

As others have said, enjoy it. You'll be far more inclined to put the hours in on the ground if you relax your mind a little in the air, and enjoy soaking up the experience.

Definately do some instrument and night work. You WILL encounter times when you'll need to call upon it.

Lastly, when you hit a bump along the way, on a particular manoeuvre, just be methodical, and practice. It'll come.

Are you planning on furthering your licenses, or pursuing a particular tranche of aviation?

[dreamer75]

Another one here! Only 1 and a bit lessons ahead of you - where are you learning?

[RossP]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Dreamer75 - I am learning at Derby Aero School. You?

[dreamer75]

Aww nowhere close - I am learning at fairoaks (near Weybridge just outside the m25). Down south so not too much countryside, but I get to fly over mclaren which is next door!