PPL - anyone else done/doing it?

[T-bagger]

Hi All

I’ve just embarked upon the journey to get my PPL (for pleasure, no career aspirations for the time being) and just wondering if anyone else is on a similar position? Keen to hear experiences and general tips.
I’m learning with Goodwood Flying School, first lesson down and waiting a couple of weeks for my second. Medical to be booked imminently.
So far so good!

[droopsnoot]

There's another thread* on here by someone who posted their experiences, was pretty interesting as I recall it. I'd love to do it, but (as with many things) I'd prefer to fast-forward to the bit where I can fly. And I'm a bit nervous on anything taller than a stepladder.

ETA here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by droopsnoot on Friday 4th May 11:08

[CAPP0]

I logged about 25 hours probably over 10 years ago and then lost interest. Found out last week that a colleague at work has a PPL, a share in a PA-28 (I love those planes!) and hangars it 10 flying minutes from my nearest airfield. Gong to go up with him hopefully soon and see how that re-kindles my interest and if so I may go back to it again.

[RikJonAtk]

I did about 25 hours last summer, progressed well, but the learning was quite slow paced compared to what I’d previously done at RAF Wyton 15 years prior. With my nearest airfield being 40 minutes away and not knowing anybody else doing it, I just stopped going. I’d like to get back in to it, but don’t want to pour money in to something i’ll not get much long term use from.

[ben_h100]

PPL student here. Learning at Kemble which is not too far from home.

I’m coming back into it after an 18 month break and have 16(ish) hours. My aim is to get first solo this month and get the PPL by the end of summer; I’m behind the curve hours wide but my lack of progression was down to large gaps between lessons back in 2016.

I flew last week and we covered normal handling, slow flight with/without flaps and stalls. Finished off with a couple of circuits and I landed the second one which was a massive confidence booster. My instructor reckons I shouldn’t have lost too much of the ‘feel’ for it, but I know that I definitely need to get my head in the books, and also learn the checklists so that they are second nature when in the air.

Have a few lessons booked for this coming week - roll on the good weather!

Interested for peoples opinions on prefeer d magazines/websites. FLYER is my favourite at the minute.

[boxboxbox]

It could be the start of a passion that will take you on to lots of interesting experiences.
I would recommend reading as much as possible before the lessons, it will make it easier to understand whats going on. Don't be afraid to ask if you don't understand, it is an unusual environment. Fly as often as possible, to keep it all fresh. Try and blag some 'back seat rides' with other students or pilots to see how others do it.
I learnt 30 yrs ago at Shoreham when I couldn't really afford to, it took me 3 years/60 hrs. Then bought a share in a PA28 after licence issue, did other ratings, instructed, learnt basic aerobatics. Toured france with friends, and met some great people at flying clubs and fly ins/events.
Recently stopped due to lack of spare cash, but lots of great memories.

[T-bagger]

Thanks for the replies guys - hadn’t realised so many had started and stopped!
Great blog on the link too.

[pomp1]

Done it- had my license nearly 11 years now.

I thoroughly enjoy it, don't fly as much as I'd like to but a business and a young family does tend to do that! Do the medical then get yourself some decent headphones.

Don't rush to do it and enjoy it.

[48k]

Another "unfinished" PPL here - I have about 60 hours, completed all of the flying part of the syllabus and flight tests apart from GFT but didn't do all of the written exams, so then they started expiring and then I moved away (was learning at Biggin Hill) and other things in life took priority. My advice would be to get the written exams out of the way as soon as you can.

I've flown in to Goodwood a few times including my QXC flight test - nice part of the world to fly around but the 1200 ft circuit felt a bit strange the first time I did it - you might have the opposite experience the first time you visit somewhere away from Goodwood that has a more usual 1000ft circuit.

It's a fascinating hobby, there's always something to learn or improve and you get some great experiences and fantastic views. My last flight was an hour bimbling around Melbourne - I took my log book with me when I went on holiday to Oz, rocked up to Moorabbin airfield hired an instructor and aircraft and went flying.

Best of luck with it.

[zombeh]

I'm most of the way through my microlight NPPL, it's easy to see why a lot of people never finish it, there's a lot to learn, it takes a long time costs a lot and it's always at the mercy of the weather, I've flown as much in the last week as I did all winter.

[Zeek]

droopsnoot said:

I'd love to do it, but (as with many things) I'd prefer to fast-forward to the bit where I can fly.

I found the learning process far more enjoyable than the owning/operating period after! I was in no rush to get rid of my instructor, but then I got on with him really well and he was an incredibly knowledgable person. Every hour spent bimbling around with him was an opportunity to learn something new.

First solo was a great feeling.

[zombeh]

droopsnoot said:

And I'm a bit nervous on anything taller than a stepladder.

Strangely that's only an issue landing the things, 2000 feet feels like you're on something nice and solid and it's only when you get down to about tree top height at 70mph in something made of aluminium and plastic with wings of sailcloth that you actually feel high up.

Larger aircraft than the ones I fly are probably even better in that regard as you can't really look straight down at how far away the ground is. And they tend to be made of actual solid looking and feeling stuff.

[48k]

Zeek said:

droopsnoot said:

I'd love to do it, but (as with many things) I'd prefer to fast-forward to the bit where I can fly.

I found the learning process far more enjoyable than the owning/operating period after! I was in no rush to get rid of my instructor, but then I got on with him really well and he was an incredibly knowledgable person. Every hour spent bimbling around with him was an opportunity to learn something new.

First solo was a great feeling.

+1million

Not sure if I am misunderstanding droopsnoot's comment as on the PPL course you are flying from lesson 1, albeit with an instructor sat next to you, but that feeling when you finish your first solo is incredible.

[droopsnoot]

I was being a bit flippant - like I'd love to learn how to play an instrument, but I'm not sure I have the patience to sit through learning scales, I'd rather jump straight to being able to play incredible solos, but that's also a thought based on what I imagine it's like, having never tried. Same for the height thing really - as I think back to the very few flights I've taken in airliners, the worst parts were always take-off and landing, once it's flying straight it's just boring.

[David87]

How frequently are any that are doing it having lessons? Are they generally one hour in length?

[48k]

David87 said:

How frequently are any that are doing it having lessons? Are they generally one hour in length?

When I did it my aim was to go once a week. Although the great British weather has its own input in to that particular schedule. The lesson itself would sometimes involve some ground school, then planning/briefing, aircraft check, flight, and debrief. Generally I was in the aircraft for an hour hour so, depending on what we were doing, how my brain was coping and how busy the airfield traffic was. The pre flight check would take longer if it was the first flight of the day, and/or the aircraft needed de-icing or fuel. An hours lesson could easily take up 2+ hours of time. And the further you go in to the syllabus the longer the overall lesson takes - the early lessons are all about the mechanics of flying the aircraft, effects of controls etc. So you can pretty much turn up and get on with it. Once you're actually competent at flying and start getting more in to the navigation exercises and abnormal flight stuff there's more planning involved and more travelling during the flights themselves.

[ben_h100]

David87 said:

How frequently are any that are doing it having lessons? Are they generally one hour in length?

I’m aiming for a couple a week. Generally they have been just over an hour in length, but with briefings etc you can easily spend a couple of hours with the instructor. Was circuit bashing today; 9 landings of a varying standard..! Up again tomorrow for more stalling, EFATO, general engine failures and glide approaches.

Had a bonus ‘back seater’ this afternoon which was good. A bit of an eye opener as to what is in store and very beneficial. IMHO I’d recommend that anyone who can, takes the offers up.

Need to get my head in the books for the exams. Hopefully I’ll be able to get Air Law done in the next couple of weeks.

[silverfoxcc]

What does the medical consist of?

[Wobbegong]

I have an NPPL(m). Took a little longer than planned due to an instructor with money in his eyes (who then left!), but I love it!

Currently fly a Microlight that costs about 10litres unleaded an hour. In the past week I’ve managed about 30 hours of flying

Planning on the flexwing conversion this Summer and perhaps looking at gyrocopters over winter.

One of the things I wish I’d done early on (apart from finding a different instructor!) is reading the Meteorology and Technical books early on rather than waiting for the ground exams. They provide a lot of information on how varying conditions affect flight, and aid in understanding what you’re doing and why.

[48k]

ben_h100 said:

Need to get my head in the books for the exams. Hopefully I’ll be able to get Air Law done in the next couple of weeks.

Best of luck with it. Air Law is horribly dry but most schools insist on it before letting you go solo.