Discussion
Maybe this should be in the FlightRadar thread, but this is me passing my PPL flight test on Thursday.
Not sure how the process differs between NZ and the UK but it has taken me just over two years flying more or less weekly to get here (less a couple of months off for travel and maybe 30 days total for weather).
I was enjoying the process more than racing at it, so it has taken me about a hundred hours all up. But that includes all the cross-country work too, which was about 20 hours in my case (minimum is 15).
Now I just have a few weeks wrestling with NZ CAA bureaucracy to get my pass slip turned into an actual licence.
k
Not sure how the process differs between NZ and the UK but it has taken me just over two years flying more or less weekly to get here (less a couple of months off for travel and maybe 30 days total for weather).
I was enjoying the process more than racing at it, so it has taken me about a hundred hours all up. But that includes all the cross-country work too, which was about 20 hours in my case (minimum is 15).
Now I just have a few weeks wrestling with NZ CAA bureaucracy to get my pass slip turned into an actual licence.
k
Congratulations!!
My CFI told when I passed my skills test, “Congratulations, you have your PPL. Now the real learning starts.” He was right - enjoy the flying, don’t push too hard, and get some Instrument training for when the weather unexpectedly goes to s**t!
Aerobatic training is also a great next step
My CFI told when I passed my skills test, “Congratulations, you have your PPL. Now the real learning starts.” He was right - enjoy the flying, don’t push too hard, and get some Instrument training for when the weather unexpectedly goes to s**t!
Aerobatic training is also a great next step
t got real quickly!Magnum 475 said:
Congratulations!!
My CFI told when I passed my skills test, “Congratulations, you have your PPL. Now the real learning starts.” He was right - enjoy the flying, don’t push too hard, and get some Instrument training for when the weather unexpectedly goes to s**t!
Aerobatic training is also a great next step
Thanks.My CFI told when I passed my skills test, “Congratulations, you have your PPL. Now the real learning starts.” He was right - enjoy the flying, don’t push too hard, and get some Instrument training for when the weather unexpectedly goes to s**t!
Aerobatic training is also a great next step
We do five hours of instrument and five hours of Terrain and Weather Awareness (mountain flying, basically) as part of the requirement here. Because NZ terrain and weather can be ... variable.
For my flight test the cloud height was 2,000 ft which was interesting when I had to do the whole forced landing exercise. Doesn't give you a lot of time.
But your point is well made, and was made by my examiner too. The real learning starts here.
Next up for me will be to get rated for a PA28 (we only have individual type ratings here), then do night flying then either full instrument or commercial (or both since they require the same additional exams).
k
Very well done. I chucked in the towel on mine for a variety of reasons. A. I was begrudging the cost (£275 PH) B. I was struggling to pass the medical & dealing with the CAA over it was a complete PITA. C. I really stopped making progress and that meant retaking all my exams.
I've gone back to aeromodelling which I'm enjoying & not missing it at all which vindicates A.
I've gone back to aeromodelling which I'm enjoying & not missing it at all which vindicates A.
Amazing! Well done, I can imagine flying in NZ must be incredible.
I'm working towards mine at the moment, I got as far as solo 20 years ago in the US (17 hours, which I don't think I can use now due to the time elapsed) and having started up again earlier this year I'm now 14 hours in and "off the leash" doing some solo navex stuff. Just can't wait to get it done and realise a lifetime dream, shame I'm the wrong side of 50 now so it will only ever be a hobby and not a career.
Video from my solo navex below. Excuse the very over-excited person in the left hand seat, I was getting my first taste of kinda feeling like an actual proper pilot!
https://youtu.be/Ir7wMvKFEUY?si=v40q6Gc-_7eJQiWc
What are you looking to do now you have your license?
I'm working towards mine at the moment, I got as far as solo 20 years ago in the US (17 hours, which I don't think I can use now due to the time elapsed) and having started up again earlier this year I'm now 14 hours in and "off the leash" doing some solo navex stuff. Just can't wait to get it done and realise a lifetime dream, shame I'm the wrong side of 50 now so it will only ever be a hobby and not a career.
Video from my solo navex below. Excuse the very over-excited person in the left hand seat, I was getting my first taste of kinda feeling like an actual proper pilot!
https://youtu.be/Ir7wMvKFEUY?si=v40q6Gc-_7eJQiWc
What are you looking to do now you have your license?
Congrats. It’s a great achievement isn’t it?
If you get a the chance, try and get a job in the USA for a bit of experience of how free and easy to fly there it is compared to the uk and I guess NZ (not sure). I loved my year over there with some fantastic trips over Niagara Falls, Mount Rushmore and around Chicago at night, to name a few. I was based an hour south of Osh Kosh too, a bit flat but some fun stuff to do. I’ve also been back, renewed (which is also easy) and flew out of the 737 plant in Renton.
If you get a the chance, try and get a job in the USA for a bit of experience of how free and easy to fly there it is compared to the uk and I guess NZ (not sure). I loved my year over there with some fantastic trips over Niagara Falls, Mount Rushmore and around Chicago at night, to name a few. I was based an hour south of Osh Kosh too, a bit flat but some fun stuff to do. I’ve also been back, renewed (which is also easy) and flew out of the 737 plant in Renton.
Well done, it's a marvellous feeling. Every time I go up I can't believe that I'm allowed to do it
Hard Drive - great video. Funnily enough I was at an aircraft mechanic friends house the other day looking at a Caterham car. We both agreed it's one of the only things with less cockpit room than a C152.
Hard Drive - great video. Funnily enough I was at an aircraft mechanic friends house the other day looking at a Caterham car. We both agreed it's one of the only things with less cockpit room than a C152.
DP1 said:
Hard Drive - great video. Funnily enough I was at an aircraft mechanic friends house the other day looking at a Caterham car. We both agreed it's one of the only things with less cockpit room than a C152.
Haha very true, at least the doors in a 152 don't have to have a bulbous bit for your elbow! But there's a lot of similarities between the two, riveted aluminium construction, totally unreliable fuel gauge, you need to wear a headset/intercom system to talk to your passenger, teeny little wheel/yoke, ancient technology, no electronics, proper sized tyre sidewalls, and both are about the fastest way of getting from A to B cross country compared to anything else!Well done, Klootzak, I'm from south Canterbury in NZ but live in the UK now. The closest I got to a PPL was flying with friends who had them, and paragliding here in the UK and Europe. I always enjoyed flying and hope you enjoy your time in the air, and the community of pilots you'll meet.
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