Guest Tim Davis Posted February 6, 2012 Posted February 6, 2012 Just gone solo end 2011 after starting training in 1999. TT 32 hours. My advice to new pilots, keep the lessons close
winsor68 Posted February 6, 2012 Posted February 6, 2012 Congratulations Tim... I know what you mean about keeping the lessons close. You will get there in the end and in my opinion be better for it.
Guest davidh10 Posted February 6, 2012 Posted February 6, 2012 Isn't it a great way to fly :-) Congratulations, Tim. Onward and upward...
Wayne T Mathews Posted February 6, 2012 Posted February 6, 2012 Isn't it a great way to fly :-)Congratulations, Tim. Onward and upward... Hear hear... I'll even say it again... Congratulations, Tim. Onward and upward...
Mark11 Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 Just gone solo end 2011 after starting training in 1999. TT 32 hours. My advice to new pilots, keep the lessons close I'm planning one every two weeks.... Even then will probably take a couple of years to get PPL...
Guest davidh10 Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 I'm planning one every two weeks.... Even then will probably take a couple of years to get PPL... Mark; Perhaps you should consider doing RAA Cert first and migrating to PPL. If doing that, ensure that the school supports doing the CASA syllabus and exams for RAA. RAA accept CASA exams, but not the other way around. Typically such a school would support both RAA and PPL training. As for two weeks between lessons, you may find that extends the time it takes to reach proficiency. While it is ok some of the time, you may need to consider doing some lessons at a higher frequency. I started at weekly, with some spaced at week and a half, then two a week. I had done seven in-the-air lessons in the first month, as well as ground school. I still found it difficult to get my landings right, consistently, and finally said to the CFI that I wanted to do lessons on consecutive days until I nailed it... After three, consecutive day, lessons I nailed it and went solo. Of course everyone is different, but that was my experience.
winsor68 Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 You know Mark... I am in the same boat. Love to fly but unfortunately the only option is hiring that Sav over there on my profile and that adds up to a lot of nothing except hours wasted hours in the logbook because its a long time between drinks for us simple folk. Of course it is not all doom and gloom as I do have some REALLY good friends and even as a passenger it is still great so you just got to get in to the social side of things... not always easy. Attend every aviation event around even as an observer... and then jump in and be involved if the opportunity arises... The other option which is not for everyone but... hey its flying... is to find people in the same boat as yourself and buy something like this for a couple of grand each... Would keep most people entertained for at least a few years... and for not a lot of money...Sport 2S with Rotax 582 USD $20,795 * Sport 2S without engine USD $15,015 *
Guernsey Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 When I learned to fly many years ago I had large time gaps between lessons due to weather but more often lack of finance, unfortunately finance companies or Banks would not loan for flying lessons however, it can be done today. I am not suggesting you get yourself unecessarily in debt however a loan to get you quickly past first solo could in fact save you a lot of money in the end. I would certainly have done it if I had been able. Just a thought, Alan.
facthunter Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 I had a lesson once, and the instructor said."that was close"... Nev 1
pudestcon Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 I had a lesson once, and the instructor said."that was close"... Nev You are a funny buggar Nev Pud
Mark11 Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 Mark; Perhaps you should consider doing RAA Cert first and migrating to PPL. If doing that, ensure that the school supports doing the CASA syllabus and exams for RAA. RAA accept CASA exams, but not the other way around. Typically such a school would support both RAA and PPL training.As for two weeks between lessons, you may find that extends the time it takes to reach proficiency. While it is ok some of the time, you may need to consider doing some lessons at a higher frequency. I started at weekly, with some spaced at week and a half, then two a week. I had done seven in-the-air lessons in the first month, as well as ground school. I still found it difficult to get my landings right, consistently, and finally said to the CFI that I wanted to do lessons on consecutive days until I nailed it... After three, consecutive day, lessons I nailed it and went solo. Of course everyone is different, but that was my experience. Good advice, thanks... I'll check to see if I can do the raa with casa exams and syllabus. I guess I could book in more training - assuming ill get a tax return....
Mark11 Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 When I learned to fly many years ago I had large time gaps between lessons due to weather but more often lack of finance, unfortunately finance companies or Banks would not loan for flying lessons however, it can be done today. I am not suggesting you get yourself unecessarily in debt however a loan to get you quickly past first solo could in fact save you a lot of money in the end. I would certainly have done it if I had been able.Just a thought, Alan. Thanks Alan, I'll keep that option open... Could always sell the old 1970s cruise craft with the 1971 1350 merc (perfect condition by the way).... Mark
Mark11 Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 You know Mark... I am in the same boat. Love to fly but unfortunately the only option is hiring that Sav over there on my profile and that adds up to a lot of nothing except hours wasted hours in the logbook because its a long time between drinks for us simple folk.Of course it is not all doom and gloom as I do have some REALLY good friends and even as a passenger it is still great so you just got to get in to the social side of things... not always easy. Attend every aviation event around even as an observer... and then jump in and be involved if the opportunity arises... The other option which is not for everyone but... hey its flying... is to find people in the same boat as yourself and buy something like this for a couple of grand each... Would keep most people entertained for at least a few years... and for not a lot of money...Sport 2S with Rotax 582 USD $20,795 * Sport 2S without engine USD $15,015 * I have been looking at all sorts of options... Microlights, kit planes like the wasp .... Unfortunately all my friends are into V8's, motorbikes, cricket, sailing or golf... And think i'm mad to start flying... I'll see how I go with lessons and assess the passion at that point... I'm still a little apprehensive about flying .... I sold my ZZR1100 as I didn't want to kill myself and I wasn't using it much... Mark
Mark11 Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 I have been looking at all sorts of options... Microlights, kit planes like the wasp .... Unfortunately all my friends are into V8's, motorbikes, cricket, sailing or golf... And think i'm mad to start flying...I'll see how I go with lessons and assess the passion at that point... I'm still a little apprehensive about flying .... I sold my ZZR1100 as I didn't want to kill myself and I wasn't using it much... Mark The video is great and so is the sport 2S ... I'll do some research - thanks
winsor68 Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 I reckon you need to sell the idea... Lots of people want to fly... they just don't know it yet.
Mark11 Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 I reckon you need to sell the idea... Lots of people want to fly... they just don't know it yet. Yes, I agree... People who get forced into skydiving or bungi jumping (usually a gift) end up loving it.... I haven't ever done either and I have no plans too.... I prefer to fly where at least you have some control and not simply relying on what is normally a backup measure...parachute or harness...
Guest pookemon Posted February 10, 2012 Posted February 10, 2012 Welcome Tim - Well done on the first solo! I bet that was a buzz after all that time! Re: RAA with GA exams, I think that if your CFI is a GA instructor then there's no issues with this. I did the same with mine as I plan to move on to GA down the track. It can be a little confusing at times as there are things in GA that you may not need to know about in RAA - but CASA lets the CFI write the exams and the exams (for pre-solo, area solo etc.) are written according the the aircraft you fly and the area you fly it in. Mine were a little more confusing than they should have been because there were all these questions about things called "flaps". You also need to do some extra human factors etc. as there are somethings that RAA want you to know that CASA don't care about (like, for example, what the endocrine system is - err what the?). Flying as often as possible is the best way to go. I had a couple of breaks early in my training due to weather and instructor/aircraft availability. It really sets you back. As much as possible I flew every week (and continue to do so - it's much cheaper when you can leave the instructor behind!). I started in April last year - and I'm upto around 32 hours in total. 2 more hours and I'll be able to get my Pax endorsement. It's all practise, practise, practise. I find that when you go flying, afterwards, on reflection, you'll think "I could have done that better" or "what if I try that next time" or "that worked, I'll practise that more". The more often you fly, the more you reinforce how things work. I have loved flying all my life - but it fills me with apprehension every time I go flying (or rather until I strap in). My first lesson I was thinking to myself "What have I gotten myself into - this is terrifying!". After every flight - I just want to jump in again and go flying - even on the terrible, windy, bumpy days where I fall out of the plane drenched in sweat, heart pounding. I reckon you need to sell the idea... Lots of people want to fly... they just don't know it yet. That's my plan with the kids. I didn't have a chance to learn to fly when I was younger - and I'm going to give every opportunity to my kids that I can (as much as THAT will cost me).
Suitman Posted February 12, 2012 Posted February 12, 2012 Yes, I agree... People who get forced into skydiving or bungi jumping (usually a gift) end up loving it.... I haven't ever done either and I have no plans too.... I prefer to fly where at least you have some control and not simply relying on what is normally a backup measure...parachute or harness... Mark, theres nothing wrong with relying on a parachute !!! Welcome Tim! Peter
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now