JollyWalter

Hi All As I've previously posted in another thread (I'm back!) I am an ex GA student that didn't quite get to PPL (GFPT only, with a few navs completed) and haven't flown GA for about 6 years. I'm now converting to RA and hope to get my cross country endorsement, but would ultimately like to do the PPL as I was soooo close, and had passed the theory exam. One of the criteria for the PPL (or even RPL with nav endorsement now) is a flight radio endorsement. My RPL license from CASA (which converted from GFPT) does not show that I have that endorsement. However I do remember sitting a radio exam, and I seem to remember it was a pre-requisite for the GA Area Solo. So, does anyone know if the FROL (or does it have a new name?) is what I'd have done as part of my GFPT training, or is it another higher level exam? Like PPL vs BAK. I've googled a bit, but unfortunately all the historical stuff is still out there, so it's hard to determine what is the current state of affairs. Thanks in advance to anyone who knows what goes. Cheers Mick

Hi All After a six and a half year hiatus I have returned not only to the Aircraft Pilots forum, but to the skies around Perth (well, around Bindoon anyway, YBHL). I have a bunch of questions, and was really not sure where to post given some are around training, some are around RA vs GA, some on medical etc, so I thought I'd just start here. Some quick background: First ever lesson was as a 46 year old in February 2010, aiming for PPL at Jandakot and starting out in C152's. Passed GFPT in October 2010, converted to C172's then flew only about 10 hours late 2010/early 2011 before moving my training to Bunbury in February 2102 for navigation and hopefully PPL. Did 3 dual navs and a solo before having a wrestle with CASA over the type of vision correction I use (a special type of contact lens). They wouldn't budge, I wouldn't budge, and I ended up shelving it with the prize in sight. (Even passed my PPL theory exam). I never thought it would be 6 and a half years until I got back in the air. But one day about 6 weeks ago, I looked into it again and started discovering how things had changed in GA & RA since 2012. So first I converted my GFPT to RPL (just because I could), and made the cutoff date of August 31 for a no-charge conversion with about a day to spare. Then I Googled 'flight training in perth'; clicked on a few links; made a few calls; and found myself going down the RAAus path. I had found that the cost of GA training was becoming prohibitive (for a man of my modest means), and that the cost of RA was very affordable. So I've embarked on a GA to RA conversion, flying J170's. I've had 4 hours covering off all the usual basics, plus stalls, some circuits, and FLWOP. It was just a little bit different from a Cessna, I can tell you! (although I'm sure many of you would know) but it came back to me quicker than I thought it would, although the stick vs yoke thing, with the throttle on the wrong side (tongue-in-cheek) took a little getting used to. So, hopefully not too far from getting an RA pilot certificate, then on to 'cross country' and my original dream of flying further afield. The best thing though, is it seems that there is a path from RA to GA, so if I wanted to switch back to GA, or do both, then I can. That's probably always been the case, but it seems so much clearer now. Anyhow this post is already way too long, so I'll post my questions later. Feeling a bit pumped about being back in the air. Cheers Mick

I went down to the school this morning and picked up my log book no problem. I just told them I was moving to another school and that was that. It's quite a large school and flying club and I didn't know the instructor I spoke to. He didn't ask why I was moving, just checked that my hours were certified and handed me the book.

Looks great and the price is the same as other simulators without the full motion. When one of these comes to Perth (or I go to Katoomba) I'd be giving it a go.

Thanks All. I don't think the school will try to hold onto the log book, I guess I was more asking now that I am no longer with the school can I take it home or does it have to stay with the school and get transferred along with my training records when I sign up elsewhere. Edit: And now I see the response by av8vfr probably answers my question.

Hi All First post in quite a while. In fact I haven't flown since March last year for one reason or another. I'd achieved GFPT and was looking forward to going on to PPL but got bogged down in study for the theory exam, bad weather and, on a more postive note, an extended overseas trip. Anyway I've passed the theory exam and I'm ready to launch back into it. I'll be moving from the flying school I've been at since ab-initio to a more reasonably priced school in the country. Now to my question: Is my logbook, which my current flying school insists remain with them at all times, mine to collect and take home, or must it be kept by the school? In which case I assume it would be transferred along with all my training notes to the new school. Interested to hear from other student pilots. Cheers Mick

My partner gave me a tandem jump for my birthday in January. It was a huge thrill, a great experience and one I'm glad I had. I don't think it would become a regular thing for me though. But flying is another thing entirely. Got a TIF for last year's birthday and signed up immediately. Mick

I think this is still on topic... Are there many/any out there who have a GA and a RA license and maintain both? Just interested.

Good work Powerin. I for one can vouch for that. I had a bad time in the circuit for a couple of weeks but the support and good wishes of plenty of members on this site gave me a boost and I got through it. I'm sure I would have done it anyway but it was very reassuring to hear from experienced pilots who had gone through the same experience. As it turned out around 20 hours later I had my GFPT and I'm now working towards PPL. Bound to be the odd wall standing in the way of that too. Cheers Mick

I very recently changed my life insurance to another underwriter and when I disclosed that I was a recreational pilot they were only interested in how many hours per year I was flying. No questions about the type of flying e.g. aeros. It seems that (at least with this mainstream insurer) if you fly 100 hours or less in a year then they are happy enough with that and there are no premium loadings or exclusions. I only wish I could afford to fly more than 2 hours per week! Mick

Training with the Royal Aero Club. I followed with interest the thread on your quest for a spin recovery session at the club. That was one of the parts of the flight test I was a bit nervous about. But I've done several now in my training and it all went well. The CFI asked me if I'd like to do a couple of full revolutions before I recovered from the spin. I said I think I'll stick with the incipient spin recovery if it's all the same to you!

As unlikely as it seemed to me when I was struggling with circuits just a few months ago I passed my GFPT yesterday. Feeling pretty good about that and looking forward to moving on to navs and my PPL. To any new starters that may be feeling like it's a bit too much, stick with it because it will all come together. Cheers Mick

Great news, Darky. You are where I aspire to be. Cheers Mick

Had my first training area solo on Saturday and it was the biggest buzz I've ever had in my life. My first solo circuit was right up there but I have to say that picking up the keys and getting in the C152 from scratch, taking off and flying a full circuit of the training area (Jandakot to Mandurah - Pinjarra - Hills then home), entering the circuit and putting it down tidily was without doubt my greatest personal achievement. How about you? Cheers Mick

Howdy Chris I'm a late starter myself at 46 and like most I wish I'd got around to it sooner. Enjoy the site, there's a lot to be gained from keeping a regular eye on it. And the people around here are real friendly. Cheers Mick

Onya, Horsefeathers. Did it myself a few weeks ago and I still have the smile to prove it. Cheers Mick

Hi Steph I started out with two lessons a week up to about 6 weeks (12 hours) then scaled back to one a week. I found that the frequent lessons early on were definitely to my advantage while I was becoming familiar with what had previously been a totally foreign experience. I totally agree with Sharp End, I'm sure I would have taken longer to solo (and therefore paid more) if I hadn't had the regular lessons early on. Once I was flying the circuits well I dropped back to a lesson a week concentrating on landings until that magic day when my FI sent me up solo. My vote is for intensive lessons if you can afford them. Just my opinion, of course. Mick

After my instructor threw me the keys and said "take her around the block" I went up and did a fairly reasonable circuit. I was lined up on Final and preparing for my best landing ever ;) when the Tower told me to go around. I thought I had done something wrong, so put the power on and prepared for another circuit. Got an instruction for an early crosswind and join mid-downwind, then set up another Final. Put it down quite tidily. On the ground my instructor assured me I had done nothing wrong, and it was some other traffic that resulted in the go-around instruction (although I didn't really get a full explanation). It seems he wasn't too impressed with the Tower given that it was my first solo. But I had no problem coping with it, all ended well and I got a lap and a half for my first time up alone. Cheers Mick

G'day Steve, Welcome from another Perth member. I'm wondering if the 1964 in your handle is an indicator of your year of birth? If it is then you and I are from the same year and taking up flying at the same age. Wish I'd done it years ago. I'd considered the Aviation Academy in Wylie - they sound pretty well organised - however decided to stay closer to home and for the time being I'm learning at Jandakot. Cheers Mick

Hey, guess what? You really do get better with practise! Had my first solo circuit this morning (actually a circuit and a half, but that's another story). Can't keep the smile off my face. Cheers Mick

Funny really. I first knew how badly I wanted to fly as a result of a flight I never went on. Back in my first year of high school my best friend's brother was a young commercial pilot and for my friend's birthday the brother told him to invite his two best friends and we'd take a flight in a light a/c to Rottnest Island (from Jandakot) for the day. I got the nod as one of the two friends and I've got to tell you I had never been so excited about anything in my life. Well the flight got cancelled for some no-good reason I can't remember now, but ever since that time I talked about how much I wanted to fly (and talked about it, and talked about it). Thirty five years down the track I was still talking about it, so my partner (whose Dad was an airline pilot for years) gave me a TIF for my birthday this year. Signed on for lessons immediately!

I'm currently doing 2 lessons a week and I really feel like I could do a third and maybe a fourth now that I'm onto circuits. There's no way I'd like to do less than 2 a week because I need to put into practise all the subtleties that arise from each new round of circuits. I'm sure I'd forget if I didn't get to practise them. It's not cheap doing concentrated lessons but I believe it's false economy to stretch them out. You do have to acknowledge however that for some (most?) of us funds are limited and if you can only afford a lesson a fortnight then it's better than no lessons at all.

Made a better effort on Saturday. Maybe two steps forward... Mick

I like that! :thumb_up: I'm only 9 hours in, so I know I can't expect too much in the competence department, but not having any flying friends with whom to discuss my progress (or lack of) I thought I'd put it out there and see how others were handling it at this stage. Thanks again for all the positive feedback. Mick

I do this also. In fact I have a sheet of paper (soon to be several sheets of paper I suspect) titled "Things to remember from this lesson" and I write down all the things the instructor has picked me up on. The idea for me is to not repeat the same mistakes, because I know I'll be making plenty of new ones. Mick