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Update: 8/7/07 While training I found that discussing it on various forums and keeping the diary helped me think and put into words a bit better some of the things that helped and hindered, and thought it may be useful to write some of them down in a slightly more structured form. The "HowTo" of learning to fly is therefore now available as a PDF. It's not a "How To Fly An Aeroplane", because I'm not a flying instructor. It is a "How To Learn To Fly An Aeroplane."
In fact from about halfway through it could be "How To Learn Almost Anything!" Part of my day job is teaching adults, so some of that has spilled over here, especially the parts about coping with the theory materials and written exams.
I started this page partly because I wanted to be able to remember, when I'm all licensed up and flying, how hard I worked to get there and how good it felt, and partly as a revision aid--writing down what I remembered from each lesson while it was still fresh in my mind.
I passed my skills test on 16/7/06, a year to the day after my first solo, and some two and a half years after starting training, and amounting to 47 hours and 55 minutes in the air. (And probably somewhat more spent on the writeups!)
I've enjoyed it so much I find I still don't want to shut up about it so the 'sequel' "ongoing scribblings of a novice PPL" is an account of my current efforts.
Particular thanks are due to many people, including:
Everyone at the Cambrian Flying Club, especially Derek for the endless lifts to and from the railways station, the instructors, Laurie, Keith and Carl, who not only patiently put up with my cack-handedness but also my wurbling about it to the world at large.
The various forumites populating Flyer and UKGA for constant encouragement, in particular those who I daren't name for fear of missing someone who took me flying, and continue to give so generously of their time and their aeroplanes to encourage other students.
To anyone who recognises themselves herein I must apologise for any mistakes of misremembering and assure you I think you're all wonderful people!
Part 1: Early Days
Deciding that "yep I'd like a go at that", up through to starting
in the circuit. Adventures in general handling and discovering the fun of
getting airborne.
Part 2: Circuits, Circuits, and
More Circuits
Lots and lots of circuits, interspersed with the occasional
trip to remind myself that aeroplanes can turn right and
fly above a thousand feet from time to time. First solo and consolidation
flying.
Part 3: Going Places
Learning to fly to somewhere, ongoing battles
with weather, and eventually - the pay off!
Days Out
Collected accounts of the non-training trips the various generous
souls mentioned above have let a clueless student come along on. (Also listed
in the main diary)
Learning To Fly: How To
While training I found that discussing it on various forums and keeping the
diary helped me think and put into words a bit better some of the things that
helped and hindered, and thought it may be useful to write some of them down
in a slightly more structured form. It's not a "How To Fly An Aeroplane",
because I'm not a flying instructor. It is a "How To Learn
To Fly An Aeroplane." In fact from about halfway through it could be
"How To Learn Almost Anything!" Part of my day job is teaching adults,
so some of that has spilled over here, especially the parts about coping with
the theory materials and written exams.
