Welcome!

I have decided to make an attempt at becoming a private pilot and I thought it would be a good idea to share my progress with you. Learning to fly is a challenging and interesting experience, from which I hope to have plenty of stories and photos to share along the way. So far I have had three lessons over the past month, details of which I'll post separately.

Why flying?

Throughout the course of my life there has been some sort of connection and interest one way or another with the world of aviation. In recent years I have become even more closely connected and decided it was about time to get hands-on and have a go gaining the coveted Private Pilots Licence.Put simply, it is just something I want to do. At the end of it all you get to say "I'm a pilot"!!

What’s it like?

Flying a small aircraft is a fully immersive experience that stimulates all the senses intensely.  It is not enjoyable to all people and fragile or sensitive characters ought to remain earth-based. Actually, I took my first flight when I was quite young, at 18. I found the experience overwhelming and decided not to persue it. But 11 years later I have learnt to love the droning of the engine, the smell of the fuel and the background buzz of air traffic control chatter in the ears. The physical sensation is not easy to describe in words, but as the 'plane lifts off the runway an involuntary grin forms across ones gob.

Fairoaks Airport. The clubhouse is located by '06'

The Aircraft, the club, the licence.

I went to recce a few airfields to find out how it all works. Settling on my nearest airfield for convenience I chose LTFC http://www.ltfc.org.uk/ at Fairoaks airport as a place to fly from. It located about 10 miles SSW of Heathrow airport and the airspace is rather busy with several restrictions. The club there is friendly and has a no nonsense attitude that impressed me.  After an initial meeting with an instructor and an introductory flight I was set.

My aim is to train and reach a standard so that I can pass the practical test giving you licence to fly at your own leisure, much like the UK driving test. There are 7 theory exams and a practical test. If I pass this then I can fly on my own or with passengers, but only for fun. To earn money flying you require an expensive commercial pilots licence. Lets not go there!

The aircraft of choice is the Piper Warrior PA-28. It’s the Vauxhall Astra of the Skies! Built and designed in 1960s America , reliability,  ruggedness and simplicity are key principles making this 4-seater a popular choice for most trainee pilots. Another option is the lighter, smaller Cessna 152 but I looked at this and it looks too small!

So what’s next? 

Well, there will certainly be many more lessons to come. Whats not certain is how long it could take. Some people spend a couple of years learning before they accumulate the required 45 logbook hours to attempt the test. Hopefully I can keep updating this blog with photos and brief reports on a regular and predictable basis. I doubt there’ll be a shortage of things to say. I try to keep it short n’ sweet because I know your time is precious. But do try to stay watching this space. I’d like to encourage people to comment. All I ask is you refrain from spooky anonymous posting. Do enjoy and be in touch.

Bye for now,

Andy