Class of 2012 & Achievements 2012

[Highland Park]

As one of the forum lurkers as a rule, I don't tend to post much, but thanks to the unending patience of Gerry Honey (with help from Andrew Castleden, Linda Smith and Peter Harris in the past) and the team at Old Buckenham, I finally achieved my dream today and passed my Skills Test under the very watchful gaze of Howard Barber, my examiner. There were times when I thought it would never happen and it hasn't sunk in yet, but I guess today is the first step on a new road with so much to learn....

[Rob P]

Ian, I am so pleased for you.

But trust you to choose the crappest flying year in living memory.

Don't let those skills get rusty, get out there and fly some soon

Real congratulations!

Rob P

And if you'd like a passenger at any time, just yell.

[DavidC]

All updated. Congrats to everyone for persisting in this (err) persistent rain.
A couple of new categories too - nice to see people still taking the CRI which you can now get paid for without having a CPL

Hope things can pickup during the second half of the year - we've had a really great start on this thread and it would be good to see the trend continue

Don't be shy - even if it was months ago, more than happy to hear of any successes throughout the year.

[Cityflyer]

Have recently completed the taildragger differences training on a Chipmunk at RAF Henlow.

Cityflyer

[RMurphy195]

Despite my despondence on my landing performance (will I ever get it ?) a friend reminded me yesterday evening that I passed a key milestone a week or so ago by completing the 7th and last PPL theory exam. Does this count for the achievements list?

[DavidC]

@RMurphy - I'm still wondering if I'll improve my landing performance, but have no doubt you'll have that Eureka moment when it all comes together.

Pleased to hear you've got the exams out if the way - I guess you may still have the radio practical to do - but I don't think it's quite such a major milestone. If you had done the IR theory then that would be a different matter.

Let us know when you've solo-ed - that will be major breakthrough !!

[timcbr]

First solo flown today in great weather at Limoges in France. Really hasn't sunk in yet and it all seemed to go so quickly. Absolutely buzzing.

[Asnumby]

Now second from last in the unemployed pilots soup kitchen queue!

[rats404]

Just passed my IMC rating flight test at Cambridge. Now watching the Olympics with a nice glass of merlot. I hadn't realised how much self imposed pressure I had put myself under over the last six months until about an hour after I got home and felt the weight lifting off my shoulders.

A brilliant course I thoroughly recommend to any PPL who hasn't done it.

Rats404

P.S. now pondering what's next...

[DavidC]

All updated.

@timcbr: Presumably you are doing this at Nearly Heaven (or whatever Sue Virr's school is called now). Sounds like the weather down there and lack of Atlas makes for ideal learning conditions.

@rats404: Good to see another IMC rating, that makes 7 recorded here this year so far. Given the weather, you'll probably get good use out of it for the rest of the summer. I just realised that you only revalidated your PPL in January (after a 17 year break), good to see you've been able to get back up to speed and onto the advanced course so quickly.

There seems to have been a considerable drop off of progress in this thread over the last couple of months - presumably the weather and Olympics have taken their toll. Hope to see a few more achievements recorded in the next month or so, on the basis of better weather and Atlas control disappearing. If you've omitted to list yours on this thread so far (even if its a little outdated), don't be shy...

[Jon H]

Just got my CPL/ME/IR from the CAA today

Now comes the hard bit - looking for jobs.

[DavidC]

@Jon - Can you state when you passed your skills test(s). I don't know if you do separate ones for each of CPL and IR, but if so I can add them to the record.

[Jon H]

Ok, it's been a long journey. Here are the dates:

CPL: 06/12/11
MEP: 01/02/12
IR: 17/05/12

[davekes]

Just to add to the thread, only my fourth ever post.

I started my PPL training mid December 2011 and completed my skills test on 21st April. I then passed my IMC skills test on 12th July.

I feel that I still have so much to learn, in fact I am now undertaking ATPL theory via distance learning.

I am loving every minute of the journey into aviation.

[montyyorks]

My first post, but been lurking for a few months now.

I previously passed my PPL in 2000, and last flew in 2004. My licence expired in 2005. I've finally revalidated my SEP rating this week, after about 10 lessons over the last couple of months. I realise now how much I enjoyed flying, and I'll never let my rating expire again.

My only decision now is whether I renew my JAR licence now, or wait until September 17 for an EASA licence. I'm so eager to fly that I don't know if I can wait until October for an EASA licence to drop through the letterbox.