Learning to fly, or thinking of learning? Post your questions, comments and experiences here

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By T6Harvard
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1801181
Yes, JAFO, my instructor is not happy about it. He turns down slots unless it is for his studes but he was booked solid until Nov anyway, hence my 2 late times and a few weeks wait.
It'll work out fine eventually and if I shape up OK I know my instructor will do his best to fit me in!
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By cockney steve
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1801312
These "gift-flight" vouchers often have an expiry date and, naturally enough, the recipient will become disillusioned if they're assured that, even though it's expired, their voucher will be honoured......then they see several fine-weather days come and go, without the anticipated call. Trying to juggle the aircraft availability, the student/pax availability. the weather window and the runway availability all compounded with Covid precautions and restrictions, must be pretty difficult.
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By Rob P
#1801697
cockney steve wrote:These "gift-flight" vouchers often have an expiry date.


A steady 7% of experience vouchers will not ever be redeemed. A bonus earner for the operators.

Rob P
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By tommyp1441
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#1804269
Well, another 1.3 hours in the book today, and 1.1 yesterday. I'm glad I booked this week off as the weather up/down/over here has been ok, although I'm not convinced about Thurs/Fri/Sat - depends on crosswind more than anything else.

Yesterday was climbing and descending, and today turns and even managed some stalls. I'm really starting to feel like I'm getting the hang of it today - yesterday I was frustrated that I couldn't keep my heading accurate in the climb, but it felt much better today, and rolling out onto a specific heading was a lot more accurate. FlightRadar24 track says otherwise, but I'm pretty pleased anyway!

Also had my medical this afternoon - slightly concerned as I don't have a result yet, pending a second check of the ECG result...fingers & toes crossed, if you hear nothing from me ever again I'll be off sulking somewhere...


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By T6Harvard
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#1804409
Good to hear you are benefitting from the week's lessons. I still think it's cheating though...... I have to wait till next Tuesday for my third lesson. I have now booked weekly (and a couple of twice week) slots till Christmas, living in hope!

Hope the next 3 days are flyable for you and that your medical comes through asap. Did you decide to go for PPL rather than LAPL?

Thanks for posting your flightradar track.
I was really miffed not to be able to review my track last lesson and show MrT6 where I had been. Seems the xpdr wasn't on?! I shall query this next week.
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By tommyp1441
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#1804417
I have a very understanding boss! But it does feel a bit cheeky sneaking out in the week, I have to admit.
I’m glad you’ve got the voucher ‘thing’ sorted - definitely good to get those lessons booked and it’s something to look forward to!

Still no answer on the medical...now concerned, but I’ll let you know what happens. Went for a class 2 initial for PPL, so if this isn’t good news, I’ll be interested to know what my options are
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By Paul_Sengupta
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#1804453
T6Harvard wrote: I was really miffed not to be able to review my track last lesson and show MrT6 where I had been. Seems the xpdr wasn't on?! I shall query this next week.


It may not even have a Mode S transponder.

If you want to review tracks, I'd suggest having a GPS logging your flight somewhere in the aeroplane (not necessarily visible to you). This can be a phone or a tablet or a specific GPS device, it doesn't matter.
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By Nero
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#1804458
tommyp1441 wrote:I have a very understanding boss! But it does feel a bit cheeky sneaking out in the week, I have to admit.


I feel exactly the same... Like what if the boss calls when I'm up there or one of my team? Just feels like taking the Michael

Oh and on the flight logging thing, I always start up skydemon on my phone and then pop it in my flight bag on the seat behind me. Tracks the flights beautifully and is clever enough to break it up when I land so I can see my solo parts now

~ Scott
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By UncleT
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1804468
tommyp1441 wrote:Still no answer on the medical...now concerned, but I’ll let you know what happens. Went for a class 2 initial for PPL, so if this isn’t good news, I’ll be interested to know what my options are


I had to have my recent ECG given a second review by a consultant and that took a while also, but the message eventually came back that there was nothing to worry about. Fingers crossed it will be the same for you.

The delay is most likely not because they are deliberating over whether it is OK or not, but rather because they are a bit busy and have not got around to looking at it yet.
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By tommyp1441
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#1804473
UncleT wrote:
I had to have my recent ECG given a second review by a consultant and that took a while also, but the message eventually came back that there was nothing to worry about. Fingers crossed it will be the same for you.

The delay is most likely not because they are deliberating over whether it is OK or not, but rather because they are a bit busy and have not got around to looking at it yet.


That’s very reassuring, thank you. Been referred to a cardiac specialist for an extra test, but also been told that I’m ok to fly so...hoping it’s all good!
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By Nero
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1804474
I had to have a second test too at a hospital after the first one said possible scaring from a possible heart attack. Came back that there was absolutely nothing wrong at all and never had a heart attack... (I did think I would've noticed)

So stay confident! The first one can be a tad inaccurate/unclear :)

~ Scott
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By T6Harvard
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1804486
Thanks @Paul_Sengupta and @Nero .
Another thing to buy then, Sky Demon!

I have just been doing my homework ready for next Tues but forecast is very gusty..... fingers crossed though, my last lesson looked like a certain canx but I drove down anyway and it went ahead :D
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By Paul_Sengupta
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#1804514
While I would whole heartedly recommend Sky Demon, at this early stage in your training you could just use a free app to log your flights. Have a look here, and ignore the thread drift...

https://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=101314

Apparently EasyVFR Free will log your flight and export it to google earth.
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By T6Harvard
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1804553
Paul_Sengupta wrote:While I would whole heartedly recommend Sky Demon, at this early stage in your training you could just use a free app to log your flights. Have a look here, and ignore the thread drift...

https://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=101314

Apparently EasyVFR Free will log your flight and export it to google earth.


Thank you, Paul, that's great advice, much appreciated.