Mon Mar 07, 2022 10:48 am
#1902544
There are threads here for the LAPL/PPL course which I find rather interesting and enjoy following all of your progress, really does bring back fond memories from way back.
I have looked for threads on further training, but they seem to be a little thin on the ground.
With this in mind and as I am going to be a student pilot all over again, would anyone be interested in a thread of my experience(s), warts included, of training to be come a flight instructor over the course of the next few months?
I cannot promise to update every day as I am expecting to be very busy with a lot of homework each night at the hotel and I do need to find time to eat but I will try and keep the thread going as and when able.
By way of a starter here is a little introduction.
I’ve always been interested in becoming an instructor and this probably stems from some unofficial, but requested via our then CFI, mentoring I really enjoyed at the flying club a few years prior to the excellent CRI certificate came into being.
I have been flying since ’98 although I did have seven years away from flying between 2011-18 when my wife eventually told me to go and renew my medical and SEP(L) as she was fed up with me talking about flying but not actually doing anything about it. Seemed to be every month when the latest Flyer Magazine dropped through the door, I would say that’s it, I’m off flying again! I am not completely sure as to how I let it go seven years.
A couple of months later I had obtained an EASA Class 2 medical, received some training and managed to convince an examiner I was safe to be let loose again and that was without any backhanders. A few weeks later I had my new EASA PPL(A) & Night Rating delivered via FedEx. I also hold a lapsed IMC/IR(R) and FAA CPL/IR (SE-ME) with ~750 total hours. Since then, I have bought a share in a lovely Piper Archer II based at Prestwick.
Late on in ’18 I discussed a couple of routes to become an instructor with my wife and she was so supportive my Christmas present that year was a CPL(A) Theoretical Course. Decision made for me then. I was going to try and pass these exams and gain an FI as opposed to the CRI. In terms of pre-requisites, I already met all requirements for the FI and CRI.
Ten months later and after a lot of sweat, blood and near tears I had passed all thirteen EASA CPL(A) Theory Exams. Phew! As a treat I visited my parents in Cardiff a month or so later and was checked out on a Beagle Pup I used to fly before moving to Scotland, very happy memories.
Was booked in to undertake an FIC in 2020 and we all know what happened two years ago! Re-booked for spring 2021 but because I had not flown during lockdown and had not the necessary five hours SEP in the previous six months prior to commencing the FIC I postponed the course. Due to work commitments and the fact it is at least a six-week course I had to re-negotiate a lot of annual leave with my employer, the best I could do was Spring 2022.
I’ve been flying regularly since the last lockdown, end of April 2021 and have been checked out in the right-hand seat of the group Archer and the clubs Robin which I hope has helped me prepare a little for the flying aspect of the course.
The course kicks off with the pre-entry test on 21st March and I suppose if I don't meet the grade then it's game over before we even start!
Will be training at Tatenhill, predominately in the PA28 Archer II but will also need to breathe in (a lot) to haul myself into a C152 for spin exercises.
I have looked for threads on further training, but they seem to be a little thin on the ground.
With this in mind and as I am going to be a student pilot all over again, would anyone be interested in a thread of my experience(s), warts included, of training to be come a flight instructor over the course of the next few months?
I cannot promise to update every day as I am expecting to be very busy with a lot of homework each night at the hotel and I do need to find time to eat but I will try and keep the thread going as and when able.
By way of a starter here is a little introduction.
I’ve always been interested in becoming an instructor and this probably stems from some unofficial, but requested via our then CFI, mentoring I really enjoyed at the flying club a few years prior to the excellent CRI certificate came into being.
I have been flying since ’98 although I did have seven years away from flying between 2011-18 when my wife eventually told me to go and renew my medical and SEP(L) as she was fed up with me talking about flying but not actually doing anything about it. Seemed to be every month when the latest Flyer Magazine dropped through the door, I would say that’s it, I’m off flying again! I am not completely sure as to how I let it go seven years.
A couple of months later I had obtained an EASA Class 2 medical, received some training and managed to convince an examiner I was safe to be let loose again and that was without any backhanders. A few weeks later I had my new EASA PPL(A) & Night Rating delivered via FedEx. I also hold a lapsed IMC/IR(R) and FAA CPL/IR (SE-ME) with ~750 total hours. Since then, I have bought a share in a lovely Piper Archer II based at Prestwick.
Late on in ’18 I discussed a couple of routes to become an instructor with my wife and she was so supportive my Christmas present that year was a CPL(A) Theoretical Course. Decision made for me then. I was going to try and pass these exams and gain an FI as opposed to the CRI. In terms of pre-requisites, I already met all requirements for the FI and CRI.
Ten months later and after a lot of sweat, blood and near tears I had passed all thirteen EASA CPL(A) Theory Exams. Phew! As a treat I visited my parents in Cardiff a month or so later and was checked out on a Beagle Pup I used to fly before moving to Scotland, very happy memories.
Was booked in to undertake an FIC in 2020 and we all know what happened two years ago! Re-booked for spring 2021 but because I had not flown during lockdown and had not the necessary five hours SEP in the previous six months prior to commencing the FIC I postponed the course. Due to work commitments and the fact it is at least a six-week course I had to re-negotiate a lot of annual leave with my employer, the best I could do was Spring 2022.
I’ve been flying regularly since the last lockdown, end of April 2021 and have been checked out in the right-hand seat of the group Archer and the clubs Robin which I hope has helped me prepare a little for the flying aspect of the course.
The course kicks off with the pre-entry test on 21st March and I suppose if I don't meet the grade then it's game over before we even start!
Will be training at Tatenhill, predominately in the PA28 Archer II but will also need to breathe in (a lot) to haul myself into a C152 for spin exercises.