Sat Oct 05, 2019 2:06 pm
#1723523
First of all, thank you in advance for your replies, and thank you for already being such a wealth of information with other posts and threads, many of which I have read. However I wanted some more specific/tailored advice, and am hoping somebody can give me a few pointers.
About me:
I am a 28 year old doctor living in East London. Since a young age I have had a great interest in flying. Indeed I got a 6th form scholarship to the RAF to work as an ATC, only to decide medicine was more my thing long-term. Anyway, only recently (despite my massive student debt) have I had an income good enough to support getting my PPL and would like some advice on the total basics to getting started. I’ve done 2 lessons so far. One at Stapleford, and one at North Weald. Some of you will know these schools I’m sure. I prefer North Weald (concrete runway, slightly cheaper, better aircraft, preferred the instructor/feel of the place).
I have booked 10 lessons in advance as you get free exams and a slight discount. I heeded the advice of not paying for more than I could afford to lose, and will continue to do this!
I am aiming for an average of 4 lessons a month (weather permitting).
My main questions are:
What kind of materials should I purchase right now? I have only paper record slips of my first 2 lessons, but want to formalise these into a logbook, which I need to purchase. Any good sources? Or just Amazon?
I have no immediate aspirations to become a pilot. Once I have my PPL, what could I do with it (beyond the obvious). Perhaps you guys have some examples? I can imaging taking my friends and family up for a spin, but beyond that, and flying for my own enjoyment at the weekend, what kind of things do you guys do with your licenses?
Any other obvious advice you’d give someone who knows nothing about what they’re getting into?!
Thank you again!
About me:
I am a 28 year old doctor living in East London. Since a young age I have had a great interest in flying. Indeed I got a 6th form scholarship to the RAF to work as an ATC, only to decide medicine was more my thing long-term. Anyway, only recently (despite my massive student debt) have I had an income good enough to support getting my PPL and would like some advice on the total basics to getting started. I’ve done 2 lessons so far. One at Stapleford, and one at North Weald. Some of you will know these schools I’m sure. I prefer North Weald (concrete runway, slightly cheaper, better aircraft, preferred the instructor/feel of the place).
I have booked 10 lessons in advance as you get free exams and a slight discount. I heeded the advice of not paying for more than I could afford to lose, and will continue to do this!
I am aiming for an average of 4 lessons a month (weather permitting).
My main questions are:
What kind of materials should I purchase right now? I have only paper record slips of my first 2 lessons, but want to formalise these into a logbook, which I need to purchase. Any good sources? Or just Amazon?
I have no immediate aspirations to become a pilot. Once I have my PPL, what could I do with it (beyond the obvious). Perhaps you guys have some examples? I can imaging taking my friends and family up for a spin, but beyond that, and flying for my own enjoyment at the weekend, what kind of things do you guys do with your licenses?
Any other obvious advice you’d give someone who knows nothing about what they’re getting into?!
Thank you again!