FLYER Club Member (reader)
Good afternoon everyone!
Having lurked on the forum for a month or so and being inspired by the other intrepid aviators on here, I’ve finally decided to begin my descent through the metaphorical cloud layer, introduce myself and start sharing my journey towards (hopefully) becoming a private pilot. I’m not going to lay claim to being a fantastic author but will do my best to entertain and remain humble knowing that there will always be a lot to learn.
The opportunity to become a pilot has always been one that has been a bit too far out of reach. I recall answering a bunch of aptitude questions on a careers computer programme back in the mid 90’s when I was in my early teens and probably had more than a faint whiff of Lynx Africa. The computer suggested pilot as the number one choice. Obviously, I would have been really pleased by that but didn’t really have any idea how to go about it. I looked at joining ATC but I wasn’t a strong enough character to overcome my parents objections and I guess I let the dream fade.
Another failed attempt to get into aviation passed me by; a trail lesson as a birthday gift at the age of 20. Sadly, this went unrealised due to starting university and having more important things to do like £1 a pint nights at the student union and the small matter of an engineering degree.
Fast forward another 20 years and fast approaching 40 I decided that I’d put it off for long enough at at the start of June booked myself a trial lesson on a lovely mid-week afternoon. Whilst I’ve always enjoyed being a passenger on a commercial flight, this was my first taste of GA and my smile was ear to ear as runway 07 disappeared beneath us. Honestly it was all a bit overwhelming. Whilst I loved the experience, I was only too aware of how much was going on in the cockpit and for a while I was wondering to myself, how on earth an I going to learn all of this if I decide to go forward and begins lessons.
I took a couple of weeks to mull it over, check finances, convince my better half that I was serious and decided to take the plunge and then enrolled myself with Semet Aviation at Blackbushe Airport.
I’ve opted for a PA28 to learn in, why?, because I like the look of it. I’ve certainly not been disappointed with my choice.My lessons started at the end of June and to say I’ve been lucky with the weather has been an understatement, no cancellations as yet!
Currently I’m sitting at 7h 27m flight time with a Class 2 medical in hand and Air Law and Ops behind me. The Instruction I’ve received so far has been fantastic, calm and patient whilst I get to grips with coordinating limbs that seem to take on minds of their own when a bit of pressure is applied. Hopefully as I progress more of it becomes ‘don’t think, just do’!
I’m due to start circuits on Monday and once again the weather is looking favourable so I’ll do my best to report back with hopefully an equal number of takeoffs and landings.
Ben
Having lurked on the forum for a month or so and being inspired by the other intrepid aviators on here, I’ve finally decided to begin my descent through the metaphorical cloud layer, introduce myself and start sharing my journey towards (hopefully) becoming a private pilot. I’m not going to lay claim to being a fantastic author but will do my best to entertain and remain humble knowing that there will always be a lot to learn.
The opportunity to become a pilot has always been one that has been a bit too far out of reach. I recall answering a bunch of aptitude questions on a careers computer programme back in the mid 90’s when I was in my early teens and probably had more than a faint whiff of Lynx Africa. The computer suggested pilot as the number one choice. Obviously, I would have been really pleased by that but didn’t really have any idea how to go about it. I looked at joining ATC but I wasn’t a strong enough character to overcome my parents objections and I guess I let the dream fade.
Another failed attempt to get into aviation passed me by; a trail lesson as a birthday gift at the age of 20. Sadly, this went unrealised due to starting university and having more important things to do like £1 a pint nights at the student union and the small matter of an engineering degree.
Fast forward another 20 years and fast approaching 40 I decided that I’d put it off for long enough at at the start of June booked myself a trial lesson on a lovely mid-week afternoon. Whilst I’ve always enjoyed being a passenger on a commercial flight, this was my first taste of GA and my smile was ear to ear as runway 07 disappeared beneath us. Honestly it was all a bit overwhelming. Whilst I loved the experience, I was only too aware of how much was going on in the cockpit and for a while I was wondering to myself, how on earth an I going to learn all of this if I decide to go forward and begins lessons.
I took a couple of weeks to mull it over, check finances, convince my better half that I was serious and decided to take the plunge and then enrolled myself with Semet Aviation at Blackbushe Airport.
I’ve opted for a PA28 to learn in, why?, because I like the look of it. I’ve certainly not been disappointed with my choice.My lessons started at the end of June and to say I’ve been lucky with the weather has been an understatement, no cancellations as yet!
Currently I’m sitting at 7h 27m flight time with a Class 2 medical in hand and Air Law and Ops behind me. The Instruction I’ve received so far has been fantastic, calm and patient whilst I get to grips with coordinating limbs that seem to take on minds of their own when a bit of pressure is applied. Hopefully as I progress more of it becomes ‘don’t think, just do’!
I’m due to start circuits on Monday and once again the weather is looking favourable so I’ll do my best to report back with hopefully an equal number of takeoffs and landings.
Ben
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