Any pilots here?

[shifty_uk]

I havent read the thread as the posts are quite chunky so hard to read on my mobile but I went on a couple of lessons a couple of years ago and I'd highly recommend it. It was a strange sensation for me and despite being highly interested, I didn't enjoy the sensation as much as i thought i would. Perhaps it's down to my motion sickness but i had higher hopes.

I've always said that if I sold my businesses earlier in life, I'd retain and become an airline pilot, the interest is still very much there from the technical aspects to the flying itself. Perhaps i'll give it another bash in a year or two.

 

[Andelusion]

I flew the Concorde simulator at BAE in Bristol from Heathrow to JFK and back.


I crash landed at Heathrow and killed everyone on board. It was a day of mixed emotion.

This got several extended lols from me

Top posting would read again

 

[Hodders]

I've done about 10 solo paramotor flights now. Got a couple of exercises to get signed off before I've finished my basic training. Great fun, the magic flying armchair I always dreamed of.

 

[coolsurfer]

I can fly, I'm pilot!

 

[Narj]

I've done about 10 solo paramotor flights now. Got a couple of exercises to get signed off before I've finished my basic training. Great fun, the magic flying armchair I always dreamed of.

Did you do a load of PG solo hours first?

I've been flying the hang glider again recently and I don't think anything else can replace that sensation, however I'm still keen to try paramotor after seeing the guys in the club post their videos of bimbling around above the clouds...

 

[Bonjour]

Not a pilot nor know any but any job will quickly lose its splendor when you're doing the same thing. Like flying over an ocean or nondescript land for hours at a time.

When in Las Vegas, we went on a helicopter trip to the base of the Grand Canyon. The pilot said he had the best job in the world; flying over the Hoover Dam and into the Grand Canyon. The scenery was amazing and he said he never tired of it.

 

[panthro]

My friend is a pilot for BA and all he does is complain about how much he hates his job.

 

[Kuros]

Yeah, flying a chopper or plane giving tours to tourists sounds fun.

Flying a 747 across the Atlantic 3 times a week seems tedious and boring.

 

[thingemajib]

My friend is a pilot for BA and all he does is complain about how much he hates his job.

Tell him I'll happily swap with him, email's in trust...

 

[shifty_uk]

My friend is a pilot for BA and all he does is complain about how much he hates his job.

On what grounds? Poor working conditions? Poor routes? No hot air hostesses?

 

[The Funktopus]

I would like to know if you think you can land a real 747.

Back when I used to have a gaming PC, I used to use Precision Manual's 747-400 add on in FSX, and Level D's 767-300ER, which are authentic system simulators. I think if I found myself on a 747 or 767, and the pilots had "had the fish", I'd have a pretty good idea how to programme the flight management system and flight director for a full Cat III ILS auto landing.

Doubt I'd be able to land it manually though.

 

[neodude]

I think if I found myself on a 747 or 767, and the pilots had "had the fish", I'd have a pretty good idea how to programme the flight management system and flight director for a full Cat III ILS auto landing.

I reckon I'd manage this too. Probably crash the thing while taxiing to the gate though

 

[Gixer]

Back when I used to have a gaming PC, I used to use Precision Manual's 747-400 add on in FSX, and Level D's 767-300ER, which are authentic system simulators. I think if I found myself on a 747 or 767, and the pilots had "had the fish", I'd have a pretty good idea how to programme the flight management system and flight director for a full Cat III ILS auto landing.

Doubt I'd be able to land it manually though.

I have PMDG's 777 and like to think I could just about manage this too. That said I suspect ATC would simply give you headings to follow, altitudes to climb or descend to and you just sit there turning knobs on the MCP. I'd like to have a go at landing a heavy though not sure I'd do it as smoothly as I can in a glider.

The one thing I wouldn't like about flying long haul all the time is the conditions you are sat in. I was chatting to a BA long haul pilot at my gliding club and he says due to advances in technology on the 787 it is a nicer place to be than the older gen aircraft.

 

[Gixer]

I reckon I'd manage this too. Probably crash the thing while taxiing to the gate though

Doubt they'd let you taxi sadly You'd just have to figure out how to carry out an engine shutdown. I'm sure I read somewhere recently that SOPs of some airlines only allow the captain to taxi. I read how the captain became incapacitated and therefore after the first officer successfully landed the aircraft it had to stay on the runway. Some aircraft do not have a tiller fitted on the first officers side. I thought that a bit strange myself but guess it has to be for a reason.

 

[SPG]

Remember..

Those who cant really fly, fly fixed wings.

Oh and being a captain is not worth the extra money for the amount of Grief/responsibility.

 

[Hodders]

Did you do a load of PG solo hours first?

I've been flying the hang glider again recently and I don't think anything else can replace that sensation, however I'm still keen to try paramotor after seeing the guys in the club post their videos of bimbling around above the clouds...

Nope, straight onto powered. The was about 3 days of wing hanging on the ground practising forward and reverse launches. Several theory lessons, basic air law etc. Then my first flight with the instructor on a radio.

Crazy thing is the sport is unlicensed so there is no legal need (other than a wish not to die) for any training. I keep thinking it's only a matter of time before an idiot buys the kit on eBay and hurts themselves or others.

 

[esmozz]

Oh and being a captain is not worth the extra money for the amount of Grief/responsibility.

Yes it is, actually.

 

[1pudding1]

Definately! True some days are tough, but most are as you make them as you set the tone and can be laid back and chilled and just read newspapers all day if you so wish.

 

[Dynix]

Is there anyone else currently doing their PPL? Looking back I see there was some mentions of it when I previously replied.

I started around this time last year but had to take a break at the end of March due to moving house, started again at the beginning of October. I'm bang on 42 hours at the moment, 41 day / 1 night, and trying to get my solo QXC done but cancelled 5 times so far due to weather! So not far off for me now. Hopefully the weather is clear enough some time next week. Partner got me a new GoPro for Christmas so looking forward to recording some of the flight.

Plans are getting the Night Rating (hopefully finish this before I get to the skills test), few months of fun taking friends/family up and visiting lots of airfields, IR(R) then looking to start ATPLs later this year.

 

[Gixer]

I will be looking to do my NPPL once I have my Gliding Bronze & XC endorsement as once I have those it is only a 10 hour conversion time I think to get A on my license though I will require a further two hours in the club Robin as I'll carry out my NPPL lessons in a Falke motor glider.

Good luck for finishing your PPL off, doesn't sound like you're far away from that now at all.