How does anyone learn to fly in the UK [weather rant]

[Ed]

It's my 3rd cancellation now. I'm a low hours PPL student out of Lydd and I just keep going back to square one. What with the weather being what it is and my huge, inflexible workload, it's going to cost me a fortune at this rate. Are these 'crash course' trips to the US I hear about worth considering?

 

[Ak!ta]

I would consider a "crash course" in a plane to dangerous ...

 

[Adz]

I feel your pain! I'm a newbie PPL student at Shoreham and I've had a lot of lessons cancelled due to weather. So far I've managed 6 hours in 1.5 months as I can only fly at the weekends.

To avoid spending too much time backtracking I've taken to booking 2 lessons - one on the Saturday, one on the Sunday. I was away last weekend but the weekend before I had 2 perfect days.... I learnt loads and 5,000ft over beachy head without a cloud in the sky was just amazing.

I was advised against having a single longer lesson as fatigue sets in quickly but 2 consecutive lessons are really working for me. Even if one is cancelled due to weather, you've still got a very good chance of getting at least 1 hour's flying in per week.

I've got 4pm Saturday and 4pm Sunday booked. Fingers crossed for blue skies .

Good luck with it .

Edit: You can get a PPL for close to half the cost in the UK over in the US or Europe. It all depends if you can take the time off. You'll also (so I'm told) need some time in the UK to familiarise yourself with different procedures, conditions, etc.

 

[Efour]

I thought everyone went to The USA or SA to get their PPLs. Good weather and so much cheaper.

that doesn't help does it?

 

[Blinkz]

Weather will always make things tricky. Going to the US like you say is an option. The problem with this is that you can argue it doesn't prepare you that well for flying in the UK. In the US you will have great weather, generally no airspace and fairly simple RT. In the UK you have to battle bad weather, lots of airspace and more precise RT all at the same time!

however saying that if you really cannot fly often due to work commitments then getting a PPL in the US is probably a viable option. However just bare in mind that it will be a good idea to have some flights with an instructor back in the UK to learn the differences.

 

[Ed]

To avoid spending too much time backtracking I've taken to booking 2 lessons - one on the Saturday, one on the Sunday.

My workload would interfere with this though. I'm actually considering pausing training until I'm in a better position to manage my time.

Edit: You can get a PPL for close to half the cost in the UK over in the US or Europe. It all depends if you can take the time off. You'll also (so I'm told) need some time in the UK to familiarise yourself with different procedures, conditions, etc.

I've heard that due to fuel costs it's a big saving and if you stick to Southern states the conditions are nearly always perfect. I'll have to investigate this further. Although time still plays a big part.

 

[Ed]

Weather will always make things tricky. Going to the US like you say is an option. The problem with this is that you can argue it doesn't prepare you that well for flying in the UK. In the US you will have great weather, generally no airspace and fairly simple RT. In the UK you have to battle bad weather, lots of airspace and more precise RT all at the same time!

however saying that if you really cannot fly often due to work commitments then getting a PPL in the US is probably a viable option. However just bare in mind that it will be a good idea to have some flights with an instructor back in the UK to learn the differences.

I can imagine the workload is a world apart compared to flying in the US which is why I'd dearly love to stick to learning in the UK. You just get so much more experience.

 

[Adz]

My workload would interfere with this though. I'm actually considering pausing training until I'm in a better position to manage my time.

Nah. Strike while the iron's hot otherwise you might find it never happens due to other commitments.

Trust me, I know exactly how you feel WRT time juggling but it's so worth it.

 

[Blinkz]

Its not quite worlds apart but there is a significant difference between the two countries. If your switched on then it shouldn't be a problem. Just do some dual flying back here before you start flexing your newly qualified wings over here.

The weather recently has been worse then normal, however even someone doing it full time in the UK I'd be impressed if they could do it in less then 6 months or so. The weather just never plays ball.

I'm planning on getting my FI in the near future, maybe we should setup a Ocuk flying club hehe

 

[Ed]

Nah. Strike while the iron's hot otherwise you might find it never happens due to other commitments.

Trust me, I know exactly how you feel WRT time juggling but it's so worth it.

I've just been on the phone to Liz, my instructor and she's put this afternoons lesson back to 10am next Tuesday. Now, I'll take the slot but I have to make the phone calls to cancel clients appointments, rearrange them to times I hope I don't get an opportunity to fly in. Logistically it's just very difficult to dance with the weather and move appointments around.

 

[Ed]

Its not quite worlds apart but there is a significant difference between the two countries. If your switched on then it shouldn't be a problem. Just do some dual flying back here before you start flexing your newly qualified wings over here.

The weather recently has been worse then normal, however even someone doing it full time in the UK I'd be impressed if they could do it in less then 6 months or so. The weather just never plays ball.

I'm planning on getting my FI in the near future, maybe we should setup a Ocuk flying club hehe

Good to see you in the South too. Perhaps, weather permitting, when Adz and I ever get to qualify, we hook up. Should be plenty of spare seats for any other OcUK'ers nearby too. If they dare.

 

[Adz]

I've just been on the phone to Liz, my instructor and she's put this afternoons lesson back to 10am next Tuesday. Now, I'll take the slot but I have to make the phone calls to cancel clients appointments, rearrange them to times I hope I don't get an opportunity to fly in. Logistically it's just very difficult to dance with the weather and move appointments around.

Are you self employed?

Isn't there a single day you can set aside where you can be free from work?

I used to work 7 days a week until I realised it was killing me. Leisure time is extremely important and despite now only working 5 full days, my overall productivity hasn't changed and I'm far happier/healthier for it.

Sorry if this sounds condescending, I'm just trying to point out where I went wrong. There's more to life than money .

 

[Blinkz]

Yea I live in Hampshire, currently flying from Blackbushe. Sounds good flying once you guys get qualified. If you want to fly whilst your learning thats cool too, its always fun to fly with fellow pilots. You get to learn how they do things, and all experience is useful!

Also, I've got an IR so am not restricted by the weather like you guys are hehe, although flying a SEP in IMC isn't my idea of a good time

 

[Ed]

Are you self employed?

Yep.

Isn't there a single day you can set aside where you can be free from work?

I can, but it means stacking up clients around that day, which is fine, if I actually get to fly, but if I don't, then it's time lost and so it goes on. I run a consultancy service, mainly offering my time by directly contracting to AIF which is a Eurpean funded business development team. On top of this I teach at the local college and university as well as private consultancy/training. Everything is carved in the calendar something flying doesn't agree with.

I used to work 7 days a week until I realised it was killing me. Leisure time is extremely important and despite now only working 5 full days, my overall productivity hasn't changed and I'm far happier/healthier for it.

I get the work/life thing, but the reality is what time I have left over I give to my two boys. Flying is something I've always wanted to do but the unpredictability of it is seriously difficult for me to manage.

Sorry if this sounds condescending, I'm just trying to point out where I went wrong. There's more to life than money .

I don't plan on working until I'm 60 that's for sure. While I'm fit, in demand, and the money is flooding in, I'm taking it. I don't see myself doing this in 5 or 10 years time so perhaps then is the time to take up such a pastime.

 

[Adz]

Definitely up for some flying once I'm qualified which hopefully won't be long. I was speaking to 'the boss' the other day and he assures me I should be able to do it in minimum hours if I get at least 1 hour a week as I've got age + enthusiasm on my side.

Then of course it's onto night rating, IR/IMC, etc. I'd like to go as far as I can as a private pilot really then perhaps buy a share in an A/C. Getting a bit ahead of myself, aren't I?

Edit: spinneR~uk - I see your problem now . I don't have kids or a wife or any other time consuming hobbies so it's a lot easier for me.

 

[Ed]

Yea I live in Hampshire, currently flying from Blackbushe. Sounds good flying once you guys get qualified. If you want to fly whilst your learning thats cool too, its always fun to fly with fellow pilots. You get to learn how they do things, and all experience is useful!

Also, I've got an IR so am not restricted by the weather like you guys are hehe, although flying a SEP in IMC isn't my idea of a good time

When I think of Hampshire I think of the New Forest as it's where my Uncle/Auntie hail from, Dibden Purlieu to be precise. You're quite North I see. Do you get to see much coast line?

Definitely up for some flying once I'm qualified which hopefully won't be long. I was speaking to 'the boss' the other day and he assures me I should be able to do it in minimum hours if I get at least 1 hour a week as I've got age + enthusiasm on my side.

Then of course it's onto night rating, IR/IMC, etc. I'd like to go as far as I can as a private pilot really then perhaps buy a share in an A/C. Getting a bit ahead of myself, aren't I?

Edit: spinneR~uk - I see your problem now . I don't have kids or a wife or any other time consuming hobbies so it's a lot easier for me.

I too want to go far with ratings etc and my aeroclub runs jaunts to Majorca, Italy and all sorts of exotic locations, although most members are in their 60's. As for part buying, me too. I've already looked at prices, running costs etc.

 

[Blinkz]

Yea I live at the top. Seeing the coast depends on how high you go and what the viz is like on the day! Altho the LTMA gets in the way unless I go out to the west. On a nice day can see the coast from 3000, can see over to the IoW. Cost is about 20mins flying or so. I keep meaning to goto the IoW at somepoint lol

 

[Greenlizard0]

Weather? Did anybody just hear that thunderbolt in Liverpool? ****! *changes underwear*

 

[Ed]

Great, now it's cancelled and I was booked in today at 4:30pm, which is now, it's turned out nice.

 

[Ed]

Yay! I got two hours in today. From Lydd we headed over Rye, out to Hastings, circled above my kids school [at 1500ft I could see plenty of kids waving meaning my other half was working the playground] then headed out to Battle, back to Ashford, then over to Dover, past Folkestone and back to Lydd. Covered some more circuit training too. Very turbulent today. Cumulus clouds at 2000ft.

Happier now! Booked another 2 hours in two weeks time. Now it's up to the weather.