Start at the beginning

Hi

It has been suggested that I start a blog to record the trials and tribulations of my adventures learning to fly, so as they say "You asked for it!"

23 October 2007 - I joined Pilot Flight Training in Kidlington, Oxford to start learning to fly (PPL). After years of saying I'd like to do it or I'm saving for it, it was great to actually take a small step forwards.

10Th May 2008 - Today I flew my first solo in G-FIAT. What an eerie sensation flying on my own but loved every minute of it.







7Th June 2008 - Fly away to France. Up early today as I'm going on my first long flight in a light aircraft over to La Touquet. We leave Oxford at about 10am on a lovely clear and sunny day but have heard that the weather over the channel is not so nice.


An hour later and we landed in La Touquet, of the 6 aircraft that set out to do this route only 4 made it! (no they didn't crash, they didn't like the look of some cloud and had radio problems so turned back).

At the airport we hired bicycles for a couple of euros and we were off at a nice leisurely pace cycling through the french countywide heading towards the town. On the way we came across several backwards roundabouts plus the way the french drive you just had to go for it and prey you came out the other side intact.

Once we were in town it was time for lunch so after a some indecision we settled down for something to eat.


Fully refueled some us decided to have a wander along the beach, had a look at some huge sand sculptures (20ft+) then stop off at the bar that was on the pier.

Things were nice and chilled out until we realised we had to get back to the aircraft in the next 5 minutes, so it was straight on the bikes as fast as we could go through french traffic (and roundabouts) back to the airport.

8Th August 2008 - Today I have taken another major step forward by booking my ATPL course in Naples, Florida starting the 19Th February 2009!

21st September 2008 - Fly away to Blackpool. Today we are off to Blackpool and I'm flying the outbound leg. Planning was going well until I noticed that my navigation chart only went half way there. Fortunately Andy saved the day by photocopying and laminating a copy of his chart so we were good to go. I jumped into G-BCGJ ready to go and then was informed that we were to leave last so had to wait for half an hour until everyone else had cleared off. While not as nice as La Touquet it was an interesting experience flying there finding our way through different classes of airspace with some very overworked ATC guys trying to keep up.

Back on the ground its time have lunch and have a look around. At this point we found out that Fred (who was flying the leg back) hadn't planned his route so had to stay at the airport while the rest of us grabbed a bite to eat then wandered into the centre of Blackpool . We wandered as far as the "Pleasure Beach" at which point a parade started to come the other way so decided it was a good time to jump on the tram back to the airport although someone couldn't resist commenting that the roller coaster followed looked like the path for one of Wayne's landings.

10Th November 2008 - Getting my VISA
Time has come to go for my VISA interview. Having not applied for a VISA before I really didn't know what to expect. My appointment was for 10:30am and I had elected to take the train to avoid trying to drive and park in London. The plan was all good and well except it turned out to be one of the wettest and windiest days so far in 2008 which meant that the trains were running 30 minutes late. I had allowed contingency time with my travels but when planning was also aware that you had to wait outside and were not allowed to arrive more than 30 minutes early. I arrive with 5 minutes to spare, the rain is coming down in bucket loads and I have officials asking for me to show them my papers so I can join the queue. This was quite a juggling match trying to hold the umbrella, a folder and show select papers of in the rain and wind.

I was called in at about 11am and after going through security was given a ticket number and told to sit and wait. About half an hour later I was called up to check I had all my documents and was informed I would need a new photo as the one I had was too old. This caused a flash of panic to go through my head as I though I'd have to reschedule everything and start again. Fortunately there is a photo booth hidden around the corner so I went to use it, got it all setup, went to put my £5 note into the machine but the slot didn't work!
I had seen a sign for a cashier so I figure I'd just go and get the money changed, simple right? After queuing I was informed they were out of change so I spent the next 15 minutes trying to find someone who could change the money. Finally success armed with my horrid photo headed back to the booth where I was told that everything is in order and now all I had to do was wait for my interview. The waiting times were expected to be between 2 and 5 hours!

I went and sat down with nothing to do as nobody is allowed to bring any electronic device into the building so I had left my phone at home and thus joined everyone else watching a looping 15 minute DVD on the greatness of America. 2.5 hours later and feeling completely bored but with a uncanny sense that America is a great place to be I was called up, asked three simple questions and was all done! All that was left to do was battle my way through the weather and go home (throughout which my umbrella decided to turn inside out and break so I was soaked through).