my lesson

PPL Training

my lesson

boofle 07/09/2009, 10:36 PM

Hi all, had my second lesson on saturday, flying straight and level. The lesson started off great, had my first taster of doing the radio, was a bit nerve racking but managed to get through it. Taxi-ed onto the runway, found it a bit strange stirring with my feet, but I hope I will get the hang of it. we took off into strong winds, and thats when the fun started. We were thrown all over the place, the turbulance was so bad, it made me feel very unwell. My instructor tried to find calmer air, but we just got buffeted about, hence I didnt get to do my straight and level flying. So we just went over the control and their effects which was okay. The lesson was very un-nerving, I hope I dont get too many like that (with the turbulance) I mean. After about 45 minutes in the air, we came into land, and due to the heavy cross winds we were coming in sideways, and straightened up at the last minute. For once I was glad to be on the ground, had a go at doing a bit more taxi-ing, by the time we get to the parking bay I was getting the hang of it lol. Well I hope you all had a better lesson than I did, mine will be better next time I hope weather permitting. The main thing is it hasn't put me off. All he best

Steve

Re: my lesson

Rolls 08/09/2009, 12:09 PM
I think it is better getting that sort of weather out of the way early on. When it comes to it the next time, at least you will have been there and done that! You should try flying the plane i fly. An Aero AT3... it is like putting a paper boat on the sea it is so light! Even the tiniest of gusts blows the thing all over the place. It also means that once in trim, it never really stays there unless there is no wind whatsoever! What plane are learning to fly in?

I also find that with taxiing, i am reaching out to hold onto something (apart from the throttle) but you do get used to it very quickly. Next lesson you will be thinking you have been doing it for years.

All my landings so far have been very uneventful, but would like to have the expierience of coming in sideways, just for future reference!

At least you are carrying on flying! Hope your next lesson is smoother!!!

Re: my lesson

TimmyP 08/09/2009, 3:09 PM
Hi boofle.

That sounds like an eventful one! I thought that my first few flights were very turbulent, but now I don't really notice it when we're up and about...I'm not sure whether that's because the first one was bad or whether I'm just used to it now! I felt a bit unwell at the beginning but that goes away after a time (a bit like getting your sea-legs on a boat I guess). It's good that it hasn't put you off and as said above, at least you'll have seen it before next time it happens!

Re: my lesson

Aviator|Chris 08/09/2009, 3:31 PM

Having a whole lesson dedicated to "Turbulance" is something that can be very tough to cope with first time. Your body starts to wonder what the hell is going on!

I remember once flying under a large Cu and receiving 700fpm in lift as a result with a straight and level flying attitude. That was like shooting up in an Elevator, only 2,000ft above the ground!

I find when taxiing that gripping the top edge of the panel with my left hand and right on the throttle means I am gripping something and then steering doesn't feel so strange. Unless there is a strong wind on the surface you don't need your hand on the yoke / stick.

Re: my lesson

boofle 08/09/2009, 6:50 PM

Thanks everyone for your kind support, it means a lot. It is true what you say, I will be ready for it next time (gulp). The good old british weather. Rolls you ask what type of aircraft I am learning to fly in, It is a PA 28-161 Piper warrior, it is a nice plane to fly. I may try out the AT3 at some point in the future, but at the moment I think I should stick to the warrior. I will also try out the tips on taxi-ing and teach my brain that I am not driving a car, and try not to drive my car like an aeroplane, lol. I must say though, I am finding the reading hard going, decided to buy "ppl in a nutshell" on dvd, to see if that helps me grasp it. Has anybody got this dvd, I would like some input if they have. hopefully this weekend a friend of mine, who is a pilot is going to take me up, to get rid of the nerves, weather permitting. My next proper lesson is the weekend after. once again guys thanks for your support.

Steve

Re: my lesson

CFrost 08/09/2009, 7:27 PM
Taxing is alright for someone who isn’t old enough to drive. Good luck with your next lesson.

I did my first solo land away today at Goodwood (Chichester) airfield which was amazing but has shattered me!

Let us know how your next lesson goes Boofle!

Chris

Re: my lesson

Aytonace 09/09/2009, 7:25 AM
Don't worry I almost crashed on one of my not so good crosswind landings and it put me off a little but its all part of learning. I'm much better at it now but the good thing about the UK is despite all the lesson cancellations due to bad weather we get everything thrown at us which makes us better pilots :)