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25/08/2003, 6:31 PM roger de havilland Joined on 25/08/2003 Posts 6 I still can't believe it ! OK, you're all young whippersnappers - probably on your fourth or fifth Log Book, and I feel slightly inferior to all you flappers. BUT - I am 59 yrs old, and have had a lifetime's ambition to join your club, and guess what ? 9.1 hours in my Log Book on a Jet Ranger, and I am SO happy I finally did it ! I am trying to do about 2 hours a week, so I should get my PPL (H) in about 6 or 7 years ! But I don't care - I am realising my dream. Good Luck to you all. Roger    Report

27/08/2003, 10:29 AM Rick Larkin Joined on 27/06/2003 Posts 88 Re: I still can't believe it ! Why are you learning on a JetRanger? You'd get your PPL quicker if you learned on a less complex machine.    Report

27/08/2003, 2:50 PM roger de havilland Joined on 25/08/2003 Posts 6 Re: I still can't believe it ! Hi Rick. long story, but in brief - Son in Law is also learning, but wants to buy a LongRanger or 407 (large family) He has the funds ( I don't). His reasoning is if that's what we are buying - that's what we learn on. Who am I to argue :-) It has taken me 5 years to get him into it, knowing that was going to be the only way to get airborne. ( I hope he doesn't read this:-)) Having said that, I realise that it is a more complex machine, but doesn't it balance out by being a more stable platform to learn on ? If money were no object, what machine would you wish to learn on, and why? Am I making the job harder going this route? And thanks for your reply. Roger    Report

29/08/2003, 5:15 PM Rebel Aviator Joined on 26/10/2002 Posts 132 Re: I still can't believe it ! Roger Not many people have the opportunity to learn on a Jet Ranger for private use. Most use the R22 or Hughes . Schweizer. Having said that I bumped into a guy on Monday who has just completed his PPL on a 206 and if you can afford it it is a great platform. Your son in Law doesnt live near Sudbury does he?.    Report

29/08/2003, 8:25 PM roger de havilland Joined on 25/08/2003 Posts 6 Re: I still can't believe it ! HI Ian thanks so much for your reply. Nowhere near Sudbury I am afraid. Learning at East Midlands Helicopters, Costock - near East Mids Airport. They are brilliant, friendly school - can't recommend them too highly. By Rick's comments I thought I might have made my job harder, but it is reassuring to hear your words ! BTW I also flew DH82A Tiggy at Cambridge Flying Group ( just because of my name !!!). How is your rotary going? Thanks again Roger    Report

19/09/2003, 5:22 PM Rebel Aviator Joined on 26/10/2002 Posts 132 Re: I still can't believe it ! Roger Having learnt on the Bell 47 and R22 and got the R22 rating I have just acquierd a share in a (cheap) Brantly B2B. Having to convert my CAA PPL to the Brant but having difficulty finding someone with the TRE required so seriously considering getting the FAA PPL Rotary (not type specific) which I attempted on a recent short trip to the US but didnt quite pull off. Have flown the Jet Ranger but can't afford to get and keep the rating so have to blag rides - when you get your licence and fancy a trip to Norfolk let me know!.    Report

27/09/2003, 8:42 PM George McNeil Joined on 13/09/2003 Posts 6 Re: I still can't believe it ! Ian, Next time you come to the US and want to finish your FAA PPL, come to Scottsdale Arizona and finish at Universal Helicopters. Check us out at www.universalheli.com Weather is brilliant - you can fly 7 days a week and if you are a golf player there are about 180 great courses within a 25 mile radius !! We are Robinson R22 B II and R44 Raven school. Give us a call --- George McNeil    Report

03/10/2003, 9:47 PM Rebel Aviator Joined on 26/10/2002 Posts 132 Re: I still can't believe it ! George Not a golf player. Tried to get the FAA ticket in three (part) days and managed the written and instructor signed me off for the check ride but totally unprepared for the verbal in advance of the check ride even though I have been flying the R22 in the U.K. In the rush to add in night flying (not required in the U.K) and some sharpening up of autos I simply didnt absorb lots of general info I was expected to know (including where to look for VNE at altitude) and some weather and flight planning stuff. Probably a bad way to go about it so next time will maybe try five days with combination of flying and ground school with someone prepared to tell me all I need to know to get through the course.    Report

29/11/2003, 8:54 AM Rotorhead In Motion Joined on 13/11/2003 Posts 18 Re: I still can't believe it ! Mike Smith at Heliair (Wellsbourne) can LPC you on the B2B.    Report

14/12/2003, 9:05 PM Rebel Aviator Joined on 26/10/2002 Posts 132 Re: I still can't believe it ! RIM Thanks but I need an initial type rating which appears to the difficulty at present. The CAA tell me that they dont have anyon eon the books!    Report

22/12/2003, 7:26 AM Rotorhead In Motion Joined on 13/11/2003 Posts 18 Re: I still can't believe it ! My friend ownes and flys a skeeter! The CAA have waivered the Red tape due to simalar circumstances as yours. Another friend has owned a B2B for donkeys years (Bedford based) he took his initial test with "Old Jack" sadly now retired. Speak to the CAA who may organise an examiner rated on a simalar machine (B47) to test you out. I'd do it but my B47 days are sadly over!    Report

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