Ben W Bell

So last night I had my first flight on my Private Pilot's Licence training. First time I've had my hands on the controls of a plane. I took off, flew around Scarborough Bluffs a few times, flew around the CN Tower and downtown, then the instructor landed.

Learning to fly is something I've always wanted to do, but the price in the UK was always hideously prohibitive. Here it's about 1/3 to 1/2 the price. And living 10 minutes walk from the island airport helps as well. So just posting this as a dream I'm managing to realise because I'm in Canada.

el_richo

Niiiice. I'm going to do the same as you. I'm waiting until we move to Canada before i set off on my PPL voyage due to cost and the fact that i didn't want to leave 3/4 way through my training here.

I'm jealous

Simon Legree

Welcome to the wonderful world of flying. It was the first thing I did when I got here. I have been a pilot since 1970. In those days it cost me $400 to get my license ! At the moment I am fortunate enough to be able to jockey a Beech Baron 78 for a good friend of mine. In the winter I can fly any day in Arizona. Never any weather issues. Enjoy yourself but remember that there are bold fliers and there are old fliers but there aren't too many old bold fliers !! One my wall here I have a saying.

"Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous, but to an even greater degree than the sea it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect"

Flying is easy when everything goes right. It's when things go wrong that the skill bit kicks in.

mandymoochops

congrats on realising a dream

el_richo

What type or aircraft did you use for your first lesson, by the way?

Ben W Bell

Cessna 172R. It was a bit gusty yesterday, the remains of the heavy rain we had in the morning so there was a fair bit of turbulence. But still, undaunted here I come. Ground school starts next week, then I need to book some more proper lessons. That's 24 minutes flight time in my log book. Just a whole load to go.

el_richo

Sweet. Well good luck with it all, and enjoy the ride

Simon Legree

Don't fret about ground school. It isn't too difficult. Most people find the hardest parts are meteorology and navigation. You will have the fun of learning to navigate using a "Whiz wheel". It's what they call the steam driven E6 Universal Flight Computer. Ah, fond memories. Above all, enjoy the ride. Never, ever skimp on your pre-flight check list even though you think you know it off by heart. Follow the book ! Have fun and happy landings.

Steve_P

First off congrats to the OP for realising a dream.

Simon you have just triggered a memory from many years ago, I remember learning to use one of these in my early days in ATC.

I think I might still have it somewhere in the house.

Souvenir

What in the name of buggery is that?

Steve_P

It's a Jeppesen Model CR-3 Flight computer.

Can be used for calculating:

Time-speed -distance
Fuel consumption
Temperature conversions
Weight of fuel and oil
Density Altitude
True Altitude
True airspeed
Mach number
plus a number of other calculations.

Plus a whole bunch of navigation stuff that I didn't have to learn, that's on the other side.

Don't have a clue how do anything with one these days though.

Souvenir

Blimey. I thought my carpentry protractor was complicated......

I have to use my wife's specs to read it (wrong thread, I know).

clynnog

Does it give reading in dbd friendly obscure units or does it do it in the proper units....btw where is dbd these days...I haven't seen any of his postings for a while.

Souvenir

He's been sent to stand on the naughty stair for a couple of weeks for calling someone names.

Simon Legree

Here's the same instrument but different configuration. Not the easiest thing for some to master. A bit like a slide rule. Anyone remember them ? These are good to have if all else, electronic wizardry that is, fails. The back side is just as complex as the front !