The Adventure Begins
Introduction
When I decided I wanted to learn to fly, I knew that I should somehow record my progress over and above a pilot's logbook. I wanted a record not only for myself, but for others who may want to follow my path. I used this same process when I built my GBS Zero kit car, and many people have referred to that blog for help and guidance. Below is a picture of the car and this is the blog in case it is of interest:
https://gbszerobuild.blogspot.com
I have decided that the blog can be a record not only of the time taken, but also the costs associated with it. I will keep a running 'Totals' section on each post.
My Background
I must have been about 8 when I was taken by my parents to visit my Uncle who, at the time, was a Wing Commander in the RAF for No 50 Squadron based at RAF Scampton. I had no real idea what he did, but when he offered to take me and my Dad to see his aircraft, we jumped at the chance. What I didn't expect was to walk in to a hanger and see 3 Vulcans. 'These are my wing" he proudly announced, not that it meant anything me, I think he was trying to impress his little brother.
We had a look around the aircraft at ground level and then he offered us the chance to climb up into the cockpit and have a look around. I remember climbing up the nose wheel ladder and then up into the cockpit, sitting in the right hand seat and not being able to see out of the window and wondering how he flew it without being able to see! Later in life, I realised that the seat moved up and down and he would probably have been sat on a parachute as well. Many years later, I was able to go up in to the cockpit section of the Vulcan that is based at the Jet Age Museum in Gloucester and it was only then, now a full sized adult, that I found these facts out but also found out how small the flight deck really was for such a large aircraft.
The reason I mention all this, is that it was probably my first real introduction to aviation. It had a lasting impression on me, and I have been interested ever since.
I have been through the various stages of Airfix kits, then on to radio controlled models. From there I tried gliding, but never completed enough hours to go solo. Family and work then got in the way and my flying was put on the back burner, until now.
Where am I Now?
As I type this introduction, I am just about to turn 58. I am about 18 months away from being made redundant (yes I know it seems odd to know that far in advance, but that is how it is) and 2 years away from being able to take early retirement. Both of these events would give me some funds when they happen, but I am not sure I want to wait. What if I want to start learning now?
So what should I learn to fly? Fixed wing or rotary? I must admit that the thought of learning to fly a helicopter is appealing, but it doesn't take many mouse clicks to realise that it is a much more expensive option. To be honest, I haven't ruled it out 100%, but I think it is an unlikely route.
I am very fortunate that I have a friend, who you will meet in later entries, who is an instructor on both fixed wing and rotary. He has offered to to take me up on my trial flight and I can spend some time talking to him about options.
I still need to do a detailed cost analysis to find out what this could realistically cost me, and then I need to decide the best way to finance things. Like most people, I don't have unlimited funds or pots of savings so I suspect that if I move forward with this, I will have to finance it via a bank loan. There is always the option to sell a kidney, but that is low on the list and I am quite attached to my kidneys!! I will do a separate post about this after my trial lesson and after I have had chance to talk things through with my instructor. He has made some suggestions of the things I will need to get me started, and I have already purchased 2 of the 7 training manuals I will need. At least this will give me an idea of what I might be letting myself in for! I haven't done any form of serious study for a very long time!!
Next step is the trial lesson, and that is booked in for next week. The long term weather looks OK so fingers crossed that will happen.
Totals
Purchases:
Air Pilots Manual - Flying Training: Volume 1 = £15.38
Air Pilots Manual - Air Law and Meteorology: Volume 2 = £15.33
Total Costs = £30.71
Total Hours = 0
When I decided I wanted to learn to fly, I knew that I should somehow record my progress over and above a pilot's logbook. I wanted a record not only for myself, but for others who may want to follow my path. I used this same process when I built my GBS Zero kit car, and many people have referred to that blog for help and guidance. Below is a picture of the car and this is the blog in case it is of interest:
https://gbszerobuild.blogspot.com
I have decided that the blog can be a record not only of the time taken, but also the costs associated with it. I will keep a running 'Totals' section on each post.
My Background
I must have been about 8 when I was taken by my parents to visit my Uncle who, at the time, was a Wing Commander in the RAF for No 50 Squadron based at RAF Scampton. I had no real idea what he did, but when he offered to take me and my Dad to see his aircraft, we jumped at the chance. What I didn't expect was to walk in to a hanger and see 3 Vulcans. 'These are my wing" he proudly announced, not that it meant anything me, I think he was trying to impress his little brother.
We had a look around the aircraft at ground level and then he offered us the chance to climb up into the cockpit and have a look around. I remember climbing up the nose wheel ladder and then up into the cockpit, sitting in the right hand seat and not being able to see out of the window and wondering how he flew it without being able to see! Later in life, I realised that the seat moved up and down and he would probably have been sat on a parachute as well. Many years later, I was able to go up in to the cockpit section of the Vulcan that is based at the Jet Age Museum in Gloucester and it was only then, now a full sized adult, that I found these facts out but also found out how small the flight deck really was for such a large aircraft.
The reason I mention all this, is that it was probably my first real introduction to aviation. It had a lasting impression on me, and I have been interested ever since.
I have been through the various stages of Airfix kits, then on to radio controlled models. From there I tried gliding, but never completed enough hours to go solo. Family and work then got in the way and my flying was put on the back burner, until now.
Where am I Now?
As I type this introduction, I am just about to turn 58. I am about 18 months away from being made redundant (yes I know it seems odd to know that far in advance, but that is how it is) and 2 years away from being able to take early retirement. Both of these events would give me some funds when they happen, but I am not sure I want to wait. What if I want to start learning now?
So what should I learn to fly? Fixed wing or rotary? I must admit that the thought of learning to fly a helicopter is appealing, but it doesn't take many mouse clicks to realise that it is a much more expensive option. To be honest, I haven't ruled it out 100%, but I think it is an unlikely route.
I am very fortunate that I have a friend, who you will meet in later entries, who is an instructor on both fixed wing and rotary. He has offered to to take me up on my trial flight and I can spend some time talking to him about options.
I still need to do a detailed cost analysis to find out what this could realistically cost me, and then I need to decide the best way to finance things. Like most people, I don't have unlimited funds or pots of savings so I suspect that if I move forward with this, I will have to finance it via a bank loan. There is always the option to sell a kidney, but that is low on the list and I am quite attached to my kidneys!! I will do a separate post about this after my trial lesson and after I have had chance to talk things through with my instructor. He has made some suggestions of the things I will need to get me started, and I have already purchased 2 of the 7 training manuals I will need. At least this will give me an idea of what I might be letting myself in for! I haven't done any form of serious study for a very long time!!
Next step is the trial lesson, and that is booked in for next week. The long term weather looks OK so fingers crossed that will happen.
Totals
Purchases:
Air Pilots Manual - Flying Training: Volume 1 = £15.38
Air Pilots Manual - Air Law and Meteorology: Volume 2 = £15.33
Total Costs = £30.71
Total Hours = 0
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