getmyppl.blogspot.com: The journey begins.................................

Sunday, November 29, 2009

The journey begins.................................

So here it begins. My journey.

I am starting my 2010 New Year's resolutions earlier than normal.

In 2010,
(1) I will complete my Private Pilot's License (PPL) and
(2) fly a particular aircraft that I only dream about today (details will be revealed in the coming months).

This blog details my journey from zero to PPL completion and the ultimate flight of my dreams.

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Tracker

LICENSE

Private Pilot / Airplane Single Engine Land.

TOTAL HOURS (FAA/JAA)

221hrs Total / 126hrs PiC

AIRPORTS VISITED (FAA)

KPAO, KCHD, KCGZ, A39, KDVT, KSDL, KIWA, KTUS, KRYN, KPRC, KSEZ, E25, KRHV, KSTS, KHWD, KHAF, KMFY, KMYF, E60, KMZJ, P19, KLUF, KPHX, P08, E67, KFLG, E77, 7S3, 2S6, KPAN, KAUS, 50R, KSLE, KAOU, KTMK, KAST, KKLS, KCLS, KEUG, KPDX, KRNT.

SEAPLANE PORTS VISITED

0W0 (SEATTLE)

AIRPORTS VISITED (JAA EUROPE)

EIWT, EGNT, EGNV, EGPN, EGPJ, EGNC.

AICRAFT FLOWN

C152, C172N, C172P, C172SP (G1000 + Dial), C182S, PA28-161, F16 Sim(!), C172D, C172M, FLOATPLANE C172

Why learn to fly?

Ever since a child I always had an interest in aviation. Living next to a front line RAF base in the 80's fueled my interest. But becoming a pilot was never on my radar. That just didn't happen to "average Joe's" like me.

In 1999 I was living in Dublin, Ireland. My wife suggested that I go for a flying lesson at a local airfied (EIWT). Then I realised how simple it could be to get a Private Pilot License.

Over the last 10 years I have struggled to complete the hours for my PPL. Work and most of all money always seemed to get in the way. One lesson set me back £200 in a C172 for 1 hour dual. That just wasn't substainable.

Since 1999, I have managed to total 31 hours dual instruction. That all important solo eluded me. In 2008 I was ready for solo but I put my medical off and off. Then work took me abroad and my flying stopped.

In 2011, I started flying again. Solo'd in September. In November, work brought me to Phoenix, Arizona in the US. On the 27th June 2012, I passed the FAA ASEL checkride.