LEAR N TO FLY

A Weekend Pilot's Guide

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How I did it

I started off by going on a 5 day residential course at Portmoak Gliding Club, in Fife, Scotland.
This was long enough to learn the basics, but I was not able to fly solo as the end of it. Many gliding clubs run these courses, though the amount of flying you get is dependent on the weather.
After that nothing happened until an enthusiastic lecturer helped a group of students start a gliding club at the university I attended. This offered subsidised transport and flights, so I was finally able to solo, and go on to get my Bronze C. (See BGA link on the links page).
When I left university and moved to Nottingham for my first job, there was less time to do gliding. Eventually I decided to take up flying light aircraft and to get my Private Pilot Licence. My Bronze C gliding rating meant that the number of flying hours needed was reduced, but I think it took about 50 hours before I obtained the vital licence.
In fact, I qualified just before I moved to my new job in New York. Flying in the States is much more affordable. The country is more geared up to the private pilot and there are plenty airports, with low landing fees to fly to. A US licence is easily obtained from the FAA once they have verified your UK qualifications. Renting a plane is a bit harder, especially in the busy areas like New York, as you have to be instructed in the radio procedures (ie learn the language), and become familiar with the various areas of controlled airspace.
However once that obstacle is out of the way, you can fly all over the place. All the way to the West Coast if you are adventurous. My favourite trips were out to the islands in Long Island Sound, Block Island, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.
The next challenge was the instrument rating. This demands much more skill than the basic PPL. In fact the rating takes at least the same amount of flying hours again! However, the more rural parts if the US boast flying schools offering excellent value which will get you the rating.
After that, I went for my multi engine rating. I did some hours training on a simulator to learn the procedures, then took regular lessons at my local airport in New Jersey, but in the end, the most effective way proved to be a special guaranteed deal, where you pay a fixed fee, and the instructor coaches you until you are ready to take the flying test, all done on the same day.
After that it was off to Paris for my new job. Again, its pretty easy to rent a plane, and the UK licence is accepted. Prices tend to be on a par with Britain, so I didn't do much flying there. Must attempt my Silver C in gliding one day.

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Airports to visit

Having flown from many different gliding sites and airports, I've listed the more interesting ones, along with a brief description. They are divided into two parts, one for gliding the other for powered flight, although sometimes both types can use the airports

Fellow pilots are invited to use the survey form to recommend their favourite airports. The best of these will be added to the site in due course.

Best Gliding Sites    Best trips by light aircraft

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Some good gliding sites

Portmoak in Fife, Scotland is where I started gliding. Its an excellent site due to its location between two hills, which allow ridge soaring on many days of the year. The lift from the ridges, allows the glider to stay airborne for long periods, while searching for other forms of lift, thermals or wave to take the flight higher and further. Wave is a special form of lift which can take gliders to high altitudes. Pilots from the South visit Scotland in search of the wave. The club is easily reached from Edinburgh and Glasgow. One of the smaller clubs in Scotland is the Cairngorm Gliding Club at Feshiebridge. Close to Aviemore this site is in the heart of the Highlands. Breathtaking scenery. A friendly club with an enthusiatic membership. Lasham in Hampshire must be the largest club in Britain. Efficiently run, with excellent facilities, well worth investigating for those based in the South of England. Aboyne, near Aberdeen is reputed to be Scotland's foremost gliding site at present. Picture is a winch. This is a popular method of launching gliders, allowing them to gain enough height to search out some lift and hopefully set off on a cross country flight. British Gliding Association web site tells you all you need to know to start gliding.
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UK Airports

My first choice in Britain would be to fly up to Edinburgh. Or start out from there. You can see the great city from the air and fly over the Forth Bridges (not under them!).
Humberside airport offers the chance to fly over what was briefly the longest suspension bridge in the world. Costs of renting planes and lessons tend to be lower, the further you get from London so you should expect good prices there.
Nottingham Airport is where I learnt to fly. Again competitive prices and friendly instructors. Thruxton airfield in the South West, has to share its runways with various motorsport events, so phone up to make sure the airport is open before going there. I flew with Western Air flying club.
Shoreham, close to Brighton and Hampshire provides easy access to hopping across the channel, as well as flying along the southern coastline. The vast Eurotunnel complex can be viewed from the air. You can also fly over to the Isle of Wight, and either land at the small, but busy airport there, or just fly round the island admiring the view. There are a number of flying clubs at Shoreham airport, but I think the one I used to use went out of business.
Closer to Guildford is Blackbushe airport. CABAIR run a highly flying professional services from there. European flyers also operate from here, but I haven't tried their planes out.

USA is the home of aviation

- at least it was until the aircraft manufacturers decided they couldn't afford keep building small planes due to the product liability laws.
This is where I did most of my flying, because aviation is much more affordable and there are many airports, large and small catering for the private pilot. Landing fees are also much cheaper.
When I lived in New York, I flew out of Teeterboro, Morristown and Caldwell airports. These are all in New Jersey and easily reached from New York by bus or car. Teeterboro is the largest of these, but the small FBO's (Fixed Base Operators) who cater for private pilots were being forced out to make room for corporate jets. When I first flew from there the FBO I used was called 'Safe Air'. They operated from a caravan beside the taxiway. The plane I flew, a Piper Archer, was a horrible rusty brown colour. I am not sure whether it was meant to be that colour or someone had applied the primer then never got round to finishing the job. Anyway they went out of business soon afterwards. Flying from Teeterboro was very different from the quiet airports I used in the East Midlands. It has about as many landings and take-offs as Heathrow, though the planes are general aviation craft rather than airliners. It is also in the very busy New York area with three major airports nearby. It took a few flights to learn the radio procedures and the the boundaries of the controlled airspace. However once 'qualified' I was able to fly down the Hudson River, beside the skyscrapers of Manhattan and over the Statue of Liberty. No problem so long as you remain in the VFR corridor. (i.e. outside controlled airspace). You don't even have to talk to anyone on the radio, though its wise to do so as the area is so busy.
Once you've explored the local area, there are countless places to go. My favourite was to fly out to the islands of Long Island sound. Nantucket is not too far by plane, a two and a quarter hour flight by Piper Warrior or one and three quarter hours by Piper Arrow, and the airport it close to the beach. Its easy to get to the town as well. Martha's Vineyard, is a bit more developed and the airport is not very conveniently situated. A taxi or hitching a lift is needed to get anywhere interesting.
Block Island is closer to New York, about an hour and a half in a Warrior, and is well worth a visit. The island is so small you can walk or cycle around it in a few hours. The runway is pretty short for pilots used to Teterboro, but shouldn't present a problem for a qualified pilot.
My trip to Washington DC was one of my more eventful trips. Washington National airport is very close to the city, and very busy. It has a bewildering criss cross of many runways. Having received instructions from the controller, I lined for final approach on what looked like the runway we had been instructed to land on. I was however a little concerned that there was no sign of the plane that was meant to take off just before we landed. As we got closer it become apparent that I was lined up on the wrong runway which was at a slightly different angle to the one the controller had in mind for me, which was more like a taxiway compared to the major runway that we selected. Fortunately, realising my mistake, I was given permission to land on the runway I was heading for. On the homeward flight, my pilot friend Clif do the flying, but this time, on departure the controller left us heading for Andrews military base, which is a restricted area. This would have been OK, but we had been handed over to Baltimore control who were too busy to talk to us. As we waited for instructions, we got closer and closer to the base. Eventually we managed to get the controller's attention, and he very crossly give us a new course to change to immediately. But really it was all his fault for ignoring us in the first place! Still don't let this put you off from flying to Washington, you get a great view of the city from the air, and there are excellent transport links from the airport to visit the city.

Don't miss out the West Coast. There are numerous airports in the San Francisco Bay Area. I've flown from San Jose International, Reid Hillview, San Jose, and Palo Alto. The Reid Hillview is probably the best one for renting small planes from at the moment. Whichever you fly from, you can fly along the bay, passing San Francisco, Angel Island, the former prison on Alcatraz and fly over the Golden Gate Bridge. Or you can head over the hills to Half Moon Bay then head down the coast to Monterey Bay .
I also managed to fly in the Grand Canyon. Quite an amazing experience. I'm not sure if you are still allowed to do it. I rented a plane from Flagstaff Arizona, with an instructor experienced in flying the canyon. Conditions are so different from normal flying that no one should try this without some local instruction. Even the take off can be harder than usual, the engine struggling in the hot thin air.

US Flying Schools

If you want to improve your flying, or even get your licence, there are many low cost deals available. Florida is a favourite with British pilots. I believe some of the flying schools can even award UK licences. Always keen on a bargain, I have tried a few good deals. The best deals are usually where you pay a fixed fee, and just keep flying until you pass your test. After spending a few hours at Teeterboro, working for my multi engine rating, I went off to Kupper, New Jersey where the deal was that you go down for the day, pay a fixed sum, and you just keep flying until you are ready for the test.
To get my instrument rating (useful if you don't want to be limited to flying only in good weather, and also to considerably improve your flying skills), I started off at American Flyers. They teach you all you need to know to pass the written test in an intensive course, and then you sit the test at the school. Again a pass is guaranteed. If you fail, (and not many do), you just keep taking the classes till you pass. (I don't know if the deal has changed since I did this in the eighties). Once you have the 'written' in the bag, you can start on the flying course. This normally requires as much flight training as is needed to get the private pilot licence in the first place, i.e. 30 to 50 hours. American Flyers do a lot of this in simulators to keep the costs down, but I opted to go down South to the small farming town of Bolivar Tennessee where a flying school offered a low cost instrument rating. Not only do you save money, but you also get to experience life in the 'other' America, really a different country from the sophisticated cities on the East and West coasts. Cost efficiency is the name of the game at these schools, but that doesn't mean you get a second class tuition. The instructors are normally working there to get higher qualifications. Usually the ATP - the Air Transport Pilot - licence, allowing then to join an airline and fly the big jets. This intensive course was very hard work, but at the end of the ten days, I was able to pass the flying test and obtain my US IFR rating.
My last budget flying lessons were at Plantation Airpark, Sylvania, Georgia. The accommodation wasn't as good as at Bolivar, but again a good place to improve your flying skills at reasonable cost.

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New Zealand

New Zealand is a lovely small country, with a huge variation in climate and scenary between the North and South Islands. I didn't have much time to go flying here, but did manage a trip around Auckland harbour area accompanied by an instructor flying out of Ardmore Airport.

France

The great thing about flying in France is the controllers speak English. Some flight schools have set up in the South of France, offering a UK licence training every day in the more reliable weather down there. I did a bit of flying from Lognes Airport in the mid eighties. Its an easy train ride from Paris.
 Back to UK Airports  Back to Flying in the USA    Back to US Flying Schools
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Gliding

This is how I got started.
" Gliding must be one of the cheapest, friendliest and most enjoyable ways of learning to fly. Many professional pilots started in this way and many still fly gliders in their spare time. The thrill and beauty of silent flight is an experience never to be forgotten and, once hooked, glider pilots tend to become lifetime devotees.
There are 100 active gliding clubs in the UK, representing a complete cross-section of the community, in age, gender and occupation. Most of these clubs will arrange a trial lesson so that you can experience the joy of gliding before you commit yourself to joining a club. " - the British Gliding Association.

    Glider Pilot's Checklist
  1. Its relatively cheap
  2. Fun.
  3. Provides excellent experience if you want to go on to powered flight
  4. No noisy engine to spoil your pleasure
  5. The people are friendly. Nearly all sites run as clubs, often with licensed bars (for use after the gliders have been put away), and overnight accommodation to allow an early start to flying in the morning.

Many clubs run residential courses of a week or so to get you solo. Once you get some flying experience, you can either rent club gliders, or buy a share in a glider as part of a syndicate. Most people go gliding at the weekends, but clubs are often open during the week, although sometimes the courses take precedence.

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Learn to Fly Light Aircraft

Even if you are short of cash, remember there are always ways to get airborne. Some employers have their own flying clubs, or a social club with subsided flying lessons. Change your job if necessary.
    Private Pilot's Checklist
  1. Most flying clubs offer a trial lesson to see if you like it
  2. Professional Tuition
  3. Doesn't have to occupy too much of your time
  4. Can fly with passengers when you get your licence
  5. Only 40 hours flying time needed to get a licence
  6. Train in the USA to cut costs
  7. If you get enough experience you could become an instructor
  8. Eventually you could become a commercial pilot.
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Helicopters

    Helicopter Checklist
  1. Small copters, like the Robinson are available to train on
  2. Trial lessons are usually available at flying schools
  3. Or try it out on a flight simulator first
  4. More places to fly to ...
  5. ... But remember you are not usually allowed to land just anywhere
  6. Harder to fly than a fixed wing craft
  7. Flying one of these should be a career rather than a hobby unless you are quite well off
  8. I've only flown as a passenger in these. .
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Join the Royal Air Force

    Services Checklist
  1. You could try to join the RAF if you are young enough
  2. Good if you can get in
  3. They let you fly very fast planes
  4. You actually get paid to fly
  5. You can get a good job when you leave
  6. Don't forget you can try the army or navy too. Particularly if you want to fly helicopters.
  7. Bear in mind that sometimes people may shoot at you.

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Flight Sims on your own Computer

    PC Checklist
  1. With a decent flight simulator program like Microsoft Flight Simulator you can start your training immediately.
  2. Step by step tutorials cover many of the things you need to know
  3. The navigation aids match those in the real world
  4. The accurate instrument panels allow you to practice your 'scan' needed for IFR flight.
  5. No one sees your bouncy landings and you don't get hurt if you crash
  6. For helicopters, I prefer the lessons in Team Apache by SIMIS.
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Microlights

a small private aircraft carrying no more than two people, with an empty weight of not more than 150 kg and a wing area not less than 10 square metres: used in pleasure flying and racing.
- Definition from Collins Dictionary.

    Microlight Checklist
  1. Not as expensive a flying light aircraft
  2. Closer to the elements if thats what you like
  3. I haven't tried this myself, seems to be a hang glider with an engine attached
  4. Recalls the early days of flying, but with less danger.
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Hang-gliding

an unpowered aircraft consisting of a large cloth wing stretched over a light framework from which the pilot hangs in a harness, using a horizontal bar to control the flight.

- Collins dictionary definition.

    Hanglider Checklist
  1. You won't catch me up in one of these
  2. Still I'm sure they are safer than they were a few years ago.
  3. Your legs are the undercarriage. If you mess up your landing they take the strain instead of the plane.
  4. No thanks
  5. Don't try suing me if you hurt yourself.
BHPA Web Site This site will tell you what to do next.
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Parachuting

    Parachute Checklist
  1. Octogenerian Guardian readers do this
  2. I'll wait till I'm 80 before trying this one
  3. Why would anyone wish to leave an aircraft high up in the air when it is still intact?
  4. I knew a free fall parachutist once, but he was mad. (No offence intended Paul).
  5. Don't forget to count to ten and pull the chord
  6. Don't muddle the handle to open the chute with the quick release catch
  7. There's always the reserve chute.
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The Rest

    You might also consider the following
  1. Transcendental Meditation - saves on fuel costs
  2. Ballooning - seems to be quite popular these days
  3. Airship - if you can find one
  4. Space Shuttle - billionaires only
  5. Base jumping - see parachuting
  6. A lawnmower - see the Darwin Awards.
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About the author

William Dunnett is a UK based Private Pilot with over 300 hours experience. He has flown gliders, single engine and twin engine light aircraft. He held a US instrument rating, but this has now lapsed. He has flown in the England, Scotland, France, USA and New Zealand.
He has piloted various light aircraft including, Piper Tomahawk, Piper Cherokee, Piper Dakota, Piper Arrow, Piper Seminole, Piper Apache, Cessna 150, Cessna 172, Cessna 177RG and Beachcraft Sundowner.
 As for gliders types include T21, K4, K7, K8, K13, Capstan, Bocian, Pirat, Swallow, Blanik, Puchacz, SGS2-33A

This site has been written as an exercise for Guildford College's Webmaster course, so although the information here is presented in good faith, no responsibilty can be taken for its accuracy or any consequences resulting from its use.

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Now try these links

Gliding Links

British Gliding Association - Lists all UK clubs
Aberdeen University Gliding Club
Booker Gliding Club
Deeside Gliding Club
Edinburgh University Gliding Club
Lasham Gliding Society - Probably the largest UK site
The Scottish Gliding Centre, Portmoak
Cairngorm Gliding Club - Unbeatable Location
Yorkshire Gliding Club - Yorkshire's Premier Soaring

Light Aircraft and Helicopters

US Pilots Association - Learn to Fly in the USA
Fairoaks Airport - Close to Guildford and Woking
Learn to fly in the USA - Learn more at this site
Learn to fly - the Cybercockpit homepage
Another good Learn to Fly page
London Transport Flying Club - Fairoaks airport - Some employers have flying clubs

Hang gliders parachutes etc

Hang gliders and parascending

Airliners and Jets

Pilots Rumours The Professional Pilots Rumour Network (PPRuNe) is a website dedicated to professional pilots and those who are considering a career as a pilot.

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