Private Pilots Liscence

By the way I am 15 in a days time ( on saturday) 😀

Hi matey,

Ive got my second lesson next week for my ppl or jar... not decided yet. Anyway, how often are you planning on having lessons?
The reason I ask is I think you have to be 16 before you can take a solo flight..

But, I wish you the very best of luck with it. I think everyone should take lessons. My first flight was once of the best experiences of my life!

I'm not sure how often it will be im afraid. Thanks for your good luck.

Is it true that when you are in a small aircraft for a long time you start to feel ill? 😕

Also Can i ask what do you do for your medical test thingy and what do you do on your first flight? ❓

SteveT wrote:

I'm not sure how often it will be im afraid. Thanks for your good luck.

Is it true that when you are in a small aircraft for a long time you start to feel ill? 😕

yeah, when you are caught in a turbulence.....
go to six flags and spend a few day riding coasters, you will get used to it

nottobe, Are you doing your PPL - have you ever got caught in turbulence?

No, I want to, but don't know when, hope soon. I did take 5 one hour lessons 2 years ago though. But my friend has a Piper Chyenne, I have taken a lot rides with him when he is on his business trips (he flies his own plane for business trips)
Yes, I had a lot bumps especially in summer, when ground heats up a lot upward air, so that turboprop twin can go up and down like crazy. The funny thing is: I love turbulence, it makes me feel I am really flying. Whenever I have a smooth ride, I feel bored.....
But do a little test to your self, try a rollercoaster, if you hate it, probably you wont be feeling too well in a turbulence... 🙂

I have a Medical Certificate Class 1. They made me do some tests, like vision, hearing, cardiology tests, brain tests, psychological tests, and some normal tests too.

SteveT wrote:

Hi all,

I am looking to start my PPL this year possibly and I am just asking for some advice and some tips. I will be going up in a Cessna 152 for a trial flight to see how it goes and will tell you what happens.

So if anyone has/is doing their PPL - could we discuss it together? Or even give me some pointers?

Thanks 😉

I have about 15 hrs in a 172. If you have any questions just ask.
If you do get motion sick you will get over it in about 5-10 lessons or so, depends on the person. Don't worry, on your intro flight you'll probly just fly straight and level. Make sure you tell your instructor about your FS expirience. 😉
Good Luck.

You are starting pretty young. Flying is expensive; even more so in the UK. Unless your made of money, most of it will go to waste. You need to be flying regularly in order not to lose what you have learned. Flying once a month or so wont cut it.

On an intro flight, its basically just a short local flight around the area. You get to try flying and the instructor will probably take you to some landmarks in the area and point them out. No challenges or anything, just something to bring you back for more.

For a 3rd class medical, you just basically need to insure the doctor your alive and not insane. As long as your vision is corrected to atleast 20/40 youl'l be fine.

You'll be just fine. I got my PPL in 1997 when I was 57 years old. Flying is everything you think it is and more. It's unique and fun. Don't be apprehensive about anything while learning. You'll do just like everyone and you CFI will understand. Landing the plane is your main concern when learning but is easy once you do it a few times. Have fun, study and be a great pilot. 😛

Ok thanks everyone on your replys - very helpful! 😀

Can I just ask someone, Can you describe the medical tests in a little more detail - thanks 😉

When I first went up it was fairly bumpy but I didnt feel sick. I think if you worry about that then you probably will do.
I dont get sick travelling but I think as your concentrating that much on what your doing that you wont bother worrying about that. Its the same for nerves. When I fly as a passenger im never afraid but there is always that little voice in the back of your head as your not doing anything. But then I was up there, it didnt even cross my mind.

On my first flight I did everything involved in flying the plane. Take-off, climb, approach, landing etc but the instructor had his hands on the yoke during the tricky parts to make sure I didnt screw up and he was talking me through everything.

I found taxiing harder than flying 😂 its a realy pain in the backside to keep the plane going straight down the taxiiway. I must have looked like a drunken man walking home.

Mike,
There are currently 2 types of medical in the UK at the moment. Class 1 and Class 2 medicals. A Class 1 medical is for professional piloting, needed for commercial licenses and the ATPL license. The Class 2 license is less stringent and is needed for private pilot flying in the UK. Some people opt for the Class One medical even though they are only looking at getting their PPL simply because it then covers you if you want to go further and do commercial licenses.

This explains the JAR Class 2 medical exam:

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?categoryid=49&pagetype=90&pageid=528

The JAR Class 1 medical exam:

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/49/SRG_Med_Initial_Class1_Medex.pdf

Note: the intial JAR Class One medical must be conducted at Gatwick airport, but as you live a few minutes from there, it shouldn't be too hard 😉

Ok - Thanks for the information Jon.

Can I also ask, if I wanted to do a trial flight - would I have to have a medical and at what age do i need to have it - is it compulsory?

Thanks 😉

You dont need to have a medical before your trial flight... just if you decide to go for the license.

A Class 2 medical is compulsory for solo flying in the UK. You will have about 25-30 hours of dual instruction, when you don't need a medical because there is a flight instructor to take over the controls in the event of a problem. When you go solo, you will need to show the flight school a class 2 medical exam certificate.
However, I wouldn't leave it that late to get the medical because if it is found that there is an underlying problem which prevents you from obtaining your certificate then you have had around 25-30 hours of instruction but then cannot go solo, which means you can't get your PPL - so it would be wasted.

As far as I know, there aren't any injections involved, but they do prick your skin to check your HB levels for abnormalities, but may decide to take a blood test to check red / white blood cells.

ok Thanks for your answers Jon 😉

Hi, my name is James and im getting my PPL soon i hope, i started when i was 14 and im moving slowly because of the cost i have about 10 hours in, its the most fun thing ive ever done, and i guess the only tip i hav is start your flight lessons while you are in ground school or start your flight lessons first cause it really helps in ground school. im taking ground school through my school and its free for me so ya. i love to fly, ya and i told my flight instructor that i play fs and on my intro flight he barely even touched the controls and he kept making me do everything, including the takeoff and landings.