I passed my PPL (Private Pilot’s License) in April 2002 and became part owner of G-BPIU, a Piper Warrior PA-28 based at Fairoaks in Surrey. I later bought a share of G-BJCW, a Piper Saratoga PA-32 also based at Fairoaks. The Saratoga is a great aircraft. Seats 6 people with variable pitch propeller and retractable gear, making it a “complex” aircraft but a relatively simple one at that when flying.
I wrote a daily blog the 23 days I attended flight school. If you are interested, you can read it day by day by following the links below or by starting with the first day, which you will find here.
I haven’t flown since I moved back to Denmark in 2006 though I am planning on doing some flying when I go to Australia later in 2017.
Related Posts
Learning to Fly in 23 days (Epilogue)
So Saturday afternoon I took Jackie and the family to Tampa and drove the car back to Winter Haven. I … Continue reading Learning to Fly in 23 days (Epilogue)
Learning to Fly – Day Twentythree (The moment of truth)
I was up at 06:00, showered and in the car on my way to the airfield at 06:30. I had … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Twentythree (The moment of truth)
Learning to Fly – Day Twentytwo (UK/CAA check-ride)
The day had come. It was really amazing to stop and think about. 3 weeks ago (It seemed like an … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Twentytwo (UK/CAA check-ride)
Learning to Fly – Day Twentyone (Near miss)
Today’s day-time training was going to be all about landing and taking off at non-ideal sites. So called “Performance take-off … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Twentyone (Near miss)
Learning to Fly – Day Twenty (Descent into darkness)
I was asked to plan a night cross country. From Winter Haven we would go north to Leesburg, from there … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Twenty (Descent into darkness)
Learning to Fly – Day Nineteen (Rest)
I was originally supposed to have my first check ride (The FAA) today and the CAA tomorrow. However, because of … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Nineteen (Rest)
Learning to Fly – Day Eighteen (Stalling)
With the family secured in a villa relatively close by (40 minutes’ drive), I was now seeing them every day … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Eighteen (Stalling)
Learning to Fly – Day Seventeen (Don’t look out)
So what was the biggest complaint of my instructors? And what is the number one thing every flight instructor drills … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Seventeen (Don’t look out)
Learning to Fly – Day Sixteen (Qualified?)
So after yesterday’s rather eventful cross-country today it would be on to the so-called Qualifying Cross Country flight. I had … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Sixteen (Qualified?)
Learning to Fly – Day Fifteen (Across the country)
I was running on autopilot. And do take that literally: I – myself – was running on autopilot; the plane … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Fifteen (Across the country)
Learning to Fly – Day Fourteen (The mad controller)
Based on my experiences yesterday, I did a very thorough job planning the next cross-country. We would fly out of … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Fourteen (The mad controller)
Learning to Fly – Day Thirteen (Thunder and lightening, very frightening)
We had planned to push off on an early cross-country after yesterday’s late night solos. I had done the preliminary … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Thirteen (Thunder and lightening, very frightening)
Learning to Fly – Day Twelve (Sunset and rain)
Today was the day I was going to crack through the 5 hours mandatory pattern/landings training so we could push … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Twelve (Sunset and rain)
Learning to Fly – Day Eleven (Into the Pattern)
Today was one of the best days I have had here so far. We had breakfast with Jackie & Co. … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Eleven (Into the Pattern)
Learning to Fly – Day Ten (A trip away)
So there were many good reasons I did not do any more solo flying yesterday. However, I am not really … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Ten (A trip away)
Learning to Fly – Day Nine – (Forcing it)
I knew that we would not do patterns Saturday morning, well not at Winter Haven anyways. Winter Haven is what … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Nine – (Forcing it)
Learning to Fly – Day Eight – Alone?
It was Friday. It was exactly one week since I started at the school, and we were flying at eight … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Eight – Alone?
Learning to Fly – Day Seven – Close
I know that Gerry signed off the official forms allowing me to fly solo and I did have the distinct … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Seven – Close
Learning to Fly – Day Six (What goes up…)
Yesterday had been a good day with respect to getting up this steep learning curve and today was a bit … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Six (What goes up…)
Learning to Fly – Day Five (Cheer up)
So after an evening of all you can eat Chinese with Tsin-Tao’s paid for by Alan (The Welsh guy who … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Five (Cheer up)
Learning to Fly – Day Four (and so it goes)
So, Gerry was off to fire training and I was meeting up with my 1-day temporary instructor. Yannick, from France, … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Four (and so it goes)
Learning to Fly – Day Three (Hard work)
Today we planned to take off around 8:00 and we were not too far off schedule taking off at 08:15. … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Three (Hard work)
Learning to Fly – Day Two (Special events)
I should have had an idea today wasn’t going to turn out normal. I couldn’t find my pen in the … Continue reading Learning to Fly – Day Two (Special events)
Learning to Fly in 23 days – Day One (The trip)
The flight over to Florida was uneventful. Some turbulence at the departing end (hah, I’ve flown in worse myself) and … Continue reading Learning to Fly in 23 days – Day One (The trip)