PPL skills add-ons

[Richard Ogley]

Hi Guys,

As a newly licenced GA PPL I was wondering what this group's views
were on how much general flying would be appropriate before I think
about training for any endorsements or ratings?

Obviously I need higher skills to get something like a night rating,
and would (say) 50 hrs of weekend navs be advantageous?

I would be getting the added skills to improve my flying, and because
it's fun.

Richard.

[John T]

"Richard Ogley" > wrote in message

>
> Obviously I need higher skills to get something like a night rating,
> and would (say) 50 hrs of weekend navs be advantageous?

Where are you flying?

If by "weekend navs" you mean "cross country flights", then yes, that's a
good idea. You may also want to consider a tailwheel endorsement and maybe
take a couple hours of aerobatic instruction (spins, etc.).

--
John T
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[Richard Ogley]

"John T" > writes:

> > Obviously I need higher skills to get something like a night rating,
> > and would (say) 50 hrs of weekend navs be advantageous?
>
> Where are you flying?

Victoria, Australia. The environment here is a bit harder to fly in
than the rest of Australia, we don't get 15 hrs of sunshine a day, and
there are mountains all around...

To a VFR pilot there is about a 30% chance of being stuck on the
ground!

> If by "weekend navs" you mean "cross country flights", then yes,
> that's a good idea. You may also want to consider a tailwheel
> endorsement and maybe take a couple hours of aerobatic instruction
> (spins, etc.).

I hadn't thought of aerobatic instruction, that would help me out. I
guess I am thinking about what would make me a safe pilot if I am
flying only once or twice a month.

Cheers,
Richard.

[Cub Driver]

I'd go take a stalls/unusual attitudes program like the one at
Chandler AZ. Great fun and fills the holes in your training.


-- all the best, Dan Ford

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Warbird's Forum: www.warbirdforum.com
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the blog: www.danford.net
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[Cub Driver]

On 06 Jun 2005 15:40:42 +1000, Richard Ogley > wrote:

>make me a safe pilot if I am
>flying only once or twice a month.

Personally, I don't think that's enough!

I read a book by a glider pilot who gave up powered aircraft because
he couldn't maintain the 80 hours a year he felt was the minimum to
stay current. I can't, either, but I plan for 50 hours and I try to
fly every week.

(I meant "spins" in my earlier reply, not stalls. Sorry!)


-- all the best, Dan Ford

email (put Cubdriver in subject line)

Warbird's Forum: www.warbirdforum.com
Piper Cub Forum: www.pipercubforum.com
the blog: www.danford.net
In Search of Lost Time: www.readingproust.com

[Richard Ogley]

Cub Driver > writes:

> I read a book by a glider pilot who gave up powered aircraft because
> he couldn't maintain the 80 hours a year he felt was the minimum to
> stay current. I can't, either, but I plan for 50 hours and I try to
> fly every week.

Well it's always a talking point, how much do you need to stay
current? 50 hours a year is a good benchmark. It's much more than
the rate I flew at for my licence (a two-year timescale), of course I
was getting constant training during that time :)

Of the current pilots out there on 'average' incomes, how much flying
do you do a year?

> (I meant "spins" in my earlier reply, not stalls. Sorry!)

Sure. The more I think about it, spin training is handy. Of course
I've done unusual attitude recovery during the instrument training,
but no spins.

Richard.