I finally took the step up and had my first flying lesson on Saturday.
Apart from the freezing temperatures, it was absolutely fantastic.
I flew in a little Cessna-150.
It was a little weird having to unlearn 25 years of driving knowledge, in that I was steering with my feet and throttling by hand! Once I got the hang of that, it was into the air, and over the Central Coast lakes, and off the coast for a good hour's initiation. We also did some whale watching, about 600m off Soldier's Beach.
I started coming to grips with turning correctly, so that I wasn't trying to escape through the window at each turn!
I also love the fact that you can trim the plane for stable, level flight.
What really amazed me, was how incredibly cramped the cockpit was. The CFI and I are both around 6', and both broad-shouldered, so the fit was very tight, indeed!
I need to book my flight medical, which should be a formality. I'm not sick, injured or unfit. I don't smoke or drink, and heart disease isn't a hereditary issue.
I got bought my first lesson for a chrissie present some years ago. I'm the same size as you, and you're right - it is tight. Such fun though !
For my next pressie, my Mrs bought me a helicopter lesson, and believe me, you ain't seen "tight" til you've been in one of these beasties. They're made for midgets I swear. I can't remember the exact model but I'm pretty sure it was a "Robinson" something or other.
The Cessna 150/152 is the classic trainer and yes the cabin is small and this is why often a C172 is used for training if available as it is just that little bit roomier. Either are a lot of fun though especially if there is a bit of a breeze throwing you around a little although you soon wish it were more serene.
On my first trial introductory flight I had to hold short of crossing the runway waiting for a 737 to land and to see something moving at 140 knots right in front, you realise just how fast that is and that was the landing speed not the cruise! I did another TIF a year later but never did take it up. Too many other 'hobbies'.
Good on you shane, its lots of fun. The 150 is small, but not as small as some. I own a Jabiru SK and its a little smaller than the 150 but I am not a big bloke so its not so bad. Most of my flying is local so I don't need to carry gear. On the odd time I fly interstate I often use a larger aircraft as friends and family also have planes. Better fun flying with another person on-board... Keep up the lessons as it is very rewarding and enjoy it. You will be one of a very few that gets this opportunity in life. Flying is a great privilege that we are able to be a part of.
Fly Safe
This was a gift as well ... my wife knows that I want to take this up, and get my own plane eventually. So she sprung this on my for my birthday. It has been months until I finally had a free morning to take them up on it.
My understanding is that once I come onboard fully with the flight school, lessons will indeed be in a 172, so a little more shoulder room there!
So, I need to do the medical, then lodge the ASIC and AVIC paperwork to CASA, then onward from there.
I think the ideal for me, is to get my PPL, then source a 172 or 182, and some property away from the light, people, civilisation in general ...
I don't want to take it further than a private thing. I'll leave the ferrying to real pro's, like Allan. I just want to be able to get up, go, land and start scoping in a quiet, cold, dark location (cold not necessary, though).
If you're finding that cramped, perhaps you should try flying a paraglider - the harness is like a Jason recliner, lots of space - nothing but air under your feet, and the wind in your face )
Congratulations Shane, the thing about learning to fly is it's fun all the way, never a dull moment. All cockpits are crowded to an extent. If your intent is to own, make sure you have deep pockets, maintenance costs are a killer, more so with GA registered aircraft than Ultralight. Mardy's Jabiru is the way to go, not sure if it's still the case, but with a GA PPL you can still fly an Ultralight registered aircraft in to controlled airspace, plus with UL reg you can maintain yourself saving big dollars.
Great experience, isn't it? Once you've flown, you'll always be looking up longing to be airborne whenever you hear a plane fly overhead.
We discovered a bit of a problem with our C152 planes - with decent amount of fuel on board for a cross-country nav exercise and two average sized adult males can often put your weight and balance outside the envelope.
We eventually started insisting on dual nav exercises being done in C172 planes and only solo nav exercises in the C152.
Cramped? Move to a bigger aircraft. The Robbie 22 and Cessna 152 are both cramped, but as you get on it gets better.
Enjoy being cramped for a while though, it's part of the appeal.
Gary
I took my first C150 aerobat lesson back in January 1988, went solo in 7.1 hours. Touch & go's are fun but I loved force landing practice the most. I went to Ultralights owning a Sadler Vampire & later a TST Thruster gemini.
Sounds good. I was given a flying lesson (first ever) for my birthday in Feb this year, but I haven't been able to find the time to redeem it. I hope I can get to it soon.
Had my first lesson before I could drive - parents had to drive me out to the airport after school. Went solo in a touch over 6.2 hours, and never looked back, until I unfortunately went out medically a few years ago. Oh well, had 20 years at it, amassed several thousand hours, taught several hundred airline cadets and generally had a ball.
Now, I do aerobatics and vintage aircraft flying, unfortunately less often than I would like.
My old man on the other hand can't stop - was TAA then Singapore Airlines, retiring as a B777 training captain. Since "retirement", he flew for Jetstar on the A320, before also going out medically. He's now a B777 simulator instructor
If the costs prove to be too much for the exchequer, you can always go gliding. I've had ten years of incredible fun with minimum costs, some exciting times. The soaring fraternity are very friendly and there is minimum legislation, although safety has high priority.
Following your adventures Shane it is great to hear your impressions. But as to time my friend we each get 24 hrs just make sure you dont spend them on everything for everyone else and make sure you SAVE some time for you personally. Life is short dont wake up one day wondering why you missed this or that. Lots of things we think are for us personally but in truth often it really is time going to support others. I always ment to but never fitted it in and in reflection I think it would be the best.Racing was great but it should have been flying. Best wishes go for it and please keep sharing the experience so others can enjoy it with you. So good. Best wishes good night..er goodmorning it seems.
I took my first C150 aerobat lesson back in January 1988, went solo in 7.1 hours. Touch & go's are fun but I loved force landing practice the most. I went to Ultralights owning a Sadler Vampire & later a TST Thruster gemini.
Doug, that's cool. I went solo in December 1987 on my 15th birthday. My old man bought a Vampire and I flew that a couple of weeks later. Boy was that the time of my life.
I had a nice telescope at the time and was very passionate about astronomy and wanted to do it for a career. But once I started flying I knew that was the only thing for me.
)
I hope I can get to it soon.
