Flight Log: {008}

This log is about obtaining the Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL). The culmination of all your hard work as a new young pilot, and a very exciting achievement for me personally, my very first since I finished school. With helicopters you will normally get awarded your PPL at around 50 – 60 hours of flight time. Once you have completed all your theoretical examinations successfully, as well as the practical flying syllabus, your flight instructor will take you through some hours in the air, practicing and perfecting your flying skills in both the general flying and navigating arenas. This is carried out in the days or weeks preceding your PPL flight tests. Once your instructor feels that you are ready and prepared for your flight tests, as well as a brush up on your theoretical knowledge (your test will probably also include a briefing prior to the test, and a debriefing after your flight where you may be questioned on relative aerodynamics, rules of the air, aircraft specifics etc.), he/she will recommend you as proficient and ready to take your PPL tests. A grade II flight instructor will conduct your flight tests, and this is normally a different instructor to the one who prepared you for your test. The day of your test is quite a nerve racking one! Start your day off with a good breakfast. It helps to calm the nerves, especially up in the air! As you are going about your morning, including last minute preparations before heading down to the airfield, you start to realize how much of a responsibility you are about to take on once you have been awarded your wings. Then there is no instructor sitting next to you, to grab the controls should something go wrong. But the feeling of accomplishment and achievement when you earn your wings on that day, no feeling like it!