JAR-FCL (A) skill test result

1 year ago i was very dazed and confused. I like having options and yet i found myself at a dead end. Having spent many years working closely with Alan McGee (the driving force behind Oasis) at Creation, I was managing bands such as the Libertines during Pete Doherty’s time in the band. I experienced the roller-coaster ‘bona fide’ rock-and-roll lifestyle. When my time in the UK music industry ended i found my self looking for fresh possibilities and experiences. I always knew that i wanted to fly aeroplanes and it was important for me to finally pursue my dream. I knew that it would not be easy but i would find a way. 6 months ago, i was 1 plane ticket away from going to San Diego to fly with Martin Lloyd at Anglo-American Aviation International

here are a few links to Freedom in the air sections re press stories
http://www.freedom-in-the-air.com/media

Interviews with some interesting people
http://freedom-in-the-air.com/questions-from-the-air/

All things pilot training related – including great weather info
http://freedom-in-the-air.com/

I arrived at Cranfield just before 2pm local, and the weather was sublime, a wonderful British autumnal day. The setting was just right for my flight test. I was fairly silent at the flying school, said little and took the cover of the plane, did the A check, got all the paperwork ready for the examiner to check and waited to be told where i would have to plan the flight for. At about 3pm, the flight ops man told me to plan a flight to Woolfox Lodge, “where” i said? Woolfox Lodge is just on the boundary of Cottesmore.

Once VFR flight plan was completed, i went through all my emergency drills, engine fire at altitude, cabin fire, engine fire after take off, brake failure – then i double checked all the radio freq i would need, i confirmed london information freq in case Cottesmore was closed. As the time got closer to the start of the test, i began to get more nervous. The examiner asked me if i was ready and gave me a kind smile as if to say ” cheer up lad”

Once on the parking Apron, i saw a twin diamand star blocking my PA28 from taxing which caused a few minutes delay before the ground crew moved it and i would start my checks. those words ‘clear prop’ and then the sputter of the prop. Got my information from ATIS, called the tower for taxi clearance and gently released brakes and taxied along A to A1 cross rwy18 for rwy21.

My navex would be to Woolfox lodge and i would start the leg from Olney VRP and my planned altitude was 2500ft. Aviate, Navigate and Communicate i said to myself as the wheels left the ground. After 5 minutes, i was on track and everything was looking good. the examiner asked me various questions which i answered correctly. Once i was cleared for matz crossing, i arrived at the turning point which was bang on the nose. Part 1 over and successful.

From woolfox, the examiner looked at my map and after 10 sec or so and said, “right, i would like to go to St Neots”. I could see roughly from the corner of my eye where he was pointing to when he had the map and after a few looks, i found it and it is a tiny place to divert to.

Wind was 350/10, and after a few minutes of working out a dead reckoning and mental calculations for cross wind and headwind element, i did a U- turn and made a heading change to 180 towards St Neots from 004, which would be 40nm away. As i crossed Wittering, my examiner told me some interesting history of the RAF and the bombers they used to keep there. Flew past Connington and i knew i was on track and my timing was good, which to be honest suprised me as i hate dead reckoning. Over Grantham water and i was feeling ok and knew that the destination for the diversion was straight ahead and i could see it on the nose as it has a railway line runing N-S.

At St Neots, we climbed to 4000ft where the rest of the flight test would be undertaken. this included, general handling, steep turns to the right and left at 45 degrees, recovery from full stall at the heavy buffet, practice force landings. Once they were completed, we flew to Stewartby VRP avoiding the Bedford danger zone, we overtook a Cessna which was doing a strange joining pattern. Once in the Cranfield circuit we flew a few circuits, made landings with flaps and without flaps and finally ended the session with a glide approach to land. Taxied and brakes on at 19.10 local. My brain felt dead, and my examiner told me that i had PASSED.

I did not know how to react. i was completely suprised and i had somehow got it into my head that i wouldn’t pass the skill test the first time. i felt very exhausted but very very happy. I did want to give the examiner a big hug to say thank you but thought that would not be the proper thing to do, so instead i shook his hand and sort of bowed.

I have my skill test report and i can’t believe that i have done. it is still sinking in. It is probably one of the greatest feeling i have ever had and i am lost for the right word to describe the feeling. The past 6 months have taught me a lot and has got the best out of me i feel. the ups and downs, the challenges, the euphoria, the dilemas, the arguments, the stress, the annoyances, the nervous feeling before each written exam, making new friends, the interviews, discovering my own potential, leaning about compassion and integrity and the conflicts – it has all be worth it.

“You can do no great things, but only small things with great love” – Mother Teresa

My written exam results – All taken between May and August 2007.

Air Law and Procedure 75%
Meteorology 80%
Human Performance and limitations 100%
Aircraft General and principles of flight 86%
Flight planning and performance 84%
RT Theory 96%
Navigation 80%

i am very grateful to this forum for your kind words.

I think it will take a few days to sink in that i have successfully trained to become a Private pilots licence holder. What next – FLY AROUND THE WORLD MAYBE??? http://www.freedom-in-the-air.com