First flying lesson on Saturday

Fabio

I've my first flying lesson with AFTC in Cork on Saturday. My girlfriend got me a voucher for a 30minute lesson to give me a taste of it. I love flying and can't wait to do this but I'm not sure of what to expect...outside of what I can see on youtube videos and what I remember from Flight Simulator 2004!

What was your first time like?

folbotcar

I was fascinated at the way the ground fell away from us as we took off. This was my first flight of any kind. I was amazed at the view and was surprised at how clearly you could see everything below. Somehow I expected it to be blurry.

Then the hooligan Instructor took me down low to the local racecourse and we did a lap very close to the ground. That won't happen to you BTW.

I was delighted although felt a bit lightheaded from the antics.

These days it's a bit more sedate and sensible. You'll just be shown the controls and allowed to fly it for a bit.

lomb

I dont know why they dont let you do a few 20 degree base turn stalls, and some 2g 60 degree turns to show how much fun they can be. You wont get that in in the 30mins but 60 min first lessons should highlight these. Usually and not surprisingly most give up after around 10 hours as they dont really see any point in it thinking its boring. I think 80% of ppls dont renew their license either and most professional pilots never go back after retiring when they have to pay for it (except aerobatics)

billie1b

Remember my first lesson, I got to taxi to the RWY, take her ff, in the air for an hour, 90% of the time I was in control, the instructor took control and showed me what the a/c was capable of, I took control back, flew the downwind, turned her in, lined up and landed it, was the best ever experience of my life, hope you have a great time

martinsvi

I remember my first flight with a light aircraft like it was yesterday... that's probably a good thing, because it really was just few weeks ago, its a fantastic experience, I really loved it. I have a few lessons completed and don't really see how one would find it boring.

Obviously sensations are somewhat different to commercial passenger planes, small aircraft don't really push you in the back of your seat during normal operations, but the view is much better. You don't have that feeling of being isolated as you have in a passenger jet - the sensation of being in the air and flying is much stronger

30 minutes though is a bit too little - it really is just a circuit around the airport, but probably will get you enough excitement for the day - I mean it should be enough for you to be able to decide whether you want to pursue the PPL route or not.. What you should expect is - at best - the instructor will allow you to do some shallow turns, just for you to see how the plane works. This is not really a lesson so don't expect to learn anything skill-wise (ground briefing, if provided, will cover the basics of flight and the walk-around the plane). You are a voucher flyer, not a student. You're there to have fun so don't forget your camera!

Don't get upset if flight is postponed. The unfortunate thing with Irish weather is that it affects general aviation greatly. I've had number of my lessons cancelled/postponed due to weather

final last thing - don't bail! apparently there are quite a good few people who get cold feet when they actually have to climb into the aircraft. I've seen two cases myself in my short experience, it's not pretty and I'm sure it's something these people will never forgive themselves

Fabio

People bail out?! Well I suppose they might do if theyt weren't really into aviation all that much. I love planes though so I doubt that#ll happen. If it does I won't tell anyone anyway

I'm not really expecting to do a whole load during the flight and I'm pretty sure the 30 minutes will go by really quickly as well but I can't wait! The one thing I would love to do is just take control for a small bit and do one or two shallow turns. I'd be happy out if I got to do that.

Very interested as well in how it feels for such a small plane to land...

pepe the prawn

Fabio wrote: »

People bail out?! Well I suppose they might do if theyt weren't really into aviation all that much. I love planes though so I doubt that#ll happen. If it does I won't tell anyone anyway

I'm not really expecting to do a whole load during the flight and I'm pretty sure the 30 minutes will go by really quickly as well but I can't wait! The one thing I would love to do is just take control for a small bit and do one or two shallow turns. I'd be happy out if I got to do that.

Very interested as well in how it feels for such a small plane to land...

Your instructor should let you take the controls during flight, and if he/she doesn't then tell them you want to. That's all part of an introductory flight, they want you to fall in love with it so that you will come back and do your training with them.

Duffer2010

On my first flight it struck me how the aircraft interior compared to that of a commercial airline was rather tired. Not sure the age of Atlantics fleet, but a lot of light training aircraft in Ireland are quite old( not a bad thing by the way) Best feeling ever as you taxi out for take off. Weather on my first flight was very mixed, was interesting to see the rain showers sparodically placed throughout the sky. A great sense of achievment when you get back down. You'll love it.

Flyer1

Atlantic has the most modern and well maintained fleet of training aircraft in the country so you'll be in safe hands ! Your instructor will probably go through a little bit about the primary effects on controls and when you're in the air you'll get the chance to feel what they really do ! There's no instructor in the world that will let you take off or land on your very first time in an aeroplane !

Take a little look at this. A quick run over what does what on the aeroplane !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KWOzgGbFrw

Simon Gruber Says

Here's an idea of what the view is like from a cessna at 2000 feet

Fabio

That looks very nice indeed. Must not forget to bring the camera so.

pepe the prawn

So, how did your first flying lesson go?

McNulty737

I was blown away. Fell in love with the views and the handling characteristics of an aircraft. Life changing moment, 2.5 years later I was sitting in the right seat of a 737...and 3 years after that in the left seat . Don't regret a thing.

billie1b

McNulty737 wrote: »

I was blown away. Fell in love with the views and the handling characteristics of an aircraft. Life changing moment, 2.5 years later I was sitting in the right seat of a 737...and 3 years after that in the left seat . Don't regret a thing.

Cappachino??

Fabio

I had a ball. It was something else altogether! I can't wait to do another. He controlled the engine and flaps on landing but I was able to do the rest...it was bumpy but we survived

ProfessorPlum

As an instructor once said: any landing you can walk away from is a good landing. One where you can use the aircraft again is a great landing. You had a great landing OP, welcome to the world of aviation. Enjoy the ride