Taking to the skys.

[calder1]

Well after years of talking about getting my pilots license i have actually begun. I'm about 10 hours in flying out of Long Beach, CA . Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Craig

[LouB747]

I grew up in Long Beach and got my license there. 10 hrs, looks like your first solo isn't that far off. What FBO? Using 25L primarily...downwind over signal? Tips, find an instructor you like. There are plenty of them out there. If you have any questions along the way, feel free to email me. I've been an instructor out of LGB, so know the ropes. If my CFI was still current, I'd give you some free instruction. I've been thinking of renewing it, but just haven't got around to it.

Here's one tip. It may sound ridiculous, but look outside more. Most beginner pilots are glued to the panel. I used to bring a towel with me and use it to cover the panel with new students. Teach them what straight and level looks like, sounds like, without referring to an altimeter. Use the distance between the nose and the horizon as your pitch reference. Use engine sound to determine if your climbing or descending. I'm assuming your in a C-152 or C-172 with a fixed pitch prop.

There are a lot of other planes in that practice area too. I've had my share of close calls. So keep a lookout.

Most of all, have fun and enjoy every minute of it. It's addictive!

Lou
LouB747@gmail.com

[calder1]

Originally Posted by LouB747

I grew up in Long Beach and got my license there. 10 hrs, looks like your first solo isn't that far off. What FBO? Using 25L primarily...downwind over signal? Tips, find an instructor you like. There are plenty of them out there. If you have any questions along the way, feel free to email me. I've been an instructor out of LGB, so know the ropes. If my CFI was still current, I'd give you some free instruction. I've been thinking of renewing it, but just haven't got around to it.

Here's one tip. It may sound ridiculous, but look outside more. Most beginner pilots are glued to the panel. I used to bring a towel with me and use it to cover the panel with new students. Teach them what straight and level looks like, sounds like, without referring to an altimeter. Use the distance between the nose and the horizon as your pitch reference. Use engine sound to determine if your climbing or descending. I'm assuming your in a C-152 or C-172 with a fixed pitch prop.

There are a lot of other planes in that practice area too. I've had my share of close calls. So keep a lookout.

Most of all, have fun and enjoy every minute of it. It's addictive!

Lou
LouB747@gmail.com

Thanks Lou,

I am with Long Beach flying club and using a C-172. I do use 25L over Signal Hill

Craig

[2000YELLOW360]

Don't take breaks. If you do a concentrated course, you'll get done a lot quicker. Get the written out of the way sooner rather than later also.

Art

[calder1]

Originally Posted by 2000YELLOW360

Don't take breaks. If you do a concentrated course, you'll get done a lot quicker. Get the written out of the way sooner rather than later also.

Art

I did 4 lessons in 5 days and have another one this Sunday. My instructor has told me to prep for the written so i could be doing that soon.

[Tcar]

Tip number one...

Learn to spell 'SKIES'...

Congrats.

Keep us posted...

[Ak Jim]

Fly at least twice a week. Also know the books cold.

[calder1]

Originally Posted by Tcar

Tip number one...

Learn to spell 'SKIES'...

Congrats.

Keep us posted...

Thanks for the tip

[jason1st]

Originally Posted by 2000YELLOW360

Don't take breaks. If you do a concentrated course, you'll get done a lot quicker. Get the written out of the way sooner rather than later also.

Art

+1

Don't stop. Don't take even a few days off. Keep pressing til it's done.

[calder1]

I have been using a C-172 but thinking about switching to a Piper Warrior for my training as I prefer the Low wing planes. Is there any advantages / disadvantages to doing this for learning ?

[toggie]

Advice: Learn how to land the plane using a "stable descent".

Pre-determine the RPM settings, airspeeds, and flap settings you will use on descending downwind, base, and final.
Try not to make throttle changes until on final, if at all.
Use pitch to control airspeed and hit the targeted airspeeds for descending downwind, base, and final.

Making your landings consistent is one of the keys of doing good landings.

Good luck and enjoy it!
.

[jason1st]

Originally Posted by calder1

I have been using a C-172 but thinking about switching to a Piper Warrior for my training as I prefer the Low wing planes. Is there any advantages / disadvantages to doing this for learning ?

No. You'll be so green with a fresh PPL that it really doesn't matter. PPL is a license to learn. Doesn't matter what you get your PPL in.

[FERRARI-TECH]

Originally Posted by calder1

Well after years of talking about getting my pilots license i have actually begun. I'm about 10 hours in flying out of Long Beach, CA . Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Craig

Mate thats too funny...I am about 5 hours ahead of you..Flying out of KVNY, in a G1000 equipped C-172 also...just like you, have been meaning to do it for 20 years...small world, two Brits, living in SoCal, fixing Ferrari's and learning to fly at the same time..we have to talk LOL

[FERRARI-TECH]

[QUOTE=LouB747;141625362]

I used to bring a towel with me and use it to cover the panel with new students. Teach them what straight and level looks like, sounds like, without referring to an altimeter. Use the distance between the nose and the horizon as your pitch reference. Use engine sound to determine if your climbing or descending.


Lou
[QUOTE]

Thats funny you mention that, My lesson this weekend was spent entirely in the pattern, and after a few "controlled impacts with the ground", my instructor covered the PFD with a towel for the remainder of the lesson, for those very reasons. Funny thing about Van Nuys, is that its so busy, of the 8 touch and goes i did this weekend 5 where with " wake turbulence", I'm learning to stay "high and long" real early !!. But i am addicted !

[Zack]

Originally Posted by toggie

Advice: Learn how to land the plane using a "stable descent".

Pre-determine the RPM settings, airspeeds, and flap settings you will use on descending downwind, base, and final.
Try not to make throttle changes until on final, if at all.
Use pitch to control airspeed and hit the targeted airspeeds for descending downwind, base, and final.

Making your landings consistent is one of the keys of doing good landings.

Good luck and enjoy it!
.

Pure gold! Don't faff about with the throttle. Make sure you master stabilizing the plane in each leg until you are on short final. Grease it in...they love that! No, wait!

[calder1]

Originally Posted by FERRARI-TECH

Mate thats too funny...I am about 5 hours ahead of you..Flying out of KVNY, in a G1000 equipped C-172 also...just like you, have been meaning to do it for 20 years...small world, two Brits, living in SoCal, fixing Ferrari's and learning to fly at the same time..we have to talk LOL

Haha, your right small world. I tried the C-172 with the G1000 but didn't really like it so i moved to a c-172 with old school gauges. I have been flying with a friend in his piper Arrow to build up time and prefer the low wing planes so will be continuing my lessons in a piper warrior starting this weekend.

[sf_hombre]

Small world getting smaller.

I too have returned to flying. Got my PPL 16 years ago and now re-learning a lot of stuff in a 172 with G1000. I'm lucky that PlusOne Flyers here in San Diego has over 60 planes available to rent (and over 1000 members) so there's a variety of aircraft available.

Shiny side up, oily side down to all of us!

[FERRARI-TECH]

Originally Posted by sf_hombre

Small world getting smaller.

I too have returned to flying. Got my PPL 16 years ago and now re-learning a lot of stuff in a 172 with G1000. I'm lucky that PlusOne Flyers here in San Diego has over 60 planes available to rent (and over 1000 members) so there's a variety of aircraft available.

Shiny side up, oily side down to all of us!

I was just reading an article about PlusOne Flyers, as joining a flying club is my intention, and they sure seem to have their stuff together. Are they in the LA area also ? or can anyone recommend flying clubs at Van Nuys or Whiteman preferably ?

[calder1]

Originally Posted by FERRARI-TECH

I was just reading an article about PlusOne Flyers, as joining a flying club is my intention, and they sure seem to have their stuff together. Are they in the LA area also ? or can anyone recommend flying clubs at Van Nuys or Whiteman preferably ?

I am a member of the Long Beach flying club. I like it however the equipment is a little dated.

[envytheZ06]

Originally Posted by calder1

Well after years of talking about getting my pilots license i have actually begun. I'm about 10 hours in flying out of Long Beach, CA . Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Craig

Like everyone else is saying, just keep at it and don't take long breaks it will just make you regress in your training. Regarding the ground school portion I would recommend using the cessna online program. I used that for my private and instrument and thought it was a very in depth program. I also used the GLEIM books to read over a few weeks before my written to get an idea of how the questions are worded. Good luck!