Marc O’Gorman October Blog
Well over 2 months into the course and we have broken the back of initial ground school and we have the basics covered at the PPL level. The theory has been laid out in front of us through intensive enough classroom days. Some days I found myself feeling very lucky to be studying this full time, subjects that really interest me like Aircraft General Knowledge, Principles of Flight and the great complexities of Meteorology (you learn quick enough it is most definitely not an exact science). It is true that when you’re doing something you love it just makes the whole process easier, you have a hunger for knowledge. Unfortunately not all the subjects are such an easy pill to swallow. On the days covering subjects like Air Law the coffee intake definitely increases a considerable amount. Air law, absolutely necessary……..but not necessarily exciting.
The great thing about this course, you really don’t need hours upon hours of knowledge and experience to go for it.
When I look at the sheer volume of information covered in such a short amount of time it really gives a good indication of what is required over the duration of this course. A solid study regime is essential, you have to be committed from day one because even at the initial level it has the potential to pile up. Thankfully it hasn’t been all academic, we’re here to fly too! We have been getting some initial flying done starting at the basics of aircraft control and progressing nicely through more complex manoeuvers and getting to know the aircraft operations and limitations. The great thing about this course, you really dont need hours upon hours of knowledge and experience to go for it. I myself had very little flying time logged before starting out, only a handful of hours from introductory flights, so I would consider myself a complete novice. They say practice makes perfect and it’s amazing how flying a few hours within a few days really allows you to feel more comfortable and at home in the aircraft. And in these aircraft is definitely where I want to be. Having done my research on a large number of schools throughout Europe, the US and UK as well as visiting a handful it has to be said that AFTA have the best of aircraft available to their students. A great sized fleet, well maintained and and fantastic to fly.
So after a solid first few weeks of intensive ground school, some fantastic hours of flying and a whole lot of study in between the first set of exams present themselves. Two days, seven exams, 75% pass rate. My confidence is high, I have put in the work but there is of course a anxiousness as to how they will go. Much to my delight I pass all exams. In all honestly, one or two results were lower than I would have hoped for, but this highlights which subjects I will really need to keep on track of and continue to work on. For now I am really looking forward to the next part of training, building hours in the aircraft and progressing on to more and more skilled flying. Exciting times ahead.