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Your Age and Disability need not be a barrier to learning to fly

I woke up one morning earlier this summer, three months short of my 62nd birthday to be precise and decided to fullfil a life long ambition, to learn to fly. ( a brain storm I’m thinking ) Over the next few weeks or so I contacted various agencies and clubs,  the  BDFA being one of the first and made the usual general enquiries as to the cost etc, and to find out if I would have any trouble     with my disability. I have rheumatoid arthritis and didn’t  know if my two replacement knees, and bent fingers would inhibit me in  any way from getting into and out of the cockpit or handling the controls. 

The replies I received from every source were very positive and full of encouragement, So the following Saturday I ventured off to my nearest flying club determined to get things moving.

The Cambrian Flying Club at Pembrey, which is about half way between Llanelli and Carmarthen, close to Kidwelly in South Wales, and shares this second world war aerodrome with the local racing circuit and model flying club all surrounded by a working farm.

On arrival I was soon put at ease and made welcome by Derek the owner. Everything was explained to me in great detail, and a trial flight was booked for the following Sunday. I was given a medical form, which during the week I had to get my GP to sign, as to my fitness to fly. ( it didn’t cover mental competency ) 

A week later the long awaited day dawned and after a hearty breakfast I set off for the airfield. On my arrival I was introduced to Karl who was to become my instructor,. He went over the basics of the flight with me and introduced me to the Tomahawk P38, this would be my training machine for the duration of my PPL course.

I was time to get started and after carrying out the exterior flight checks on G-LFSB I was ready to find out if my 6ft 4in body, arthritic fingers and two bionic knees could be teased into such a small cockpit, but once I was shown were to hold onto and how to ease myself in it became quite roomy and comfortable once strapped into the left hand seat.

Karl then went over the pre flight checklists with me and before I new it the engine was ticking over nicely. He called for taxy clearance instructions and we were soon moving out onto the apron. Stopping short of the yellow lines, nose into wind for more pre-flight checks, those done we asked for and were given our instructions for departure. We crossed the yellow lines turned right onto runway 22 and back tracked to the far end, Karl turned the Tomahawk left 180deg onto the threshold, one last set of checks, one more r/t call, full throttle and we were rolling, the ground speed picking up with each yard, 40kts 50kts  60kts a very gentle rotation of the yoke and we were airborne.

I had like most people flown thousands of miles in big jets around the world, but you never forget that first foray into the air behind the controls of a light aircraft as I’m sure you will all know, it’s a memory that will stay with me for life, and the best way to travel.
At 500ft we banked gently to the left (port) and continued to climb to 1000ft by this time we could see the Gower Peninsular below to our right, with it’s long sandy beaches and green rolling fields. Leveling off at 1000ft and I was instructed to take control of the yoke and found that I was actually flying the plane, it was surprisingly smooth and responsive, not at all how I had imagined. 

We spent the next 45 minutes cruising around carrying out various maneuvers, getting the feel of the controls, and not to forget the almost mandatory pass over my house just along the coast. But It seemed that no sooner were we up than we must return to the ground. I was amazed how much time I was given to fly the plane and with my instructors help was able to line it up ( well nearly ) for the landing approach, I got us to about 100ft and I remember thinking “ Karl, I hope your going to take over soon” ,  but he did and we made a smooth landing on runway 22.  Something I’ve been trying to emulate ever since.

From that moment I was hooked, and determined to make further bookings for more lessons in the weeks to come. Back on the ground I got my first “Pilots log book” filled in signed and ready for my next entry the following week.

That was all back in May 06. I studied hard during that time for my first exam, passed “Air law “ in July, and on a Sunday morning in August a week after my 62nd birthday on a nice calm morning having done three touch and goes with my instructor, I was sent off on my first solo flight, around the circuit. It’s a one off experience your first solo, you’re on your own, you have to do it all for yourself with no instructor advising you. I enjoyed the freedom and thrill off that first flight and each time I repeat it now I still get that same buzz. I made a safe if not perfect landing, this was to be first of many dozens to come.

     
 

Myself in the left hand seat being congratulated by Karl my instructor after landing my first solo flight

When I landed Karl came out and met me to congratulate me as did everyone I met for several days after. But It wasn’t until I got in the club house after landing that the nerves kicked in and I found myself shaking as the adrenalin wore off and the coffee took over, and I was jabbering away about the flight.

 I still go over that first solo reliving it in detail as the days and weeks pass, thanks to Karl my instructor, Derek and my fellow club members for their encouragement and G-LFSB for the privilege.

Since then I have found studying for more of the exams on my own hard going, so in September I elected to spend a week at a ground training school, which was very hard work, but interesting and rewarding and I came home having passed 5 more of the CAA exams. I am building up more solo time now ( and landings ) and look forward to leaving the circuit soon for more advanced training in the months ahead.

 I wish with hind sight I had started flying years ago, but time and money were not available in those days so I aim to enjoy my flying now, and as my next goal it would be great if I could complete my PPL training by my 63rd birthday in 2007. 

I hope my experience will inspire other disabled people to give flying a try, you don’t know what you can do until you try. Find a local Flying club with people like Derek and Karl and you will always be sure that someone will be around to help you fullfil that dream, to experience the step learning curve the thrill and freedom that you can only get from flying. And not to forget the new friends you make along the way who do help and encourage you every step along the way.

Peter Bishop ( NPPL Student 2006)  

 

 

Your Age and Disability need not be a barrier to learning to fly PART 2

The months since I last wrote the first part of my story for this magazine seems to have flown by, (excuse the pun)
as I come to the end of my training I wanted to complete my story, I hope you find it as interesting and inspiring
as the first.I was lucky being able to continue with my tuition during those dark winter months, dodging the rain and
what little snow we had here in South Wales, and having to compete for aircraft time with all my fellow student pilots,
who also wanted to fly.

Around this time a new syndicate was forming at the club and I was asked if I would like to join. Five of us now own
a Cessana175b and once it’s ready we will be able to fly as and when we like, at the moment I can only fly it with my
friends until I’m checked out on type and qualified later in the summer.

Carl has gradually increased the workload now, with more detailed radio calls, flight planning, pre post flight talks
and more advanced air simulated engine failure is a bit scary, just as you start to climb out, after take off being
favourite, but once you get into a routine it becomes easier to cope with. Simulated forced landings from 3000ft came
next, pick a suitable site into wind, plan your descent, all this with the engine just ticking over,( you do get to give
it a boost now and again to keep the T’s & P’s happy) your taught to do all the checks, give instructions to your
passenger/s, make a mayday call, give position & details, if you have the time, that is, oh yes and fly the plane
down to your intended landing then applying full power for the climb out to regain the safety of height.

Steep turns, next, you really notice the G force as you pick the nose up and turn through first 180 then 360 deg both left and right, the view is great, it made me feel a bit queezy at first, but a real thrill that gets the adrenaline flowing.
I had been flying solo for some time now gradually venturing out across country to practice my navigation skills ,identifying places and buildings, following roads and railways, (keeping them to my left) recognising ground features  all in preparation for my looming navigation skills test.

June’s weather seemed to be set against me, every time we organised it, the weather said “no” 4 times in all I think,
But in the mean time on the 18th June I was lucky having been chosen to fly from Swansea to Pembrey airfield with Polly Varcher on this leg of her round Britain tour in aid of Flying for the Disabled, Polly was really great, and I was pleased to have had the opportunity to take part in her epic journey.  
But I diverge, I was beginning to doubt I’d ever get my Nav ex done, until late on Monday the 16th July Derek from Cambrian flying club phoned to ask if I could make it To Haverford West for 1430 hrs the next day, for my test, “ Yes I’ll be there”. I didn’t sleep much that night, my tummy was doing loops, I couldn’t Settle, eat or drink and felt like a schoolboy doing his first GCSE, my last test for anything was 1961, my driving test. 

As I drove the 50 odd miles to Haverford West I could see a lot of ominous clouds, but the weather had cleared on my  arrival at the club, so it was going to be ok. I was given the route and flight information I was to fly and set about the flight navigation plan ready for my examiner to check prior to take off in about an hour. 
Know I’ve done all my training on a P38 Tomahawk, which had just had it’s annual but was not ready to fly, so I was offered the use of the clubs Cessana150 or abort the test again. A few weeks earlier I had tried to get into this very small aircraft, I’m 6ft 3in & 16 stone with 2 metal knees that don’t like bending backwards, I had some doubts but with determination, and a lot of pushing and shoving I was finally behind the controls. My examiner Keith came aboard, and I was finally ready to prove myself capable of getting us safely and on time from A to B via C at last. 
With 70mins in the air map reading, plotting course changes, recognition work etc it soon passed. And I was calling “ finals to land runway 21 “ before it sank in that I had actually done it. 
After a flight debriefing with my examiner I was finally told I’d passed ok. To make the 100 mile round trip worthwhile Derek had arranged for me to do my oral Radio exam the same day, as I’d  done the written paper earlier. So I sat down with all the radio paperwork a cup of tea and biscuits and prepared myself for another challenge to round off my day.
 The Radio oral is a flight around an imaginary flight plan making and answering the various calls, dealing with a “May Day”, asking for and using air traffic information etc, I did make some silly mistakes but corrected them and at the end after the debrief I did managed another pass, my examiner said he thought I’d been flying a jet not a P38 as I got round it so quick, I wanted home by now and was glad of the drive back to relax and calm down and savoure the results of my days work. 
Cambrian Flying Club had been planning a fly out to France on the 18 & 19th July, we were all geared up for it, but because of the weather we had to cancel France, and plan “B” was implemented for Galway on the West coast of Ireland. Next morning we took off from Pembrey,  stopped at Haverford West for fuel and breakfast before setting off out across the Irish Sea. This was my first private flight out of the country and across water. We cruised at 3500ft most of the way over the beautiful green countryside en-route to Galway, touching down just in time for lunch at a very nice hostelry in the city centre. After a look around I went to visit some friends who lived nearby that I hadn’t seen for many years, whilst my club mates enjoyed the local hospitality and entertainment on offer in the lovely City of Galway. Next morning after a city tour we took off for Innis Mor, an island off the coast, We had a beautiful scenic tour around the 3 islands before landing, followed by lunch in the only local pub we could find. Having spent a pleasant visit on the Ireland it was Time to journey home. We are now able say that we Had have flown G-ARRI over the Atlantic. Our flight back was uneventful except for the wonderful panoramic views of Ireland as we flew  east at 3000ft, passing Shannon, and Kilkenny, abeam Wexford we coasted out over stub head. Wales soon came into view and before very long we were lining up to land on our own airfield at Pembrey. 
On the 3rd August I took my final Aircraft technical exam. I found early on that my brain found it easier to absorb the knowledge on a one to one basis, hence my return to ground school in Bournemouth. After a long hard day I gained an 80% pass, so that’s all the exams done now, I can now relax on that score at least. On Friday 31st August the weather was good and I was able to finally do my qualifying cross country, flying from Swansea to Aberporth, then on to Haverford West and home. I enjoyed my afternoon alone up in the elements. At Aberporth they gave me tea and cake on my arrival, and a lot of good helpful advice. The weather recently hasn’t allowed me to do much, delaying all my plans, but we were able to fly down to St Marys in the Scilly Isles on bank holiday Monday, which was another great experience, you learn a lot flying with other experienced pilots and listening to the traffic controllers along the route.
 Two more aborted attempts were made to do my final skill test, but the weather blocked it again until this Tuesday 4th Sept the sky was clear and blue, perfect. We took off and I carried out all the manoeuvres as instructed by my examiner, stalls, steep turns, an EFL, flapped and flapless landings, Climbing, and finally landing. After a long debrief and a mountain of paperwork I had passed  as a pilot. It’s up to the CAA now when I get that coveted licience back, so that I can at last take my Fiancee up for her first flight. The whole experience has been well worth all the time and money, endless studying Late into the night, but it’s a childhood ambition fulfilled and I am grateful to my instructors and fellow pilots for their patience and constant encouragement during the 16 months it has taken me to complete the course, and the lasting friendships made around the country along the way. So whatever your age, ability or disability, never think you can’t say yes I can, and give it a try, prove to yourself that you can, and most of all enjoy the experience, even with all the ups and downs and I promise you’ll feel good inside. 
Happy Flying 
Peter Bishop ( NPPL PILOT ) September 2007  

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