So I have more learning time, which is good, as I’m still not at 100% in the test exams. Yeah I know it sounds ambitious but I already explained in my last post the reasons for being like that. To That I’d like to add that I feel knowing the theory well is essential for the safety later on, I certainly wouldn’t want to risk life and limb of me and my eventual passenger because of my own ignorance.
Weather is still a weak spot and I decided to go deeper into it by buying an extra book. People who know my girlfriend might notice a pattern here ;-) My favourite French publisher Cépaduès also had a book on this subject so I bought, Le Meteo du Pilote VFR
I didn’t have the time yet to finish it, but the general impression I have is that the book is well written; well structured and weather phenomena are better explained. Another advantage is that it uses the practical view point so it starts with how to analyse weather charts, how to interpret clouds and cloud build-up, how to set up your flight plan (weather wise), how to interpret satellite and precipitation charts, how to analyse Met information like Metars etc. culminating into practical analysis of all weather data in your flight preparation. It also has a chapter on local weather phenomena like the Mistral, Tramontane and Autan winds, local winds in the mountains and dangerous weather situations for VFR flight. All in all, the book is a keeper, also for later reference.
Talking about the weather, I’m desperately waiting for it to become better, after all the snow the airfield is like a swamp and the grass strip cannot be used until at least mid-April. Yep I’m keen on starting my practical lessons as well.
In the meantime I’m already occupied by the big what if question for afterwards; if I manage to get my pilots’ licence, what airplane do I want to fly? I won’t have much of a budget so I’ll have to go to the bank to get a loan, which will, at least during the time I’m busy paying it off, limit my monthly budget a bit. After doing a bit of analysis on my personal financial situation I decided that about € 800 a month (£ 700, US$1100) is the max I want to spend on flying. It will be unrealistic that I’ll be able to buy the same kind of airplane I’ll do my lessons in all new. And even second hand they are deer enough. So I’ll have to look for a nice alternative fitting my circumstances. I think that this will be the subject of my next post here. For now I all wish you great flying weather and safe landings.
TTFN
Steph
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