Andrew 737 Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 Went to take my PPL Skills test today; got to Cambridge Aero Club nice and early (keen student type thing) and set myself up on a desk. I methodically (and quite nervous) went through my paperwork and planning - weather, route, fuel, weight and balance, notams, royal flights, briefings, tech logs etc etc. Re checked the weather and I had a wind coming from 320 degrees gusting and varying; so 6 runways (R23, R05, R28 and R10) all with a gusting crossind component hmmm? All runways with the wind 60 degrees or more off so full crossind component hmm ok? Went out to check out the plane and look at the wind socks and thought would I go out in this on my own for two hours, maybe? I felt the pressure of going on Holliday tommorow, all my mates waiting to hear from me and being under examination - I feel I made a decision that displayed good airmanship, I postponed. On debrief my examiner told me that was a sensible decision; limits were borderline and after an hour and a half of nav, diversion and general handling, gusting crosswind circuits (flapless, gliding with no power, precision landings etc) may not have been up to par I will go on holiday and re-book next month. BTW - just in case anyone is wondering 'And, who cares' a few people here did wish me luck (greatly appreciated) so thought I would be courteous and fill them in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CathyH Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 As a former pilot, you made the right choice. Better to be down here wishing you were up there, than up there wishing you were down here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamJSS Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 I took some chances when I would starting out too that still make me think back and just shake my head. I look for different things now. Safety is the first for a flight. Before it was just log hours. Sent from my Apple communications device. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macca22au Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 Andrew: I'm with Cathy. Best decision, and one that will strengthen your future flying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 Hi Andrew, good decision!!! Cathy is right and by the way as a still active pilot i can offer you an experience i made "listen to your belly/stomach" If he tells you "stay away" do it !!! Belly is always 10th of a second faster in making decisions than your brain or as a collegue of mine used to say "it smelled like death and ruin..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CathyH Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 As they say, there are OLD pilots, and BOLD pilots, but there are no OLD,BOLD pilots! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew 737 Posted June 26, 2013 Author Share Posted June 26, 2013 Ladies and Gentlemen Thank you for these words of wisdom Over time I want to be the best pilot I can possibly be; I agree with you all, it starts with the decision making Thanks for the moral support guys EDIT - I would like to be an old pilot one day too!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orgasmatron Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 Andrew certainly the right choice, I can only imagine how gutted you were to make that call, I was relatively lucky on my skill test day the wind was calm though quite bumpy and hazy around the Stapleford area. Now go off and enjoy your well earned holiday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew 737 Posted June 26, 2013 Author Share Posted June 26, 2013 Andrew certainly the right choice, I can only imagine how gutted you were to make that call, I was relatively lucky on my skill test day the wind was calm though quite bumpy and hazy around the Stapleford area. Now go off and enjoy your well earned holiday! Hey Matt Yeah I think so too Very near heathrow now so off soon enough. I am going to pay for Super Duper in-room broadband on Scotland release day so will post more then Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenicoll Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 A good mature decision... As you said...Shows good airmanship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingleaf Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 I fly with you anytime. Good luck you will make a great pilot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonman Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 I fly with you anytime. Good luck you will make a great pilot. +1 i second that! "Decision making" is a key factor in aviation - and it does not come into play solely while in flight but also already in "pe-flight" and while still on the ground! You are indeed going to become a good pilot in the near future for sure - so no need to "worry" about this "delay" anymore at all! Have some great holidays now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rlkjmt73 Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 That was an outstanding decision. I know you'll do well the next go around. And, "Just Fly the Plane" Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanTenner Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Hard decision but it shows you ll be a responsible pilot. Better luck next time and happy holidays Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockliffe Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Good luck for next time Andrew. I wish you well my friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobnobs Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Echo what everyone has said. I am doing my QXC on Saturday so I am not far behind you. Doing Southend>Norwich>Cambridge>Southend. I don't think postponing can ever be a bad decision. If you are flying for fun, the last thing you want is to scare the crap out of yourself and put yourself off forever. Good luck for the next attempt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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