At age 51, how did the medical exam go? Some people have a family history, that makes them "old" at that age, while others might be able to pass the exam into their 70's. Basic med now helps to some extent. The best thing about basic-med is that if you fail, you can still do Light-sport. Fail at the AME's office, and you can't even do light-sport. As others have said. Try to set aside time to really focus on it, rather than doing it slowly if your goal is efficiency of getting a PPL. Though, if you just enough the experience and money isn't tight, nothing wrong with lots of time learning. My instructor says it took her 120 hours to get her PPL!
Haven’t had the exam yet. I don’t expect any issues with that from what I’ve heard about it. I’m healthy, good vision, no meds, no alcohol or nicotine. But, I guess I should get it soon. Only issues as of late are motion sickness. I have the Reliefband but I still get motion sick feeling….seems crazy but it lasts a day or so too! Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
This fall we will be starting airborne motion sickness desensitization in AZ in a T67. Anyone can PM me for info.
That sounds either hella fun or ridiculously awful... not sure which. I've found ginger pills to help with motion sickness.
Bob Hoover said that the reason he got into aerobatics was he had motion sickness, and he was determined to beat it. So he went out and got sick every day until it didn't bother him any more.
We are not sadistic. The syllabus is well established and medically supervised (by me as an aerospace medicine trained MD…and F-16 pilot) and operationally managed by my partner, a former RAF Phantom and Tornado pilot. Together we have extensive experience having done this in the UK with success rates well over 90% and excellent durability for pilots who continue to fly regularly. We have taken guys that just about get sick taxiing out, through gradual desensitization to where they can tolerate a full aerobatic routine, with almost all going on to complete pilot training with several becoming fighter pilots in the RAF. So it works.
My advice is to download LiveATC app on your phone and start listening to it. The more you listen and practice, the slower they seem to talk. This skill will be extremely useful going forward even flying in VFR (flight following, etc). Other than that, just take your time and make your own pace. SR-20 is very easy to flight, if I recall correctly, it has comm playback feature too. Welcome to the aviation world and enjoy
If you have the time and money,try do an intensive course.I went to American Flyers in Van Nuys (from the UK), did my check ride with a veteran lady from Santa Monica on the morning of my booked flight back home the same night! Phew. It was hard work for me , around 60 hours block time in 21 days. That is with studying for the written exams before leaving to USA. However no time to get 'rusty' and have to go over things again and again. Worked my way up via Flying Eye,Shorts 360,ATR etc retired on 747 classic .Yes I was extremely lucky. Anyhow,hope it works out for you .
I too am in the middle of PPL flight training, and at 11 years older than you, I sometimes question my sanity, lol. I used the Gleim online course. I got though and passed my written, but I thought it had some frustrating features. Just for fun, you might try some other planes. I have about 65 hours now, and the desire and opportunity have allowed me to do dual time in a C140, C150, C152, C172, C182, Beechcraft Bonanza F33, Piper Warrior, Piper Archer, Beechcraft Skipper, Cirrus SR20, Sling LSA. I solo'd in the C152 and the Beechcraft Skipper. I am sure all these airplane shenanigans have delayed my licensing goal, but I have learned a lot about flying and flying machines in one and two hour increments. The Bonanza and the Sling LSA have great control responses, you just look, and the plane goes there. I absolutely loved the joystick control in the Sling, it took no time to get the feel. I was better landing the Pipers than the Cessna's, I liked the big flap handle bar in the Pipers. The Beechcraft Skipper is painfully underpowered, but it forces you to closely manage power, momentum and pitch/trim because there is not an excess of power to smooth things out. I have to say, I thought the Cirrus SR20 had the heaviest controls of everything I have flown in. Maybe it was the side stick motion that caused this impression? I also thought the throttle handle location produced an awkward angle in my palm, so I just grabbed the lever with my fingers, but I did get 3 decent landings in it right away. Don't wait as long as I did to pursue the dream, I wish I had done it 30 years ago. Tom In SoCal
Last summer I got my son through his PPL in 24 days. It took me 30 days ….. twenty years ago. Get the written done first. No point in even flying before you have it passed. Then go whole hog and fly every day.
