Multiflight Flight Training Centre student Adam Rahnavard completed his Private Pilot’s Licence in June. Now he is working towards his Commercial Pilot’s Licence. You can find out here in his latest flight training blog post how he is getting on.
Adam says: “Time has literally flown since I completed my Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) at the Multiflight Flight Training Centre at Leeds Bradford International Airport, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK, in early June and it has taken a little sinking in that I am indeed a ‘qualified pilot’ . The journey and ambition to become fully trained commercially is very much still a goal for me and once I had reached the point of getting my PPL through the post from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) there was little time to rest on my laurels.
Throughout my flight training I had a number of people offer the advice that whether or not I thought I was in good health it made perfect sense to obtain the Class 1 Medical. Although I already had a Class 2 it seemed a good idea (and I would recommend this to any one else) to ensure I could pass the Class 1 so it was less likely I would go to the trouble and expense of commercial flight training to then be held back by something medically. The Class 1 is very similar to Class 2 but with two key differences; firstly the standards are higher as you would expect and secondly the initial examination has to be completed at the CAA Head Office at Gatwick. Passing this would ensure that the annual revalidation could be done nearer home by one of the many authorised medical professionals approved by the CAA.
I had to book the 3-hour session with one month’s notice and picked a date in July to travel down from Yorkshire. I would like to think I am lucky to be in good health but you can’t help feel a little nervous knowing that the examination would either be another tick in the box or possibly the end of the road. I knew the latter was highly unlikely but I did not want to tempt fate so I decided to go with the flow.
It was my first visit to ‘Aviation House’ so I was not sure what to expect. On arrival there were pilots coming in and out and the place seemed to be a hive of activity. I booked in with security and was shown the medical department. After not too long I was called to start the assessments, which started with a series of tests that looked at a number of things. These included a lung function test, ECG and in depth eye test to name but a few (for the official list and latest information I would suggest visiting the Medical page on the CAA website). Some of the tests were a little gruelling but I was not expecting anything different, this is after all the same medical as required by an experienced commercial airline pilot. It was reassuring to see. All in all the staff were very nice and I felt reassured throughout the process.
Upon completion of each assessment and test I had to meet with one final Doctor who asked some final questions. It had already been fairly obvious to me my Class 1 would be issued as I was meeting all the standards comfortably. Before long I was heading back with my printed Class 1 medical in my hand, another stage completed of my training. As long as I did not let my Class 1 lapse for more than 5 years a trip back to Gatwick would not be needed: living 250 miles away this was good news.
In terms of flying I have amassed at time of writing a further 20 hours and I am now up to 70 hours total flight time. The weather has been a problem as yet again the summer has been a disappointment. However I have enjoyed some enjoyable flights around the region and along the North East coast where flying by the sea is a brilliant feeling, and also some ‘land aways’ both at Sandtoft Airfield near Doncaster and also Humberside Airport. Just like when you pass your driving test you find that it’s actually after you have the licence you really push on gaining the experience and learning more and more. So the hour building continues and now my ‘wing man’ Nick has passed too we can hour build together which is great fun.
Before the commencement of the Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL) I need 150 hrs experience (100 in command), a Class 1 medical and also to have studied and passed for the 14 Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) exams. I am doing this via Multiflight’s partner ‘Bristol Ground School’ and so far I have been studying for six weeks most nights after work at home. The programme is challenging so much as there is a lot to learn but the CBT and manuals provided by Bristol are excellent as well as the study plan and support students receive. I hope to complete Module 1 distance learning by March 2012. Then I will need to attend two weeks brush up in a classroom before sitting the first exams. Once passed I will need to order Module 2 and follow a similar study plan to complete the final 6 exams. Once all are passed I will be at a point where I can start the CPL.
It all seems a long way off with a lot of time and hard work to come but it does not seem two minutes since I first walked into Multiflight Flying School in Leeds on 25/07/10 and when I list it all I am pleased I have already achieved quite a bit. That’s the thing with pilot training, there is always someone wishing they were in your shoes. Once you have the PPL there will be others just starting, wishing they were where you are and I would imagine this is the same after the medical, exams and commercial flight training. It’s one step at a time but I do feel I am making progress and getting there but it makes a huge difference training somewhere like Multiflight Flight Training Centre as they really do have everything needed to complete each part of your flight training.
The one final hurdle I want to jump this year is the Night rating, which is 5 hours training to fly and navigate at night. It makes sense to do this once the clocks go back so I have it pencilled in for November. There is no test; you are just signed off by the instructor when deemed competent. I’m really looking forward to it though! By way of preparation I have almost completed ‘differences’ training in the larger PA28 aircraft, which has the extra equipment needed to do the rating.
I am hoping to update quarterly so keep an eye out for the next flight training blog…