A student at Multiflight Flight Training Centre, Adam Rahnavard, has been keeping us all updated on his flight training progress at our Leeds flight training centre. Adam is now working towards his Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL), after having completed his Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) with us last year. Here’s Adam’s latest update on his flight training progress at our Leeds flying school.
Adam writes: “The British summer is here, but these days that does not seem to mean many clear spells of weather and I probably don’t need to recall how wet and windy the summer has been so far. Needless to say this has had a huge impact on the flying.
In my last blog Multiflight had organised the annual fly out to Jersey with two weekends ear marked in June for this to happen, hopeful that one of the weekends would have two clear days ensuring it was flyable to go all the way to Jersey. We were all looking forward to it but as the first weekend drew nearer it was more than obvious that downpours and windy weather would be in full force meaning we had to cancel. This was unfortunately the case for the fallback date as well as June 2012 goes down as the wettest on record with low pressure very much in charge! This was a real shame but is something you have to get used to having a pilot’s licence in the UK. We do have spells of good weather but June and most of July were not flyable.
However, one thing that is constant is change and the weather is no exception. There were occasional breaks in the weather meaning I could embark on some local sorties but I had to wait until only last weekend to fly out on a longer trip. We had planned for a while for a very good day of weather so we could visit Norwich airport, which is 125 miles from Leeds. The day finally arrived and it was clear we would have good weather all day. We flew across North Yorkshire in clear blew skies at 5,000ft which brought with it the most incredible views with visibility being in the region of 50km. The coastline was very quickly in sight as we headed towards the East coast. Our plan took us around Hull before turning south east in the direction of the Lincolnshire coastline where we were able to take some amazing pictures. Before long we approached ‘The Wash’ and began our descent into Norwich. It was a little cloudier over Norfolk but still a very nice day. Norwich airport was a little tricky to spot but we soon had it in range and positioned for a right base runway 27 join. A spot of lunch in a nearby local restaurant (McDonalds!) before heading back. The staff at Norwich airport and in particular those from Saxon Air (our handling agent at Norwich) were friendly and helpful and we would have no hesitations in visiting again. Norwich airport is very accommodating for visiting light aircraft.
A trip back was almost a carbon copy of our journey down in reverse and we followed the same course up the East coast to Hull before setting heading for flying back to Leeds. It took just over three hours to fly to Norwich and back. My flying accomplice Nick flew us down there and I flew the return leg. The trip was a valuable experience but also a test of our competence and progress. We were both pleased that we were able to routinely plan such a journey and everything going to plan. To think it seems only a short while ago we started our training and now such a flight is well within our capabilities is pleasing and testament to the flight training we received from our instructors. The views alone of Northern England on a day such as that for some would be a once in a lifetime experience but for us we are fortunate to not only witness first hand but look forward to the next time we fly. A flight like this makes all the money spent, the weather frustration and work put in training worthwhile.
From a commercial point of view having completed Module 1 and half of the required ATPL theory exams I am on track to start the distance learning phase for Module 2 very soon. My plan is to start my Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL) with Multiflight Flight Training Centre at Leeds Bradford International Airport summer next year and given I now have 112 hours under my belt (150 req) would suggest that I am very much on line to do this. Exciting times ahead……..”
Keep an eye on this Multiflight flight training blog to read Adam’s next flight training update.
Pictures show Adam’s flight to Norwich.
