Pilot Exam - Briefing Sessions

[John Nash (Nasher)]

Nick and myself have just checked the weather forcast for Saturday and have concluded that the "Flight Theory & instrumentation" briefing will go ahead as planned at 14:00  in Alltwen community hall (same place as the last 2)
 
If you have a pen & ruler, please bring it with you
 
Also, if there's time & people want to, we can continue past the main briefing and discus GPS & Alti varios  - your call, or we could make it the subject at a Club meeting in the future?
 
Let me know
 
Nasher

[Wattsy]

Big thanks to Nasher and Nick, for giving up their valuable time to share their wealth of Knowledge!

I owe you both a Pint,

Vivian arms it is then.

Thanks Wattsy

[John Nash (Nasher)]

Hi Gron,
 
You're welcome to attend the briefing and the requirements for Pilot do not include any XCs. Your XC Career starts after you have gained your pilot rating - link here to the details:
 
http://www.bhpa.co.uk/pdf/pilot_tasks.pdf
 
PM me if you wish to sit the exam  (we may be able to get it before Sunday)
 
We will need to see your log book before we sign you off
 
 
Nasher

[Gron]

Hi Nasher
Could you send me a link to show the tasks required for the PG Pilot exam.  I'm still a lowly Club Pilot, and I really should get on and do it.  My problem as always is I play around with different ways of getting my feet off the ground!!
I think my 18K up and down the Lijac valley in Slovenia counts as an XC, as it was in thermic air, and therefore not just a long ridge run.  At least you've seen me top land at Rhossili lots of times.
Might come along next week end to Allt Wen, - if you'll have me!
Cheers - Gron.

[gareth.pawan]

Great session from you and Nick. Thank you both for all the hard work. Now where's that Pilot handbook of mine, got some serious swotting to do....

[John Nash (Nasher)]

 
Airlaw briefing at 10 today
 
If you have an airmap, please bring it with you

[John Nash (Nasher)]

Well the weather is looking good for pilot lectures this weekend - not so good for flying
 
If you have them, can you bring a pen, ruler (and calculator if you are no good at maths)
 
See you there guys & girls
 
 
Nasher
 
PS we have Tea, Coffee & biscuits, so no need to bring a flask & the hall will be warm

[John Nash (Nasher)]

Sessions start this Saturday, documentation being printed as I type this.
 
If you're not sure of exactly where the hall is, make sure you have my mobilly number with you and call me for directions when you get nearby. DON'T BE LATE!
 
Dates & Times:

Saturday 26^th February 2011:         14:00 - 17:00 Meteorology Briefing
Sunday 27^th February 2011:           10:00 - 14:00 Airlaw & Navigation Briefing

Saturday 5^th  March 2011:             14:00 - 17:00 Flight Theory & Instruments Briefing
Sunday 6^th March  2011:               10:00 - 12:00 The Exam - followed by a pint in the pub!

Location: Alltwen Community Hall. Dyffryn Rd, Alltwen, Pontardawe, Swansea. SA8 3BX
 
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Swansea SA8 3BX&aq=0&sll=51.721499,-3.881264&sspn=0.037539,0.175095&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Swansea, West Glamorgan SA8 3BX, United Kingdom&z=15
 

[Nick Roberts]

Hi Gareth
 
You're very welcome to come along anyway.  Start the season on a positive note.  It'll be fun!

[gareth.pawan]

Thanks Nick. I would really like to attend any X/C clinics or talks but probably would be hopeless at the Easter comp. Feel my flying has become a bit stagnant with little or no real improvement in technique or developmet for ages. Hope to learn more this season though!
 
Cheers,
gareth

[Steve Watkins]

Excellent Nick -  I'm free that weekend so fingers crossed! 

[Nick Roberts]

Hi Gareth
 
Over the Easter weekend, the club always runs an informal local XC competition(weather permitting!) for club members and alongside that, I will be running an informal XC clinic for budding XC pilots(weather permitting!) and you and all members are  most welcome to come along and join in.    

[John Nash (Nasher)]

I wonder whether it would be feasable to have a few master classes on various aspects of flying a paraglider. For example: groundhandling technique - Cookie would be brilliant at this down at Aberavon. Spirals: Stevie G does them really well; XC flying, again Nick, Chris D or Steve J really know their stuff; safety/sensible flying - your humble self and so on. ... Just a thought and perhaps no one else would be interested or people wouldn't have the time to give to coach others. But there is a lot of talent and knowledge within the club which would really help the less experienced amongst us to improve their technique and safety and enjoy their flying more.
 
Does anybody else feel it would be useful?

Hi Gareth,

Hope all is well with you & your family.

We have a safety and XC briefing at the March Club meeting (thanks for arranging Rhun) so two points taken care of!! The pilot lectures in Feb/March also give some useful information.

As for Ground Handling & Spirals, as we are all at very different levels with our flying, I feel it is better for specific skills to be done on an individual basis, with the Coach understanding the skill level & requirements of the individual pilot.

So, in my humble opinion, if you want help with specifics, talk to a Coach. We now have 5 coaches (including Cookie & Stevie G) so there should be enough opportunities for individuals to discus their requirements (and hopefully suitable conditions.)


See you on a hill soon (will also PM you)

Nasher

[Steve Watkins]

Just a little tip - Nasher & Nick do a brilliant job of explaining all you need for the exams etc but like any exam, prior preparation always helps. Read up on the main areas Meteorology, Airlaw & Navigation and Flight Theory & Instruments. There is a lot of information to take in and it all helps.

If you haven't already got it, buy the Pilot handbook, it is essential reading.
http://www.shop.bhpa.co.uk/product.php?xProd=1963

Also check your log book is up to date with the tasks and signed off.


Good luck all I may pop down for a refresher myself John, will let you know.

[Stu Kelly]

Hi Nasher!!
 
 I too Hope to attend all 4 sittings to get as much information as my head can hold!! Hopefully try the exam later in the year or beginning of next year!! And Yes Gareth, I believe any extra talks on flying cant be a bad idea and will probably be well attended by new members of the club!! See you soon!! Stu