Taking Flight: The Emotional Journey of Learning to Fly

[@ajs1691]

Loved this! As a mature student I have taken a lot of hours, needed a change of instructor to get to solo, still took a while to get to solo nav then suddenly it's all happening. Solo landaways, then instructor sprung, "Plan your QXC for next week"!! I was all ready to go this week but weather was rubbish. It's taken me 90 hours so far, some of it has been really tough (more circuits than you'd ever want to do!!!), some has been beyond amazing. Worth it? Hell yes!!

[@XIXSquadron]

Great video, James. Currently learning with Brian at Classic Wings Duxford and enjoying every second. Trying to train my ear for the correct radio chat is a little struggle at the moment. Especially as a historic aviation enthusiast and sometimes only hear Spitfire, Blenhiem, Sea fury etc then immediately distracted looking out for it . Interesting how you talk about the emotional aspect of it and inspirational on how someone who looks confident about things goes through the same thoughts and doubts. Fly safe my friend.

[@TimesWithJames]

Thanks mate. Brian is a great instructor with a great sense of humour! I’ll be seeing you on the apron sometime soon I’m sure. Please come and say hello!

[@XIXSquadron]

He is, very clear and calm too with an added enthusiasm for historic aircraft which is great. Will keep an eye out for you. ​@TimesWithJames

[@steveurquhart5895]

A wonderful talk James you are a real inspiration to anyone thinking about flying. I did 24 years in airfield operations and started flying with my friend who went on to become a commercial pilot, but I had to give up after a number of hours due to the arrival of my son and lack of money. Now I'm retired and would love to start it again having spent so long in aviation and having three quarters of the knowledge behind me. Come on those winning lotto numbers. LOL

[@eviain]

Thanks James I’m five and a bit hours in atm, should have a bit of dosh this year to carry on 👍 used to fly with my dad would love to be able to give that joy to my kids. Can’t beat a Saturday morning at a flying club staring at the clouds with a lousy coffee machine gurgling in the corner.. ah good times 😂

[@TimesWithJames]

Ah great! Where are you training?

[@eviain]

@@TimesWithJames EGSO Crowfield just west of Ipswich. Although (shameless plug for my worst ever performing KZbin video) I did fly an electric plane down near London for my last flight very interesting stuff if you like a geek out I Fly the Worlds First Commercial Electric Plane! kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3vScqOkhKlgZrc

[@stephensims240]

Another great video and insight into getting your PPL. Your absolutely right about how tiring learning can be. My wife says i come back buzzing for like 2 hours after the lesson, then drop like a stone! 2 hours in and the 3rd on Thursday ( weather permitting). 3rd of my way through Pooleys Air Law..

[@TimesWithJames]

Good stuff! Good luck with your lessons too mate!

[@Howt-ooo]

Class channel mate. Keep it up. I took the missus to see the Blackbird at Duxford last year. Ended up seeing the two seater spitfire taking a lucky chap up. When they started that engine up my gaw hit the ground... Mega, just mega.

[@TimesWithJames]

Thanks, will do!

[@tlangdon12]

Great video James. Lovely to catch a random Spitfire! Great encouragement for people learning to fly or thinking of learning. Your right that it's not easy, but with the right instructor, most people can learn to fly and be safe in the air. But you will need quite a bit of money.

[@TimesWithJames]

£6500 over 3 years.

[@gregcox5496]

Great video James, been watching your videos since you were learning. I'm 9 hours in so quite timely for me. I can't quite believe I'll get there, but I understand that the incremental steps are key. Love the advice at the end to give the gift of flying. Thanks!

[@TimesWithJames]

Cheers Greg! Good luck mate. You’ll be there one day. Just keep chipping away.

[@FrankWoodPhotography]

Great video! Very inspirational! How strange that I would come across you in this domain having seen so many of your plumbing videos!

[@TimesWithJames]

Wow, thank you!

[@FSMadness]

Just found your channel, you're a bloody legend! I started my PPL a few weeks back 1 hour on record. Thanks for the advice.

[@TimesWithJames]

No worries! Good luck. It’ll take time - just enjoy the journey!

[@SocataRichy]

Excellent video for people looking to fly James. One thing I would add is the Air Law exam is not a legal requirement to go solo, at least we do not require it at our DTO. Yes it would be nice but not a requirement. Some schools do require the Air Law before going solo and if the school has put it into their DTO/ATO documentation then it will be a requirement as these manuals are reviewed and approved by the CAA and must be adhered with once approved.

[@TimesWithJames]

Ahhh ok DX require it but that might be because it’s a controlled airfield. Plus there’s massive old chunks of metal flying about! 😂

[@SocataRichy]

@@TimesWithJames Could be an airfield stipulated requirement to based DTO/ATOs and Duxford is a brilliant airfield with some lovely aeroplanes I could only dream about flying whizzing around the sky. Though our DTO has some very heavy metal flying around being based at Prestwick. 🙂

[@PilotStudd]

Great video mate, Currently training at Old Buck and passed my air law exam the other day. I also happen to work at the FBO at Norwich, and did wonder where my spoon went! 😉 A great insight, thanks for it!

[@TimesWithJames]

Cheers!

[@fzriow]

This channel is criminally underrated. I found this from your plumbing stuff. Have you ever thought of doing a collab with Jon from the flying reporter?

[@TimesWithJames]

Thanks! No I haven’t. I’m not sure John would take me seriously! 😂

[@TimesWithJames]

I live his channel and have watched for years. Love his trips abroad.

[@fzriow]

Yea I'm not sure shouting "hold tight" whilst you're up in the plane would go down to well 😂

[@TimesWithJames]

@@fzriow true. However I’ve got some plans for TWJ and my TukTuk that could be huge…!

[@11clarkm]

James do you have a separate channel to see all the content of the other flights you’re doing? Would love to subscribe.

[@TimesWithJames]

Hi there, no. I'm uplaoding on TWJ this week so will tell you everything that's been going on with the plane - and it's not been good!

[@fantasticwildlife3947]

Very interesting channel James. How much does it cost to hire a plane after you pass?

[@TimesWithJames]

I’ve bought a share so don’t hire. Usually hire costs about £180 an hour for a decent C172.

[@dastanharris]

I didnt know a plumber could fly 🤪. well done James

[@TimesWithJames]

Cheers!

[@voodoocars2134]

Duxford. I only live down the road.. If you need a plasterer give me a shout. 👍

[@TimesWithJames]

Haha! Will do mate. Got a good skim but always good to know another.

[@loafersheffield]

Congrats and well done. Have you got any aspirations to get your commercial pilots license, like Bruce Dickinson? Who would your preferred co-pilot be? James May or Glenn Quagmire? If so, don't let the cleaners smuggle things in and put them into the coffee. See: Foo Fighters!!! Learn to fly. I couldn't do it. It'd make my ears go pop. Also, what's with the Wayfarers? Shouldn't you be wearing aviators? Think I'll revisit George Carlins "Flying" skit.

[@TimesWithJames]

I’ll wear big old joke glasses next time! 😂

[@loafersheffield]

@@TimesWithJames "Giggity!"