 After 5 years of training I am delighted to say that I have achieved one of my lifetime goals in passing my Private Pilot Skills Test. I can officially say that I am a Pilot! What a great feeling!  Its been an exciting journey and all came to a head on the 5th May. Listen in as I talk about that day and what doing a skills test in Ireland is all about.  Episode 15

<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Aj_ov2aWfsE/V1Z49OyCA8I/AAAAAAAAhdg/_iGSjgXDQA4MBdxkFNemA94YvfKnmPseQCLcB/s1600/20160505_161411.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> After 5 years of training I am delighted to say that I have achieved one of my lifetime goals in passing my Private Pilot Skills Test. I can officially say that I am a Pilot! What a great feeling! Its been an exciting journey and all came to a head on the 5th May. Listen in as I talk about that day and what doing a skills test in Ireland is all about. <a href="https://archive.org/download/MfpEpisode15/MfpEpisode15.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 15</a>

Episode 15 - I'm a Pilot!

After 18 months of no flying, I am finally back in the air! I've been so looking forward to this time that I ended up pretty nervous with the anticipation of what was to come and wondering how rusty I would be after the break.  Follow along in this episode as I talk about getting back into the cockpit again and talk through some feedback from some valuable listeners.Mentions in this episode :  Fred on Twitter @LittleMissSunsh  Krzysztof Kacprzak building a Zenith CH 750 Derek Murphy Evan Schoo @evan_schoo 1000feetagl.blogspot.com.au Adam ‏@Goflyingaus https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/go-flying-australia-podcast/id956125487 Neil Bradon @pilot_ngb John Power @jpower67 Grant Mcherron @falcon124 Pilot Pip http://www.planesafetypodcast.com/ Drew Lindsay   Listen to Episode 14

After 18 months of no flying, I am finally back in the air! I've been so looking forward to this time that I ended up pretty nervous with the anticipation of what was to come and wondering how rusty I would be after the break. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-niCN53uF_5Y/VOHVYuuWqXI/AAAAAAAABgs/bX-k8Tdlt5I/s1600/20150214_135157.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> Follow along in this episode as I talk about getting back into the cockpit again and talk through some feedback from some valuable listeners. Mentions in this episode : <ul> <li>Fred on Twitter @LittleMissSunsh </li> <li>Krzysztof Kacprzak building a Zenith CH 750</li> <li>Derek Murphy</li> <li>Evan Schoo @evan_schoo <a href="http://1000feetagl.blogspot.com.au" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">1000feetagl.blogspot.com.au</a></li> <li>Adam ‏@Goflyingaus <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/go-flying-australia-podcast/id956125487" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/go-flying-australia-podcast/id956125487</a></li> <li>Neil Bradon @pilot_ngb</li> <li>John Power @jpower67</li> <li>Grant Mcherron @falcon124</li> <li>Pilot Pip <a href="http://www.planesafetypodcast.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.planesafetypodcast.com/</a></li> <li>Drew Lindsay </li> </ul> <a href="https://archive.org/download/MfpEpisode14/Mfp-Episode14.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Listen to Episode 14</a>

Episode 14 - Back in the Air!

I finally decided to get my Theoretical Knowledge Exams out of the way so with CRP-1, charts and a notepad in hand I headed out for my lessons and subsequent exams.   PPL Equipment and Books needed for PPL study   It was a lot of hard work but am delighted to say that I passed all of them.  Listen in as I talk about that experience and also describe some sample questions.Mentions in this episode  My awesome family, Rowena, Jody and Luke. Follow Rowena on Twitter at @MaidenRowena The Plane Talking UK Podcast. Download episodes on iTunes and follow them on Twitter at @PlaneTalkingUK Tony Simpson and his Cessna 150. See Tony's blog at http://tony-cessna150.blogspot.ie/   Episode 13

I finally decided to get my Theoretical Knowledge Exams out of the way so with CRP-1, charts and a notepad in hand I headed out for my lessons and subsequent exams. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rv0vR1-zR00/VLZeQKdUQeI/AAAAAAAABgQ/ZrSEx42Ags0/s1600/pplequipment.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> PPL Equipment and Books needed for PPL study It was a lot of hard work but am delighted to say that I passed all of them. Listen in as I talk about that experience and also describe some sample questions. Mentions in this episode <ul> <li>My awesome family, Rowena, Jody and Luke. Follow Rowena on Twitter at @MaidenRowena</li> <li>The Plane Talking UK Podcast. Download episodes on iTunes and follow them on Twitter at @PlaneTalkingUK</li> <li>Tony Simpson and his Cessna 150. See Tony's blog at <a href="http://tony-cessna150.blogspot.ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://tony-cessna150.blogspot.ie/</a></li> </ul> <a href="https://archive.org/download/MfpEpisode13/Mfp-Episode13.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 13</a>

Episode 13 - Theoretical Knowledge Exams

I was very surprised and honored recently to be asked to be a guest on another aviation podcast in the UK called the Plane Talking UK podcast. Carlos, Matt and Simon produce a very professional and upbeat aviation podcast dealing with the latest civil and military aviation news, and took the time to talk to me about my own pilot journey.  Thanks to Carlos and Matt for a great time! Head on over to planetalkinguk.com for more information on the podcast and I've included the episode within this post for anybody who is interested.  Plane Talking UK Podcast Episode 42

I was very surprised and honored recently to be asked to be a guest on another aviation podcast in the UK called the Plane Talking UK podcast. Carlos, Matt and Simon produce a very professional and upbeat aviation podcast dealing with the latest civil and military aviation news, and took the time to talk to me about my own pilot journey. Thanks to Carlos and Matt for a great time! Head on over to <a href="http://planetalkinguk.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">planetalkinguk.com</a> for more information on the podcast and I've included the episode within this post for anybody who is interested. <a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/planetalkinguk/Plane_Talking_UK_Podcast_Episode_42.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Plane Talking UK Podcast Episode 42</a>

Plane Talking UK Podcast

I thought it was about time that I brought everybody up to speed on where I've been and what aviation avgeekery I've been up to!  When you don't get to fly how do you keep up your aviation interest and learning? In this episode I suggest a few pursuits that can keep you up to speed when you can't get to fly.  Mentioned in this episode :  AOPA Flight Training Magazine : flighttraining.aopa.org  @AOPAFTMag In The Pattern Podcast : inthepatternpodcast.com  @InThePattern Xtended Aviation Podcast : aviation-xtended.co.uk  @AviationXtended Plane Talking UK Podcast : planetalkinguk.com  @PlaneTalkingUK Plane Crazy Down Under Podcast : planecrazydownunder.com  @pcdu Neil Bradon : getmyppl.blogspot.com  @pilot_ngb  Get Involved :  I would love to hear from you regarding your flight training or pilot experiences that I can share with other podcast listeners. You can reach me on Twitter at @markisflying or via the email address that I mention in this episode.  Episode 12

I thought it was about time that I brought everybody up to speed on where I've been and what aviation avgeekery I've been up to! When you don't get to fly how do you keep up your aviation interest and learning? In this episode I suggest a few pursuits that can keep you up to speed when you can't get to fly. Mentioned in this episode : AOPA Flight Training Magazine : <a href="http://flighttraining.aopa.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">flighttraining.aopa.org</a>  @AOPAFTMag In The Pattern Podcast : <a href="http://inthepatternpodcast.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">inthepatternpodcast.com</a>  @InThePattern Xtended Aviation Podcast : <a href="http://aviation-xtended.co.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">aviation-xtended.co.uk</a>  @AviationXtended Plane Talking UK Podcast : <a href="http://planetalkinguk.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">planetalkinguk.com</a>  @PlaneTalkingUK Plane Crazy Down Under Podcast : <a href="http://planecrazydownunder.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">planecrazydownunder.com</a>  @pcdu Neil Bradon : <a href="http://getmyppl.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">getmyppl.blogspot.com</a>  @pilot_ngb Get Involved : I would love to hear from you regarding your flight training or pilot experiences that I can share with other podcast listeners. You can reach me on Twitter at @markisflying or via the email address that I mention in this episode. <a href="https://655e84be1cb2cc0820a57c58f31eff8f1f98d0f7.googledrive.com/host/0B4BVzwXX1j_lS0YzMkhuZXFndHc/MFP%20-%20Episode%2012.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 12</a>

Episode 12 - Keeping up when you're down

Getting to fly a brand new airplane is a rare event in a pilots life. For some people it might only happen a handful of times, and for some, not at all.   What with changing flight schools and a new airplane I was really looking forward to my first flight in the Grob G115. Follow along as I describe my first flight.  I've included some pictures of the Grob below in case you don't recognize the type.  Episode 11 - First Flight In A New Plane         

Getting to fly a brand new airplane is a rare event in a pilots life. For some people it might only happen a handful of times, and for some, not at all. What with changing flight schools and a new airplane I was really looking forward to my first flight in the Grob G115. Follow along as I describe my first flight. I've included some pictures of the Grob below in case you don't recognize the type. <a href="https://655e84be1cb2cc0820a57c58f31eff8f1f98d0f7.googledrive.com/host/0B4BVzwXX1j_lS0YzMkhuZXFndHc/MFP%20-%20Episode%2011.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 11 - First Flight In A New Plane</a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vqg_6HYU53Q/UThU7S0znQI/AAAAAAAAA8M/_4IsQSje1eY/s1600/IMG_2980.JPG" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CMt2Wf9m71E/UThU_2tbwxI/AAAAAAAAA8U/VkQeG_Q-pFU/s1600/IMG_2979.JPG" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P0epTq0TJ44/UThU_6bKp5I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/I2Vtm8fkTqs/s1600/IMG_2978.JPG" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MvHjKqHJE3g/UThU_1u8ZdI/AAAAAAAAA8c/yybO21zRmkM/s1600/IMG_2977.JPG" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ygCi3XyWqzk/UThVQGcvutI/AAAAAAAAA80/wWtNKx_HJUQ/s1600/IMG_2976.JPG" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>

Episode 11 - First Flight In A New Plane

It's been a while since I've recorded so I just thought I'd put something out there that's short and sweet with a basic update of what I've been up to. The big news this episode is that I'm changing flight schools and looking forward to flying out of a new airfield.  Apologies in advance for the quality of the recording...I'm trying to find an easier way to record on a regular basis.  Episode 10 - A Quick Update

It's been a while since I've recorded so I just thought I'd put something out there that's short and sweet with a basic update of what I've been up to. The big news this episode is that I'm changing flight schools and looking forward to flying out of a new airfield. Apologies in advance for the quality of the recording...I'm trying to find an easier way to record on a regular basis. <a href="https://655e84be1cb2cc0820a57c58f31eff8f1f98d0f7.googledrive.com/host/0B4BVzwXX1j_lS0YzMkhuZXFndHc/MFP%20-%20Episode%2010.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 10 - A Quick Update</a>

Episode 10 - A Quick Update

Shortly after my solo I got the opportunity to practice some crosswind landings with what I would consider to be fairly strong direct crosswinds. This was a very new and challenging experience for me as we hadn't ventured out to fly with winds above 15 knots at this point. The METARs for the time I was flying showed the following :  EIDW 181200Z 28025KT 9999 FEW018CB BKN033 06/00 Q1008 NOSIG EIDW 181130Z 28021KT 9999 SCT020 07/01 Q1008 NOSIG  As our runway is 22, this meant a direct crosswind of between 18 and 23 knots. Follow along as I tried my hand at crosswind landings for the first time.  Episode 9 - Crosswind Landings

Shortly after my solo I got the opportunity to practice some crosswind landings with what I would consider to be fairly strong direct crosswinds. This was a very new and challenging experience for me as we hadn't ventured out to fly with winds above 15 knots at this point. The METARs for the time I was flying showed the following : EIDW 181200Z 28025KT 9999 FEW018CB BKN033 06/00 Q1008 NOSIG EIDW 181130Z 28021KT 9999 SCT020 07/01 Q1008 NOSIG As our runway is 22, this meant a direct crosswind of between 18 and 23 knots. Follow along as I tried my hand at crosswind landings for the first time. <a href="https://655e84be1cb2cc0820a57c58f31eff8f1f98d0f7.googledrive.com/host/0B4BVzwXX1j_lS0YzMkhuZXFndHc/MFP%20-%20Episode%209.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 9 - Crosswind Landings</a>

Episode 9 - Crosswind Landings

A pilot will never forget the first time they flew an airplane on their own with no instructor present. I experienced this on the 10th December 2011 and needless to say, it was an event that I will cherish and never forget. I count myself blessed and privileged to be able to say I can fly an airplane by myself and it just makes me more keen to continue with my training and get my license.  Follow along with me as I describe the events of that day!  Episode 7 - First Solo   

A pilot will never forget the first time they flew an airplane on their own with no instructor present. I experienced this on the 10th December 2011 and needless to say, it was an event that I will cherish and never forget. I count myself blessed and privileged to be able to say I can fly an airplane by myself and it just makes me more keen to continue with my training and get my license. Follow along with me as I describe the events of that day! <a href="https://655e84be1cb2cc0820a57c58f31eff8f1f98d0f7.googledrive.com/host/0B4BVzwXX1j_lS0YzMkhuZXFndHc/MFP%20-%20Episode%207.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 7 - First Solo</a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vmbi4zX0Rho/T6FFPx1NmYI/AAAAAAAAAUg/u2b3KnChiVY/s1600/IMG_0911.JPG" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>

Episode 7 - First Solo

This is a short video of me doing circuits at my local airfield Trevet last year shortly before my solo. My son Luke introduces me in his own classic style and my wife Rowena very graciously videos the whole flight. Hope you enjoy it!  Episode 6 - Circuits Flying Video

This is a short video of me doing circuits at my local airfield Trevet last year shortly before my solo. My son Luke introduces me in his own classic style and my wife Rowena very graciously videos the whole flight. Hope you enjoy it! <a href="https://655e84be1cb2cc0820a57c58f31eff8f1f98d0f7.googledrive.com/host/0B4BVzwXX1j_lS0YzMkhuZXFndHc/MFP%20-%20Episode%206%20-%20Circuits%20at%20Trevet.mp4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 6 - Circuits Flying Video</a>

Episode 6 - Circuit Flying Video

Always looking up, literally and figuratively

Circuit flying is very exciting and rewarding as you complete a full flight from take off to landing within 5 or 6 minutes. However, becoming proficient in the circuit takes time, patience and a lot of practice. Join me as I talk about my first impressions of circuit flying and some of my highs and lows as I learn to land.  Episode 5 - Circuit Flying

Circuit flying is very exciting and rewarding as you complete a full flight from take off to landing within 5 or 6 minutes. However, becoming proficient in the circuit takes time, patience and a lot of practice. Join me as I talk about my first impressions of circuit flying and some of my highs and lows as I learn to land. <a href="https://655e84be1cb2cc0820a57c58f31eff8f1f98d0f7.googledrive.com/host/0B4BVzwXX1j_lS0YzMkhuZXFndHc/MFP%20-%20Episode%205.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 5 - Circuit Flying</a>

Episode 5 - Circuit Flying

Join me as I talk about my next group of lessons as I learn steep turns, take offs and discovering the reality of stalls. And there's a subtle announcement too!  Episode 4 - Turns, Take Offs and Stalls

Join me as I talk about my next group of lessons as I learn steep turns, take offs and discovering the reality of stalls. And there's a subtle announcement too! <a href="https://655e84be1cb2cc0820a57c58f31eff8f1f98d0f7.googledrive.com/host/0B4BVzwXX1j_lS0YzMkhuZXFndHc/MFP%20-%20Episode%204.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 4 - Turns, Take Offs and Stalls</a>

Episode 4 - Turns, Take Offs and Stalls

My first few lessons were both exciting and overwhelming! Join me as I talk about my initial experiences with flight training and why ginger biscuits rock my world!  Episode 3 - Ginger Biscuits Rock!

My first few lessons were both exciting and overwhelming! Join me as I talk about my initial experiences with flight training and why ginger biscuits rock my world! <a href="https://655e84be1cb2cc0820a57c58f31eff8f1f98d0f7.googledrive.com/host/0B4BVzwXX1j_lS0YzMkhuZXFndHc/MFP%20-%20Episode%203.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 3 - Ginge</a><a href="https://655e84be1cb2cc0820a57c58f31eff8f1f98d0f7.googledrive.com/host/0B4BVzwXX1j_lS0YzMkhuZXFndHc/MFP%20-%20Episode%203.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">r Biscuits Rock!</a>

Episode 3 - Ginger Biscuits Rock!

How do you go about picking a flight school? What are the main criteria that you feel you need to have to feel comfortable? Join me in this episode as I talk about my own experiences in choosing a flight school.  Episode 2 - Picking a Flight School

How do you go about picking a flight school? What are the main criteria that you feel you need to have to feel comfortable? Join me in this episode as I talk about my own experiences in choosing a flight school. <a href="https://655e84be1cb2cc0820a57c58f31eff8f1f98d0f7.googledrive.com/host/0B4BVzwXX1j_lS0YzMkhuZXFndHc/MFP%20-%20Episode%202.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 2 - Picking a Flight School</a>

Episode 2 - Picking a Flight School

Welcome to the Maiden Flight Podcast coming to you from Dublin, Ireland. This is a brief introduction to the podcast where I hope to chart my experiences of learning to fly and beyond.  Episode 1 MP3

Welcome to the Maiden Flight Podcast coming to you from Dublin, Ireland. This is a brief introduction to the podcast where I hope to chart my experiences of learning to fly and beyond. <a href="https://655e84be1cb2cc0820a57c58f31eff8f1f98d0f7.googledrive.com/host/0B4BVzwXX1j_lS0YzMkhuZXFndHc/MFP%20-%20Episode%201.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 1 MP3</a>

Episode 1 - Introduction

The Maiden Flight Podcast

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