Flying at Limoges (first solo)

My name is Jack Allen. I am 17 years old.

I have been flying since I was 14 and am hoping to become an airline pilot.

A few summers back, my parents were looking for a holiday in France, and my dad just happened to come across Sue's website, and booked up for a week.

We arrived in Limoges at an extremely quiet international airport, a lot quieter than Elstree aerodrome, in Hertfordshire in the UK, where I have been having flying lessons.

We went to the farm house that Sue rents out, and received a warm welcome from her.

The farm house was a lovely building, with its own swimming pool.

The friendly aero-club at Limoges has a lovely fleet of Robins. The Robin is the best plane I have ever flown. It has amazing visibility and is a very easy plane to fly.

The weather was great every day I was there, and we managed to fit a lot into the week that I stayed.

Sue was very helpful and I managed to learn a lot from her.

On one of the days we flew to La Rochelle with my parents in the back, which was very interesting for me as it was the first time I had done any cross country.

La Rochelle has a runway which I had to approach from over the sea, another first for me.

Overall my first trip to Limoges was very memorable and fun. So much so that we went a second time in October last year.

During this trip I studied and passed my air law ground exam which meant that I could take the next big step which was my solo flight. Another pilot who was staying in Sue's accommodation kindly recorded this on film.

I hope to return again for more flying instruction with Sue later this year

NB Click on images for larger picture.

Comments

[Sue Virr]

Hi Jack

Thank you for your contribution to the blog.

It was a special pleasure for me to be able to send you on your first solo, when you were here for your holidays.

My first solo was a memorable occasion I still remember it as if it happened just yesterday.

I can conjure up the horror when my instructor told me "ok I am getting out now and you can go and do it alone".

My heart had palpitations, my legs went to jelly and the thought constantly running through my head was "I have to get this plane down safely by myself". Of course I managed it and the rest is history.

I do believe that my first solo was much more exciting and memorable than passing my PPL !!