We are half way through the year of which the credit crunch has featured in all the newspapers, everyone seems to be tightening their belts and asking themselves if they can afford to fly or take a holiday in this negative financial climate. Thankfully I am busier this year than previous years and the accommodation is fully booked up until mid September
Here in France I have been very busy flying seven days a week, with many people aiming to obtain their PPL in a short period of time and others taking advantage of the superior weather conditions to have a flying holiday, where they have combined the experience of flying in France with some navigation trips to the most beautiful parts of this country. Not forgetting enjoying excellent lunches at restaurants en route.
Peter Cazalet with Mike Grierson (examiner) after passing his skill tests.
My students are coming from many different countries, recently I have had students from Australia, Strasbourg, Holland, Norway and New Zealand. These pilots usually stay for about four weeks to enable them to study the ground examination subjects and to obtain their PPL during this period. It is certainly the easiest method to gain a PPL licence as it is possible to fly at least 3 hours per day every day and this allows the student to retain the information and soon be relaxed and confident in the aircraft and the airspace within a very short period of time.
Luckily the weather was extremely favourable in the early months of the year with crisp visibility and “millpond “conditions this has enabled me to accompany pilots to such St . Flour and Clermont Ferrand with views of the many skiers on the slopes of the Massif Centrale mountains beneath us.
Of course the favourite trips to the viaduct de Millau and the islands off the west coast are always favourite destinations for pilots visiting France and I never tire of flying to La Belle Ile , Ile d’Yeu and Quiberon of course the seafood at these destinations is to die for !.
This summer despite the intense heat, I have been flying seven days a week so apologies to all of you hoping to read my weekly diary...... today it is raining need I say more.
This rain is most welcome as the pasture fields were drying up to a shade of brown rather than green and the horses were having to be fed winter rations.
Sadly our shetland pony Caramel died in his sleep in the field a few weeks ago, he had reached the grand age of 35 years and had only four teeth remaining, I am relieved that he just passed away and did not suffer any illness or pain.
All of the puppies have departed for their new homes except one male who I have retained called "Edward Bear of Nearly Heaven" of course he is my teddy bear!
I am trying to find time each morning and evening to train him and to take the dogs swimming in my neighbours lake.They love to cool off in the water and go hunting for frogs, insects and fish, the puppy enjoys hurling himself of the bank on top of his mother when she is swimming and almost drowning her!.
We have restocked with hens and ducks after Mr. Fox decimated our flocks earlier in the year.
I am delighted to have been of help to several Pilots who are permanently living in France. Several have needed a flight with an examiner after allowiing their SEP ratings to lapse.
During these tests I have had to the privledge to fly in several unusual types of aircraft which has been a great experience for me.
I am also pleased to have several lady students at present, is is always heartwarming to see more lady pilots as they are rather scarce in my part of France.
Roll of honour
First solo flights:
Kate Thomson
Esteban Dwarka
Paolo Rossi
Martin Payne
Lorraine Thomas
Stuart Morton
Ugar Edal
Stine Angen
PPL:
Kate Thomson
Esteban Dwarka
Dave Barrow
Paolo Rossi
Ugar Erdal
Peter Cazalet
Stephen Bosworth
ATPL: Congratulation to Marco Rossi for obtaining passes in the ground exams
at Oxford Aviation School
JAR PPL: Gerry Bolger and Dave Cannon have upgraded their licences to a JAR PPL.
Ugur Erdal with Mike Grierson (examiner) after passing his skill tests.
Changes at the club
Following our Annual General Meeting we have a new club President Christian Dalbin , Michel Kofyan the former president has now taken the position of Vice President.
Patrick Moussy has taken on the role of CFI for the french students.
Christian and Patrick both speak good English so hopefully all of the English members will feel at home conversing with them.
Comments