Tag: flying

It’s all a tad annoying …

Not very happy with my two Groupon deals.

I’ve only ever bought two deals from Groupon: a flying lesson and a Learndirect course on Sage.

The flying lesson deal I bought almost a year ago and had to give four weekend dates when I would be available. They would then contact me approximately 15 days beforehand to let me know it was happening. All year I’ve made sure I’ve kept those weekends free. The dates I had given came and went and, apart from a ‘Merry Christmas, we’ve not forgotten you’ email, I heard nothing.

Next weekend is the fourth and final weekend date I had given. Time to get excited, it has to be this one! A few days ago I still hadn’t heard anything, so emailed the company. The reply I received was that they are no longer doing that deal and they will arrange a refund. How long have they known this? I could have done other things with those weekends. And would they have let me know if I hadn’t contacted them first? As I said in the title, it’s all a tad annoying …

The Sage course I bought last September. I’d like to learn something about accounting software as, as well as gaining a new skill, it could be useful when I finally get around to starting my business. I downloaded one of Learndirect’s free courses first to make sure it worked on my computer and that I liked the presentation style of their courses. Everything was fine and so I bought the Sage course. I knew I wouldn’t have time to do anything with it there and then, but it’s valid for a year, so that wasn’t a problem.

I decided to start the course this weekend, but what happens? It no longer works on my computer. I get a message telling me I need some sort of update, but when I click the update button it tells me the update can’t be done. There are a few instructions on things I can try, but when I follow them through, all the correct boxes are ticked and enabled anyway. The link they provide to a help page is broken. I’m really quite upset about this, as I finally get time to do something about the course and it is no longer working. A colleague has had a similar problem. She was part way through one of their courses a few weeks ago and she lost access for the same sort of reasons. Apparently Learndirect have made some sort of changes and this has effected users. I really don’t understand how they can do this??? I’ve contacted them asking them to either sort it out quickly or send me a refund. I’d still like to do the course so I hope they sort the problem out. I wait with bated breath …

Flight Simulation

Half an hour in a flight simulator has given me a real taste for flying.

One of the presents I got my brother for Christmas was an ‘experience’ in a fighter plane simulator. I liked the sound of it so I booked myself a go too. The day after Boxing Day we drove to an industrial estate in Stalybridge where the Top Gun Flight Simulator is situated. In the small office and reception space on the first floor of an scruffy looking warehouse we were sat down and shown our flight route on a map. The instructor also explained what can be seen on each of the three computer screens that are set up in the reception area. One is basically the radar, another one shows the terrain the plane is flying over as seen from various watch towers. As the plane flies into the distance it becomes a dot on the screen, when it flies closer it can be seen filling the screen. The third screen is the view of what the pilot can see through the windscreen. 

After a briefing on where we would be flying, it was time to get changed into RAF flying suits. John decided to fly first and I sat with a coffee and watched him on the screens. The instructor’s wife explained what was going on and told me a bit about their business. Ian, the instructor, had previously flown Cessnas but hadn’t done any flying for a while when someone bought him the Microsoft flight simulator. Pretty soon he became bored of just flying with a keyboard and wanted more of the real thing. That led to him buying a 1970’s Czech fighter plane and setting up a flight simulation business. They’ve been going for less than 2 years and so far it’s been successful. They’ve recently moved into their new premises from their original location in Ashton.

After half an hour John’s flight was over and I went down to the simulator on the ground floor to take photos of him in the cockpit all kitted out in the helmet and oxygen mask.

Then it was my turn. I squoze into the front seat and put the helmet and mask on. It felt quite heavy and made it difficult to turn my head. Once I was strapped into the seat I could barely move my body – I had just about enough arm movement to work the levers at the side of me and the controls in front of me. My legs only just stretched to the peddles.

Ian sat behind and gave me instructions over the intercom built into the helmet. Although it all seemed very complicated and a lot to remember, I don’t think it’s any more difficult than in a car. I remember when I was learning to drive, it seemed like I’d never remember to watch the speedometer and roadsigns, and turn the steering wheel, change gears, use the brakes and clutch appropriately and NOT run anyone over or crash, but with time it became second nature and now I don’t even have to think about it. What did seem much more difficult however, was keeping the damn thing straight! I’m sure it was never this difficult in a car. The slightest movement sent me veering on to the grass verge at the side of the runway, or when I was in the air, would tilt the plane alarmingly on to its side.

Upside down flying

For my flight we took off from a base near Prince William’s gaff in Anglesey, flew across the Menai Strait towards Snowdonia, followed a few gorges and then the river to Conwy. Out at sea I flew along the coast learning to do rolls and loops before heading back along the Menai Strait and flying under the bridge. I did a flyby past the tower, a few more rolls and loops and then came into land and got parked up.

It took a lot of concentration and was really difficult – I could feel the instructor over-riding me with his dual controls a lot of the time. I’m actually more apprehensive now about the real flying lesson I have booked, but at the same I enjoyed the simulator and so I’m sure I’ll enjoy the real thing too.

Would I recommend this or do it again? Yes and no. Yes, I’d recommend it as a fun way of spending an hour or so and it’s a good first introduction to flying, but no I probably wouldn’t do it again as it is one of those things to really be tried once. If I want to make a hobby out of flying then it’s better to save my money and do the real thing as the simulator would probably get monotonous after a while.

Flying Lessons and Duke of Edinburgh

Getting involved with the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the chance of a flying lesson.

I’ve just booked a flying lesson! Well, I’ve almost booked one. I was flicking through my emails and noticed an offer for reduced price flying lessons on Living Social so I’ve bought the voucher. When it comes through I can book the 90 minute lesson. The small print says I have to give availability for four weekends over a 12 month period and they will contact me when I can have my lesson. So I won’t know exactly when I’ll be having my lesson until just before it happens, but the anticipation will be lovely.

I love the idea of being able to pilot my own small aircraft, but it’s expensive and so is something I can’t really contemplate doing at the moment. If I enjoy this one-off lesson I’ll know that it is something I really want to do and is worth saving for, and if not, I can take it off my list.

As for the Duke of Edinburgh, I’m talking about the award not the person. I keep trying to get involved in this but it never works out. This year I seem to have a really good chance of being involved. I went to a meeting last night where we planned for the coming year. As long as we get enough students interested I’ll be able to be part of the facilitating team. I’ve already said that my strengths lie in walking, camping and orienteering, and so I could work with the students on the expedition. Of course what’s in it for me is that it will count towards my walking group leader’s qualfication.

So, after a bit of a lull, things seem to be picking up again.