Michael Completes PPL Theory!

In late January, I passed the final Private Pilots License (PPL) theory exam, having spent the last year and a half working through the nine modules. My overall mark averaged 91% over the nine modules, far surpassing the required pass mark of 75% for each exam!

I’d like to say a huge thank you to Nigel Wilson at easy PPL Ground School for all of his help throughout this time, including all the content and mock exam resources that made it almost impossible to fail.

What I Learnt?

The course as a whole covered several different aspects, some of which I come across in my role at Pager Power and some which were completely new. I learnt a lot about the different types of airspace and the different levels of Air Traffic Services provided by an Air Traffic Service Unit, as part of Air Law; all the way to using the flight computer – or the ‘whizz wheel’ – to undertake several calculations, as part of Navigation and Flight Performance & Planning. 

The most surprising thing I learnt was part of the Human Performance and Limitations module, which taught the absolute importance of relying on your instrumentation when there is no visibility (e.g. in cloud). This is because your vestibular system (inner ear) can give you false information, leading to severe spatial disorientation.

How Will it Help Our Clients?

Learning all the different aspects that go into flying an aircraft has given me a greater insight into how a pilot thinks, and has furthered my appreciation for the unique ways developments can impact different aviation operations. 

This insight and appreciation will allow me to anticipate and better understand any concerns raised by an aerodrome safeguarding team. I will then be able to give additional clearer and more meaningful advice to our clients in how to alleviate these concerns, resulting in less risk to projects and a smoother planning process.

What’s Next?

The logical next step would be to obtain my full PPL license by getting the necessary hours in an aircraft. I have had an initial flying lesson at Earls Colne Airfield but the commitment of doing all the necessary hours it’s not something I am looking to progress at this time. I will however continue to get flying experience on a semi-regular basis.

Instead, there are several supplementary modules provided by easy PPL Ground School and specific practical exercises which will further aid my understanding. This includes: ‘IMC Rating’, ‘Night Rating’ and ‘Forced Landing Without Power’. I would also like to learn more about glider operations, particularly by experiencing the different launch methods.

Pager Power

Pager Power can assess the potential impacts of solar, wind, and building developments upon surrounding aviation infrastructure and operations. We pride ourselves on our longstanding relationships with various national stakeholders across the world. This global consultation has provided our technical team with expertise in international legislation and guidance, including Eurocontrol and ICAO guidelines.

For more information about what we do, please get in touch.