Robbie
About
Growing up, I was always a fond lover of Concorde. Living in South East London, the aircraft regularly flew overhead on its approach to London Heathrow Airport.
The Concorde was the world’s first supersonic passenger plane. It was a technological marvel and a source of pride in Britain and France, whose aerospace companies joined forces to produce the aircraft.
In 2003, BA and Air France both simultaneously stopped Concorde service. This end of a fantastic era in world aviation inspired me to become a pilot.
It helped inspire me to do better at school and on completion of my GCSE’s, I began studying for my Private Pilot’s License.
In January 2010 I flew my first flight, learning to fly at London Biggin Hill Airport with Alouette Flying Club. I needed a part time job to cover the costs of this expensive venture and after much delay I flew my first solo on the 8th April 2011.
Quick progress was then made with the rest of my training completing all remaining theory exams and training with the skills test on 17th of November 2011.
I completed the UK NPPL in the minimum time, despite having a part time job and studying full time at Sixth Form.
After many years of flying a C172 and PA28, I decided to convert my UK NPPL to an EASA PPL, having had to jump through many hoops set by the CAA at Gatwick.
In quick succession I got my night rating and then started training for my Instrument Rating Restricted.
Thanks to the talented skills of the then resident examiner Ian Davidson; I quickly learned and developed new skills which would be the bread and butter for my future flying.
In 2017 I decided to leave the flying club after 7 long years; transferring around the M25 to a non-equity group owned DA40.
This wide range of instruments makes this aircraft ideal for IMC training and operations, and the cruise speed and long range tanks provide excellent touring capability. In this year I flew more hours than I’ve ever done before, flying to France for the first time, Newquay on the first weekend away in a light aircraft and an intense IFR flying day to Jersey, in the Channel Islands.
This was also the year I launched The Flying VLOG, sharing my adventures on YouTube.
After 9 years flying and loving every moment of it, it’s time to get the full Instrument Rating and fly further afield.
I have since logged over 200 hours of flying with well over 300 landings and visited places as far as Newquay, the Channel Islands and France.
Follow me as I share the coolest adventures of a Private Pilot.
