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James’ Journey : Berry begins; from spotting to sails to sky or how I became a pilot part one!

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30 January 2023

On 30 January 2023

So like many stories you hear from pilots, my obsession started, as far as I can remember, at the age of 7. Where my step-father and I would drive down to the road near the threshold of Gatwick’s runway and tune into their radio and just watch the planes (I know, I know, but I didn’t know any better back then). Although admittedly the actual form of planes never really excited me, it was far more the actual ability to take to the skies. To this day I don’t think there is a greater freedom.

In reality the bug started in earnest at the age of 8 I believe, although I didn’t comprehend it at the time, the seed was planted. I got to take a tiny flight in the back of a LongRanger at Farnborough Air Show, I remember looking at it, how it could levitate, being captivated by the way it moved, overpowering the laws of physics, and yet so incredibly gracefully. So wistful it almost brings a tear to your eye, doesn’t it?

Cut to that becoming my ambition, I attempted to join the forces at 16-18 but long story short I fell foul of admin errors on the part of the recruitment company. That stumped me for a long time, I saved as much as I could for the following 6 years but I wasn’t making enough progress. Even though I understood I was likely to never achieve my goal, I never gave up either, I always harboured it. In that interval I became a captain of the seas and travelled. Little did I know how beneficial my sailing knowledge and experience would become in flight training!

From sails to skies

At the age of 24 I finally had the opportunity, unfortunately, it came at the death of my Uncle, we were very close, and I like to think he’d be proud that I made the most of his gift. Along with support from my grandparents, I decided to hang up my wet boots and foul weather gear in 2019.

I attached myself to a quiet school in Blackbushe and after a one hour trial lesson I sat down with my instructor and asked them honestly, can you make a living doing this? Is it possible to have this job? He spent a long time with me, discussing it, answering every question, I’ll never forget that. The time he invested in that conversation lead to where I am today.

I went for it, little did I know my PPL was a little unorthodox. I started full force in December 2019 and after being weather delayed had my skills test right at the start of February 2020. People are surprised that I did it so quickly however the school was relatively quiet and I applied myself, wholeheartedly, I lived and breathed flying, I rented a room 20mins walk away from the school and I was there every day, if not flying, I was reading my theory books, cover to cover, asking about anything that confused me. I picked up my starter kit a month before the flying, and I remember (and some people will really roll their eyes at this one) sitting in the V&A in Central London on a bench whilst my now fiancé looked around, I was reading a Pooleys Navigation theory book.

There were down and upsides to doing a PPL that quickly, I made very efficient use of my hours, and it was great to fly again quickly after feedback. But on the other side by doing it in such a short amount of time, I did not see such a large variety of destinations or weather.

I was so nervous for my first solo, I remember talking to the machine, ‘Please don’t go wrong, please don’t go wrong!’. My QXC was a highlight, Blackbushe to Thruxton to Lee on the Solent and return. Confined areas were a struggle until I understood how to break it down.

One thing I will say is that I prepared for my flights, I read up on the exercises, the theory, I went home and worked through feedback I was given, ensuring that I took everything on board. I made sure I was prepped for my flights, any MATED or route planning was pre done before my lesson started. This would be my advice, your instructor has limited time with you, make sure you make the most of it!

Perhaps if I was to do it all over I would stretch it out a bit. However, I am glad I applied myself so much. With flying, you get out what you put in.