2016
After many months of poor weather, I finally completed my PPL skills test on the 21st April 2016.
The plan is now to enjoy my license over the summer before completing my ATPL ground school exams in the coming Winter/New Year.
Private Pilot's License (PPL) - Completed
2015
Somthings are just meant to be
Hi, my name is Deacon.
I wanted to create this website to archive my flying experience and share it with anyone who is interested.
I hope to show that becoming a pilot doesn't have to just be a dream.
Scroll down for my aviation story
ABOUT ME
I begin my application to the Royal Air Force, after many interviews I was selected to attend the Officer and Aircrew Seletion course held at RAF College Cranwell. This is a 4 day course that covers everything from fitness to aptitude .... it was a fantastic experience, however I was unsuccessful and asked to re-apply. Unfortunately, I attend right before the Strategic Defence Review in 2010 where it was announced that the MOD was going to have to be cut back.
ROYAL AIR FORCE ...
2010
2010
I was now in the 'real world' ... I needed a job I had put all my eggs in one basket and unfortunately it hadn't paid off.
I was fortunate that a supermarket near where I live required temporary Chirstmas staff, so I joined on a part time basis. After 2 weeks I was asked to become full time.
I enjoyed the job, worked with some great people and got promoted, however I knew that it was not a career for me. I continued to research the world of flying visting many different schools and events, but knew I would have to save hard to gain a commercial pilot licence.
World of retail
After 5 years of saving I felt I was almost in a position to continue my flight training. I decided to apply to the Air League once again ... and was fortunate enough to be awarded a second scholarship.
As soon as I heard I had been awarded another Air League scholarship I went up to Wycombe Air Park where Booker Aviation are based. We went through my pervious flying and after a quick check flight just to make sure that I hadn't forgotten anything we came up with a plan on how best to use my 12 hours. Over the summer of 2015 I competed all the PPL ground school exams and made my way through a lot of the PPL syllabus. I finished my Air league scholarship with a big navigational exercise.
Air League Scholarship - Number 2
2015
My Aviation Story
The aviation bug is something often refered to in the world of flying, it is the moment in your life when you wanted to be involved with aviation.
I caught the bug at the age of 3 when boarding a 747, I remember it as if it was yesterday. We approached the aircraft and entered through the rear door below the tail. When climbing the stairs up to the door, I looked up at the massive tail, then down the body of the aircraft, I was absolutely amazed by it and knew that I wanted to become a pilot.
From that point I have never looked back. My life revolved around aircraft, buying books, magazines, building models, visiting airports, museums and airshows.
Catching the Aviation 'Bug'
1994
The best decision of my life
That decision was to join the Air Cadets in 2006, It completely changed my life. I learnt a huge amount about how the Royal Air Force operates, got to visit many RAF bases and completed a number of courses. Also, I got to fly twice a year for free.
Once I became an Air Cadet my focus then became to not just become a pilot but an RAF pilot. I put everything into the Air Cadets and got promoted through the ranks very quickly and was fortunate to be awarded not just a gliding scholarship but also a flying scholarship as well.
2006
The Air Cadet gliding scholarship is designed to get a cadet from very little (if any) experience of gliding to a solo standard.
I completed my gliding scholarship at RAF Halton flying the RAF Air Cadet motorized Grob Vigilant.
The course was just over a week long held during the Easter holidays. It was perfect weather and managed to complete the course to a silver wing standard - meaning that you had been solo
Gliding Scholarship RAF Halton
2009
Air Cadet Pilot Scheme - Tayside Aviation - Scholarship
The Air Cadet Pilot Scheme (ACPS) is handed out to a handful of Air Cadets a year. It is a similar course to the gliding scholarship, however you will be flying a powered light aircraft (in this case a Grob115-Tutor) over a 2 week course held at Tayside Aviation Dundee.
I completed my ACPS in July 2009 had an absolutely amazing time and without a doubt where to this day the best two weeks of my life.
2009
After completing my Air Cadet Pilot Scheme I was informed about a charity called the Air League, this charity has been created in order to keep Britain at the forefront of aviation by getting young people involved. They do this by providing numerous organised visits to aviation related places, including airfields, simulators and businesses working in the aviation field. To add to this they also provide many different scholarships including a 12 hour flying scholarship.
I joined the Air League and was fortunate to be offered an interview in London ... after a month a envelope came through the door stating that I had been awarded a flying scholarship at Wycombe Air Park (Booker).
In August 2010 I completed this scholarship I had a great time and made even more progress through my PPL (Private Pilots License)
