Can you keep a secret? Katie’s PPL Journey

I kept one for 2 years… I managed to keep under wraps that I was training for my private pilot’s licence (PPL)! 

I wanted to surprise my family and friends at the finish line, which is why I kept it a secret – but if I’m being honest, there was a part of me that wasn’t even sure I could really do it, which also made me keep it quiet.

I am terrified of heights

I am the opposite of a daredevil – I like predictability, safety, and cortisolfree activities, so naturally… I learnt how to fly 60-year-old ‘tin cans’ (Cessna 150/152s) to truly push myself out of my comfort zone!

Day 1

I naively rock up for my trial lesson; my soon-to-be chief flight instructor (who casually used to jump out of planes – for fun), 30 knot wind, and a plane with a crack in the window that had been taped back together all taught me my first lesson in aviation: At some point, you have to put complete trust in a stranger. Thankfully, for me, this was someone with over 12,000 flying hours. 

When I started questioning my life choices

Take offs are exciting; then comes the realisation you do eventually need to land the plane, which for me was the scariest part. Overcoming this required lots of positive self-talk, countless practice and remembering the aviation slogan of ‘if it isn’t right, go-around’.  This means if something feels ‘off’, there is always the option to abort, course-correct and try again which I like to think can be applied to lots of things in life. 

Navigation and radiotelephony felt, to me, like learning a different language. I’m terrible at reading maps (I was politely asked not to participate in Duke of Edinburgh at school) and my childhood memories largely consist of mis-reading the A-Z Great Britain Map (this was pre-satnavs) and causing trips to at least double in arrival time, much to my mums’ frustration. 

Flying taught me situational awareness, prepare backup plans, be adaptable, and it’s never too late to learn something new. These skills that were once uncomfortable for me, now strengthened. 

 What does the PPL actually involve?

I wish someone had told me honestly what is involved in the PPPL, no-one told me I would have to climb a ladder to refuel (not ideal for those with a fear of heights) and I wish someone had told me about the unpleasant task of having to suck on the stall warner pre-flight to ensure no debris is in there. I’m still not convinced, and reckon this is an inside joke amongst my flight instructors, as I’ve never seen anyone else performing this!

The community were a huge part of my journey too, aviators tend to be a close-knit group and I did originally feel ‘out of place’; globally only 6% of PPL holders are women. I’m grateful to have learnt so much from this community; ultimately what we are all truly capable of, which continues to inspire me daily.

I learnt more than just how to fly during my PPL;

• I learnt discipline – 9 exams + a radio exam + skills test
• Patience – the number of lessons cancelled due to UK weather…
• Facing fears – learning how to recover from stalls and difficult landings in crosswinds
• Doing scary things alone – solo cross-country where I flew 200 nautical miles, landing at 3 different airfields fuelled mainly by jelly babies and adrenaline.

What I learnt most is that anything – anything – is possible when you put your mind to it.

The best part

Last year on my birthday, I had my final prep flight with my instructor. Instead of the usual flight exercises, we ended up having what I can only describe as an unexpected therapy session at 2,000ft. 

We talked about life, growth, fear, resilience – and giggled about the ‘chaos’, ‘mischief’ and the ‘bubbly’ nature I brought to aviation. After landing, over tea and birthday cake, he shook my hand and gave me a quiet head nod – the kind that says far more than words and it meant: ‘You’re ready’.  It was bitter-sweet as I knew the rest of my flying journey I would have to face alone, without my instructors (physically) by my side. 

17 days later I passed! One of the proudest days of my life. I knew this milestone meant that I would now be able to share, with others, the privilege of seeing our world from a different perspective.

Flying didn’t just give me a licence, it gave me confidence, strength, perspective – and stories I’ll be telling forever.

If anyone fancies risking their life, you know where to find me. 

I was scared of heights… so learnt to fly 

Join me on my future flying here:

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