4-week PPL in UK?

[flock]

I'm doing my PPL This summer. Welshpool has sparked my interest!! . .But what are the chances of having 4 weeks of decent weather in the summer. I am a teacher, so am limited to the glorious summer hols to do the PPL.. .I don't really want to go abroad!

Really appreciate any help with this!

[MikeSamuel]

Jersey Aero Club regularly advertise their PPL course. Includes B&B for 4 weeks, flight etc...but it isn't that cheap - over £5k as I recall. Normally worth looking in the back of "Pilot" or "Flyer" for these kind of courses. Good luck!

Regards,

MS

[tacpot]

I did my PPL in four weeks in the UK in the summer of '82. But then the PPL only required 35 hours (but it took me 38). With the JAA PPL requirement now being 45 hours, I doubt that anyone can fly and learn that much in four weeks. I did the PPL when I was 17 and was flying two or three trips a day, and studying for the ground exams when not flying.

Could you get 10 hours or so under your belt before the summer hols, say flying at the weekend, or in the evenings. If you do this, you would be sure to go solo in the first week of the four weeks - this would seem to guarantee compeleting the course in four weeks. But no one can guarantee the weather for you in the UK.

If you have passed all the ground exams by the beginning of your four weeks, you will eliminate any possiblity of being held up by these - you have to have passed the Air Law Exam before you go solo, and many schools like you to pass the Nav exam (and possibly Flight Planning and Meterology as well) before going on solo navigations exercises.

Having completed the RT practical test before the course will also put you ahead of the game.

[CAHLIBAHN_MK2]

Flock. .It is unlikely that Pool Aviation will still be at Welshpool after mid-April.

[flock]

Could you elaborate on Pool Aviation (or lack of!) Cheap PPL no longer possibble un UK?

[CAHLIBAHN_MK2]

Pool's tenancy expired some time ago and they have now had their marching orders following protracted legal tussles. Last I heard they were seeking a new home so hopefully we'll see them open shop elsewhere.

[CAHLIBAHN_MK2]

I noticed an advert for Taylor Aviation at Cranfield offering a 45 hour package for £3825. At £85 per hour (less, actually, as they throw in ground school and exams) that seems extraordinary value to me. Having said that, I know absolutely nothing about them so caveat emptor and all that <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> Jersey costs from £5201 but that does include 4 weeks B&B.

As always, the best advice is go and find somewhere you feel comfortable with, negotiate a deal with them and pay by credit card.

[flock]

Cheers Cahlibahn and everyone else for the info.

[Julian]

Flock,

Just some extra info, where ever you end up.

A 4 week PPL is alot of work so if maybe worth considering getting all your writtens out of the way first, that leaves you with just the flying to concentrate on. I did a 4 wk course and I am glad I did the exams first, other members of my course were locked away at night studying and the odd one (due to the fact they couldnt extend their course due to work commitments), went home empty handed and would have to return or finish off elsewhere!

Julian.

[P.Pilcher]

As an ex-teacher who made it all the way (and it took about 10 years!) I would warn you about these rapid learning courses. During my years as as a flying instructor I came across several cases of people who had done three week PPL courses, held a valid licence and then wanted a check ride after a layoff of a few months. They could not even achieve 1st. solo standard - and this was after attempting to check out with several different instructors! i.e. if you aquire these skills rapidly, then you will lose them just as rapidly without continuous practice. If you want to get your PPL, what do you want to do with it? If you only want to spend, say £5000 gaining a sense of achievement then O.K. but if you want a skill and licence that you can use in the long term then don't worry about how long it takes you. Join a club, learn to fly, make some new friends and enjoy your new hobby. Also If you take a year - flying say at weekends you will have an opportunity to experience flying in all sorts of different weather which will make you a better pilot. If you end up doing the same as me, then I can assure you that being qualified to supply teach when you get made redundant is an extremely useful ability to have.

best wishes

[ 18 February 2002: Message edited by: P.Pilcher ]</p>

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

I jhave taught someone a complete JAA PPL in three weeks in the UK in 1999. It was very hard work and the student had a high aptitude and remarkable dedication.

If you intend to try the same then I recommend that you complete the PPL exams prior to attending a full time course. All you really need are a set of Trvor Thom or Jeremy Pratt books, a PPL confuser book of sample questions and away you go. Most school will charge you about £100 to sit and mark all the exams.

The arguments about training being best is slow and steady or quick and intense have dogged aviation since Wilbur taught Oliver. Each way suits different people. The military - albeit taking 3 years - generally train people in short intense bursts.

Pool Aviation (i.e. Welshpool) are moving operations and therefore are not really a viable choice at the moment.

Good luck

WWW

ps I did a PPL in under 4 weeks in 1991 off the back of a RAF scholarship at Wellesbourne - if I could build a time machine and go back to day one of that course I would do so in a shot. Great days.