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Distributing my lessons

Old 6th Jun 2016, 02:48
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Distributing my lessons

I recently started taking lessons towards my private pilot certificate. As is always true with most of us here, the availability of funds is an important factor influencing how often I take lessons. At the moment, I can only afford 3 lessons per month, which I've calculated is a lesson about every 9 days. I realize that several factors impact how quickly someone gets their certificate, only one of them being how far apart the student takes lessons. That notwithstanding, my question is, will a lesson every 9 days be reasonable to receive the certificate in 40-65 hours or is this not enough lessons each month? Thanks.
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Old 6th Jun 2016, 10:13
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A lot will of course depend on your own ability, for an average student I would say that you will be looking at nearer the 65 hour end of things than 40, you may be better saving up to do it in larger blocks.
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Old 6th Jun 2016, 10:23
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From a cost/continuity point of view, as Fox says, doing it in larger blocks would be beneficial.

I had the money saved up to do my PPL before I started but I spread it over a year from an enjoyment aspect so that I 'savoured' the experience more. I probably took about 10% more hours doing it that way. Also gave me the experience of flying in all four seasons.
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Old 9th Jun 2016, 06:07
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You would be better off to *not* fly at all for several months or more, while saving your flying budget. Meanwhile put the non-flying period to good us by studying all the theory and doing the exams. When you've saved a reasonable amount have a week or two off work & fly full time (2-3 lessons/day). Even if it's just to a couple of hours after 1st solo. Once your basic technique/muscle memory is somewhat consolidated then it isn't such an issue (but, like any new thing one learns, the longer the break the more the newly learned skill will deteriorate by the next lesson)

Start the flying during a time of year that tends towards good weather in your region. Ideally you need good visibility (a clear horizon is the best flight instrument), light winds at the surface (for learning to take-off and land), and smooth flight conditions (so that the effects of your control inputs aren't masked by turbulence while you're just learning how much of what input achieves what effect).

Flying 3 times a month in the 1st 10-15 hours is almost guaranteed to cost you rather a lot more by the time you get your licence.
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Old 11th Jun 2016, 05:02
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I learnt to fly with 3 hours a month. I initially passed my LAPL at 36 hours so it is doable. Some months require more hours than others mind, specially when flying cross country. So if you can save up a buffer zone to cover those areas. Plus all the extras such as equipment, exams and license application fees!
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Old 14th Jun 2016, 20:49
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The longer the gaps between lessons, the more hours it will take to qualify.
Do the ground studies first and complete the exams.
Then ideally in blocks of say 2 weeks, and only one lesson daily until 1st solo.

Trying for 3 a day is nonsense. Perhaps occasionally 2 daily. See how you feel.

In the final part of the NAV phase then the three flights in the day for the QUAL XCTY.
Medical issued?
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Old 15th Jun 2016, 03:59
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Trying for 3 a day is nonsense
Strange how so many of us that did Air Cadet Flying Scholarships managed then!
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Old 15th Jun 2016, 05:14
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Foxmoth

Might that be because the contract required the flying take place within 28 days, and the pony express had to get through? Quality control was not the highest priority.

I dare say that " an ace of the base " may well cope with 3 lessons a day. They are fairly rare; a bit like rocking horse SxxT
Whether others can really adsorb it that quickly is open to question.

For most mortals, I would question the wisdom of your suggestion.

Last edited by parkfell; 15th Jun 2016 at 06:42. Reason: Syntax
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Old 15th Jun 2016, 21:42
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2 to 3 flights is quite do-able *providing the study was done ahead of time*, as I wrote. It's only 3 x ~1hr sorties.
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Old 16th Jun 2016, 05:38
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The proof of the pudding.............let us hope that these courageous students have a positronic brain to cope with the routine of three trips a day. Good luck.
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Old 16th Jun 2016, 14:29
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Quality control was not the highest priority.
I would have to disagree there, higher than the average PPL and it was overseen by CFS.
What I will say is that these were young, highly motivated individuals and three hours a day will not work for all, but most should be able to manage two hours with no problem, in fact that, to me, would be the ideal
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