Originally Posted by
shaqiloheal
.............. Was advised £13k for total costs for PPL but these hidden charges with the airports don’t sound like they are factored in.
It's easy to miss these but, from my experience (ex-Instructor), the information is usually there in the website where costs are discussed and we
always discussed such things with prospective students including other things such extra ground school etc, etc. As
SimonPaddo says, sometimes such cost are included in the hourly rate at their home base but for some others they come as additional costs - and you can add exams, flight tests etc, etc to the list as all those charges go to 3rd parties.
As with car insurance policies, you really do need to read all the print to know what you are getting into and not just go with the "headlines". So, in defence of most flight schools, "hidden" is one thing - not doing adequate research is something else. In your case, it may be that it was not discussed but I'd be quite, make that "very", surprised if it had not been mentioned as it has always been a "bete noir" when it comes to Flight Training! But, in the excitement of starting Flying Training, stuff you are told sometimes gets forgotten!!!!
Anyway, I hope you really enjoy your flying. I still remember my 1st solos (1st gliding then PPL) like they were yesterday! Mind you, I think it costs a bit more per-hour than when I did my various Licences. You pay more/hour for PPL SE Training than I did for my CPL/IR Training in a Twin!!!!!!! I sometimes think I'd like to go flying again with an Instructor (lost my medical a long while back) but I look at the cost of a 1 hour lesson in a C152.......................................
Fly safe!
H 'n' H