Learning to Fly in late 30's

[Frank Furillo]

Well I am 35 and did my FAA PPL/NR and JAA PPL/NR (inc R/T Licence) in Florida in Oct 2003.

0 to 150 Hours in 8 weeks and converted my FAA to JAA with only Two JAA exams to sit, Aviation Law and Human Performance.

This cost me less than here and to do that here would take much longer. Most schools I spoke to could not give me any times even near to that is obtainable in the States.


The cost was as follows:
38 Hours Dual @ $110= $4180
113 Hours Solo @ $85= $9350
Total $13530.00
okay add in $2000 for Fuel and exams, $1960 for motel cost, $500 per week living exp $4000 Total in the US=$21490 or £11940 (at $1.8 to the £) include air fare and other small items £1500 and the grand total is £13440.

Now the school I fly with here in England charge £100 per hour, plus Landing fees.
113 Hours @ 100 p/h=£ 113000 (sorry that should be £11300)

To learn to fly they Quote a price of £5500 (inc of exams and Landing fee's) so to do the same in England would have cost me £3360 more. That paid for my Ground School, Exams and Boarding while on the brush up!!!!!

All the clubs I have used back here in England require new customers to go up with an instructor anyway, you will get a few hours with them before they let a low houred pilot off on his own.

I am not saying that flying in the states is better or worse, i will not be drawn in to an argument.