"to meet new and interesting people etc along the way" ?
Ok so why do you want to meet pilots then
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Seriously, there are one or two but it's a struggle financially unless you can get some from of sponsorship. The quickest way is to do an approved course but that costs; check whether or not you can get some assistance by the way of a grant for vocational training. That would bring the cost down to around 18 - 20K which equates roughly to what you could expect your debt to be if you have a student loan. Additionally, if you have a degree it's a backup should you fail. Finally, don't do anything until you have a Class 1 medical. Good Luck.