- I can fly to France I suppose, but could I fly off to the mountains with some friends to go skiing for the weekend?
- I'd love to fly to places in the UK; but then I'd be somewhere without a car - is this a pain?
- How much luggage can I take with me? I love MTB-ing. Can I fit me and a MTB in a plane and go to Wales for the weekend?
This is a very good question. The wrong answers are also the main reason why so many give up flying.
Firstly you must be realistic with what you can do with a PPL and limited experience.
1. The Alps are out. Forget it. The only way to put it back on the agenda is with a few hundred hours to your credit, plenty of time to wait for the right weather and only then flying in the better months of the year.
2. However the north coast of France is definitely in - pretty much all year. There is much to enjoy if you like French food and culture.
3. Going to most airports is a pain. It is costly flying yourself there, the facilities when you get there are usually poor and there is of course rarely anything to do at the airport. Taxis only add to the cost and inconvenience.
4. In a four seater you could definitely squeeze in a mountain bike with the front wheel removed. Many use the smaller foldable bikes which are far more convenient, but of course not as capable.
So, some good and bad news. Lets turn it into better news.
1. Forget about the cost. Other than going abroad it will cost more to fly yourself there than go by car. Even going abroad there will be far cheaper alternatives. Also forget about saving time. In typical GA types anywhere within two hours flying time will be quicker to get to by road IF you take into account getting to the airport, getting the aircraft ready, and getting somewhere the other end, but, and to start the good news, it will always be quicker getting to the continent.
2. So why bother. Well you enjoy the flying don’t you? So it is better than sitting in a car and you are prepared to pay a bit more because you enjoy it aren’t you?
3. Now you need something to do when you get there, otherwise you will quickly get fed up with flying purely for its own sake or at the very least SWMBO at all times most certainly will! So read this forum and elsewhere and find flyer friendly locations. If you search there are plenty of them. What constitutes a flyer friendly location - something to do and hopefully easy to get to. For example, Cambridge, plenty of good shops, punting on the Cam, lots of history etc, bus outside the airport into town every 10 minutes (I think) and 50p to boot - a perfect day out. L2K of course, lunch in town and bikes cheaply available for hire at the airport. Be a bit braver perhaps - Alderney, really cheap car hire and they turn up on time ready and waiting at the airport, get back when you like and leave the keys in the box. A small but very beautiful island, perfect for the kids or just lazing around on nice summers days. Paris - quite doable! Go to Lognes, which is closer than any of the commercials - just about walking distance to the train station and straight into the center for a few Euros.
I hope that gives you some inspiration - there are plenty of other possibilities, but please don’t just end up bimbling around the local cabbage patch, end up getting bored with the flying and the cost and then giving up as most do!
Everything I have suggested is entirely possible with a PPL - just accept early on in your flying you need to wait for the right weather. Moreover depending on where you are these sort of trips are all doable in one day, so if you are hiring that is “club friendly”, and if you are going to Paris, perhaps go Friday Saturday which should be acceptable to most clubs.
Good luck.