Back on thread (ish).
Whitus1, getting a PPL(H) abroad is an option although, full-time, I would allow 6 weeks for contingencies. If you get a JAA licence abroad, then I would recommend passing all the exams here before you go. If you get a foreign licence abroad, don't forget to add the costs of conversion to a JAA licence when you get back home.
As for the economics of costs ....
Average annual UK wage £23,764 with average of 28 days paid leave.
Average house price (small terraced house - you don't have those in the States!) £183,500
Petrol per litre £1.04
Beer £3.00
Basic rate of income tax 22%
Higher rate (income over ~ £40,000) 40%
National insurance 11%
I can't even begin to explain how this all pieces together to produce the general higher costs of living we experience in the UK but I would suspect that the basic crux is the cost of land.
Also bear in mind that our CAA is self-funded with no government subsidy as in the US.
The £300 I quoted is the cost of a 300CBi (which is a cheaper machine to run that a C) from a well run and reputable school. They do make a profit but a very, very tiny one!!!
Hope that helps.
Cheers
Whirls