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Old 26th March 2008 | 13:31
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Amsterdam
Midiman, don't buy the PPL package outright. Take baby steps: Buy a block of three trial lessons to start with, so you can see if you like it. If you do, set your next target at first solo. After first solo, take a step back and reconsider. If you still enjoy it, do a few theory exams and set your sights at first cross-country solo. Then reconsider again.

In the meantime, read up on the alternatives that I wrote about. NPPL, Microlights, Gliders. They are much cheaper and may give you the same amount of fun anyway.

If you decide to go commercial (either CPL/FI or ATPL) you can either stretch out your training over a large number of years (something like 20 years minimum if you can afford 12 hours a year....) with your current financial situation, or get a loan from a bank. But that last option is a life-changing decision.

Do NOT pay for a PPL package outright. It may be cheaper than paying as you go but flight schools regularly go bust in which case you can forget about that money. If you do buy a package, no matter how small, make sure to buy it using a credit card so you have a big organization to fall back on (and hopefully get your money back from) in case of problems.

Oh, and remember that the 6000-odd UKP the school quotes is the base price for the bare minimums. If you have one lesson a week (which is optimistic) you should count on needing 50-60 hours or more instead of the 45 hours minimum before you're ready for the exam. So realistically you should budget about 1/3rd extra.
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