Yorkie Lad - . .. .The back of 'Flyer' or similar mags will give you some idea of the cost of learning to fly. The UK vs abroad option is something discussed regularly on the forums on PPRUNE and I guess there is no definitive answer. As for cost, it does seem that various options abroad offer better value for money if you can do an intensive course.. .. .I decided to do mine in a three-week intensive course and I'm off to Florida next month for this. The course is working out at around £3000 but I'm not using their accommodation so I'm getting about £300 off. . .. .Having not done the flying yet I cannot make any personal recommendation as to whether the US is better than the UK, or for that matter any particular FTO compared to another. If you are interested in finding out my thoughts after I've done the course, drop me a personal e-mail in June.. .. .If you are in the Sheffield area (I see you are from Yorkshire) I know that flying training at Pheonix Flying School are very cheap (Netherthorpe, near Worksop) and the CFI (Mike Lee) seems a good man. Only had one 'trial' flight with them so far, but I've been doing the ground exams there (not the study, I've been doing that at home). If you do take the option to go abroad, you will find LOTS of people advising you to get the ground exams done before you go. In my opinion this is the best bit of advice I have followed, as I now realise just how much there is to learn and how difficult it would be to take it all in in just a 3 or 4 week period!. .. .Happy flying.. .. .Big.Al.. . . . <small>[ 05 March 2002, 20:48: Message edited by: big.al ]</small>