The OBA aircraft may be old, well used or whatever you choose to call them but the fact is that although the airframes (the aircraft bodies) may be old, the engines are certainly not the originals, there is a limit on the number of hours (not miles) that an aircraft engine can be used before it is subject to a major overhaul which essentially means rebuilding the engine by a licensed engineering company to "as new" condition ("zero timed"). In the UK that is normally after around 2000 hours of use. The fact that an aircraft is say 30 years old does not mean that it has the same wheezy old engine in it as it rolled off the production line. Most of the accidents and incidents at OBA appear to be due to "pilot error". Not surprising really since most if not all of the pilots flying their aircraft are students or inexperienced pilots!
Personally, I have no confidence issues in flying an old aircraft since the maintenance of aircraft are subject to strict Civil or Federal Aviation rules regarding maintenance and engine rebuilding at set periods. Given the number of hours flown at OBA by inexperienced pilots, it is not surprising that there is the odd accident.
Yes, a PPL in 21 days is more than possible, it is likely in Florida! Allow much more time in the UK, almost certainly months! The Florida JAA schools certainly know their stuff when it comes to getting you through a PPL at minimum cost! A PPL is a PPL the only difference is on cost!
How is Adrian of OBA fame these days? is he old and grey or old and bald? Certainly, he is no fool when it comes to PPL training, bad attitude or not!
