A few related thoughts
In the interests of progressing the discussion, I’d like to interpret your question as seeking good instruction to achieve a licence as relatively quickly and inexpensively as possible. The two are interconnected, as a well structured and presented course will reduce the time that you as a family need to spend there.
I recall speaking to one lady some time ago who had completed the PPL from scratch (i.e. not even opened the books before she went) in three weeks. It is possible but won’t be an exactly restful holiday for your wife, nor perhaps for you.
Your wife may have the advantage of some flying experience with you, so hopefully she has picked up some useful stuff. The people who tend to get through the course in the minimum time usually have previous experience, like Air Training Corps, University Air Squadron, gliding etc. That said, it’s easy for someone to pick up bad habits when flying with another pilot who isn’t an instructor. I bought some lessons as a birthday present for a friend who flew extensively with me, as I was worried that she was picking up some of my bad habits. Thankfully she’s gone on to be a much better pilot than I am.
Much will depend on why your wife wants to learn to fly. Is she going to go off on her own, or always with you / the family? If it’s the latter she will need the practical skills to fly and navigate. If it’s the former, she will need the piece of paper as well. This rather tangential view is about what happens at the end of your holiday if for reasons of weather or other factors, she hasn’t been able to achieve the check ride / licence.
I can’t offer any advice on the specific schools, as the one I used for the FAA/IR thirteen years ago has sunk without trace.
Safe Flying,
Richard W.
Last edited by Whiskey Kilo Wanderer; 22nd November 2010 at 09:08.