Hi Stuey,
Welcome to the flying world. I’m afraid you’ve asked the proverbial ‘how long is a piece of string’ question. As you can ascertain from a search of this and other forums, the cost of earning your Private Pilot Licence (of what ever flavour <EASA PPL, LAPA, NPPL> you choose) is usually a function of age, enthusiasm and proximity to the airfield or strip. It’s also a case of getting on with your instructor, as you are going to spend a lot of time in a confined space with this person. You should regard the minimum quoted by any club or organisation as just that, a minimum. There is also the million dollar question ‘what do you want to achieve from your flying?’ Are you aiming for a job with the airlines, or a pleasant evening’s bimble around the local countryside?
Once you have a licence, you have choices about how to proceed. If you have gone down the microlight route you will probably need to buy an aircraft, or at least a share in one. Few microlight schools, particularly the smaller ones, are happy renting their aircraft to former students. By referring to microlights that’s not just weight shift machines, but also includes some very capable ‘conventional’ aircraft that are indistinguishable from the ‘Group A’ version.
Group A aircraft are the Cessna and Piper machines, on which you’ll probably learn if you go down that route. These are more readily available to hire and group / shared ownership options are more common.
Like any hobby or other black hole for absorbing money, it will take as much as you are prepared to lob in to it. The instructional hourly rates will give you an idea about solo hire rates post PPL, bearing in mind the caveats above. There is a discussion going on at present on another
Forum about the cost of operating Permit Aircraft. These are homebuilt or vintage types, as well as some orphaned models where the original manufacturer has either gone out of business or doesn’t support that model any more. Operating costs include several broad headings: Hangerage, Insurance, Maintenance, Hourly costs (fuel, oil etc). These will vary with different aircraft.
Probably the best visit as many flying clubs, flying schools and microlight fields as you can find in your area. Ask the people there all the questions you can think of. If the instructors are busy, talk to the pilots and students. Most will be happy to recount their experiences. You will probably find that the number or answers you get is equal the square of the number of pilots present….
Enjoy you trial lesson.
Safe Flying,
Richard W.
I spent so long with my 1 finger typing that Rod1 got in with a more direct response....