Shirley,the "reserve a plane for a fortnight.".is a canard that doesn't fly....so to speak.
PPL, say 50 hours, over 2 weeks, that's 5 hours a day WEEKDAYS ONLY
A keen stude could do an hour before work, a couple of studes could each do an hour after work and even a lunch-hour lesson could be slotted in ......Our intensive Stude could still get in his 2 1/2 -hours morning and afternoon....of course, if the weather precludes flying, then all bets are off for ALL the studes.
But to intimate that an aircraft has to sit all day ,just to accomodate 5 hours usage, is daft. the big advantage of intensive use,is the engine will spend far longer at optimum working temps and should last longer!
@Dera....most people in England, seeking a US Visa, would automatically approach the London embassy (unless there are branches in other major UK cities)......A good bit of lateral thinking on your part, to go to " Norn Irn " to beat the system.
It worked for you, you enjoyed your American flight-school experience.
A lot of others have voted with their feet.....as Mad Jock said,the only advantage they have now.is weather....but there are plenty of alternates who can offer a more appealing package, without the embassy /visa/homeland sec. / kick you out on a whim hassles. (I suspect the last is an isolated thing, pretty sure any school using this tactic to rip off foreigners would soon be exposed on the internet and be avoided.