I want to get my PPL, but not for a career... (Kent UK)

[she dreams of flying]

Hey everyone, i was recommended by a pilot i met in Bluewater to use this forum. So hello and thank you to anyone reading this, i'll be very grateful of any advice.

I'm 28, changing jobs, and have a small sum of money at my disposal. I'm looking to have a few hours (5?) of flying lessons, just for fun.

I know there are many well qualified pilots out there chomping on the tails of BA/Quantas/AA etc, so i'm not under any illusion that this is a career choice.

So my question: How would you spend the £1500?

I need to allocate this money very soon - yes, i've left it very late to ask!

Best wishes and thanks!

[IO540]

You should be able to get ~ 10 lessons at perhaps Lydd, Manston, etc.

[airpolice]

Find a school that you like the feel of, apply yourself to the theory first, fly whenever you can regarding weather, three trips a day if possible, and do it all in the one week.

For your budget (10 hours @ £150) you could be flying solo, after that, see where it takes you.

[Vizsla]

If you have no desire to get a PPL you might as well blow it and go to Thunder City for an hour or two in a Lightning doing some aeros

[airpolice]

It will cost a lot more than that to get Thunder City back in business.

However, Delta Jets could do a nice £1500 worth of passenger stuff I'm sure.


Going Solo, even if that's the end of the aviation life for the OP, is still the best value for money.

[BackPacker]

If you just want to fly for fun and your budget is 1500 UKP, you could blow it indeed on powered flying lessons and with a bit of luck go solo. Once. Twice if you're extremely lucky and well-talented.

As an alternative, you could also do something cheaper. Gliding perhaps. 1500 UKP may buy you, what, two years of membership fees plus 100 winch launches? Maybe even more - I don't know the typical fees in the UK. But you could definitely go solo within that timeframe and budget, and possibly even get your Glider Pilots License.

It just seems a waste of money to have to stop after you've gone solo. Once. Because that's when flying gets to be fun, instead of hard work.

[jollyrog]

Headcorn do training in the Piper PA 22 (Colt) for £117/hour.

The C152 is £145/hour.

Plenty of hours for your £1,500.

[jollyrog]

If you are prepared to cross the river, there's microlight training at Damyn's Hall. Some microlights are just the same as light aircraft but considerably cheaper. No price quoted, but this may be within your budget:

MICROLIGHT SPORT AVIATION (http://www.londonairsports.com/www.microlightsport.co.uk/1weekcourse.html)

[Zulu Alpha]

Go to Florida for a week in Jan and fly there.
Ticket £500
Hotel £500
Flying £500

[LondonJ]

Last time I checked £1,500 would buy you just under 4 minutes in thundercity's lightnings :}

C152 seems like the way to go!

[airpolice]

Thunder City has pretty much gone out of business.

On 9 September 2010, it was reported that the Thunder City fleet would no longer take paying passengers. The South African Civil Aviation Authority suspended its operating certificate in March 2010

[Genghis the Engineer]

For flying for fun, you really can't beat microlighting.

Not so time consuming per flying hour as gliding, and not so expensive as light aircraft. Safetywise, not far off what you'll get out of anything else.

In Kent these chaps (http://www.ravenmad.co.uk/learn-to-fly.htm) are almost certainly as cheap and good as you'll find. £1500 should get you more than halfway through your PPL, and hopefully solo.

G

[JP1]

My advise....

Have a look at Old Sarum

Old Sarum Flying School (http://www.flysarum.com/osfs/)

Join as a Pilot Club member and you can fly a very new AT3 for £124.

One thing to consider is most of the flying schools you will visit will have Cessna 150-2, Piper PA-28's etc. In most cases these are pieces of old junk, which were so aptly described by a non-aviation friend as aircraft with interiors like a 1970's living room and Hillman Hunter dials.

Honestly, from your description of what you want to do a very old Cessna or Piper will put you off flying for life.

I think a big consideration should be what type of aircraft do I want to experience flying in. Ultimately they all fly the same, but the experience will be vastly different.

(You could also try a Tiger Moth!)

[Intercepted]

Plenty of hours for your £1,500...but far from enough for a PPL.

Remember that flying can be addictive and you might end up using your £1500 and taking loan of £7000 to finish your PPL :)

[IanPZ]

Hi,

I've just been making a similar decision. restricted amount of money, and just wanted to have some fun and try flying. I tried a couple of places and have ended up looking at 3 axis microlights. Training is usually around £110 per hour, which means that your £1500 will get you about half way through a course, and if you have the aptitude, its viable you could go solo within that. The microlight I'm learning on is a Eurostar, which as far as I'm concerned, is just a little plane, even with a heater!

Go for it, you'll love it. Spend your first £120 on a trial though, as that will give you a feel as to whether you want to carry on. You can find your closest school on the bmaa web site

British Microlight Aircraft Association,Home (http://www.bmaa.org)

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

[Stephen Furner]

Great to hear you are in it for the enjoyment, excitement and challenge that aviation can offer. These are fantastic times to getting into leisure aviation, there are just so many opportunities out there and so much to try out.

What would I do if had a £1.5K budget no licence and wanted to find out about the experience of being a pilot? It’s simple book trial flights on as many different types of flying machine as my budget would allow – I would draw the line at bungee jumping but everything else would be up for grabs.

My suggestion is to work your way down the following list having trial lessons on each type to see which one you like the most.

Light aircraft
Flexiwing microlight
Helicopter
Hot air balloon
Gyrocopter
Glider
Para motor
Hang glider
Parachute

When you do have enough time and money to take it further you will know where to make the investment.

:ok:

[IanPZ]

Gotta say, I like Stephen's idea. I think it comes down to what you want afterwards. If you think you might want to learn and actually get a license, then microlights are going to be one of the cheapest ways to get a license (can qualify with less than £3000 total if very lucky). So, £1500 may well mean you get a long way through the training, and finishing it off is possible if you can find a "bit more cash".

If its just trying different ways in the air, then Stephen's suggestion is a great one, but consider that if you do want to carry one forwards, you start at the beginning as far as training costs are concerned.

As for light aircraft, you probably need to budget £8k or more to pass your PPL, which effectively means the £1500 doesn't go a long way towards it, and if you do want to carry on after, it may well be a strain!

Good luck

[The Fenland Flyer]

If you think you may want to keep flying I would recommend microlights :). Whatever you choose please keep us posted on how you get on.

[Genghis the Engineer]

JP1 - you might want to work on your navigation a bit. The OP said she's in Kent, which is not exactly local to Old Sarum. Experienced instructors I talk to are also not particularly complementary about the AT3; the C152 and PA28 may be old, but they seem to have much better handling.

Stephen Furner - if taking that approach, I'd add in 3-axis microlights.

she dreams of flying - Before you start, get a logbook so you have record of all of this.

G

[jez d]

Flying schools near you are located at the following airfields:

Damyns Hall

Medway

Stapleford

Biggin Hill

Redhill

Southend

Manston

Headcorn

Lydd

Rochester

(apologies to those I've undoubtedly missed out)

If you've never been to a flying school/club before, try not to be put off by the facilities. Most PPL schools are housed in rickety old cabins and often the aircraft are 30+ years old with a paint job from the days when yellow and brown were de rigueur. All the schools at the above airfields are fully licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority and conform to very strict standards, so while the 'look' might be a bit shabby (instructors included), you can rest assure that high levels of safety prevail.

Have fun!

[BackPacker]

Jez, well said.

often the aircraft are 30+ years old with a paint job from the days when yellow and brown were de rigueur.

We had a PA28 with a red velvet interior and little curtains that you could draw for a little extra privacy in the back. There's a persistent rumour that someone once setup a "mile high club" service with that aircraft.:O

That aircraft was given a major overhaul over the last few weeks. New paint job but also a new grey leather interior.

[IO540]

We had a PA28 with a red velvet interior and little curtains that you could draw for a little extra privacy in the backI knew a bloke at university with a similarly furnished Hillman Hunter. In those days (1975) any bloke with a car had all the girls after him anyway, and this one had a campus-wide reputation by the time I met him, 2 weeks after the start of the first term :)

A bit of a struggle for an old PA28 to reach a mile though, full-rich :)

[Kolossi]

Well I'd put in another vote for Headcorn depending on where you are in Kent, but I would as I'm doing my ppl there. :)

Two things to pick up on based on your original post and the comments so far:

1) The idea of trying different types is a great one of course, but if you haven't done it before you may be able to get a much cheaper "taster" flight by hanging around a suitable club and asking to go up with a qualified pilot - many are happy to have company while they plug in the hours to keep their licence current and at best you'd pay half the fuel, or maybe get it free. Of course that might take a bit longer finding the right pilot though rather than just turning up with an open cheque book ...

which brings me to ...

2) You said you needed to spend the money quick, and whilst I'm sure if you went down the route of picking one type of aircraft the school would be more than happy to take all your money to pay for lessons up front, I think you will find the recommendation of most of those on here would be to definitely NOT do that (in case the school folds taking your money with it). It all depends WHY you need to spend the money quickly. But I won't ask :hmm:

Good luck with whatever you choose, and it would be great to hear back what you decide or if you've got any follow up questions.

Happy Flying :ok:

[BackPacker]

many are happy to have company while they plug in the hours to keep their licence current

It may be different at your club, but what I find is that the types that hang around the club house are typically not the ones that need to plug in the hours to keep their license current.

I regularly take people up for a "free" short flight but I only take people I know, and know that they'll either take me on a "free" flight later on, or will do something else in return, or whom I owe a favour, or who do a lot of volunteer work for the club, or who are good mates to sit at the bar with, or something like that. Aka "friends". Not random strangers that wander in from the street looking for an experience flight in a different type.

[IanPZ]

Backpacker, I had something "similar" but from the other way. I wanted to experience a flight or two, to get an idea of what I liked, and visited a few clubs just to scope them out. I was offered a free flight from a couple of members, but declined at the time.

It's one thing stepping into an airplane with an instructor, or someone you know and trust. Its another with a complete stranger. I'm sure that the PPL weeds out those who really can't fly, but do you want to be in a plane with someone you don't know, who may have only just passed their test, and then not flown for a month?!

She dreams of flying, its worth investing some of that money you have spare in paying for instructors to take you flying. The experience will be wonderful, rather than nerve-wracking

:-)

[ChampChump]

Another gentle nudge towards Headcorn (or Lashenden, to be correct), as for reacreational flying there's a good mix of aircraft, characters and opportunities that could not be found so successfully at other places on Jez's list. If the location works for you, it has to be top of the list.

The only drawback of going the route that Mr Furner suggests is that your initial sum will be gone sooner, at trial flight rates, whilst your appetite is almost certainly going to be far greater than when you started.

I don't think I'd turn down any offers, if you are lucky enough to get any; pilots who offer a spare seat are doing so to try to encourage your interest, give an insight into the experience and save you money (after all, you share the roads with strangers whose training and discipline can be dubious). Asking is somewhat different though.

A well-known young man whose nose was against the fence every minute he wasn't at school had a good few hours in all sorts of aircraft before he started his formal training, purely because his enthusiasm and attitude outweighed his youth and wallet. Guess where, too?

[stiknruda]

If anyone shows any interest or enthusiasm and I have the time then I make a point of offering a trip. We discuss what they want to get out of the trip and I try and oblige. This generally means upside-down, looping & swooping time.

Those that ask for a ride fall into two camps a) those who are reticent to do so or ask on behalf of a friend b) those that assume because I've taken X up, they have a God-given right!

Both of these tend to happen in the pub or at social events, ie - away from the aeroplane and then arrangements have to be made. I've learned over the years to deploy the three strike rule - I offer three different opporunities to come flying and if they fail to meet any of them then they have forfeited the offer.

I won't take payment for fuel but am occasionally at a later date unexpectedly receive a gift. In the past, I've had gifts of alcohol, venison and just a few months ago, 3 tonnes of barley-straw!

The trick SDOF is to catch me in the right frame of mind at an aerodrome with my aeroplane!

[she dreams of flying]

If flying suddenly becomes the drug everyone seems to become hooked on, i'm prepared (ish) to fund further lessons! I live near the M25/M20, so Headcorn might be my easiest for access. I'll call them tomorrow.

Anyone have votes for/against Headcorn (or Rochester)? I'll probably punt for flying lessons instead of microlight lessons. Maybe i'll regret that, but i'm almost at the stage of flipping a coin.

I definitely see your point Kolossi, and it's a bit of a worry i suppose. I can only hope that somewhere like Headcorn will be safe enough.

Could you (or anyone else?) make any recommendations to me regarding your experience at Headcorn? Do your instructors vary each time? :)

...

Oh and please let me just offer some thank yous for all the replies! ...

1) Jez D & IO540 thank you for listing flying schools. IO540 thank you for your email!!

2) Rebecca / Genghis (the Engineer) as i read your great advice i've just pulled out my note book but a log book will need to be next i guess? :)

3) Stephen F, i also thought your idea was brilliant, to trial different modes of flying. Unfortunately that wont be possible, as the money being allocated has to be spent in one go.

4) Thank you also to backpacker, jollyrog, londonJ, zulualpha, JP1... and everyone else for all of this great advice!

Kindest,

:ok:

[she dreams of flying]

Thanks for the advice! :)

[Genghis the Engineer]

she-dreams: any flying school will have a couple of different logbooks to sell you, at a price equivalent to 10 minutes flying. Take advice, then pick one that you just like - they're all very similar.

There's nothing incidentally to stop you taking a trial flight in both an aeroplane and a microlight, before making a decision. This gives you both a choice of aeroplane types, and a choice of training environments to see what you prefer.

G

[IanPZ]

I have to agree with Genghis, but then that's what I did! Its worth trying out a microlight as well. When I compared the cockpit of a cessna 152 to that of a eurostar, it was very obvious very quickly which would be more enjoyable! Especially if you want the fun, rather than feel you have to qualify and do a whole load of other certifications.

[ChampChump]

I know there are posters on here who have taken lessons at Headcorn, but if you like I can put you in touch with a couple.

A PM is probably best.

Have fun!

[hazholmes]

<---------- Taking lessons at Headcorn. Fire away, or PM if you prefer.

[757hopeful]

Hey everyone, i was recommended by a pilot i met in Bluewater

Please dont say it was from that iPilot? Those guys are total fakes, One told me he had 300 hours and was right hand seat for a lo-cost airline!

Simulator wannabes! (good recommendation to come here though!)

[Intercepted]

Simulator wannabes! (good recommendation to come here though!) Unfortunately there are a lot of simulator wannabes on this forum as well, so you need to know how to filter the information!

[Stratus Fractus]

When I was in a similar situation years and years ago I just wanted to be able to fly anything on a miniscule budget. I went to the French Alps and learnt to paraglide. 1 week gets you solo, 2-3 weeks gets you your french license, then get a job locally in a bar or whatever and carry on through the rest of the summer, gliding every day. You could then stay on for a ski season. Think of it as a gap year! Sometimes I wish I had stayed out there rather than going down the expensive powered route as soon as I could afford it. Make sure there is not a language barrier with the school though.

[Stephen Furner]

I like the suggestion by Stratus that is in my view a very cool approach to the issue. These days you can learn to paraglide in the Sussex downs and a number of other locations around the UK.

When I was camping in Yosemite National Park many many years ago each day these brightly coloured hang gliders drifted high over my head along the valley the camp site was in. It looked so effortless as they slowly moved across a clear blue sky. I was transfixed by it. I thought it was just the coolest thing I had ever seen. Needless to say when I finally decided to do more than just read about flying I made tracks for the nearest hang gliding school.

Here I came into contact with the difference between the image and reality of flying. After sliding down a few hills on my rear end whilst strapped into a large heavy kite like machine I realised the true benefits of having an engine at the front. Clearly there was a lot more to hang gliding close up and personal than when admired from a distance. I promptly started visiting local flying schools to find out a bit more about the pleasures of powered flight and what a PPL (A) entailed.

[Windy Militant]

You could pop along to see these guys. You may get some ideas from them and the LAA are a fairly sociable bunch. :ok:Mid Kent Strut (http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/midkent/html/index.html)

[Jodelman]

Now the Kent Strut.
www.kentstrut.co.uk and yes you would be very welcome. Next meeting is the AGM on the 27th January 2011.

[Windy Militant]

Hello Jodelman, sorry for that I got it from the main LAA site. ;)