Flying Schools in Europe to finish PPL

[Wings154]

Hi all,

I'm fairly new to this forum so I do apologise if this question has already been asked multiple times.

I'm currently doing a PPL here in the UK and I have accumulated just under 30 hrs on a PA-28. I've just done my first NAV lesson and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Unfortunately as much as I hate to admit it, its now becoming a financial challenge to continue the PPL here in the UK so me and my family have decided to look into Europe for cheaper rates.

I found this school in Hungary and so far they look pretty decent as they offer CPLs as well. CAVOK Aviation Training | HU.ATO.053 (http://cavok.hu/)

I had a quick chat with them and they'd be able to take me on to finish the PPL.

They're rates per hour for example are 85€ on a C152 which is excellent price and is around two thirds cheaper than in the UK.

I was wondering if anyone has used this school and I wanted get a second opinion from you fellow aviators.

I don't want the cheap cost to mean a compromise of flight safety.

Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction. :)

Thank you

[sapperkenno]

Shame you can't finish it here. We train at an uncontrolled field, northern England. No time wasted leaving/entering airspace, no landing fees etc. You can get a tent and stay on site, and you'd be done in a week or two this time of year. £125/hour dual (wet, incl taxes) in a C150/152.
I know it's more money per flying hour than some cheapo Hungarian place, but you don't have to factor in travel costs and the increased living expenses to go out there. We have examiners on staff, good availability/serviceability of aircraft.
Something to think about.

[MrAverage]

Where on their website did you find that rate? If it's true they're loosing money hand over the proverbial fist. If it's not you won't find out til it's too late! Even their modular price for the course is over 120 euros per hour. Then you need to get there and pay for accommodation etc...........

[Wings154]

Thank you both your replies and appreciate your offer for the cheaper flying :).

I just realised that I gave the price for the aircraft rental without the instructor, apologies.
the price is actually 105 € per hr which works out at about £ 74.00 per hour which is still really good.

I don't know if its because there is a lot less tax over there on fuel and aviation in general.

To me the school doesn't look dodgey or anything unless anyone has had experience with them. Surely if they do CPL, it can't be a bad place to train?

[indyaachen]

I understand the anxiety of weighing a foreign flight school.

Here is link to another PPRuNe thread in which two active members have expressed some assurance through indirect sources about this school.

http://www.pprune.org/professional-pilot-training-includes-ground-studies/541356-cavok-aviation-training.html

[Whopity]

Something you should bear in mind is that under European rules:Applicants for a BPL, SPL or PPL shall complete a training course at an ATO. The course shall include theoretical knowledge and flight instruction appropriate to the privileges given. The school is required to certify what you have done and make recomendation for test. The ability to flit between schools is not there any more; you are required to complete a course not lots of bits of different courses. If you go to another school how will you get them to verify training not given by them?

You must also complete all the theoretical training under the auspices of one State: FCL.025 Theoretical knowledge examinations for the issue of licences and ratings (a) Responsibilities of the applicant (1) Applicants shall take the entire set of theoretical knowledge examinations for a specific licence or rating under the responsibility of one Member State

Unless you arrange a formal transfer between schools you cannot guarantee that the hours you have flown will actually be counted.

An examiner is now required to check that an applicant meets all the requirements for licence issue before conducting a skill test, that meets having all the appropriate recomendations.

Before you go looking for cheap traing, make sure that you are not spending money on training that might not be recognised.

[Wings154]

Thank you all for your replies.

After looking at Whopity's comments, it seems it may be too much effort to save a little money if I take into the account the travel, accomodation, food, hours to learn a new aircraft and learn new Hungarian procedures etc.

Plus I'll have the uncertainty of moving to train at a FTO who may not recognise my flight hours plus the bureaucracy of transferring my licence from a Hungarian one to a UK one.

I'm now convinced that the best thing to do is stick with the school I'm with and finish the job there.
I'll need to dip into my savings but at least when I have the PPL, I can ease off for a while and return to flying next year perhaps in Europe.

I got into the training with a view to training up to commerical level. I was biten by the flying bug since I was a little one and absolutely love it (Like I'm sure most of us do on here)!

Having worked in the aviation industry for 3 years as a dispatcher, I know today's commercial pilot position is not as glamourous as it once was 20/30 years ago.

I'm now pretty much 50/50 because of what I heard about pilot's lives being very stressful, having family problems, poor salary due to debt and general unhappiness.

I'll wait and see what happens if I pass the PPL and should I go commerical, this school could be a good shout.