Gertrude,

I used to fall into No. 2) but unfotunately had to give up as it was costing me approx £200 each weekend to instruct(not aviation!) in travelling, food, accomdation,etc. I still do the odd bit but mainly for friends now.

Julian.

Getrude - certainly not the worst plan in the world.

Given that you can usually double your instructors take home pay if you slip him a tenner every hour it might be highly cost effective to do so. Having an instructor who is putting in 100% effort rather than - say 75% - for you can make all the difference. Certainly if it saves you even a partialing of the skilltest then it would pay for itself...

Actually that might be thw way of the future. Schools set up where you pay - say £1 - an hour for their instructors time. To get around the NMW instructors could set themselves up as some kind of contractor. The instructor would end up paying no tax, might be able to claim some benefit, the school would reduce their NI contributions. All on the understanding that a bundle of tenners is exchanged in the car park.

Everyones a winner except the tax man.

Working for tax free cash is endemic in other practical service industries - ask any plumber/sparky/chippy/gardener/window cleaner/builder/plasterer/decorator/odd-job man...

Cheers

WWW

WWW Nice thought, but how long would it take for your local tax man to cotton on to that - don't forget your next pupil could be one!

How about a scheme whereby the school hires the punter an aircraft at the going solo type rate. The instructors would all name their own price to the punter, and the punter could choose which instructor/price they liked. All money goes through the payroll to avoid tax man related problems. That way the school does not have any instructor costs, (it would deduct the Class 1 NIC from the money) and the instructor can earn whatever they like to charge.

Ends all the arguements about greedy fat cat school owners.

Simple.:ok:

I have ferried a plane for a taxman.

When he was given the option of paying through the school and being charged VAT. A bottle and wad of beer tokens was duly produced.

I think actually they have a minimum amount they think they can recover before they are even allowed to try and investigate you.

I cocked up a VAT return to the tune of 400 quid. Admited it and was told to forget it because it would cost more in processing the paper work to sort it out. If i had tried to hide it i don't know what would have happened.

I think the tenner in the car park is quite common, personally i found it quite embarassing until it was the only way i could fill the car.

MJ