How long did it take you to complete your PPL?
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Join Date: May 2003
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How long did it take you to complete your PPL?
Hi guys..
I'm new to PPRUNE so please forgive me if this has been asked before. I have attempted to go through the forums looking and I cannot see that it has, but the search function seems to be disabled so I don't know for sure.
I'm 20 years old, 21 next month. I'm at University studying for an honors degree which I will graduate with in summer 2005. I'm hoping to start looking for sponsorship with the airlines around then (and I figure a PPL will make my CV more attractive).
My question is, how long did it take most of you to get your PPL?
I could arrange to start mine this summer, but I would have to pay for it in stages, probably taking about 12 months to do so, and hoping to get in 2 hours a week during summer and whatever I can during winter (knowing the wx not much). Is this an effective solution or would I be better saving the money and doing it all in one go next summer. Is it better to do it all in 3 or 4 weeks or spread it out over a longer time? I've been listening to R/T since I was about 10, and I've been using simulators since about then too, so while I don't profess to be up to the standards of you guys, I am fairly confident I'll know more than Joe Bloggs before I start.
Thanks for reading.
RC
I'm new to PPRUNE so please forgive me if this has been asked before. I have attempted to go through the forums looking and I cannot see that it has, but the search function seems to be disabled so I don't know for sure.
I'm 20 years old, 21 next month. I'm at University studying for an honors degree which I will graduate with in summer 2005. I'm hoping to start looking for sponsorship with the airlines around then (and I figure a PPL will make my CV more attractive).
My question is, how long did it take most of you to get your PPL?
I could arrange to start mine this summer, but I would have to pay for it in stages, probably taking about 12 months to do so, and hoping to get in 2 hours a week during summer and whatever I can during winter (knowing the wx not much). Is this an effective solution or would I be better saving the money and doing it all in one go next summer. Is it better to do it all in 3 or 4 weeks or spread it out over a longer time? I've been listening to R/T since I was about 10, and I've been using simulators since about then too, so while I don't profess to be up to the standards of you guys, I am fairly confident I'll know more than Joe Bloggs before I start.
Thanks for reading.
RC
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Don't worry about her old chap, although it says she's from "darn sarf" she's actually from Sarcasticshire.
Do the licence in as little time as you can. This way you won't spend the first 20 minutes of each lesson refreshing your mind of what you have forgotten since the last lesson.
I would suggest you did it in the UK but that's just my opinion. Many say that the US is the best place to go.
One idea might be to go to the students forum on www.flyer.co.uk and ask around in there. People who you will know are learning will be able to give you their experiences.
Good luck.
Do the licence in as little time as you can. This way you won't spend the first 20 minutes of each lesson refreshing your mind of what you have forgotten since the last lesson.
I would suggest you did it in the UK but that's just my opinion. Many say that the US is the best place to go.
One idea might be to go to the students forum on www.flyer.co.uk and ask around in there. People who you will know are learning will be able to give you their experiences.
Good luck.
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RC, it's really how long is a piece of string. Depends on so many things, such as weather, ability, etc. I started flying in March, many moons ago, never having seen a light aircraft at close quarters, had'nt a clue about navigation, weather, or what made an aircraft fly, but as I was free anytime to fly, completed the PPl in thirteen months. It varies from person to person. It's not just a question of flying the aircraft, it's about where you can fly it, and all the writtens. Good luck with it, it's fun learning to fly, so take your time and enjoy it.
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I agree - try not to string it out - cheaper that way.
I did mine start to finish in 27 days, Summer, albeit ooop noorrff.
(That was 9 yrs ago though - only had to do 40 hours not the 45 it is now.)
I did mine start to finish in 27 days, Summer, albeit ooop noorrff.
(That was 9 yrs ago though - only had to do 40 hours not the 45 it is now.)
Not so N, but still FG
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It sounds like you have already done some research and have realistic ideas as to what's involved. Doing a PPL in about a year, whilst undertaking full time work or study, is a perfectly realistic goal, and taking your time over it can be a pleasure (albeit that there are many frustrations to be encountered along the way) . If you try to do it all during one UK summer, you might get lucky with the weather and succeed, but you might find that the course ended up taking into six months or a year willy nilly. Whatever you decide, good luck and have fun.
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I did mine over about a year and a half.
If you are doing it over more than a few months, then try to start as early in the spring as possible, otherwise you'll get caught in the winter weather far too quickly.
I agree that doing it over a short period would mean that you retain more from each lesson. However, it would not be of much use if you learned to fly over 3 or 4 weeks, and then stopped for a few months as you had no money left.
You need to be able to keep flying after you get your licence, or you will forget what you have learned too quickly.
If you are doing it over more than a few months, then try to start as early in the spring as possible, otherwise you'll get caught in the winter weather far too quickly.
I agree that doing it over a short period would mean that you retain more from each lesson. However, it would not be of much use if you learned to fly over 3 or 4 weeks, and then stopped for a few months as you had no money left.
You need to be able to keep flying after you get your licence, or you will forget what you have learned too quickly.
High Flying Bird
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Aww, come on. May 2003 is not "new" and the search function has been working fine since the new server came online. Am I not allowed just a little titter?
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Much thanks to those of you who've taken the time to write constructive replies.
It seems to be a mixed bag. Personally I'm leaning towards starting as soon as possible for several reasons. Mostly because I have this insatiable desire to get flying. I've been putting off my start date for a long time already, and it seems like I need to bite the bullet and start the course.
I also like the idea of learning over a period of time, I'm not sure doing it over 3 to 4 weeks will leave me with enough time to really digest all the theory involved. I can see that doing it all in one go would probably result in better retention of information between lessons, but is doing a few hours more than the minimum on revision such a bad thing? One of my primary concerns is safety so going over topics more than once isn't a big deal for me.
No decisions made yet though. Any more for any more?
RC
It seems to be a mixed bag. Personally I'm leaning towards starting as soon as possible for several reasons. Mostly because I have this insatiable desire to get flying. I've been putting off my start date for a long time already, and it seems like I need to bite the bullet and start the course.
I also like the idea of learning over a period of time, I'm not sure doing it over 3 to 4 weeks will leave me with enough time to really digest all the theory involved. I can see that doing it all in one go would probably result in better retention of information between lessons, but is doing a few hours more than the minimum on revision such a bad thing? One of my primary concerns is safety so going over topics more than once isn't a big deal for me.
No decisions made yet though. Any more for any more?
RC
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If you have limited means, it can, ironically, end up taking a lot longer and costing a lot more. (Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything... 
)
The fact that you're clued up will help, but I think, if I did it now, I would be inclined to take the plunge, borrow the money and do the PPL over the good 6 months in the British summer with a definite goal to finish by a certain time if at all possible.
PPLs can drag on a bit if you rely on the school or instructor to lead as well, so be assertive about what you want to achieve. I very much agree with you that it's good to take the time to be really sure of yourself, though.
Good luck - remembering being at this stage is making me feel all excited for you! That rush to the head when you realise you can just go and do it and the satisfaction of the learning curve. Fantastic!
)The fact that you're clued up will help, but I think, if I did it now, I would be inclined to take the plunge, borrow the money and do the PPL over the good 6 months in the British summer with a definite goal to finish by a certain time if at all possible.
PPLs can drag on a bit if you rely on the school or instructor to lead as well, so be assertive about what you want to achieve. I very much agree with you that it's good to take the time to be really sure of yourself, though.
Good luck - remembering being at this stage is making me feel all excited for you! That rush to the head when you realise you can just go and do it and the satisfaction of the learning curve. Fantastic!
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Gidday
Good Friend of mine, all he needs to do now is pass his skills test, but its taken him hmmm almost 4 years mind you he had several stops 2 of them of 6 months, plus now with the arrival of the new born baby.
I havent finnished mine yet, and i had a string of lessons cancelled
So i decided to hold the practice for now until i can get some reliable weather ( Not easy in the Uk ) and concentrate more on the theory. ( First exam Air Law, Sat the 3rd )
There's only hope.
Regards
Good Friend of mine, all he needs to do now is pass his skills test, but its taken him hmmm almost 4 years
mind you he had several stops 2 of them of 6 months, plus now with the arrival of the new born baby.I havent finnished mine yet, and i had a string of lessons cancelled
So i decided to hold the practice for now until i can get some reliable weather ( Not easy in the Uk ) and concentrate more on the theory. ( First exam Air Law, Sat the 3rd )
There's only hope.
Regards
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Are you happy that you'll be able to get a Class 1 medical? If you haven't already checked I would look into this before setting your heart on flying commercially.
Assuming there's no problem with the medical, I would suggest getting all the exams done first. Then you can enjoy the flying lessons more. It's a lot cheaper learning on the ground!
Not sure it's really relevant to your goal, but you did ask how long it took people to get their ppl, so...
Started in June 2001 and still haven't finished!
I won't bore you with the details, but you'll probably finish yours first!
Airway, I know how you feel. I've now had three major breaks in training, once because a fellow student wrote off the plane. Latest break occurred because I didn't get on with the CFI, and now I've left work to set up a business, so no funds available. I'm at the same stage as your friend with only the skills test left, but now I haven't flown for eight months.
Good luck rc
Edited to reply to Airways post.
Assuming there's no problem with the medical, I would suggest getting all the exams done first. Then you can enjoy the flying lessons more. It's a lot cheaper learning on the ground!
Not sure it's really relevant to your goal, but you did ask how long it took people to get their ppl, so...
Started in June 2001 and still haven't finished!
I won't bore you with the details, but you'll probably finish yours first!Airway, I know how you feel. I've now had three major breaks in training, once because a fellow student wrote off the plane. Latest break occurred because I didn't get on with the CFI, and now I've left work to set up a business, so no funds available. I'm at the same stage as your friend with only the skills test left, but now I haven't flown for eight months.
Good luck rc
Edited to reply to Airways post.
Last edited by R1200GS; 24th Mar 2004 at 13:13.
How long did it take?
Depends how you look at it; somewhere between five weeks and eighteen years, but that's another story.
I'd say that it was best to beg, borrow or save and do it all in the shortest time possible.
And good luck to you.
Depends how you look at it; somewhere between five weeks and eighteen years, but that's another story.
I'd say that it was best to beg, borrow or save and do it all in the shortest time possible.
And good luck to you.
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Per the class 1 medical.....
I do have Asthma and Glasses. I have, however, recently written to the CAA and recieved a very helpful reply from one of their Aeromedical advisers. Apparently my eyesight prescription is well within the acceptable limits (-1.25 and -1.00 respectively) and my asthma medication is acceptable. I am currently in the process of arranging for a physicians report to be sent to Gatwick for further analysis, however first indications are that things should be OK. I am a frequent visitor to the gym and can run 10 minutes on the treadmill without developing a shortness of breath.
I am reletively confident that these ailments will not prove a problem to my training. I will, however, be booking my Class 1 for late May and will ensure I pass it before putting myself through the financial stress of a PPL which, if I have no chance of flying commercially, I will likely defer for a few years.
On a different note, does anyone have any idea where sufficient funds can be borrowed (bearing in mind I'm an undergraduate student) to complete the course? I have the first 20 hours covered, and I suspect that I can raise the rest of the money by working my *ss off this summer.. but it wouldn't hurt to look in to it.
Cheers...
RC
I do have Asthma and Glasses. I have, however, recently written to the CAA and recieved a very helpful reply from one of their Aeromedical advisers. Apparently my eyesight prescription is well within the acceptable limits (-1.25 and -1.00 respectively) and my asthma medication is acceptable. I am currently in the process of arranging for a physicians report to be sent to Gatwick for further analysis, however first indications are that things should be OK. I am a frequent visitor to the gym and can run 10 minutes on the treadmill without developing a shortness of breath.
I am reletively confident that these ailments will not prove a problem to my training. I will, however, be booking my Class 1 for late May and will ensure I pass it before putting myself through the financial stress of a PPL which, if I have no chance of flying commercially, I will likely defer for a few years.
On a different note, does anyone have any idea where sufficient funds can be borrowed (bearing in mind I'm an undergraduate student) to complete the course? I have the first 20 hours covered, and I suspect that I can raise the rest of the money by working my *ss off this summer.. but it wouldn't hurt to look in to it.
Cheers...
RC
I planned to do mine over 1 yr. Realised that there are several factors outside my control (aircraft availability, weather etc). Took just under 2 yrs eventually- no worries.
Felt as if I spent the 1st year cruising along, became a bit of an (enjoyable) roller coaster ride following 1st solo.
Felt as if I spent the 1st year cruising along, became a bit of an (enjoyable) roller coaster ride following 1st solo.
High Flying Bird
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I got my PPL while I was an undergrad. I worked part-time as a temp around campus and flew an hour every two weeks. I got my PPL in just under two years and about 55 hours.
Glad to hear you have the money for the first 20 h, but don't be in such a rush to do it that you end up with even bigger debts when you graduate.
Glad to hear you have the money for the first 20 h, but don't be in such a rush to do it that you end up with even bigger debts when you graduate.
