Advice on PPL
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Edinburgh
Advice on PPL
Hi there,
I would be really gateful for some advice on the following -
I have done 35 hours towards my FAA PPL in Florida (solo in 9) about 5 years ago and have not flown since. I really want to get back into it and get my PPL this coming summer and am considering a trip back to the US as training is really expenisive were I live (in Edinburgh).
Am I better trying to go for a FAA or CAA (or even a NPPL)? I will mainly be flying when I am on holiday in the US but would like the opportunity to fly here as well.
Many Thanks
Tim
I would be really gateful for some advice on the following -
I have done 35 hours towards my FAA PPL in Florida (solo in 9) about 5 years ago and have not flown since. I really want to get back into it and get my PPL this coming summer and am considering a trip back to the US as training is really expenisive were I live (in Edinburgh).
Am I better trying to go for a FAA or CAA (or even a NPPL)? I will mainly be flying when I am on holiday in the US but would like the opportunity to fly here as well.
Many Thanks
Tim
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 1
From: Cambridge, England, EU
The usual reply is:
Worrying about the cost of attaining the PPL means that you are asking yourself the wrong question. The right question is: "Can I afford £x00 per month to keep flying after I've got the PPL?".
If the answer is "yes" they you'll have no trouble funding the PPL training, because, just to pick one possible financing route as an existence proof, adding the necessary £6k to your mortgage is going to cost well less than that £x00 per month.
If you don't keep up the PPL continuously then it'll be of no use to you for US holidays as you'll not be in current practice and will need a non-trivial amount of retraining each year before anyone will hire you an aircraft. By which time your holiday will be over.
Worrying about the cost of attaining the PPL means that you are asking yourself the wrong question. The right question is: "Can I afford £x00 per month to keep flying after I've got the PPL?".
If the answer is "yes" they you'll have no trouble funding the PPL training, because, just to pick one possible financing route as an existence proof, adding the necessary £6k to your mortgage is going to cost well less than that £x00 per month.
If you don't keep up the PPL continuously then it'll be of no use to you for US holidays as you'll not be in current practice and will need a non-trivial amount of retraining each year before anyone will hire you an aircraft. By which time your holiday will be over.
PPruNaholic!
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 0
From: Buckinghamshire
I'd have to agree with Gertrude on this. I'd also strongly recommend to you the value of learning in your local area as you will then be familiar with local geography, airspace, R/T, diversion airfields etc. plus most importantly local weather conditions and how they change... this will enable you to build your experience from a safe starting point after getting your license.
You'll also have the support of your local flying club - I think this is very helpful when you first start planning your own trips after getting the license so you can get advice and double-check your own decision making re- wx etc (remember the actual flying is often not the hard part... its the decision making that often kills people!).
I am also aware of several chaps who have returned from the US with CAA license earned over there who find themselves afraid and out of their depth suddenly in UK airspace and weather (although to be fair I don't think this is universally true..)
Hope these thoughts are helpful. Worried that this might be discouraging as you are looking to achieve your goal with limited resources: but I think if you can't stay current when you get back to Scotland from Florida you might risk feeling that you've wasted the money you spent training there? Have you considered other low-cost options such as microlights perhaps? Bear in mind also that as you have already got 35 hours, even though its a while ago, you'll progress very quickly through a local PPL course anwyay.
Good luck!
Andy
You'll also have the support of your local flying club - I think this is very helpful when you first start planning your own trips after getting the license so you can get advice and double-check your own decision making re- wx etc (remember the actual flying is often not the hard part... its the decision making that often kills people!).
I am also aware of several chaps who have returned from the US with CAA license earned over there who find themselves afraid and out of their depth suddenly in UK airspace and weather (although to be fair I don't think this is universally true..)
Hope these thoughts are helpful. Worried that this might be discouraging as you are looking to achieve your goal with limited resources: but I think if you can't stay current when you get back to Scotland from Florida you might risk feeling that you've wasted the money you spent training there? Have you considered other low-cost options such as microlights perhaps? Bear in mind also that as you have already got 35 hours, even though its a while ago, you'll progress very quickly through a local PPL course anwyay.
Good luck!
Andy
Spicy Meatball
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
From: Liverpool UK
I remember when I first joined prune, I pondered over going to Florida for quite some time, and I actually nearly went. But, having read peoples advice I am very glad to say that I stayed in UK and am still in the process of learning. For me, it was the right decision, mainly for the reasons posted above, and also by the time you have paid for the lot, it probably wont be that different in cost anyway. I have met a lot of good people along the way, and I have the pleasure of being able to fly here one I have my PPL, and not have to worry about airspace, whether etc etc the list goes on.
Best of luck,
Maz
Best of luck,
Maz
