Commuting to work in a light aircraft or microlight
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Massachusetts Bay Colony
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Well, there are a couple of other things that you might need to consider.
You've mentioned flying at night. I don't know about Wellesbourne but Brimpton is a grass strip with no lights (and no fuel). Unless you can land in daylight and depart in daylight, you won't be able to do any night flying in and out of Brimpton.
And you need a bit more than an airplane with de-icing to fly in bad weather (night not really being relevant to icing). You'd need a full IMC or IR panel and the training and skills to fly safely in bad weather. And, again, since Brimpton is a grass strip with no real facilities, you won't be able to get in and out in anything other than VFR conditions.
I hate to sound like a dark cloud, but I'd hate to see you make any real plans on this being practical only to be disappointed. And when you factor in driving to and from the airport, pre-flighting, fueling, and the flight itself, half the time it's actually just as long as driving, just a whole lot more fun.
I'd say commuting by light aircraft is something you can do once in a while for the sheer kick of it and because you want to fly. Most often, though, it's not a realistic alternative to driving.
As an example, consider flying commercially from LHR to Paris versus taking Eurostar. Sure, the flight itself is only about an hour and the train ride is 3. But once you factor in the time to get to Heathrow versus Waterloo, the extra time for security, and the typical delays at Heathrow, plus the time it takes to get from CDG into Paris, your door-to-door time is just about equal to taking the train (and the hassle is a small fraction of that of flying).
Pitts2112
You've mentioned flying at night. I don't know about Wellesbourne but Brimpton is a grass strip with no lights (and no fuel). Unless you can land in daylight and depart in daylight, you won't be able to do any night flying in and out of Brimpton.
And you need a bit more than an airplane with de-icing to fly in bad weather (night not really being relevant to icing). You'd need a full IMC or IR panel and the training and skills to fly safely in bad weather. And, again, since Brimpton is a grass strip with no real facilities, you won't be able to get in and out in anything other than VFR conditions.
I hate to sound like a dark cloud, but I'd hate to see you make any real plans on this being practical only to be disappointed. And when you factor in driving to and from the airport, pre-flighting, fueling, and the flight itself, half the time it's actually just as long as driving, just a whole lot more fun.
I'd say commuting by light aircraft is something you can do once in a while for the sheer kick of it and because you want to fly. Most often, though, it's not a realistic alternative to driving.
As an example, consider flying commercially from LHR to Paris versus taking Eurostar. Sure, the flight itself is only about an hour and the train ride is 3. But once you factor in the time to get to Heathrow versus Waterloo, the extra time for security, and the typical delays at Heathrow, plus the time it takes to get from CDG into Paris, your door-to-door time is just about equal to taking the train (and the hassle is a small fraction of that of flying).
Pitts2112
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: UK
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I commute in an R22 on days when it's forecast to be good for both outbound and return trips. I have a spare car if I get caught out. R44 would be quicker...
Helicopter gives you the flexibility to land in your garden if you live in the right place, as I am fortunate enough to do. Most of the comments above are true, I have the flexibility to be there or not as I choose, it's hard to resist when the weather is close to your personal minima but you just have to say no!
It's a great way to build hours and confidence because you have a specific reason to fly. I find there are always pressures to hamper purely social flying.
You can always do it for a year and then stop if it doesn't work out!
BW
Helicopter gives you the flexibility to land in your garden if you live in the right place, as I am fortunate enough to do. Most of the comments above are true, I have the flexibility to be there or not as I choose, it's hard to resist when the weather is close to your personal minima but you just have to say no!
It's a great way to build hours and confidence because you have a specific reason to fly. I find there are always pressures to hamper purely social flying.
You can always do it for a year and then stop if it doesn't work out!
BW
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: GB
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I'd just love to own my own a/c!! 
But then, work is five mins walk away. I'd love to fly to my local flying club though. 45 mins drive on bendy roads is MUCHO annoying.
I have a few friends who have Thruster Sprint microlights. Very sturdy and with big tyres, can land in most fields. Excellent for hopping about the country.
Good luck Cappy. And if in doubt about the weather/conditions... DON'T GO!
But then, work is five mins walk away. I'd love to fly to my local flying club though. 45 mins drive on bendy roads is MUCHO annoying.I have a few friends who have Thruster Sprint microlights. Very sturdy and with big tyres, can land in most fields. Excellent for hopping about the country.
Good luck Cappy. And if in doubt about the weather/conditions... DON'T GO!
Join Date: Jun 2006
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live your dream
Dear Cappy,
I too started out with PFA aircraft - great inexpensive flying and fantastic fun in good weather but I would agree with previous opinions that our UK weather can frequently prevent commuting in a very light A/C even in the summer.
Being caught up in a horrendous traffic jam on the A30 5 years ago while on my way to work in the car persuaded me to learn to fly helicopters.
I now commute to work most days by helicopter (R44) But occasionally for longer distances use my night/known icing/IFR equiped Mooney. Distance, weather, daylight and duration of visit dictate the choice of A/C.
Today was a Mooney day, yesterday R44 - I am very lucky in that the R44 lives at home in its own hangar and the Mooney is hangared 0.1 Hobbs from home (25 mins by road).
I also have 3 cars strategically located at various landing sites to allow me to get to my destination asap. Also if Wx poor for return leg - I just drive the car home and back the next day to collect A/C (as I did last night and this morning).
I (genuinely) save a lot of time, life is less stressful, much more interesting and infinitely more expensive this way but you only live once.
Remember if you leave any cash behind when you go Gordon Brown wins (and we really don't want that now do we?)
live your dream,
SB
I too started out with PFA aircraft - great inexpensive flying and fantastic fun in good weather but I would agree with previous opinions that our UK weather can frequently prevent commuting in a very light A/C even in the summer.
Being caught up in a horrendous traffic jam on the A30 5 years ago while on my way to work in the car persuaded me to learn to fly helicopters.
I now commute to work most days by helicopter (R44) But occasionally for longer distances use my night/known icing/IFR equiped Mooney. Distance, weather, daylight and duration of visit dictate the choice of A/C.
Today was a Mooney day, yesterday R44 - I am very lucky in that the R44 lives at home in its own hangar and the Mooney is hangared 0.1 Hobbs from home (25 mins by road).
I also have 3 cars strategically located at various landing sites to allow me to get to my destination asap. Also if Wx poor for return leg - I just drive the car home and back the next day to collect A/C (as I did last night and this morning).
I (genuinely) save a lot of time, life is less stressful, much more interesting and infinitely more expensive this way but you only live once.
Remember if you leave any cash behind when you go Gordon Brown wins (and we really don't want that now do we?)
live your dream,
SB
Join Date: Jul 2005
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IT CAN BE DONE!
....But it helps to be in the right country. Have been flying my 1946 Piper Cub floatplane 70 miles from lake cottage to work most days since late May here in NW Ontario. Occasional delays due to early morning lake mist and afternoon thunderstorms but 90% of days are VFR - think it was 60-65% in UK and NL.
Always have a Plan B and remember what they say: it's better to be down here wishing you were up there, than up there wishing you were down here!
....But it helps to be in the right country. Have been flying my 1946 Piper Cub floatplane 70 miles from lake cottage to work most days since late May here in NW Ontario. Occasional delays due to early morning lake mist and afternoon thunderstorms but 90% of days are VFR - think it was 60-65% in UK and NL.
Always have a Plan B and remember what they say: it's better to be down here wishing you were up there, than up there wishing you were down here!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
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Great replies, thanks guys. 
I know its going to difficult, but I have to give it a shot! And if it doesn't work, then nothing is lost.
Will update you all at some point next year on how its going.
I know its going to difficult, but I have to give it a shot! And if it doesn't work, then nothing is lost.
Will update you all at some point next year on how its going.
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Hi cappy, yes please do. I worked at a location which had its own runway, so I thought I'd be able to take advantage of it very frequently but for all of the reasons stated above it just didn't happen, except at weekends, ironically enough, when I didn't need to be there!
The main problem was guranteeing I could get there for the (fixed) start of the working day, so I was relying on accurate forecasts. And getting to the originating aerodrome and checking out the a/c etc meant an earlier start than driving. Then as I was lodging up there for the working week I could never guarantee getting the aeroplane back for the weekend for the other group members I shared the aircraft with. So although it seemed a good idea it never seemed to happen in practice but perhaps that's because it was easier (although less fun) to carry on as normal. As I say though, I did make the trip a few times in leisure time when I could relax and didn't *have* to get there, which is how I like my flying to be.
The main problem was guranteeing I could get there for the (fixed) start of the working day, so I was relying on accurate forecasts. And getting to the originating aerodrome and checking out the a/c etc meant an earlier start than driving. Then as I was lodging up there for the working week I could never guarantee getting the aeroplane back for the weekend for the other group members I shared the aircraft with. So although it seemed a good idea it never seemed to happen in practice but perhaps that's because it was easier (although less fun) to carry on as normal. As I say though, I did make the trip a few times in leisure time when I could relax and didn't *have* to get there, which is how I like my flying to be.
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I suspect that if you were loaded and could afford a nice helicopter with the requisite license then to commute by air would be good and achievable. Taking the 172 away for the day is somewhat different. I, like some of the previous posters, have been there. Sat in a meeting, watching the clock, checking TAFs/METARs (on the mobile) and then rushing back before the very last bit of blue sky disappears over the mid-Atlantic is no fun. Furthermore, unless your trip is at least one hour's flying time (more like 2+), it is probably quicker by car.
Join Date: Sep 2003
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I tried the R22 thing as well. Was no better than the fixed wing option, you are always going to be bound by the weather and the UK has the most unreliable of weather going. Even with an IFR equipped helicopter which is multi engine territory in which case if you own or can operate one then you are not going to be flying yourself! You will be sat in the back with the other billionaires plotting the next world take over.
I have found IFR Airport to IFR airport passable.
I have found IFR Airport to IFR airport passable.
