Need help on PPL decision and finances
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 829
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From: South Wales
Sections of the FAR's which in any event apply only if you intend to fly on an FAA licence relating to post ppl instrument training
7 to 12 months in sunny Florida sounds good to me and with no ties holding me back (apart from an apartment - which I can let out) it's pretty hard to resist.
Mariner with the good weather coming our way I look forward to a flight with you
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 55
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From: Berkshire
I am going to book another three lessons in a few weeks time. Then after that I will see if I want to pursue the JAR PPL.
I would go to the states to do it but I cant get the time off work.
If after passing my PPL I may have the urge to go further. But with the cost limitation I would be severly restricted to what I can do.
It would be nice to build some hours so that I could attempt to apply for an ATPL.
But the cost is always going to be an issue to how far I can go. I could be an excellent pilot with potential but without those hours in my logbook I will never get the change to excel.
It would just be a hobby when I can afford to do it.
I would go to the states to do it but I cant get the time off work.
If after passing my PPL I may have the urge to go further. But with the cost limitation I would be severly restricted to what I can do.
It would be nice to build some hours so that I could attempt to apply for an ATPL.
But the cost is always going to be an issue to how far I can go. I could be an excellent pilot with potential but without those hours in my logbook I will never get the change to excel.
It would just be a hobby when I can afford to do it.
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13,787
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From: EuroGA.org
The only way to do a PPL 'cheap' is to get a lot of unlogged time with another pilot (who lets you fly informally and acts as a sort of mentor) and you learn everything you need to know that way, and then go off to the USA, staying in a cheap motel for the 3wks you will need to run up the minimum training requirements.
I bet nearly all people in the UK who did their PPL in the min 45hrs also had a load of unlogged time.
I bet nearly all people in the UK who did their PPL in the min 45hrs also had a load of unlogged time.
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Germany
I don't know how the situation in the UK is, but I'll consider:
-flying club vs. professional school with full-employed instructors. The club could be much cheaper, but could require more time and to do some work for the club over the year.
-which engine do the training aircraft use? Problem is the high cost for AV-gas. Maybe there are schools or clubs who have lighter training aircrafts or use alternative engines, maybe rotax or thielert diesel engines..and run much cheaper by the hour!
Because of this I decided to join a club 1 hour drive away, not the local club or nearby flying school where I live. Professional instructors, some retired ex-atc and ex-military pilots, instruct there in their spare time, for a low fee and for the club. They have a Diamond Katana with rotax engine that uses regular car gas, and that consumes a lot less than a traditional cessna or piper.
Flying there is about 50% the price I would pay at the professional school around the corner that runs C-172s with AV-gas engines and full-time instructors...so it's still much cheaper driving there each time!
Just a thought...
Maybe it could pay off cost wise to check the schools and clubs further away from where You live...
-flying club vs. professional school with full-employed instructors. The club could be much cheaper, but could require more time and to do some work for the club over the year.
-which engine do the training aircraft use? Problem is the high cost for AV-gas. Maybe there are schools or clubs who have lighter training aircrafts or use alternative engines, maybe rotax or thielert diesel engines..and run much cheaper by the hour!
Because of this I decided to join a club 1 hour drive away, not the local club or nearby flying school where I live. Professional instructors, some retired ex-atc and ex-military pilots, instruct there in their spare time, for a low fee and for the club. They have a Diamond Katana with rotax engine that uses regular car gas, and that consumes a lot less than a traditional cessna or piper.
Flying there is about 50% the price I would pay at the professional school around the corner that runs C-172s with AV-gas engines and full-time instructors...so it's still much cheaper driving there each time!
Just a thought...
Maybe it could pay off cost wise to check the schools and clubs further away from where You live...
