Cheapest way to obtain a PPL?

[moona]

If it purely for PPL flying with no ambitions of a comercial further down the line how about starting with an NPPL on motorgliders and save ££'s.

http://www.motorgliderclub.co.uk/ppl.htm
or
Learn to fly with Oxfordshire Sportflying at Enstone

I did my TMG rating a couple of years ago with Clive from the motorgliderclub, it was great fun. Just remember when you move onto the cessna's / pipers that turning the engine off in flight is normally frowned upon

[Genghis the Engineer]

ditto microlights.

Or just join a gliding club, pay as you go, and see how far your flying goes.

G

[Captain Smithy]

Just my own opinion as someone who is in the latter stages of a PPL course, so feel free to disagree/criticise, but bear in mind that cheaper is not necissarily better.

I think the best way is to do the training in your own time at your own pace. There's no rush! If you have like me the intentions of going comercial in the future, remember the economic climate is a bit iffy at the moment so it's best not to rush... keeps you away from debt

I thought seriously about going to the States for my PPL, but decided I'd rather learn here at my own leisure, at my local airport and pay my own way along the road as I can afford.

Part of me wishes I'd gone to the States - I'd have had my PPL way before now and it probably would've been cheaper - but I'm not convinced I would've received the same standard of training I've had (not a bad word against schools in the States, rather a reflection of the excellent training I've had at my club here), I'd have had to cough up the £££ in one go rather than spending as I go, spreading it out more, and besides I've had plenty fun seeing my own country from the air as I learn. Not only do you learn about flying, you also learn a lot about your own country. I know I have.

It's your decision, but be aware of the advantages and disadvantages!

P.S. Some advice repeated Ad Nauseum, but nonetheless vital... NEVER HAND OVER LARGE SUMS OF MONEY IN ONE GO! Too risky.

Good luck whatever decision you make!

Smithy.

[Big Pistons Forever]

As an Instructor my experience has been that the greatest cost variable is how many hours it takes to complete the training, not the per hour cost, as most PPL's do not complete the course in the mandated minimum hours. Therefore the quoted costs usually understate the eventual actual costs. However I also feel that the number of hours required to complete the PPL is largely determined by how hard the student wants to work.

[IO540]

That is very true. The UK average is 55-65 depending on who one talks to. I did my JAA PPL in 2000/2001 in 65hrs and it cost me £8500 I think. Today it would be over £10000. It was also mega frustrating; one Oct-Dec period I booked a lesson a day (i.e. 90 lessons) and got just 3 lessons, mostly due to poor wx (OVC007 kind of stuff). This would drive anybody bonkers, as well as swelling the costs. Very few people have done it in 45hrs in the UK.

If one sticks to the thread subject, it is like I said earlier: if you value your time at nil, go to the USA. If OTOH you have to fit the training between "life" (which is what nearly all UK students do) then you have to accept the cost will swell and it is likely to take a whole year.

[englishal]

and do the whole JAA PPL out there.

Had I known what I know now, I wouldn't do the JAA PPL in the USA, but just the FAA PPL

Typical cost for a nice new aeroplane (DA40-180 G1000 for ex) is about £5800 including accomodation and flight from LHR and 50 hrs based at $150 per hour. It'd probably cost less than this though (take off £300 for solo flights for example). Do it during a holiday.

My JAA PPL in Cali cost me $5000 back in 2000 with 63hrs old C172 (+ flights and accomodation at $40 per night).

[Davis1991]

Cheap flying

I can honestly say that I've searched the web, and pretty much every flying club for the cheapest way to gain a PPL. But, the only way that has
proved succesful so far was joining the Air Training Corps and doing a flying scholarship, all of which is paid for by the organisation.

Or,

I'd go onto the Air League website and look at their scholarships and sponsorship. They can have some good offers and again, it's possible to get free training.

[Davis1991]

ATC

To be honest the cheapest and easiest way is to join the ATC and do a flying scholarship. It's paid for, includes accomodation and all flying training up to solo status.

www.aircadets.org.uk

Apart from the Air league, I haven't come across an easier way yet.

[E-n-i-g-m-a-8-3]

I did my NPPL over at Mona, on Anglesey in Wales. Total cost was around £4500, although you would have to add on the cost of accommodation to that. I did mine in an intensive course - I had allowed for two weeks, with the hope of having most of it done by then. I actually managed it in 10 days. The weather was on my side though, which allwed us to fly right through most days, and cover the theory in the evenings. The odd bad weather day allowed us to concentrate on exams.

CFI at Mona is highly recommended by me, indeed he was highly recommended to me by a colleague who was also trained by him.

Would I change anything if I could do it all again? Not a chance. It'll cost you a similar amount in america, and its just not the same. If you are looking to fly in the UK in the future, then train here. Makes sense.

Welcome to Mona Flying Club is the website. Rates are slightly out, it was £105 per hour (student) in G-BILS. That was back in July. (I think most of the rates are just +£10 on top of the rates on the site.)

And although it is a military aerodrome, the club is civilian, and members are mostly civilian there.

Hope that helps.