The PPL
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8
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From: London
The PPL
Hi guys
I just started with my PPL in Fairoaks (only the theory)
And i was planing to do the flying elsewhere, e.i States, Spain (Requena or Jerez) Or last but not least UK anywere near Woking. Does anybody knows a good place where to do the flying? Taking in consideration both, cost and quality. What do you think guys about Fairoaks (Surrey)?
I would really appreciate any advice,
Kind Regards
I just started with my PPL in Fairoaks (only the theory)
And i was planing to do the flying elsewhere, e.i States, Spain (Requena or Jerez) Or last but not least UK anywere near Woking. Does anybody knows a good place where to do the flying? Taking in consideration both, cost and quality. What do you think guys about Fairoaks (Surrey)?
I would really appreciate any advice,
Kind Regards
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 118
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From: Woking
Well, I learned to fly at Cranfield, Leavesden and Denham, as companies failed. Now I fly from Fairoaks, and have done these 15 years. It seems as good a place as any to learn to me. It isn't about airfields anyway, it's about the people .
B
B
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8
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From: London
Thanks Ulrich and bern
I think you may be right. I believe that doing the flying in the States or Spain It would be much cheapper as well as 100% good weather. However, I also believe that i would get much more experience here in the UK with regards (weather and RT)
plus on the other hand i would end up expending money in acomodation, transportation and flights. Dont you think so?
Another question guys.
Based on your experience, after i finish all the written exams. How long would you recon it could take me to obtain the license bearing in mind the WEATHER??
I think you may be right. I believe that doing the flying in the States or Spain It would be much cheapper as well as 100% good weather. However, I also believe that i would get much more experience here in the UK with regards (weather and RT)
plus on the other hand i would end up expending money in acomodation, transportation and flights. Dont you think so?Another question guys.
Based on your experience, after i finish all the written exams. How long would you recon it could take me to obtain the license bearing in mind the WEATHER??
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,598
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From: Amsterdam
as well as 100% good weather.
i would end up expending money in acomodation, transportation and flights.
How long would you recon it could take me to obtain the license bearing in mind the WEATHER??
If you go for an intensive course like the ones abroad it is doable in three weeks, assuming good weather and approximately three hours flying per day. And since you do nothing but flying training day in day out, you can expect to be ready for your exam by the time you've got about 40-45 hours.
On the other hand, if you pick a fixed one-hour timeslot on Saturday at your local airport, with no option of moving it to another day if the weather is bad, or the aircraft/instructor not available, you'll probably need a year and a half to two years, and maybe something like 60 hours in total. You can forget a lot of things, and lose a lot of motor skills, when you don't fly for three-four consecutive weeks because of the weather.
If you want to do a part-time course quickly, make sure you're flexible and your instructor is too. As soon as the weather looks nice, take two hours off work, phone up the instructor and go fly. Don't plan on a once-a-week fixed timeslot.
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 13
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From: Cheshire
Jerez PPL
Hi,
I went to Jerez (Fly In Spain), to complete my PPL due to the poor weather in the UK. I was promised english instructor, good access to Cessna 172's and 4 hours flying each day. The reality was different:-
Only one english instructor available.
Only one 172 available.
Instructor had 4 students to teach each day.
Did not get anywhere close to finishing my PPL although I was there for a fortnight! It also cost me a fortune.
There was also a fuel strike that lasted several days, and on one occassion we flew to Seville to get some fuel. The Spanish do not use QFE either so you have to calculate it.
Not a happy experience. You also have to get a security pass to gain access to the apron this takes days not hours.
Each time you fly you have to fax two forms off prior to flight. A Flight Plan and a Security Clearance to Security - a bit of a pain.
On my return I completed my PPL in the UK and have had it for nearly two years - so they may have improved.
I went to Jerez (Fly In Spain), to complete my PPL due to the poor weather in the UK. I was promised english instructor, good access to Cessna 172's and 4 hours flying each day. The reality was different:-
Only one english instructor available.
Only one 172 available.
Instructor had 4 students to teach each day.
Did not get anywhere close to finishing my PPL although I was there for a fortnight! It also cost me a fortune.
There was also a fuel strike that lasted several days, and on one occassion we flew to Seville to get some fuel. The Spanish do not use QFE either so you have to calculate it.
Not a happy experience. You also have to get a security pass to gain access to the apron this takes days not hours.
Each time you fly you have to fax two forms off prior to flight. A Flight Plan and a Security Clearance to Security - a bit of a pain.
On my return I completed my PPL in the UK and have had it for nearly two years - so they may have improved.
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 118
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From: Woking
" How long would you reckon it could take me to obtain the license bearing in mind the WEATHER??"
I think a year is (very) reasonably average. Depends enormously or your availablity, the aicraft availabilty, the weather, etc etc..... Since you're in the Fairoaks area, why not pop into LTFC and ask one of the instructors/examiners. They would know much better than me.
B
I think a year is (very) reasonably average. Depends enormously or your availablity, the aicraft availabilty, the weather, etc etc..... Since you're in the Fairoaks area, why not pop into LTFC and ask one of the instructors/examiners. They would know much better than me.
B
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,200
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From: Norfolk UK
Sushi
Took me 53 hrs in the UK over 10 months flying, 3 days per week weather permitting.
Instructor reckoned that max 2 hrs flying per day was enough, combined the with pre flight briefings and post flight debriefings.
Weather is the contraining influence, but at least you learn in conditions you will have when you get your licence.
Lister
Instructor reckoned that max 2 hrs flying per day was enough, combined the with pre flight briefings and post flight debriefings.
Weather is the contraining influence, but at least you learn in conditions you will have when you get your licence.
Lister
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13,787
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From: EuroGA.org
For a JAA PPL, the least-time and least-money way would be the (one) JAA school in southern California. Florida does not guarantee good weather.
For an FAA PPL, Arizona must be very hard to beat. I did my IR there (Phoenix) and they have 363 flying days each year.
For an FAA PPL, Arizona must be very hard to beat. I did my IR there (Phoenix) and they have 363 flying days each year.
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3
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From: istanbul
FAA and JAA
So there is this FAA and JAA stuff to be considered...
is there any price difference between two... And I am talking about FAA...(11,000 $)
After FAA can you convert it to JAA easily...
Thanks,
is there any price difference between two... And I am talking about FAA...(11,000 $)
After FAA can you convert it to JAA easily...
Thanks,
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: istanbul
For a JAA PPL, the least-time and least-money way would be the (one) JAA school in southern California. Florida does not guarantee good weather.
For an FAA PPL, Arizona must be very hard to beat. I did my IR there (Phoenix) and they have 363 flying days each year.
For an FAA PPL, Arizona must be very hard to beat. I did my IR there (Phoenix) and they have 363 flying days each year.
Thanks,
