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Creation of a fund for those who cannot afford PPL

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Creation of a fund for those who cannot afford PPL

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Old 25th May 2009, 20:01
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Creation of a fund for those who cannot afford PPL

Guys,

If this sounds stupid, please forgive me.

Many of us on the forums are frustrated because we cannot fulfill our dream of flying, I am sure most of us cannot afford it, I am one of those ofcourse.

I was thinking along the lines of creating some sort of fund for those who want to gain their PPL. For example, if there are 10 persons in the group, all need to pool in a set amount per month for a fixed number of months. Each month, there will be a draw and whoever is selected should be sponsored to complete his/her training and this will continue till everyone has completed the PPL training.

The legalities can be discussed but its just an idea. We can think about the modalities around it as well but I think this can work.

Please let me have your comments.

Let me know what you think.
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Old 25th May 2009, 20:06
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GAPAN scholarship
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Old 25th May 2009, 20:10
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I hate to sound harsh, but if you can't afford to get a PPL, then you can't afford to subsequently fly enough to be safe. Flown in the classical flying club manner anyhow.

There are ways to fly relatively cheaply, such as...

- Do a microlight PPL

- Join a gliding club and fly as much and as often as you can afford

- Buy a cheap type-approved microlight in a group, and then pay an instructor as you go along.

- Save up until you can afford it, then do a package somewhere like South Africa or (once the dollar and pound have got back to where they used to be) the USA. (Hint, whilst less flexible, the South African and American PPLs are much cheaper than the UK/JAA version and can still be used here). Following that, buy a share in something with a PFA/LAA permit.


All of these give you a reasonable opportunity to fly fairly cheaply - clever finance schemes to do a JAR-PPL (the standard, and unfortunately expensive, flying club product) won't actually change that it's very expensive.

Also, work out how you're going to afford to keep flying long term - otherwise it was a bit of a waste of time.

G
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Old 25th May 2009, 20:14
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all need to pool in a set amount per month for a fixed number of months
Forgive my ignorance but what does this achieve above and beyond an individual saving up themselves to do their licence without the "lottery" fun factor of the "group"?
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Old 25th May 2009, 20:26
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Sorry if this sounds harsh too..................I worked hard on a limited income.......My wife and I brought up 3 children without asking if we could get sponsorship for them........or indeed creating a lottery with friends to see which of us could have children first. As soon as our young fled the nest we sailed offshore on our own Yacht (smallish & cheapish)..........10 years later we sold the boat and I learnt to fly (Small & cheap) Bought a plane and you guessed it (Small & cheap)
Why should anyone join a sceme that gives them a 1 in however many chances of learning to fly? Or even pander to the posters who are obviously fishing for cash to learn to Fly
Am I resentful of the wealthy?.........absolutely not..a bit envious of some the Planes they fly perhaps..............Try going and washing A/C at clubs and working for some hours........Sadly that seems to happen less amd less and the young seem to want more and more for doing less and less.
Am I a grumpy old git?........you betcha
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Old 25th May 2009, 22:21
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Originally Posted by baz76
this will continue till everyone has completed the PPL training.
Problem here baz (even if the concept was good, which it ain't) is getting the first, second, third sponsored to keep paying for another 9, 8 etc to complete it, as well as trying to finance their own flying.

Simply not workable!
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Old 25th May 2009, 22:55
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Guys,

I've got an idea - Monkey Tennis - we teach monkeys to play tennis and then...
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Old 26th May 2009, 00:54
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Baz,

Judging by your previous posts, it is clear that you loathe hard work and determination, a prerequisite to become a qualified pilot. With that attitude my friend, the odds are hugely against you.

If you really want to 'fulfull your dream of flying' then sacrifice the latest gadgets, the annual holidays, sell the new car, the 42' LCD flat screen telly and the wife if possible, you get the picture. If you couldn't afford any of these in the first place - even though you said you work in IT - then I can't see you being able to afford a PPL.
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Old 26th May 2009, 02:18
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The hardest part of learning to fly is paying for it. I've often seen a clear distinction among students who have a trust fund or other source of money, vs. those who've had to earn their way into the cockpit. The difference shows in the dedication and in the determination to not only complete flight training, but to continue beyond that point.

Paying for one's training is a difficult thing to be sure, and with rising costs, it gets no easier with time. One might say that the cost and the effort involved is somewhat of a great discriminator, or an equalizer...it tends to divide those who are determined and dedicated, from those who are not.

I spent many long years working under very demanding, difficult conditions, working multiple jobs, and often cycling long distances to work in freezing hangars to earn the few hours of flying I got. It was a very long road, and a very demanding one, and the subsequent career which has followed has been no less demanding. I've run into many who say it's not worth it, who drop out and fall away...and this too has served as a great discriminator or equalizer, shearing the wheat from the chaff, as it were.

While coming up with ample money for everyone would be a wonderful thing on the surface, flying has never been anything less than requiring your all. Cheapen that by giving it away, and then what have you left but many who will fail to take it seriously, who will lower the standards of safety and dedication, and who will cheapen the art, the sport, and the industry by a like amount.

No, flying requires your dedication, and depending on how far you're willing to reach...it is attainable. The question is whether the cost is more than you're willing to bear.
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Old 26th May 2009, 02:34
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I agree with the comments posted above.

If you can afford to put into a fund on the terms you described, you can afford to save for your own training. It will take longer to save, but if you want it, you'll go for it.

I suggest taking a pair of scissors to that evil creation they call a credit card, and learn what earning money is really about.

After that, good luck with your endeavour!

ECAM Actions.
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Old 26th May 2009, 06:31
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I think it is a stupid idea myself.
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Old 26th May 2009, 07:13
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If you want it bad enough, you'll find a way!
Charity is for the needy.
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Old 26th May 2009, 07:18
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Go to New Zealand, where it's 30 quid an hour, dual... But, as has already been mentioned, you would still have to pay to upkeep your licence. Private flying in the UK is largely for well-off people.
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Old 26th May 2009, 07:31
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Having to work hard and be creative to obtain the PPL will enhance the value of it.

For those who have worked hard and were creative but still failed, how on earth would we decide on the criteria.

I think it is an honorable thought but bypasses human psychology
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Old 26th May 2009, 08:32
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NPPL(m) and cheap flexwing or 3 axis. But if you have difficulty getting the price of a lesson every fortnight then maybe flying is out of your reach. Working 12 hours a day helps and with proper dedication and work ethic coupled to an attitude of getting there at all costs, then anything is possible. Until you sort out that side of your life then you will possibly look at everyone else with an attitude of resentment and ask yourself why you cant have it and attempt to get a lazy way out, this generally ends in failure.

Jon
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Old 26th May 2009, 09:08
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If you can't afford to fly, don't! Most of us humans have to live with the fact that there are some things out of our reach.

If you can afford to throw money into the pot, then you can afford to save that money instead. Learning to fly needn't be a 3 week course over in USA, or SA. I've personally been working on mine for over a year, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Where is the fun in flying constantly for 3 weeks, then coming back to reality and flying on a budget... stretch out the training, you'll learn a hell of a lot more that way, allowing time to digest your previous lesson. Some people have been working on their PPLs for quite literally decades, and I'm sure they wouldn't be complaining about it either.

Part time jobs, freelancing, or whatever, money doesn't fall from trees!

PS. Absolutely daft idea for the reasons BabyBear states. Once number 1 completes what's his / her incentive to keep throwing money in the fund. But possibly more importantly, you're not saving money, just trying to get there quicker. Will cost just as much either way.
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Old 26th May 2009, 09:27
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Baz - It's an ill conceived idea which strikes me as being unworkable in practise. Rather than trying to re-invent the wheel you should devote your time and mental energy to the task of funding your training by conventional means. Thousands of pilots before you have trod this path and it has proved successful. Perhaps you should follow their example.
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Old 26th May 2009, 09:35
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Ive got an expensive plane that could do with a few thou spent on it.
Anyone interested in helping me pay? I'll put your name in a hat for a free flight.
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Old 26th May 2009, 09:48
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Heathrow Director any chance you can let me know where and what aircraft you can hire for £30 an hour with instructor in New Zealand? You may be about 2 months late in telling me this!
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Old 26th May 2009, 12:13
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Unsure

1. What happens when person 1 get's his PPL ? Does he still have to pay into the fund ? What happens when, they invariably, stop paying in ?
2. If there are 4 in a group, are you happy to subsidise 3 other people's training, waiting maybe 3 years before you start yourself ?
3. What happens when some people go AWOL ?
4. Surely putting my money into a high interest savings account and then paying for myself is a better idea ?
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