Can I finish my PPL by the end of Feb?

[BabyBear]

Originally Posted by Kamran Bhatti

Impossible,

The fact that people are doing it demonstrates this is incorrect!

Lister, likewise 7 weeks to do 25 - 30hrs is entirely doable.

7 weeks x 7 days = 49days x 2hrs = possible 98hrs.

So even allowing for your suggested maximum of 2 hours per day and your suggested 30 hrs, there is a requirement to fly 30% (IE 15 from 49) of the days available.

Now if you consider it is possible and neccessary to fly more than 2 hours per day on some days and that it could be less than 30 hours to completion, it is entirely possible to achieve it.

In my view to simply tell the OP it can't be done is irresponsible.

I know of one individual who, having retired, is flying 3 lessons per day, albeit he does around 3 days per week.

[ak7274]

You could always use Fast Track PPL training. Adam at Great circle do everything.
He Instructs from Full Sutton though and that would need accomodation. At least it would concentrate the mind.
No affiliation...... just same Airfield

[UV]

Im not a betting man, but in this case I would wager anything that you will not complete it in what is the worst winter in some peoples living memory!!

Remember in aviation everything works exactly like the speed squared law (double the speed...4 times the drag)...i.e. all things flying/maintenance take twice as long as you think and cost 4 times as much (or vice versa, works just as well).

Perhaps you will let us know! Anyone for a sweepsteak?
UV

[BabyBear]

Originally Posted by UV

Anyone for a sweepsteak?

Interesting thought UV, now if it was me I would maybe take you up on it, but not when it is someone else.

It appears to me that with some posters the limiting factor for them getting it done would be their own attitudes, rather than anything else.

There is a world of a difference between thinking; It can't be done (closed mind and resignation to failure) and; How can it be done? (opens the mind to being creative in finding solutions)

[IO540]

One can, depending on one's age, knock off a PPL at a rate of two 1-hr flights per day, so that makes it about 23 days total.

That assumes OK weather all the way, and living/camping next to the airfield

That is how one can do it in Arizona (that's how I did my IR out there) but it's tricky over here. Not impossible; just tricky.

[Lister Noble]

Where I was taught to fly,they then operated 3 days per week,more now.
Even so they would not let me do more than two lessons per day.
I was 2 days after my 63rd birthday when I passed,and it took me 53 hrs.
It is possible to have excellent flying days in the winter,but days are shorter and bad weather more likely.
Don't mistake taking a realistic view with being negative.
Anyway,good luck to the original poster,and please keep us updated on your progress.
Lister

[UV]

It appears to me that with some posters the limiting factor for them getting it done would be their own attitudes, rather than anything else

With there being no flying for the last 3 weeks or so, how can you possibly say that! He is asking about doing a minimum of 25 hours ( maybe a lot more) at Stapleford, which is probably shut, in the worst winter on record for 30 years....!

Remeber for the type of flying he is proposing he needs very benign weather to boot.

Anyway, good luck to the OP, but dont build yourself up for completing this in the UK in the timescale.
UV

[vabsie]

Thanks for all the replies - quite a mixed bag of opinions then

I will continue flying as I'm not sure when in my life I will have a whole month off again .. progress is progress I suppose even if it means I don't finish it in the UK and besides, it's fun.

Cheers

Vabsie

[AndoniP]

apart from that, if you do earn your ppl, will you be able to fly the required amount of hours per year to keep it going? seeing as you're out of the country and all?

[L'aviateur]

In relation to how many hours that can be done a day, firstly whilst a respected school may have an opinion and a limit, this isn't an ultimate authority, as many other highly respected schools may allow and even encourage more flying including those almost solely dedicated to the ab initio training of commercial pilots.
The considerations you have to make include time available, determination, capability and outside factors such as weather. A younger very capable person 'may' have be able to handle a lot more. As for determination, in this kind of weather, if you are at the airport everday consistently then those occasional few hour slots that open up on the bad days will be usable for you. I completed my PPL in winter, and was on site from sunrise to sunset to ensure that I could utilise all opportunities, but that scenario might not suit everyone.
Completing your PPL may be possible, but you have to consider every aspect.