cheapest flying schools in UK for PPL
CG
Have a budget for pre and post flight briefings and debriefings . Run away from any school that does not do them . My first flight school I went to didn’t even shut the airplanes down between students some days . WOFTAM .
In my experience the amount of money you spend on your flying training is almost wholly related to how hard you work on your training. Unfortunately my experience is that many of the ones who wanted cheap training only wanted to achieve the absolute minimum standard to pass the flight test and were not willing to put the work in so that every flying hour was used to their advantage.
On my 15th Birthday my father gave me a PPL ground school kit which was basically worn out when I got 10 hours of flying training as my 16th birthday present. On the first flight my instructor and I walked up to the Cessna 150 and his first words were "this is the propeller". I said yes I know it is a McCauley 69/48 which means it has a diameter of 69 inches and a pitch of 48 inches. I still remember the look on the poor instructors face.
I was and am a total aviation geek but I was 100 % prepared for every lesson, did all my homework, chair flew all the exercises at home, and showed up for lessons with a written list of questions for my instructor .........and finished in exactly the minimum flying hours allowed for the license. When I became an instructor myself I did not see that level of dedication from many students and most students were not ready in the minimum hours.
On my 15th Birthday my father gave me a PPL ground school kit which was basically worn out when I got 10 hours of flying training as my 16th birthday present. On the first flight my instructor and I walked up to the Cessna 150 and his first words were "this is the propeller". I said yes I know it is a McCauley 69/48 which means it has a diameter of 69 inches and a pitch of 48 inches. I still remember the look on the poor instructors face.
I was and am a total aviation geek but I was 100 % prepared for every lesson, did all my homework, chair flew all the exercises at home, and showed up for lessons with a written list of questions for my instructor .........and finished in exactly the minimum flying hours allowed for the license. When I became an instructor myself I did not see that level of dedication from many students and most students were not ready in the minimum hours.
Join Date: Nov 2019
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Hey Op,
If you have read all the replies above you would be forgiven for thinking "hey that's a lot of very diverse and sometimes contradictory advice"
In fairness to all the posters, they would be all be offering good, well-intentioned advice, based on their own experiences, which may or may not pertain to your circumstances. And it is the nature of internet forums to get a little combative oft times.
It's a good resource though...like I say, lots of good guys who have been there and done that. You could help them out a bit by adding a little more detail. Like...
Where you live?
Your age?
What your budget or financial plans are?
Most of all what are your goals and timescales?
Other things would help, but that would be a start.
I'd offer one piece of advice right now though...if you planning on a professional career in aviation, do one thing before you spend a single penny. Have a thorough medical from a compentent doctor who knows what your plans are.
Many a professional flying career has ended in the doctors surgery and, surprisingly often, only after significant wonga has been flushed down the crapper.
If you have read all the replies above you would be forgiven for thinking "hey that's a lot of very diverse and sometimes contradictory advice"
In fairness to all the posters, they would be all be offering good, well-intentioned advice, based on their own experiences, which may or may not pertain to your circumstances. And it is the nature of internet forums to get a little combative oft times.
It's a good resource though...like I say, lots of good guys who have been there and done that. You could help them out a bit by adding a little more detail. Like...
Where you live?
Your age?
What your budget or financial plans are?
Most of all what are your goals and timescales?
Other things would help, but that would be a start.
I'd offer one piece of advice right now though...if you planning on a professional career in aviation, do one thing before you spend a single penny. Have a thorough medical from a compentent doctor who knows what your plans are.
Many a professional flying career has ended in the doctors surgery and, surprisingly often, only after significant wonga has been flushed down the crapper.
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Down at the sharp pointy end, where all the weather is made.
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I can only echo RD's advice. We always tell people to go and get a medical, right after their Trial Lesson, if they express an interest in continuing.
I well remember one young lad, son of an ex-RAF pilot who had an illustrious career with the airlines, who was absolutely distraught to find out that he couldn't get a professional licence, due to a medical problem. However, he hadn't done much flying and being young, got over it.
TOO
I well remember one young lad, son of an ex-RAF pilot who had an illustrious career with the airlines, who was absolutely distraught to find out that he couldn't get a professional licence, due to a medical problem. However, he hadn't done much flying and being young, got over it.
TOO
