Flyaways

So i'm starting a volunteering programme at my local flying school. I have to work 24 hours there and in return I get 30 mins flying lesson.

I know, i'm being ripped off a bit because this works out at about £3 a hour when you consider the cost of a PPL lesson, but I'll start it and see how it goes, if not, i'll just get myself a paid part time job and fund it that way.

Exciting stuff!


I'll have to work 360 shifts to have it fully funded this way. I'll probably not end up doing it all via this method as I plan to start a training scheme in a few months which will see me earning money. My plan is to do this for a few weeks/ months to get used to the airfield/ how everything works then i'll fund it with a job. Anyway, the point is i'm finally getting to start doing something that i've dreamed of for years!!! (Even though I am only 18, it feels like i've been wanting to do it for aaggeess!)

sevenstrokeroll

good luck...go out and buy, ''stick and rudder'' by wolfgang langweische. read it, many times.

oxo

Unless the flying school charges £288 /hr for lessons, you are getting ripped off in a very bad way.

Much better to get a job at minimum wage and pay for your own lessons I think.

stickandrudderman

There are more rewards to be had in life than money alone.
Everybody is a product of their environment.
It's for you to decide if this makes any sense to you or not.

riverrock83

Technically you are working for a reward (the 30min lesson) and as such you are technically not a volunteer, so would be legally entitled to minimum wage. See https://www.gov.uk/volunteering/pay-and-expenses

However, when "working", make the most of your experience. Don't let them just walk all over you as slave labour! If they use PA28 or similar then get as much "back seat" time as you can. If they have any sort of simulator, ask to use it when things are quiet. If they offer formal ground school, ask to sit in on it. If someone is going to a fly-in or just out for a local bimble then ask them if you can join them. If an instructor looks bored and its a nice day - ask if you can go up with them (and get your logbook filled in afterwards!).

I don't know where you are talking about, but I suggest you should be able to spend a lot more time in the air than 2% of your time working there.

Best of luck!

Flyaways

Apologies Oxo, I meant 24 hours per 30 minute flying lesson.

I said 48 because when I was working it out I made it to 48 hours for an hours lesson.

I have to do 24 hours for 30 minutes which is 48 hours for an hours lesson. This is the same as being paid about £3 an hour which is about minimum wage for my age anyway.

Obviously the flying school is winning here because it doesn't cost them £150 for a lesson- this is the 'retail' price of the lesson. Probably costs then a few £10's less, although i'm not sure exactly.

Stickandrudderman- I visited them a few days ago to discuss it but they kinda signed me up any way. I've got my first 'volunteering' shift soon so I can see if I should actually start it. I've not signed anything yet so as far as i'm concerned i'm not actually working there yet so I can drop out at any time. I'm interested in being out on the field washing and helping to maintain the planes so if they base me in the restaurant all the time I may find myself a little part time job that would fund it better.

I had a part time job a while back and I earned just short of £200 a month working weekends. That would mean I could afford one 1h lesson a month. On this scheme, I could get two 30 mins (1h) lessons a month working weekends again. So it works out roughly the same when you consider the hours of the volunteering and hours of the p-t job.

riverrock83 thanks for that link. I'll do some maths to ensure i'm getting at least the minimum wage, if not i'll let them know and hopefully they may change it a bit

I'm not aware of any simulators so I don't think they do have one. I'll try and get as much experience out of it as possible with the ways you suggested. I'll post a few updates on here once in a while.

tomtytom

Its a good idea if you can get on a school roster. You'll meet and talk to a ride range of people and pilots. Our school/club offer 5min for every hour i think. Hourly rental is £145 for c172

darkroomsource

If you do this right, and have the right attitude, your volunteering will work out to far more value than £3/hour.

First, you'll be getting flight training, but you'll also be getting to know every plane owner at the field, every mechanic, every person associated with that field in any way. And if you've got the right attitude about it all (and by the sound of your post you do), you'll be ingratiating yourself with all of these people.

Some of them will be willing (after they've known you for a while) to take you flying, but also, some of them might be interested in having you work for them in whatever capacity, once they know you.

A good business owner is always looking for people with the right attitude, jobs can be 'made' for those with the right attitude.

Outside of your volunteering time, you may find the opportunity to wash a few airframes (and either get tipped or paid or time in the air with them).

And as above, whenever there's a cfi or experience pilot sitting around (and you're not doing chores), have a chat, let them pass on experiences and knowledge, many would love the opportunity to enlighten a young enthusiastic pilot.

Flyaways

Thanks Darkroomsource. They said it is a mix of working in the restaurant as well as washing planes and working out on the field. I've got a level 2 diploma in Engineering so hopefully they will realise that I'll be more use out on the field helping the engineers/ dealing with the planes instead of serving in the restaurant.

I'm not sure how much work they would want me to do- if I assume that if I was in the restaurant I would have to stand and wait for customers all day, but I guess if I am on the field I may just be going round doing odd jobs, and i'll try and offer to wash owners planes for them or ask them if they would like me to do anything.