Which flying school?
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 8
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From: england
Which flying school?
Hi Guys,
Basically I am hoping to start my EASA-PPL course very soon. I am 15 years old and i live in uk (Berkshire) and my chosen flying club is
'West London Aero Club' Aircraft Rates - West London Aero Club
and they charge £8126.00 (upront normally) However they offered us that we can pay it in 2 months so month '1' 4k and so on. So as my dad cant afford to get that much amount of money in very little time also i've been told the number one rule is to never pay a flying club upfront., So we asked them whether it is payable within a period of 12 months and that would workout £677.00 a month. And for some reason they declined, they are losing valuable passionate customers, i mean any business minded company will never decline that offer, then we also asked them for an alternative. E.g. the whole sum payable withing 4 months. So 2k, 2k , 2k etc. Declined aswell. I am very heartbroken at the moment i really like WLAC and my instructor there as well I will miss him if i go to Booker in Wycombe (Airways Flying Club) now i do not know what they are like and im hoping to pay them a visit this week. I mean every single other school i rang up they all said we can pay in installments, it seems to be only WLAC
. Wycombe Air Park | Wycombe Air Park
my dad wrote wlac a letter and we have not even received a reply its been a week and a half now. Even my instructor tried speaking to the owner and managers. Is Booker perhaps better than WLAC?? The main thing I will miss is my instructor. Also booker's deal with us was that For every £1000.00 we put on account they give us a 3% advance payment credit as long as our account is clear. Now I have no idea what this means?
Thanks people, I know this thread must be abit wierd but i have noone else to talk to because noone else understands me and how much saddened i am at the moment
Basically I am hoping to start my EASA-PPL course very soon. I am 15 years old and i live in uk (Berkshire) and my chosen flying club is
'West London Aero Club' Aircraft Rates - West London Aero Club
and they charge £8126.00 (upront normally) However they offered us that we can pay it in 2 months so month '1' 4k and so on. So as my dad cant afford to get that much amount of money in very little time also i've been told the number one rule is to never pay a flying club upfront., So we asked them whether it is payable within a period of 12 months and that would workout £677.00 a month. And for some reason they declined, they are losing valuable passionate customers, i mean any business minded company will never decline that offer, then we also asked them for an alternative. E.g. the whole sum payable withing 4 months. So 2k, 2k , 2k etc. Declined aswell. I am very heartbroken at the moment i really like WLAC and my instructor there as well I will miss him if i go to Booker in Wycombe (Airways Flying Club) now i do not know what they are like and im hoping to pay them a visit this week. I mean every single other school i rang up they all said we can pay in installments, it seems to be only WLAC
. Wycombe Air Park | Wycombe Air Parkmy dad wrote wlac a letter and we have not even received a reply its been a week and a half now. Even my instructor tried speaking to the owner and managers. Is Booker perhaps better than WLAC?? The main thing I will miss is my instructor. Also booker's deal with us was that For every £1000.00 we put on account they give us a 3% advance payment credit as long as our account is clear. Now I have no idea what this means?
Thanks people, I know this thread must be abit wierd but i have noone else to talk to because noone else understands me and how much saddened i am at the moment
Joined: Aug 1998
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 14
From: London, UK
The page you have linked to lists hourly rates for dual instruction ie pay-as-you-go. You don't need to pay up front in big lumps.
The up-front price quoted probably gives overall a slight discount compared to paying for each lesson as you take it. However it is safer to pay lesson by lesson.
The up-front price quoted probably gives overall a slight discount compared to paying for each lesson as you take it. However it is safer to pay lesson by lesson.
Last edited by Groundloop; 19th February 2013 at 11:43.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 523
Likes: 1
From: Kent
If you're considering Booker then I would definitely take a look at The Pilot Centre.
Very friendly, much cheaper and only a few minutes down the motorway from Booker.
OC619
Very friendly, much cheaper and only a few minutes down the motorway from Booker.
OC619
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 643
Likes: 0
From: Glasgow
Since you can't get a PPL until you are 17 (solo at 16), its going to take you more than a year to complete. You really don't want a flying school to be holding on to all that money for that length of time.
Ask them about "Pay as you Go".
I don't know anything about Booker, but it sounds like a Pay As You Go scheme, but instead of paying each time you finish a lesson, you charge up an "account" in advance. By paying through the account they are putting 3% bonus money into the account when you put your money in.
Just don't top it up too much / keep too high a balance as you'll end up with the same issue as a pay up front scheme.
Ask them about "Pay as you Go".
I don't know anything about Booker, but it sounds like a Pay As You Go scheme, but instead of paying each time you finish a lesson, you charge up an "account" in advance. By paying through the account they are putting 3% bonus money into the account when you put your money in.
Just don't top it up too much / keep too high a balance as you'll end up with the same issue as a pay up front scheme.
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: South-East, United Kingdom
You could try Panshanger Airfield (North London Flying School), near Welwyn Garden City.
I wouldnt pay anything up front and only pay as you go. Flying isnt cheap, and the money saved will be negligable and the money lost if they go bust will be devastating. If anyone is any way a bit 'funny' about this, give them a wide berth.
And you will get over your bond with your instructor. If you do a PPL over a course of a year or so, you might end up with 2 or 3 instructors and many different aircraft (most people usually have an affinity for one of the club fleet), but thats just how it goes...
I wouldnt pay anything up front and only pay as you go. Flying isnt cheap, and the money saved will be negligable and the money lost if they go bust will be devastating. If anyone is any way a bit 'funny' about this, give them a wide berth.
And you will get over your bond with your instructor. If you do a PPL over a course of a year or so, you might end up with 2 or 3 instructors and many different aircraft (most people usually have an affinity for one of the club fleet), but thats just how it goes...
Last edited by piperarcher; 19th February 2013 at 13:51.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
From: lancs.UK
At 15 years, you are old enough to get a part-time job! This would broaden your understanding of financial matters and help you to understand the sacrifice you are expecting from your parents.
Your lack of awareness of the intricacies of the various funding-options and the importance you place on having a specific instructor,say a lot about your youth,naivite and inexperience.
Spend some time reading the course-books such as the Trevor Thom series...Nav. will tie-in with your schoolwork maths/geometry/trig.
Technical will tie in with Physics...Human Performance -biology.
Weather-Geography.
Air-law is dreary ,dry but necessary r/t-well, save up (that job again!)
buy a hand-held tx/rx and listen in...learn the "patter", what it all means,how it relates.
You have a good few month's serious study ahead of you ,so why not use it to do the donkey work and put yourself in a first-class position to take advantage of those very expensive FLYING lessons.
RULE 1 NEVER,EVER pay up front UNLESS you can afford to lose what you have staked.
The "discount" or "bonus" rarely reflects the value of the risk...if it's too good to be true....that's because it IS.
Sorry, I've tried not to be negative and dampen your enthusiasm, but I get the impression that your family doesn't have a bucket of cash to indulge you in your passion,so just trying to make you step back and reassess your way forward. .
Your lack of awareness of the intricacies of the various funding-options and the importance you place on having a specific instructor,say a lot about your youth,naivite and inexperience.
Spend some time reading the course-books such as the Trevor Thom series...Nav. will tie-in with your schoolwork maths/geometry/trig.
Technical will tie in with Physics...Human Performance -biology.
Weather-Geography.
Air-law is dreary ,dry but necessary r/t-well, save up (that job again!)
buy a hand-held tx/rx and listen in...learn the "patter", what it all means,how it relates.
You have a good few month's serious study ahead of you ,so why not use it to do the donkey work and put yourself in a first-class position to take advantage of those very expensive FLYING lessons.
RULE 1 NEVER,EVER pay up front UNLESS you can afford to lose what you have staked.
The "discount" or "bonus" rarely reflects the value of the risk...if it's too good to be true....that's because it IS.
Sorry, I've tried not to be negative and dampen your enthusiasm, but I get the impression that your family doesn't have a bucket of cash to indulge you in your passion,so just trying to make you step back and reassess your way forward. .
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 2
From: north of barlu
Lucky Boy !
You are very lucky to have two of the best flying training providers on your doorstep, I'm sure that pay as you go would be an option at both White Waltham and Booker.
The most important thing at the stage of your training is the quality, both of the establishments you mention will provide that quality at a price that is not far above that of some others mentioned above.
The other thing that I always say is don't pay up front but these two companies are the exception to the rule, they have a long history of being financially stable, even so it is worthwhile only giving them enough money to secure a reasonable discount.
The most important thing at the stage of your training is the quality, both of the establishments you mention will provide that quality at a price that is not far above that of some others mentioned above.
The other thing that I always say is don't pay up front but these two companies are the exception to the rule, they have a long history of being financially stable, even so it is worthwhile only giving them enough money to secure a reasonable discount.
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
From: Barbados
Credit Cards
It is possible to "pay up front" and be protected in the UK.
Pay with a credit card - the Consumer Credit Act makes the card issuer equally liable, so the risk of losing ones cash disappears.
Even if the school want to add the card co's 2.5% it'still worth it if the hourly cost is then fixed until completion of course.
Agree very odd that they won't consider an extended payment schedule. Of course if the offer a significant discount for advance payment it would be unreasonable to expect the same discount with an extended payment schedule.
Other than that UK credit card thing do not pay up front - I got burned by an outfit in Florida in 1990 (Treasure Coast based at Stuart) took twenty years until the opportunity to complete arose - now flying out of TBPB in my own airplane every chance I get - the "missing" twenty years are a source of regret - so if you have one chanceon't risk it for a small discount off of the cost of the course.
Pay with a credit card - the Consumer Credit Act makes the card issuer equally liable, so the risk of losing ones cash disappears.
Even if the school want to add the card co's 2.5% it'still worth it if the hourly cost is then fixed until completion of course.
Agree very odd that they won't consider an extended payment schedule. Of course if the offer a significant discount for advance payment it would be unreasonable to expect the same discount with an extended payment schedule.
Other than that UK credit card thing do not pay up front - I got burned by an outfit in Florida in 1990 (Treasure Coast based at Stuart) took twenty years until the opportunity to complete arose - now flying out of TBPB in my own airplane every chance I get - the "missing" twenty years are a source of regret - so if you have one chanceon't risk it for a small discount off of the cost of the course.
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Spain
Pay as you go is the best option, and you'll be more than fully protected if you have a contractual agreement with the school. My comment, though, is more to encourage and congratulate you for starting so early. Well done!
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: East Midlands, UK
You need to make yourself a valuable customer.
At the moment, they see you are very interested in flying with them and don't want to go elsewhere. That puts you at a disadvantage.
If you go in there and tell them you will be paying monthly or 'pay as you go' and tell them to take it or leave it. Once you walk out of that door, the deal is off and you won't be taking lessons with them. If that happens, they've just lost £8k due to a fault of their own. £8k is just the start. Your lifetime value for the flying school is huge. You're only 15 so think how much money they can get from you during your lifetime, though lessons, plane hire, cafe, recommendations etc.
If they accept then you can be happy!
At the moment, they see you are very interested in flying with them and don't want to go elsewhere. That puts you at a disadvantage.
If you go in there and tell them you will be paying monthly or 'pay as you go' and tell them to take it or leave it. Once you walk out of that door, the deal is off and you won't be taking lessons with them. If that happens, they've just lost £8k due to a fault of their own. £8k is just the start. Your lifetime value for the flying school is huge. You're only 15 so think how much money they can get from you during your lifetime, though lessons, plane hire, cafe, recommendations etc.
If they accept then you can be happy!
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 5,197
Likes: 1
From: UK
Have you seen this thread?
You have just over a week to apply.
BTW, if you do, I suggest you take care over your grammar and spelling. It will help to create a good impression.
H.
You have just over a week to apply.
BTW, if you do, I suggest you take care over your grammar and spelling. It will help to create a good impression.
H.
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Berkshire
WLAC rates
I did my PPL at WLAC and there are a whole raft of options available payment wise as shown on the website.
You can pay as you go, buy a number of hours (5 or 10 hour anytime are on the list) or as you say pay the lot up front.
It sounds as if there has been some misunderstanding. What you won't be able to do is pay in parts and get the same discount & benefits as if you paid in one lump. If you buy the whole package you get the discount rate AND the exams included. Not saying that's a reason why you have to go that way
.
I've paid them in pretty much all the different ways on the list with no arguments or problems... go in and speak to Ops rather than wait for a reply to a letter. It does sound like the problem you are having is that you are trying to arrange a bespoke finance agreement... "give me the price and benefits of paying in full upfront and I'll pay you in installments." It's worth asking but you can't be too offended if they say no!
Best of luck wherever you choose!
You can pay as you go, buy a number of hours (5 or 10 hour anytime are on the list) or as you say pay the lot up front.
It sounds as if there has been some misunderstanding. What you won't be able to do is pay in parts and get the same discount & benefits as if you paid in one lump. If you buy the whole package you get the discount rate AND the exams included. Not saying that's a reason why you have to go that way
.I've paid them in pretty much all the different ways on the list with no arguments or problems... go in and speak to Ops rather than wait for a reply to a letter. It does sound like the problem you are having is that you are trying to arrange a bespoke finance agreement... "give me the price and benefits of paying in full upfront and I'll pay you in installments." It's worth asking but you can't be too offended if they say no!
Best of luck wherever you choose!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in Southern England
I did my CPL and Instructor training at WLAC in 1991 and they were then and, as far as I know, now a highly successful and viable organisation. However one only has to look at the number of "high street" brands that have gone into administration to realise that previous results do not guarantee future performance.
The flying training industry is littered with companies that have failed dramatically having been previously successful. I would urge anyone who is undergoing flying training (no matter through which organisation) to only "pay as you go".
If you have the money to pay up-front then put it in a bank account that provides instant access and the best rate of interest and "draw down" from that account to meet your flying costs. The interest will closely match the discount which you are offered and your money will be safe.
I would add that when I was the CFI of a flying school I used to give the same advice to any prospective customers who wished to pay "up-front".
The flying training industry is littered with companies that have failed dramatically having been previously successful. I would urge anyone who is undergoing flying training (no matter through which organisation) to only "pay as you go".
If you have the money to pay up-front then put it in a bank account that provides instant access and the best rate of interest and "draw down" from that account to meet your flying costs. The interest will closely match the discount which you are offered and your money will be safe.
I would add that when I was the CFI of a flying school I used to give the same advice to any prospective customers who wished to pay "up-front".
