Is PPL worth it - ongoing costs?
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Nottingham
Age: 40
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Is PPL worth it - ongoing costs?
The love of aviation and flying is not in doubt for me and learning to fly has always been a dream. I am now 30 years old with no commitments so I have started to seriously think about doing a PPL here in the UK. I could just about afford the money to do the course by selling some things and putting up some spare cash. The problem I have in my mind is when I've finished the PPL I'm really very unsure if I will have the spare cash to be able to fly for fun. With this in mind would you say doing a PPL is worthwhile or would I be better off leaving it for a few years until I am sure I will have the cash to be able to do lots of flying after I do the course?
What has everyone else gone on to do immediately post-PPL?
Andy
What has everyone else gone on to do immediately post-PPL?
Andy
I've been adding and learning ever since my first solo 22 years ago. I think that either you enjoy flying, and learning about improving your flying, enough to keep finding ways and reasons, or you don't.
But the dream is for just about everybody, built upon actually flying, not on sitting on the ground looking up.
For me, the next step after getting my first PPL was to buy a share in an aeroplane, and start getting to know it, and using it properly in the way that aeroplanes should be used - that is going places, or fettling, or just enjoying the freedom of the skies. But not just learning to fly or doing a metered 60 minutes out and back from home base.
G
But the dream is for just about everybody, built upon actually flying, not on sitting on the ground looking up.
For me, the next step after getting my first PPL was to buy a share in an aeroplane, and start getting to know it, and using it properly in the way that aeroplanes should be used - that is going places, or fettling, or just enjoying the freedom of the skies. But not just learning to fly or doing a metered 60 minutes out and back from home base.
G
Join Date: Mar 2013
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I'm in a similar position to you (and location by the looks of it!). I'm about 20 hours in to my PPL training now and some months are harder to justify financially than others and I expect that will be true once I've got my licence. In reality sooner or later life will probably get in the way and I'l stop flying for some time, maybe forever. I love learning this, I'm enjoying it for its own sake and that, to me, is worth every penny.
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Cenus_ Yep looks like we are in the same city. Who are you doing your PPL with?
I am just about to complete a scuba diving course and I been training for for the least 6 months and I have loved the challenge and satisfaction of learning a completely new skill. Part of me wants to do a PPL for the same reasons. I love learning new things, especially technical ones, and feel I would really enjoy doing a PPL.
It's just the costs are much higher than diving! The diving course cost me £300 and will cost about £20 if I want to go for a days diving. A PPL would probably cost the best part of £10K and about £120 an hour to fly for fun once qualified!
I am just about to complete a scuba diving course and I been training for for the least 6 months and I have loved the challenge and satisfaction of learning a completely new skill. Part of me wants to do a PPL for the same reasons. I love learning new things, especially technical ones, and feel I would really enjoy doing a PPL.
It's just the costs are much higher than diving! The diving course cost me £300 and will cost about £20 if I want to go for a days diving. A PPL would probably cost the best part of £10K and about £120 an hour to fly for fun once qualified!
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You don't have to pay £120 an hour to fly post licence, with a share you can fly an economical type for £25-£35 an hour 
and cost share to make it half that
True you will have some capital tied up and there will be a monthly fee, probably of around £40-60 a month but it's the way to go if you want to do loads of flying rather than just the minimum needed to keep your licence.
You could get a microlight NPPL and a share in a modern fixed wing microlight for the same cost as a PPL.
and cost share to make it half that True you will have some capital tied up and there will be a monthly fee, probably of around £40-60 a month but it's the way to go if you want to do loads of flying rather than just the minimum needed to keep your licence.
You could get a microlight NPPL and a share in a modern fixed wing microlight for the same cost as a PPL.
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there are two types of people in aviation.
the type who succeed in private flying ignore the cost and go and pursue it and enjoy all the trials and tribulations along the way.
an allied consideration is 'how on earth can you afford to buy an aeroplane?"
answer is similar. want to own an aeroplane and eventually it will happen.
....because in both cases you start to prioritise life and expenditures to make what you want happen.
the other type we all wish would bugger off because their endless worrying about the costs just gets everyone depressed.
decide which type you are and work from there. (close the door as you go)
the type who succeed in private flying ignore the cost and go and pursue it and enjoy all the trials and tribulations along the way.
an allied consideration is 'how on earth can you afford to buy an aeroplane?"
answer is similar. want to own an aeroplane and eventually it will happen.
....because in both cases you start to prioritise life and expenditures to make what you want happen.
the other type we all wish would bugger off because their endless worrying about the costs just gets everyone depressed.
decide which type you are and work from there. (close the door as you go
)
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As it happens we have a computerised paying system at our place that logs every flight you've ever done and the cost. I've spent around 22K in the last three years, that includes PPL, night, IMC and 250 hrs total, 190 hrs P1. Factor in about 7K in cost sharing and I would put the actual cost at around 15k, or 5K a year. However a lot of that was spent on training in the first year. I budget £300 a month for flying and got around 55 hrs in the last year for that.
Our club rates are on the cheaper side, a four seater with a couple of mates on board costs me £33 an hour or £50 with one mate. I hardly ever fly on my own. It can be done. I glide as well so powered for me is all about getting to the airfield at 7am and going somewhere for the day. For the sheer joy of flying then gliding is a no brainer on cost and pilot involvement, but you can't put a couple of pals in a glider and go to Dublin for breakfast.
Our club rates are on the cheaper side, a four seater with a couple of mates on board costs me £33 an hour or £50 with one mate. I hardly ever fly on my own. It can be done. I glide as well so powered for me is all about getting to the airfield at 7am and going somewhere for the day. For the sheer joy of flying then gliding is a no brainer on cost and pilot involvement, but you can't put a couple of pals in a glider and go to Dublin for breakfast.
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Very true, W8. Always a trade-off you can make, whatever your stage of life.
The one I love these days is 'how can you afford an aeroplane?' coming from the guy who drives the latest and brightest SUV! It's true my periodic maintenance costs are (probably) higher, but in terms of sunk capital and fuel, I'm no worse off than him.
I have a very effective way of dealing with the maintenance, too. Do whatever maintenance you're allowed yourself, find a good LAME, and have a big folder into which you place all the aircraft financial records. Do not look in this folder.
The one I love these days is 'how can you afford an aeroplane?' coming from the guy who drives the latest and brightest SUV! It's true my periodic maintenance costs are (probably) higher, but in terms of sunk capital and fuel, I'm no worse off than him.
I have a very effective way of dealing with the maintenance, too. Do whatever maintenance you're allowed yourself, find a good LAME, and have a big folder into which you place all the aircraft financial records. Do not look in this folder.
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and have a big folder into which you place all the aircraft financial records. Do not look in this folder.
The car analogy is very good. I was looking at an Auster painted up in wartime colours the other day at an airfield. I said to my mate that I would love one of those but could never afford one. He pointed out that I could probably buy two for the same cost as my car...But then you use your car everyday and it's an essential without which I couldn't do my job. I always look on aircraft as being a luxury. Which I suppose they are really.
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If you go LAA you can get a share in a Jodel for around £3k, flying will then be around £30 per hour and £30 a month. You will get the £3k back when you sell. If this is out of your price range then, with respect, you will give up flying within 18months of getting your license.
Rod1
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You never start flying because it adds up.
You start and keep flying because you love it. The cost is only the beginning, there's the sitting round airfields all day waiting for the Wx. Time commitment is massive.
You start and keep flying because you love it. The cost is only the beginning, there's the sitting round airfields all day waiting for the Wx. Time commitment is massive.
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You entered the dream of piloting at an age when total revenue for a PPL is not to be considered. If you were 20 years older, you could start to think like "spending 10-15k on a license plus annual costs to stay current - is it worth", but, MAN, you are soo young. If you feel you want to fly, GO AND DO. I had a really airyear, closed my company because of the current recession 2.0 and decided to simply go, fly for a year and after that, start to rethink. Nobody will ever be able to pull my memories of these 12 month. It was not so much of airtime, only about 250hs during that year, but I met people and countrysides of Europe I really enjoyed. Flying with the venerable 172 I bought for cheap money and given the fact, that I spent about 150 Euro/hour total costs, up to now and assuming the flying bee is now worth nothing, while still taking me from A to B, I do not regret any penny I spent. I may forget, but the feeling and change remains. Given the fact I am 10+X older, I feel sorry, if you don't feel your youth!
the type who succeed in private flying ignore the cost and go and pursue it and enjoy all the trials and tribulations along the way.
Hangared, run on mogas, LAA permit, making a profit for engine fund at these prices. I'm waiting for a reply regarding night flying, in the light of the CAA allowing the LAA to permit this from April 2014.
£4302.60 for 71.7 tach hours in 2013.
I donated a ppl to myself when i turned 40, 11 years ago. Here, that cost me around 8000 £. It's been worth it! All the trips to remote airstrips with the family and friends. I'm paying 140 £ for a tacho hour. A week ago i put a long lasting smile on the face of a 12 year old son of a colleague giving him an experience that he'll never forget. I've taken a now F16 pilot on his first motorized flight and he still owes me a trip in his type of aircraft. Go for it!
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Why do your PPL as a course, why not start taking a few lessons and see how it goes. Flying once every week or two may take longer but you will get more of a chance to see if flying is for you. Paying as you go also lets you prepare for the on-going costs. Sure after your PPL you may be able to fly for cheaper per hour, but you may find yourself flying for longer. Also the aircraft that excites you may not be the cheapest. At the end of the day what is 20hours either way.
Flying is not really about before and after PPL but the start of hopefully a lifelong experience which starts with your first flight. And after your first solo, you have been PIC and no-one can take that from you, so that is a great initial goal.
I saw this video posted online today; it was it on TV when I was about 12. It was posted as an 80s ad, but I thought it was cool then and I think it looks cool now. The airforce would never have suited me and the jets have been gone for over a decade, but as for flying, 12 year old me knew the truth, there is no choice really.
Sing with me. The sky is the limit ..
Flying is not really about before and after PPL but the start of hopefully a lifelong experience which starts with your first flight. And after your first solo, you have been PIC and no-one can take that from you, so that is a great initial goal.
I saw this video posted online today; it was it on TV when I was about 12. It was posted as an 80s ad, but I thought it was cool then and I think it looks cool now. The airforce would never have suited me and the jets have been gone for over a decade, but as for flying, 12 year old me knew the truth, there is no choice really.
Sing with me. The sky is the limit ..
Last edited by 500ft; 29th May 2014 at 06:14.
Have you considered Microlights...some very very nice micros about nowadays...and also some very affordable ones as well,
You should be able to afford to buy your own with the mega dosh you could save getting your licence.
You should be able to afford to buy your own with the mega dosh you could save getting your licence.