a bit of training advice needed
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: wrexham
Age: 50
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
a bit of training advice needed
I am currently 34 hrs into my ppl, my next flight is supposed to be the qualifying cross country dry run (with instructor), however due to unforeseen home expenses (boiler problems) I have spent the flying fund!
Do I wait until I have built up enough to continue where I left off, or should I take a few lessons say 1 a month just to keep my hand in so to speak.
I could probably have the funds to do the dry run within a couple of weeks, but I would really rather have the money to do that and the qualifying solo cross country within a few days of each other.
As I am learning for fun rather than any commercial aspirations, I'm not bothered about getting it done quickly and I certainly don't want to go into debt to get it done.
I just think a break of a couple of months or so may do more harm and set me back further than having a few 'refresher' lessons in the mean time, which obviously will put the cross country further away in terms of time.
Any thoughts gratefully received.
Do I wait until I have built up enough to continue where I left off, or should I take a few lessons say 1 a month just to keep my hand in so to speak.
I could probably have the funds to do the dry run within a couple of weeks, but I would really rather have the money to do that and the qualifying solo cross country within a few days of each other.
As I am learning for fun rather than any commercial aspirations, I'm not bothered about getting it done quickly and I certainly don't want to go into debt to get it done.
I just think a break of a couple of months or so may do more harm and set me back further than having a few 'refresher' lessons in the mean time, which obviously will put the cross country further away in terms of time.
Any thoughts gratefully received.
If you are going to put a gap in your training, this is the best time to do it. No need to do any 'Keep your hand in' flying in the meantime, as the dual QXC plus a few circuits, will be refresher enough.
MJ
MJ
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mare Imbrium
Posts: 638
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Try to keep flying as much as you can afford. If you take a break you will get frustrated. The aim should be to enjoy your training (see the eventual licence as just one milestone along the way) - its all flying after all.
MJ's advice is good only if you are training for a purpose and the goal is to get the licence asap. But since you are flying for fun - well then, fly for fun when you can afford it. The funds for the QXC and so on can build up in the meantime. Yes the QXC will be a bit longer away in terms of elapsed time, but don't let that matter.
Are you confident you will have the resources to keep flying once you have qualified?
MJ's advice is good only if you are training for a purpose and the goal is to get the licence asap. But since you are flying for fun - well then, fly for fun when you can afford it. The funds for the QXC and so on can build up in the meantime. Yes the QXC will be a bit longer away in terms of elapsed time, but don't let that matter.
Are you confident you will have the resources to keep flying once you have qualified?
Have you thought about a low rate credit card with monthly repayments? I bet the interest charges overall would be less than the costs involved in refresher hours?
Just saying...
Good luck with it either way..
Just saying...
Good luck with it either way..
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: wrexham
Age: 50
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Up to now i have been flying 2 out of every 3 weeks, and keeping flying is not an issue even if at times its reduced to once every 2 or 3 weeks.
Added to cheaper options which become available once licensed i.e. shares etc, the only thing to take away the resources would be medical problems but that would take away flying privileges anyway.
I thoroughly enjoy the flying im currently doing and am in no rush to finish the training, but i do find myself looking up and wishing i was there so maybe a few flights in the timeim taking to get back on track is the way forward.
I did think about the low rate credit card option, but decided as its a hobby i dont want to go into debt to do it.
Thanks for the input.
Added to cheaper options which become available once licensed i.e. shares etc, the only thing to take away the resources would be medical problems but that would take away flying privileges anyway.
I thoroughly enjoy the flying im currently doing and am in no rush to finish the training, but i do find myself looking up and wishing i was there so maybe a few flights in the timeim taking to get back on track is the way forward.
I did think about the low rate credit card option, but decided as its a hobby i dont want to go into debt to do it.
Thanks for the input.
I suspect the most expensive and long drawn out way to learn to fly is a one hour lesson once a week.
My suggested schedule is two 2 hour slots 5 days a week with a good lunch and book work between.
Figure out your monthly flying budget. You may be better off flying two extended slots one day a month than a single hour once a week.
You will also save a bunch of driving time and mileage which is part of the cost.
A single hour slot tends to be largely consumed by booking, preflight, engine start, taxi, waiting for traffic ahead, transit to practice area followed by the same coming back - resulting in maybe half an hour of real learning.
My suggested schedule is two 2 hour slots 5 days a week with a good lunch and book work between.
Figure out your monthly flying budget. You may be better off flying two extended slots one day a month than a single hour once a week.
You will also save a bunch of driving time and mileage which is part of the cost.
A single hour slot tends to be largely consumed by booking, preflight, engine start, taxi, waiting for traffic ahead, transit to practice area followed by the same coming back - resulting in maybe half an hour of real learning.
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: LHBS
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ha! I had a 9-month break....
Given the addictive nature of flying for pleasure, don't get into debt over it 
this is a slippery road to hell
Regarding long term break in training - I had the misfortune to have a 9-month break away, between solo flights and XC. Reading upon my previous training logs (debriefs, issues, things to focus on), 3 more hours circuit practice put me back to where I left. I was fearing more, but if your learning was fundamentally solid up to your departure, you won't forget what your learnt.
But again, the addictive side of flying is the real problem. I suffered from withdrawal effects and this problem is present even after the training. I also run out of funds often, and I face similar dilemmas - a longer route much later, or a couple of quick circuits to get into the air more frequently. So if you see withdrawal effects on yourself, get into the plane and do some solo/instructor supervised circuits to maintain your regular dose of aviation. Flying is supposed to make you happy, and withdrawal effects work against this, so don't try to optimize funds for "cheapest way to obtain PPL", obey your desires with the little funds you have.
If you are completely out of funds, just visit the hangar and and sit into the plane, or join someone else's training flight as an observer from the back seat. This smooths the "pain"
this is a slippery road to hellRegarding long term break in training - I had the misfortune to have a 9-month break away, between solo flights and XC. Reading upon my previous training logs (debriefs, issues, things to focus on), 3 more hours circuit practice put me back to where I left. I was fearing more, but if your learning was fundamentally solid up to your departure, you won't forget what your learnt.
But again, the addictive side of flying is the real problem. I suffered from withdrawal effects and this problem is present even after the training. I also run out of funds often, and I face similar dilemmas - a longer route much later, or a couple of quick circuits to get into the air more frequently. So if you see withdrawal effects on yourself, get into the plane and do some solo/instructor supervised circuits to maintain your regular dose of aviation. Flying is supposed to make you happy, and withdrawal effects work against this, so don't try to optimize funds for "cheapest way to obtain PPL", obey your desires with the little funds you have.
If you are completely out of funds, just visit the hangar and and sit into the plane, or join someone else's training flight as an observer from the back seat. This smooths the "pain"
