Cheap flying
 

Hello All
I have been a silly billy and got myself lumbered with a big mortgage (oh, and a fiancee too!). Unfortunately, whilst this has got me a nice house I have am now too skint at the moment to afford to fly as I have been doing up to date : fixed wing SEP.:{ I have also selected the optional extra of "irony" (at no cost) as I now find myself living just outside of the Elstree ATZ:ugh:
Can anyone provide any bright ideas about cheap ways of staying in the air? I have thought about getting a share in a cheap aircraft, however I am not in the position of investing a wedge of capital.
What do you think about the costs to convert to gliding or microlighting? I have looked up the cost of lessons and they still seem to be in the SEP ballpark, verging on £100 - this would only make sense if the transition from SEP would be quite fast.
Any bright ideas welcome!
Cheers,
BB

Re: Cheap flying
 

I believe there is at least one 'no capital' group/aeroplane operating out of Elstree.

I understand you can fly Microlights on your PPL SEP; some conversion training is recommended though even if you stick to 3-axis microlights.

Gliding is cheapish but very time costly, I suspect that the big mortgage also means 'not too much spare time!'

Alternatives are glider tugging (although a lot of them do like you to have gliding experience} and hauling parachutists.

Re: Cheap flying
 

there's two very good groups at elstree, neither charge any upfront fees or a monthly fee.

LeisureFlight (PA28's £90/tacho hour and once you do 4 hours in a month you just pay for the fuel for the next 6)

Lion Flying group (C172 + PA38 - £90/£66 respectively)

both have websites so have a look around.

That's pretty much the best that Elstree offers.

Re: Cheap flying
 

What about buying something decidely cheap but usable - a Rans Sakota for example? A share in a Jodel is another option - both PFA, both cheap to run & maintain!

Catch is they're both taildraggers...

Re: Cheap flying
 

I always thought that it was grammatical inexactitude :confused: to use the words 'cheap' and 'flying' in the same sentence.

However, there is also a no-friull, no capital group at North weald too, if you don't fancy Elstree. PM me for details.

Re: Cheap flying
 

Evening all, apologies for pushing in here but since we’re on the subject, does anyone know of any shares/low capital investment (preferably no capital!!) groups in the Blackbushe area? I’m also looking at finding a “cheaper” way of flying………..if there is such a thing! Any help is much appreciated.

Cheers :ok:

Re: Cheap flying
 

Bluebeard,

Easy, get shot of the big mortgage...................and show the fiancee the door too! :ok:

Seriously though, when we first met up we were but young gents, and a life of flying lay ahead of us. But then relationships develop, mortgages start to cost silly money and kids (in my case) come along, and flying is well stuffed.

Welcome to the real world! :{ :{ :{

Re: Cheap flying
 

This is where I get confused.

You too can travel at 100mph with a friend in a beautifully balanced and capable aircraft.

Your fuel cost would be no more than £15 per hour and your annual maintenance bills would cost less than 4 Indian meals with a friend.

You might not be able to fly at night or through cloud but does that REALLY bother you?

Your aircraft would not lose you money and it might well gradually appreciate over time.

To buy this aircraft with one friend would cost you £4/day and after a period of time similar to the time it takes to achive a PPL you would have paid for it.

Is flying really that expensive?:hmm:

Re: Cheap flying
 

Paris Dakar - good to hear from you mate, Happy New Year!:ok: Ah yes, thems were the days..am a little fatter and greyer as well, to boot:eek:

Thanks to all and sundry for the fine advice - I have actually just left the North Weald group (very good it is too - highly recommended). I have also checked out a group at Elstree and it also looks good, but I'm after something even cheaper, hence the nod towards microlighting.

Monocock, what is this beast you are referring to that I can buy for £1500 with a mate!?

Re: Cheap flying
 

PFA types on a farmstrip. Dead cheap outside the SE, where nothing is cheap.

QDM

Re: Cheap flying
 

Bluebeard - check your PM's

Re: Cheap flying
 

So that's £84 each?

Re: Cheap flying
 

Ok, I suppose if you go and do the "cornflake packet" USA route then you are right but you know what I'm getting at.

Re: Cheap flying
 

Monocock,
As I was one of those who went the I haven't the faintest idea what your sums add up to...............would you like to enlighten me, or is it reserved only for those who learned to fly in blighty?

Re: Cheap flying
 

If there is anyone on these pages that fancies becoming the other half owner of the type that Monocock describes and who lives in the Brighton/Newhaven/Seaford area I would love to hear from you.

Re: Cheap flying
 

Now, now Monocock. There's no need to get snipey just because some people spent half the money and 1/20th of the time getting excactly the same qualification you did.:E

I'm with Mr Dakar - you do seem a bit reluctant to give details. Why so?

Re: Cheap flying
 

I too crave enlightenment, please reveal

Re: Cheap flying
 

Play fair Mono ;)

Not sure where he gets his £4 a day from, but it is mighty cheap compared to club/school rental rates when spread over a period of time.

I recently did the sums and over a 5 year period it would pay me to go for the type Mono is on about, even on group rates - unfortunately the recent ex has put paid to having a whole one to myself for the time being.
Hence my appeal for anyone happy to go halves!!

Obviously we can't reveal the type or everyone will want one :} :suspect:

Re: Cheap flying
 

have a look at http://www.aeronautique.co.uk/

Blackbushe no capital group
 

Give the flying club at Blackbushe (don't think it was cabair so try the other one whos name escapes me at the mo) a call as they should be able to put you in touch with the right people. A mate of mine joined a no capital group a few months ago. Paid an annual fee which was nominal (think it was in the order of £100), had a checkout with one of the instructors at Blackbushe. Think they have two PA28's (am sure one was G-XENA) at reasonable rates including home landings and online booking. No monthly fees or anything like that either, just pay as you fly with no strings attached.