Thankyou for the tips. I understand it's not handed to people on a plate and i always like it when I hear people that made it and don't come from a specific privileged background, but also wouldn't complain if I was lucky enough. I do really want this and just needed to know there is a chance still.

I will try my best, as with most people I'm sure finances are the most difficult as times with the recession where as my dedication to learning to become a pilot doesn't even need to be questioned. Thankyou for the scholarship info and you. Never know I might get picked and if not I will keep trying and trying and in between start learning to fly.

What's recommended? Trial lesson and have lessons when I can afford or actually sign up for licence training.

I know 26 is you g in life but is it still a good age to start flying and maybe if fortunate to go onto further flying of cpl etc one day

Just to add to what hobbit1983 said, some of the airlines occasionally offer sponsorship. Keep a look out for info on some of the other forums on here and elsewhere. I'm not sure what's around at the moment but it's worth checking regularly so you're on the ball as soon as a scheme comes up.

Many gliding clubs (incl. mine) offer a 'Country Membership' where for normally about half the usual fee you can fly a limited number of times a year.

It is intended for non local members who aren't there every weekend and in the case of my club (the best one in the Oxford area!) it's £110 pa for members who live 100+ miles away and limits you to twelve flying days a year.

I've flown at several of your local clubs and these are great clubs, but are commercial organisations offering 7 days a a week facilities which you have to pay for.

Whichever club you fancy, have a trial flight or a mini-course (3 flights) and see how you get on. Winch launch clubs tend to be cheaper obviously so at my club for example, as a member a winch launch costs you £6 and you pay 35p / min for our most expensive club glider. I'm not going to turn this into an advert so PM me if you want more info...

:cool:

I started flying when I was still unemployed after leaving university. I paid for a trial lesson and was re-hooked after flying with the ATC a few years previously. At first people laughed when I asked how I could fly for free, but then people said I could clean their aeroplanes for flying money, and I became a hangar rat as a result. Ultimately I paid about half of the cost of my PPL in real money, the rest was earned on site. I got people to put the money straight into my flying account so it was never spent on anything else. I also worked extra hours. At my busiest, I have had 4 jobs at the same time, one full time and three part time. If you really want it, you'll find a way. If you're daunted by the cost, find another hobby, because no matter which way you look at it, you will need to make sacrifices to fly.