Learning to fly is not a race , I recently received my PPL after taking 2 years + to achieve the goal. You will be faced with cancellations due weather and all manner of other factors. Work and social issues that crop up throughout life.

I stuck to a strict budget and managed a couple of hours per month , if it's going to cripple you financially dont bother. You still need money to exist , I dont drive a flash car , drink or smoke , I'd rather spend it on flying..... Unless you are fortunate you can't have everything. If you have a lesson cancelled throw the money in a tin and save it for the next lesson , "stay on track " , dont blow your money on something else you dont need or want.

Mind you after qualifying , my hourly flying costs have halved ( no instruction now ) and now I maintain the same budget per month but fly twice as much !!!!

Oh and I didn't pay up front :ok:

I'm enjoying the learning process very much and although I don't have the option to do an intensive course I think I'd prefer to spread the experience out.
Obviously sounds like sour grapes (and it probably is) but I wouldn't want to fly 50-60 hours in a few weeks then only an hour or two a month at the most.
I break the golden rule and pay one lesson in advance but that's mainly to get the cash out of circulation and stop anything else taking priority (which is what's delayed my fulfilling my dream so long).

EASA licences need to be done at either an RTF or ATO - depending on how receptive the facility in question may be to training in a shared aircraft there is no reason why it couldn't be arranged relatively easily 'under the auspices' of an ATO/RTF.

...except that training towards an initial licence or rating is governed by other regulations which may prevent the use of a group owned aircraft. See AIC W001/2011.

ifitaint...

Sorry that really winds me up.

As an instructor I did quite well at sales, and it doesn't take much effort, yes 15 mins on the phone dealing with the same questions does get boring. But the punter is going to spend lots of money.

Why oh why to schools let these types on the phone.

Totally agree with MJ about the person who answers the phone. Its basic business sense that the first person a potential customer speaks to needs to be personable, enthusiastic and helpful. But flying schools have too many dreamers and Walter Mitty types running the show (with notable exceptions of course) who couldn't run a proverbial in a brewery. They let the dweebs handle the phone FFS...


Actually what the punter really needs is to talk to an instructor - someone who can pass on their enthusiasm for flying and cover all the points that really are potential barriers to the customer.


We are our own worst enemies sometimes.