Hi stevensanph. Welcome to our world! If you're not already familiar with the basics, the article 'How do we fly the plane' might be useful to you. Good luck with whichever route (metaphorically and physically) that you choose.

Personally I would go for the full PPL. The capital cost of a C152 or PA38 is much less than that of an EV97 or C42 so although they're likely to be older and shabbier the cost per training hour isn't that much more and it does offer you more flexibility in the future: it's always going to be easier to step down than to step up. The PPL is also more expensive than an NPPL partly because it includes more hours of instrument flying. Training is fun in itsself. Sure, it's nice to finally get your license and set off on your own steam, but it isn't as if the extra hours of training aren't enjoyable as well. If they aren't, then there's something wrong.

An NPPL may let you fly an aircraft through the Phillipines. I don't know. But basing a local aircraft there and licensing it is another matter. And whatever the rules are now, your question is 'what will the rules be in a decade?'

My impression is that the low end group A permit aircraft on AFORS are generally cheaper and more capable than the 3 axis microlights.

I've removed the glider vs. power posts because a) it's off topic and b) such bickering does no-one any credit.

SD

Thanks for the action - and even more thanks for keeping us informed. Not that I consider all removed postings as bickering, but the limit has to be somewhere.

Thanks all.

I have booked in for a trial lesson at Cumbernauld with Border air. After that I'll try a lesson on 3axis either at Balado or Strathaven (or maybe both! - decided Perth was just a little too far for me) and see what I like best and fits with the budget for future flying! Will update you all on my progress...

Id make the trip up to Perth if I was you, at least for a look - its not that much further and its a very well organised, busy airfield with lots of variety's of aircraft coming and going

Well I had my first go of a Cessna this morning at a somewhat breezy Cumbernauld with Border Air. Absolutely loved it.
Discussed at length with the instructor and another student the merits of going for the different licences (the other student had switched from 3 axis after 10 hours to learn on the Piper) and the overwhelming recommendation was to learn on an EASA aircraft, as you'll end up with far more choice and freedom. Both also pointed out that you'll get far more flying in a Cessna/Piper as compared to a 3axis due to the lovely Scottish weather.

So if I go for the LAPL or PPL, it makes sense to do so at Cumbernauld as its 15 mins away. I liked the instructor. But should I still go and try another place - just for comparison?

One other question - border air offer quite a good package discount for booking the whole training upfront - but the golden rule here seems to be DON'T. Why?

Jeez..............

You have three choices.

1 Read loads of advice on here, and horror stories about people who have paid up front.
2 Just take our word for it, you should not pay up front.
3 Promise us to come back and tell us how it worked out for you.

Also bear in mind, that if you were truly smarter than all the folk who have been stung..... would you have come here asking questions in the first place?

The advice to not pay up front is not a reflection on the current proprietors or staff of any school, just remember that we all say don't do it, and surely we can't all be wrong.

Two reasons.

One is that flying schools are continually going bust, in which case you're likely to lose a sum of money that is, for most people, quite a lot.

Second reason is that you then become a 'captive' customer and may find that pay-as-you-go customers are favoured, for example if there is nice weather and everybody wants to have a lesson at the same time.

I bought my training in blocks of 5 or 10 hours which seemed to me to be a decent compromise.

We absolutely refuse to take money 'up-front', apart from Trial Lesson vouchers. It's not just a case of schools going bust, it's the being tied in when your circumstances change or you feel you'd just rather learn somewhere else. The cost per hour is calculated to cover all existing and anticipated future costs and is the same for casual hirers, Club members or students learning for a licence or additional rating. We're a not-for-profit Club run by volunteers so don't have any Owners or shareholders to feed.

Likewise we don't offer credit. Flying is paid for on a daily basis before the hirer leaves the premises.

TOO

If your instructor is great, professional and yet not the right person to teach YOU, (which often happens,) you need to be free to take your custom elsewhere which you cannot do if you have already handed over the money. Suppose the club plane gets pranged (which happens) and the repairs take months (which also happens) and you have no means of staying current.

Never pay CASH upfront because: If the school goes bust, you lose your money.

However, if the school offers you a discount (and the school takes credit cards), then go for it. It is now illegal to charge people extra for paying by credit card.

Choose your right card and you can get hotel points, airline points or even simple cashback!

Of course schools can be victims too: gift voucher agency Gift Experience Scotland has recently gone under, taking quite a few people's cash with them. And we won't get paid for two people who flew with us.

ps. One has to ask, why would a school give you a 5% discount? There is nowhere I can get 5% on my cash over a year, and the effective discount rate for someone giving me a year's money up front and using it evenly over 12 months would probably be more than 10% ! The school would need to be overcharging, or in desperate need of cash?

o no upfront payment here either, and no discounts.