PPL in 21 days!?
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PPL in 21 days!?
Hello.
Been looking into various schools over in the states.
There are two schools that say you can complete your PPL in 21 days. While I can get the time off work, I'm not convinced that personally I am capable of completing all the exams and flying in that time.
I've decided to go to ground school over here in the UK and once I have passed a few exams I will apply to one of the courses.
I'm a little unsure about doing this because I don't know weather I can sign up to one of the courses with already having a few exams passed and 5 hours in my log book. Also, what if I went onto one of the courses and still didn't manage to complete all of my training, would I be able to return to my school in the UK and finish off?
Been looking into various schools over in the states.
There are two schools that say you can complete your PPL in 21 days. While I can get the time off work, I'm not convinced that personally I am capable of completing all the exams and flying in that time.
I've decided to go to ground school over here in the UK and once I have passed a few exams I will apply to one of the courses.
I'm a little unsure about doing this because I don't know weather I can sign up to one of the courses with already having a few exams passed and 5 hours in my log book. Also, what if I went onto one of the courses and still didn't manage to complete all of my training, would I be able to return to my school in the UK and finish off?
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187nj,
To answer you question you can mix and match flight schools, but you must have a copy of your student records and exam certificates to take to your new school, so don't worry about that.
I think you have a sensible attitude with regard to the exams. If you can have them all done, it will make you life alot easier with regard to your flying. I did my PPL on one of these 21 day packages, infact I think all the flying was done in just over 2 weeks
. Looking back and knowing what I know now about instructing, it was a little too much. I remember getting through the first few days and thinking I am not sure whether I can cope with this. This simply was the result of being so bloody tired! Anyway, as long as you put the work in and you have the weather, you will be fine and complete the course in the alotted time, but you will be knackered!
Enjoy your flying, it really is good fun.
To answer you question you can mix and match flight schools, but you must have a copy of your student records and exam certificates to take to your new school, so don't worry about that.
I think you have a sensible attitude with regard to the exams. If you can have them all done, it will make you life alot easier with regard to your flying. I did my PPL on one of these 21 day packages, infact I think all the flying was done in just over 2 weeks
. Looking back and knowing what I know now about instructing, it was a little too much. I remember getting through the first few days and thinking I am not sure whether I can cope with this. This simply was the result of being so bloody tired! Anyway, as long as you put the work in and you have the weather, you will be fine and complete the course in the alotted time, but you will be knackered!Enjoy your flying, it really is good fun.
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CAT3C AUTOLAND
Thanks for the help.
What made you so tired?
How many hours per day were you studying for? (inc. gs, flying, exams etc)
I did ask one school if they could send me a student time table but they didn't have any.
Thanks for the help.
What made you so tired?
How many hours per day were you studying for? (inc. gs, flying, exams etc)
I did ask one school if they could send me a student time table but they didn't have any.
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My logbook shows that many years back it took me:
I would say that if weather, aircraft and instructor availabililty, and ability are no issue, I would budget for 30 days. If you study hard / perhaps pass some exams before the 21 days, then certainly 21 days is do-able.
Groundschool was minimal; confuser use was high!
- 4 weeks to do the first stage on a Flying Scholarship + paid for hours of my own
- 20 days for a holiday in which I did no revision / flying
- 6 days to complete in minumum (then 40) hours
I would say that if weather, aircraft and instructor availabililty, and ability are no issue, I would budget for 30 days. If you study hard / perhaps pass some exams before the 21 days, then certainly 21 days is do-able.
Groundschool was minimal; confuser use was high!
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ha ha reheat you lived the boozy student life aye!!
What do you think to coming home and finishing off if I don't manage to complete the course. Dooable or will I have issue's?
What do you think to coming home and finishing off if I don't manage to complete the course. Dooable or will I have issue's?
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I took 2 exams before i left and that helped but ideally you want to get them all done.
Doing the flying in 21 days is no problem in theory but you will need good weather, instructor availability and no maintenance issues.
Its unlikely you will get a sustained period of all 3 at a Florida school so I think you will struggle.
I did it in June 2007-I lost a week to weather and my instructor left half way through my course, took my skills test on the last day. Ended up extending my stay so was there for about four and a half weeks. I did not know of anyone who got it done in 21days whilst I was there, although I've no doubt its possible if everything goes your way.
If you do it I would not recommend coming home without finishing.
Doing the flying in 21 days is no problem in theory but you will need good weather, instructor availability and no maintenance issues.
Its unlikely you will get a sustained period of all 3 at a Florida school so I think you will struggle.
I did it in June 2007-I lost a week to weather and my instructor left half way through my course, took my skills test on the last day. Ended up extending my stay so was there for about four and a half weeks. I did not know of anyone who got it done in 21days whilst I was there, although I've no doubt its possible if everything goes your way.
If you do it I would not recommend coming home without finishing.
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Hi All,
the 21 day PPL is a thing of the past I'm afraid. OFT did do it and may even still advertise it but they are currently turning out students in roughly 6 - 8 weeks at best. There is a massive shortage of instructors in the US and 21 days just simply isn't realistic anymore. I would contact the FTO and take everything with a pinch of salt.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I looked at the 21 day PPL not long ago but have opted for a bit longer out @ MFC in the end.
CS
the 21 day PPL is a thing of the past I'm afraid. OFT did do it and may even still advertise it but they are currently turning out students in roughly 6 - 8 weeks at best. There is a massive shortage of instructors in the US and 21 days just simply isn't realistic anymore. I would contact the FTO and take everything with a pinch of salt.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I looked at the 21 day PPL not long ago but have opted for a bit longer out @ MFC in the end.
CS
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OFT
I agree,
I went to OFT in FL last year to do the 21 day course, when I got there and said I need to have it done in 21 days they just laughed and said 'nobody does it in 21 days!!!' I managed to log about 30 hours and I had done all of my exams before I got there.
Despite all the advertising its unrealistic and I had to finish off back in the UK so altogether was very pricey.
I went to OFT in FL last year to do the 21 day course, when I got there and said I need to have it done in 21 days they just laughed and said 'nobody does it in 21 days!!!' I managed to log about 30 hours and I had done all of my exams before I got there.
Despite all the advertising its unrealistic and I had to finish off back in the UK so altogether was very pricey.
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What do you think is the main problem with coming home and finishing?
Just for example:
Go there with 5 hours and 2 exam certificates.
Come home with a total of 25 hours and 4 exam certificates.
That would leave 17 hours and 3 exams to finish in the UK.
Apart from money I don't see a problem unless I have to go back FL to finish.
Just for example:
Go there with 5 hours and 2 exam certificates.
Come home with a total of 25 hours and 4 exam certificates.
That would leave 17 hours and 3 exams to finish in the UK.
Apart from money I don't see a problem unless I have to go back FL to finish.
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I went to EFT in Nov/Dec '07 to do a PPL and came home with 27 hours flying after 6 weeks. Again, mainly due to aircraft availability, maintenance issues, and the odd spell of bad weather (but not much).
I had no problems joining a local club at home to finish. Main issues are getting used to the local airspace and RT (which I guess you'll have to do whether you finish in Florida or not) and getting used to the different aircraft. And obviously you will pay twice as much to fly in Europe as you will in the US.
Personally, if I was starting again and looking to do a PPL in a reasonably short time, at this time of year i would go to America and budget for 8 weeks to complete the course. It really is a major bonus having consistently good weather. Trying to do a PPL in Europe at this time of year is a case of two steps forward one step back due to the bad weather and cancelled lessons all the time. If I was doing it in summertime, I'd stay in the UK and do it. By the time you pay for your flights, visas and TSA clearance, accommodation for two months, food etc, and take unpaid leave from work, I just don't think it's that much cheaper to go to America.
I had no problems joining a local club at home to finish. Main issues are getting used to the local airspace and RT (which I guess you'll have to do whether you finish in Florida or not) and getting used to the different aircraft. And obviously you will pay twice as much to fly in Europe as you will in the US.
Personally, if I was starting again and looking to do a PPL in a reasonably short time, at this time of year i would go to America and budget for 8 weeks to complete the course. It really is a major bonus having consistently good weather. Trying to do a PPL in Europe at this time of year is a case of two steps forward one step back due to the bad weather and cancelled lessons all the time. If I was doing it in summertime, I'd stay in the UK and do it. By the time you pay for your flights, visas and TSA clearance, accommodation for two months, food etc, and take unpaid leave from work, I just don't think it's that much cheaper to go to America.
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I completed my PPL in South Africa in 19 days from 0-40 hours.
Spent 15 days flying and 4 days on groundschool/days off to get it all done.
Granted I did have a very good understanding of the basics, as I had done a BGT course in the Air Cadets when I was 16, so breezed through those all in the first lesson and also having an interest in aviation and working in the industry I knew alot of the background knowledge stuff already.
I would NOT recommend doing it this way though. I was flying up to 3, 2 hour flights per day and studying in between flights and on an evening.
Looking back, it was just too much in such a short space of time.
For anyone who is going afresh with no knowledge/previous flying experience, I don't think it would be possible to complete in such a short time.
Spent 15 days flying and 4 days on groundschool/days off to get it all done.
Granted I did have a very good understanding of the basics, as I had done a BGT course in the Air Cadets when I was 16, so breezed through those all in the first lesson and also having an interest in aviation and working in the industry I knew alot of the background knowledge stuff already.
I would NOT recommend doing it this way though. I was flying up to 3, 2 hour flights per day and studying in between flights and on an evening.
Looking back, it was just too much in such a short space of time.
For anyone who is going afresh with no knowledge/previous flying experience, I don't think it would be possible to complete in such a short time.
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I really don't think that these types of 'PPL Quick' courses are a good thing. I totally understand why a market exists for them and would never criticize anyone heading down the commercial road for doing this but I see it as a really important foundation to everything else thats to come. So, I would have to say that whilst the 21 day PPL seems to have come to and end I don't think this is a bad thing because it can only be a good thing if people have taken a bit more time over thier initial flight training.
In my somewhat humble opinion I think it's criminal for people that do a PPL with just a weekend hobby in mind to complete it in a few weeks. I don't say that with a view to pissing anyone off but the more safe flyers around the better right...
Happy Landings!
CS
In my somewhat humble opinion I think it's criminal for people that do a PPL with just a weekend hobby in mind to complete it in a few weeks. I don't say that with a view to pissing anyone off but the more safe flyers around the better right...
Happy Landings!
CS
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Horses for courses surely, some people are suited to intensive learning, others are not, you still have to pass the skills test regardless.
As with driving passing the skills test is where the learning begins, gaining experience.
As with driving passing the skills test is where the learning begins, gaining experience.
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I've seen a PPL+CPL finished in 9 weeks.
21 days hurt, especially when it's not a specific course, but it's the student's own motivation that brings the pace up that fast. If you can, choose a specific instructor and stick with them the whole time.
21 days hurt, especially when it's not a specific course, but it's the student's own motivation that brings the pace up that fast. If you can, choose a specific instructor and stick with them the whole time.
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PPL 21 days
Hi.
Have to be honest, your chances of completing it in 21 days are extremely low, near impossible these days. There are so many factors that will need to go in your favour - weather, m/t, availability of planes, instructors, your aptitude etc.
I went to the States two years ago thinking I could do it in approx 21 days and it just doesnt happen. Took me five in the end.
However, there is no doubt that you get it done in 4-5 weeks if you have completed the ground exams beforehand. Not only will these ease the pressure on you, but you will be able to focus on the flying a little more and should also have time to enjoy yourself.
Good luck.
Have to be honest, your chances of completing it in 21 days are extremely low, near impossible these days. There are so many factors that will need to go in your favour - weather, m/t, availability of planes, instructors, your aptitude etc.
I went to the States two years ago thinking I could do it in approx 21 days and it just doesnt happen. Took me five in the end.
However, there is no doubt that you get it done in 4-5 weeks if you have completed the ground exams beforehand. Not only will these ease the pressure on you, but you will be able to focus on the flying a little more and should also have time to enjoy yourself.
Good luck.
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Oliver, you contradict yourself.
It only took you 5 days 
.
I went to the States two years ago thinking I could do it in approx 21 days and it just doesnt happen. Took me five in the end.
.
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21 days for a PPL - luxury! When I took my PPL, MEP and IMC at OFT in 2003 they were still offering a VIP 14 day PPL!
Needless to say the success rates in 14 days was low and to even have a hope of achieving this the non-VIPs (everyone else - including me) were regularly bounced from aircraft slots that had been booked. Instructor assignments were often changed.
I like OFT - facilities & location work for me. However, it is not a place to go if you need your hand held and that is true even if you are planning to be there for more than 21 days!!
Needless to say the success rates in 14 days was low and to even have a hope of achieving this the non-VIPs (everyone else - including me) were regularly bounced from aircraft slots that had been booked. Instructor assignments were often changed.
I like OFT - facilities & location work for me. However, it is not a place to go if you need your hand held and that is true even if you are planning to be there for more than 21 days!!
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Hi Guys,
I finally did it - I enrolled with Anglo American in California. I am hoping to pass Aviaion Law, Meteorology and Pilot Performance before I go. I will be there for 21 days as of April 1st and hope to pass my PPL in that time (fingers, toes and whatever else crossed!).
I will report back to you all so that you have a better idea of what is actually happening in the 21 days.
All the best.
Neil
I finally did it - I enrolled with Anglo American in California. I am hoping to pass Aviaion Law, Meteorology and Pilot Performance before I go. I will be there for 21 days as of April 1st and hope to pass my PPL in that time (fingers, toes and whatever else crossed!).
I will report back to you all so that you have a better idea of what is actually happening in the 21 days.
All the best.
Neil
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TSA clearance
187nj,
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but make sure you get complete TSA clearance before you go to America. I had most of it before I went, with only the fingerprints to be done when I arrived at the flight school. I think generally it takes around 3 days to get the Fingerprints approved, but for me it took 10 days. Obviously if this happens to you then you'll come home with a lot less flying than planned.
I'm pretty sure you can get the fingerprints done in the UK before you go, (not exactly sure where but farnborough rings a bell, perhaps someone else can comment?) At least then you could start flying pretty much as soon as you arrive.
Also, if you havent booked your flights yet, I would say to try and give yourself as many extra days as you possibly can, 21 days to complete a PPL really is the best case scenario...
Good luck
Stu
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but make sure you get complete TSA clearance before you go to America. I had most of it before I went, with only the fingerprints to be done when I arrived at the flight school. I think generally it takes around 3 days to get the Fingerprints approved, but for me it took 10 days. Obviously if this happens to you then you'll come home with a lot less flying than planned.
I'm pretty sure you can get the fingerprints done in the UK before you go, (not exactly sure where but farnborough rings a bell, perhaps someone else can comment?) At least then you could start flying pretty much as soon as you arrive.
Also, if you havent booked your flights yet, I would say to try and give yourself as many extra days as you possibly can, 21 days to complete a PPL really is the best case scenario...
Good luck
Stu