Want to learn to fly
Discussion
OK, 2nd episode of Worst Place to be a Pilot done and I want to learn to fly. To old to do what those chaps do but sod it, I want my PPL, just as a challenge to myself.
I had an aerobatic session with a brief go at the controls out of Redhill a couple of years back so I could check out the flying schools there but before I do, any suggestions? taking into account that I am in SW London.
Cheers.
I had an aerobatic session with a brief go at the controls out of Redhill a couple of years back so I could check out the flying schools there but before I do, any suggestions? taking into account that I am in SW London.
Cheers.
Have you thought about gliding, that's a pretty pure form of flight and there are clubs near Dunstable North of London.
If you get a PPL, are you likely to do much with it ? I know you asked about getting a PPL but there are lots of cheaper (possibly more rewarding) forms of flying around.
If you get a PPL, are you likely to do much with it ? I know you asked about getting a PPL but there are lots of cheaper (possibly more rewarding) forms of flying around.
Learn to fly a glider then when you switch to a plane the actual flying is a doddle (in fact you'll understand more about flight than many power chaps) and all you've got to worry about is the greasy bits and the radio "Golf-echo-delta-tango-four ready for take off" and all that clipped accent and handlebar moustache stuff!
However having said all of that... gliding in the UK is becoming more heavily regulated by EASA with their proposed mandatory requirements for FLARM and other stuff so I guess radio will be mandatory soon; "Echo-Bravo-Kilo request permission to land." Tower, "Sorry, can you go round EBK?" "No, I'm coming down!" 
The charm of being able to fly off for a few hours quietly under the clouds is rapidly being eroded.
The charm of being able to fly off for a few hours quietly under the clouds is rapidly being eroded.
Flying schools within the vicinity of SW London also include Fairoaks, Blackbushe, White Waltham, and Biggin Hill, as well as Redhill as you mention. A (rather obvious) word of advice is try and pick a school relatively near to where you live, as 200 mile round trips can get boring when you don't get to fly because the cloud base has lowered or the wind has picked up while you have been driving down there, etc...
As el_stovey mentioned, give gliding a go too - even with a fair number of hours under my PPL belt now, I am seriously considering getting the gliding badges. Had a go out of Lasham (which I'd heartily recommend for a gliding experience - no idea what they're like for formal training though) a while back and I loved it - proper flying, and soo quiet - until you point the nose at the deck anyway!
If you're serious about getting a PPL though, there are plenty of people out there (myself included) who will happily tell you about their respective experiences and have advice to give - drop me a PM if wish!
As el_stovey mentioned, give gliding a go too - even with a fair number of hours under my PPL belt now, I am seriously considering getting the gliding badges. Had a go out of Lasham (which I'd heartily recommend for a gliding experience - no idea what they're like for formal training though) a while back and I loved it - proper flying, and soo quiet - until you point the nose at the deck anyway!
If you're serious about getting a PPL though, there are plenty of people out there (myself included) who will happily tell you about their respective experiences and have advice to give - drop me a PM if wish!
Edited by ccr32 on Wednesday 27th August 16:54
Can you combine it with some time away?
I haven't personally done it, but what about learning to fly in a couple of two week blocks in the USA? I'm sure there's a price difference between there and the UK and that may cover the cost of the flights there and back.
UK airspace is so full that learning here could be a real pain in the arse. I'm a fan of the US, so I'd personally enjoy the destinations more than I would in the UK and it's much more geared towards General Aviation.
I haven't personally done it, but what about learning to fly in a couple of two week blocks in the USA? I'm sure there's a price difference between there and the UK and that may cover the cost of the flights there and back.
UK airspace is so full that learning here could be a real pain in the arse. I'm a fan of the US, so I'd personally enjoy the destinations more than I would in the UK and it's much more geared towards General Aviation.
If you get a PPL in the US it will be an FAA licence so I think you'll need to do a conversion to a JAA licence to be able to fly G registered aircraft in the UK.
FWIW of the airfields listed above, I learned to fly at Biggin Hill and whilst it has the advantage of being a large airfield with full ATC service for you to get used to, the downside is it can be very busy especially at weekends. Wasting 10 minutes of your lesson time lined up in a queue of arriving/departing aircraft isn't fun.
FWIW of the airfields listed above, I learned to fly at Biggin Hill and whilst it has the advantage of being a large airfield with full ATC service for you to get used to, the downside is it can be very busy especially at weekends. Wasting 10 minutes of your lesson time lined up in a queue of arriving/departing aircraft isn't fun.
ccr32 said:
...As el_stovey mentioned, give gliding a go too - even with a fair number of hours under my PPL belt now, I am seriously considering getting the gliding badges. Had a go out of Lasham (which I'd heartily recommend for a gliding experience - no idea what they're like for formal training though) a while back and I loved it - proper flying, and soo quiet - until you point the nose at the deck anyway!
I fly from booker where I used to be an instructor but enjoy flying at Lasham too and their instructors are excellent too. The beauty of Lasham is that you can get familiar with winch launching - which is always fun and a quick, cheap way of getting up to 1,800' Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff