Learning to fly
Discussion
Hi all
Finally in a position where I can justify circa £8k on learning to fly.
Pretty sure I want to do the full EASA rather than LAPL, as I think it would be beneficial in order to hire aircraft when going abroad... any guidance on whether this is a good reason to go for the EASA?
I have some interest in becoming an instructor in the future too, another reason why I’d like to do the full EASA.
That’s pretty much where I am at the moment, any other advice from anyone? Recommended flight schools etc.
I’m based in Hampshire. Thank you in advance.
Finally in a position where I can justify circa £8k on learning to fly.
Pretty sure I want to do the full EASA rather than LAPL, as I think it would be beneficial in order to hire aircraft when going abroad... any guidance on whether this is a good reason to go for the EASA?
I have some interest in becoming an instructor in the future too, another reason why I’d like to do the full EASA.
That’s pretty much where I am at the moment, any other advice from anyone? Recommended flight schools etc.
I’m based in Hampshire. Thank you in advance.
I worked towards my PPL in Bournemouth a few years back, very good with both petrol and diesel planes. I preferred the petrol Piper PA-28 Cherokee, old and analog but actually very nice to learn and being low wing I just preferred it. Also flew Arrow with retractable carriage and variable propeller pitch and had fun in a Scottish aviation bulldog. This was about 10 years ago. Not sure how it is now. My instructor was Barnaby Kerr, google him. Top guy. I was living in Romaey at the time.
Thanks all for your input. It’s all being digested.
This in particular is something I didn’t think about:
Is this not the case? What’s the standard for most flying schools? 1 lesson a week?
Do you have to pay for each lesson or can you pay it all in one go? I’d prefer to do that.
Other than fatigue... what are the negatives of a “crash course” (for lack of a better phrase).
Apologies, I’m sure the flying schools could answer all these questions but would just prefer to be prepared before getting in contact.
This in particular is something I didn’t think about:
AndyAudi said:
Thinking similar, one bit of advice I’d had already & am considering Is to try & compress the learning into as short a time as possible, ie taking leave from work & getting on with it.
I’d much prefer to do it as quickly as possible, and I was under the assumption that this was typical for your £8k?Is this not the case? What’s the standard for most flying schools? 1 lesson a week?
Do you have to pay for each lesson or can you pay it all in one go? I’d prefer to do that.
Other than fatigue... what are the negatives of a “crash course” (for lack of a better phrase).
Apologies, I’m sure the flying schools could answer all these questions but would just prefer to be prepared before getting in contact.
roadsmash said:
I’d much prefer to do it as quickly as possible, and I was under the assumption that this was typical for your £8k?
Is this not the case? What’s the standard for most flying schools? 1 lesson a week?
Do you have to pay for each lesson or can you pay it all in one go? I’d prefer to do that.
Other than fatigue... what are the negatives of a “crash course” (for lack of a better phrase).
Apologies, I’m sure the flying schools could answer all these questions but would just prefer to be prepared before getting in contact.
Not sure you understand just how weather dependent learning can be - this isn't quite the same as booking driving lessons. That is the main obstacle in compressed learning.Is this not the case? What’s the standard for most flying schools? 1 lesson a week?
Do you have to pay for each lesson or can you pay it all in one go? I’d prefer to do that.
Other than fatigue... what are the negatives of a “crash course” (for lack of a better phrase).
Apologies, I’m sure the flying schools could answer all these questions but would just prefer to be prepared before getting in contact.
And pay as you go, never pay it all upfront. Let me say that again as you appear keen on doing so. Do not pay more in one lump than you are willing to lose.
Also go get your medical done especially if you think you may want to instruct one day.
jjones said:
Not sure you understand just how weather dependent learning can be - this isn't quite the same as booking driving lessons. That is the main obstacle in compressed learning.
And pay as you go, never pay it all upfront. Let me say that again as you appear keen on doing so. Do not pay more in one lump than you are willing to lose.
Also go get your medical done especially if you think you may want to instruct one day.
Many thanks for the direct advice.And pay as you go, never pay it all upfront. Let me say that again as you appear keen on doing so. Do not pay more in one lump than you are willing to lose.
Also go get your medical done especially if you think you may want to instruct one day.
Would training in the summer months therefore be more sensible?
Why is there a risk of losing money? Can block lessons expire over a certain period or do you just mean if the company goes bust? If the latter, is this common?
Many thanks again.
mikef said:
Over the years, many flying schools have gone under, leaving pre-paid students out of pocket
The real cost isn’t learning to fly, it’s once you get your license and buy an aircraft or share in a syndicate
Many thanks for that, I was unaware.The real cost isn’t learning to fly, it’s once you get your license and buy an aircraft or share in a syndicate
Regarding continued flying after passing, to start with, I was thinking of hiring twice a month or so. Although I appreciate this is expensive, is there any other reason why one shouldn’t do this?
Without going into details, due to a change of circumstance I now have considerably more disposable money coming in on a monthly basis and I want to use it on this, which I have longed for, for so long.
The long term goal is to obviously buy my own but the above is the interim plan.
Better still is taking a month off and learning in the US... great weather for learning and less crowded airspace. From Bournemouth, although easy to land/take off the traffic could be a bit heavy for yours first solos particularly with big jets sharing the runaway. All fine and safe as ATC will tell you what to do but can be a bit much if you not of the chilled type
CrgT16 said:
Better still is taking a month off and learning in the US... great weather for learning and less crowded airspace. From Bournemouth, although easy to land/take off the traffic could be a bit heavy for yours first solos particularly with big jets sharing the runaway. All fine and safe as ATC will tell you what to do but can be a bit much if you not of the chilled type
This is interesting... is doing it in one month possible? roadsmash said:
CrgT16 said:
Better still is taking a month off and learning in the US... great weather for learning and less crowded airspace. From Bournemouth, although easy to land/take off the traffic could be a bit heavy for yours first solos particularly with big jets sharing the runaway. All fine and safe as ATC will tell you what to do but can be a bit much if you not of the chilled type
This is interesting... is doing it in one month possible? Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff