Any private pilots on here -advice please

[alane29]

Hello
As well as loving cars im a bit of a plane / flying geek at the moment i fly a DJI Phanton3 (quadcopter) in the past has flown model planes & helicopters .For years i have wanted to fly a plane ,now i am at a point in life when i can afford the training .
Was looking for any tips ,places to train,how long realistically it will take etc i live near Birmingham and was looking at Almat Aviation in Coventry .

 

[Johnh1976]

Have you thought about gliding? I'm also a bit of a aviation buff and have to say gliding has been a lot of fun and so much cheaper than paying for all that fuel. You can do aerobatics if that's your thing, but the buzz of finding thermals and travelling cross country is pretty amazing. £30 per hour rather than £100 in a powered plane

 

[alane29]

Gliding dosent appeal to be honest i can see the attraction of it but not for me .
My plans for the future would be buy a share in a plane which i could use to fly to Ireland (home country) for a weekend or trips to europe or just a couple of hours on sunday flying round

 

[Mister T]

Mrs T's family are big into flying, her father used to run an airline and one of her cousins is a stunt pilot.

Her brother got his pilots licence in Florida as it used to be much cheaper and you could get it in 3 months.

 

[Geezah]

I would recommend going for continuity. It can take forever if you only have a lesson a week.

I was lucky, I got my licence in 3 weeks, the weather was good for me and I just got airborne whenever I could. If you drag it out it becomes a case of 2 steps forward, 1 step back and can cost you a lot more in the long run.

Can't advise you where to go, I did mine at Goodwood many years ago.

The big problem about getting a pilots licence on the cheap, eg Florida is that the weather here is a lot different. I would strongly recommend learning here where you can pick up on local instructors experience how to cope with weather as it applies here not some sunny benign far off clime. You don't need me to tell you UK weather is anything but benign.

Choks away!

 

[alane29]

thanks for the advice , I was intending to do it in the UK ,Coventry airport is near me and seem to have good facilities as it a working airport .
.I worry about the 2 steps forward and one step back as i work full time

 

[Geezah]

If you work full time, it might be better to start when the days start to get longer so that you can get a lesson or two in after work, if possible. Check with the flying school if they operate after normal working hours.

 

[paulgs1000]

Have you considered a microlight licence?

Modern 3 axis fixed wing microlights are very near the looks and performance of light aeroplanes.

A licence can be gained fairly quickly and involves exams and the need for radio training (type depends on where you train)

I had fun gaining my licence at Carlisle Airport with Dave Parker instructor. Travelled 50 miles there and 50 miles back for lessons but it was worth it.

Maybe a cheaper and quicker way into the air?

 

[Anonymous]

I would advise as above continuity for training . I took both a PPL and PGL back in the 80's after a stint in the Air Cadets . If you were a Cadet and got 5 O levels you could then do a flying scholarship and take O level air navigation , then pay ,as I did ,for an extra 20 hrs flying hours to gain your PPL , I've rarely use them to be honest , but as my scholarship and additional flying hours were all taken in an intensive course the continuity really helped with knowledge retention .

 

[Machine monkey]

I know nothing about plains or flying!! My wife works at Kidlington airport (London oxford) and they have a very big training school there? Maybe worth a Google?

I have been up in a few little plains and can fully understand the buzz. But I couldn't afford it so I am telling myself it's not for me

 

[alane29]

Thanks everyone for the advice ,will leave it now until the new year when longers days come in at least i can try get some lesson in during the evening after work .
Have not considered a micro light ,but not sure it would be enough to fly across the irish sea to Ireland which is one of my ambitions .

 

[Geezah]

I would NEVER consider flying across any expanse of sea in a microlight. I didn't particularly like doing it in a single engine light plane either, can't understand folk who fly around the world or ferry these things across the Atlantic. Mind you, I have been spoilt by my usual mode of 4 jet engine powered maritime flying!

 

[Scooba_Steve]

As a mode of transport, time to spare, go by air!

If you are serious then the best continuity of training will be had by carrying out continuous training rather than weekends only.
My tip would be to do your exams over the winter, I read the book on a Thursday night, did all the question bank questions on a Saturday morning then took the test.
Expect to need more than the minimum if you have no other flying experience and budget for this. Don't pay for all of your training up front either.
If you can find airborne time charged aircraft you'll get more flying for your money.
As for buying a share; if it flies, floats or f*cks, rent it - cheaper in the long run

 

[Geezah]

As for buying a share; if it flies, floats or f*cks, rent it - cheaper in the long run

best advice I've heard today!