Any pilots out there?

NumptyUK · 16 Jun 2006 at 08:56

I was thinking of taking the private pilots licence but have a few questions.

How often do you think you should fly to keep your hand in so to speak?

Do you have to take refresher exams every so often?

in order to fly over to europe do you need a better licence than the basic one, i know you can get add-ons like night flying and low visibility etc so i guess youd have to do that to do longer flights.

and i suppose the biggy, should i actually pass it how do you go about getting a plane? If you dont fly that often can you hire a plane from someone for a week or so?

SoSolid · 16 Jun 2006 at 09:37

Once you have a ppl from the uk you can fly anywhere. I think you have to fly at least one hour every month to keep up your hours. Night rating would be a great benefit so you could fly at night too.

MrWhippy · 16 Jun 2006 at 10:34

is this gonna turn into a 'spec me a plane' thread?

oldbag · 16 Jun 2006 at 10:36

If only ocUK sold planes.

NumptyUK · 16 Jun 2006 at 10:47

well i guess it is

Ive thought about getting a licence for a while but where the flip do you buy a plane from?

Or keep it?

Charlie Bravo · 16 Jun 2006 at 11:07

This is a good site to have a look through.

I'd like to do a NPPL instead of a PPL. It restricts you to the UK but it's cheaper.

Boycie · 16 Jun 2006 at 11:16

I started flying when i was around 15, doing a PPL which lets you fly anywhere in the European Union I think i've done roughly 40 hours spread over 3 years just flying at weekends obviously because of school, need to do another 5 hours or so on my own and i can put in for my skills test, just waiting for the weather. Where i fly from (coventry) the club i use have planes that pilots can rent on a price per hour basis. Best thing ever and i highly recommend that you take it up, at least go on a trial lesson

Luke

oldbag · 16 Jun 2006 at 11:28

The lessons cost several arms and legs though.

Boycie · 16 Jun 2006 at 11:35

Yes its not cheap, i currently pay a flat fee of £120 an hour then depending on how many landings i do it gets added on, but that usually includes about half an hour of one on one tuition and then an hours or so flying depending on what your doing. However my instructor helped me get through all the written exams as well so you do get quite a lot for your money.

Charlie Bravo · 16 Jun 2006 at 11:38

I had my first lesson last weekend with Cranfield Flight Training

Check the cocky crow in the first pic

Roduga · 16 Jun 2006 at 11:43

I'm about 1/3 of the way through. I pay around £175 per hour, I don't pay landing fees and the bar is one of the nicest around.

You need 45 hours before you can take you main exam, plus several exams scattered through the course. I've passed my Law and Met already. Once you've passed, you need to keep flying a certain number of hours a year to retain your licence. It's calculated so you can take-off, fly for a hour and land once a month to keep things ticking over.

As for a plane, at airfields there will be advertisment boards with people looking for shares in planes. Basically, a group of you pay a certain amount a month and share the plane.

Kali81 · 16 Jun 2006 at 12:16

Ok if you get a JAA ppl you can fly anywhere in the europe and beyond. You have to fly something like 4-6 hours a year to stay current and once you've past the ground school (writen exams) you don't have to do them again.

The NPPL was brought in to allow people with medical issues to fly, the medical requirements are less but so are the privileges. You can't add a night rating, an IMC or fly outside the UK.

Depending on your time scale my advise would be to go to the US, although please post the name of the school you select as some have very bad reps. Then come back to the UK and fly a few hours at your local flying club (as uk airspace is very congested and takes a little getting used to).

Where abouts in the UK are you based? At the airfield where i currently train and work joe public pay around £160 an hour(?). and budget for 50+ hours to gain your JAA PPL (although you'll do it in the minimum of 45hr 40mins in the US as you're flying non stop).

And i also just passed the selection process and am going to oxford (OAT) to do the intergrated ATPL course in Oct!!

Roduga · 16 Jun 2006 at 12:21

Kali81 said:
And i also just passed the selection process and am going to oxford (OAT) to do the intergrated ATPL course in Oct!!

Well done. I'm applying next year once I have my PPL. Permission to be a little jealous?

Kali81 · 16 Jun 2006 at 12:25

Anything you need to ask about the selection tests or the interview? i'll be happy to answer where i can. Hope to see you there next year.

Roduga · 16 Jun 2006 at 12:31

Kali81 said:
Anything you need to ask about the selection tests or the interview? i'll be happy to answer where i can. Hope to see you there next year.

Maybe when I apply.