Calling all pilots.

Zero5

Zero5

Zero5

Associate
Joined
7 May 2003
Posts
1,656
Location
On my own somewhere
Hello.

I'm looking to get my PPL over the next year or so and was wondering if anyone who has passed it already had any useful info on getting it: Good clubs, general things I need to know, how much it cost you and over what period of time etc.

Anything you can think of would be great. Thank you very much.
 
Whereabouts are you flying from? I was in Bristol when I did mine, and did most of my training with Aeros, based at Filton and they also have a base at Gloucester. I'd highly recommend them. I did my first 10hours or so with another place at Filton who were cheaper, but on moving to Aeros, I realised it was worthwhile going to a slightly larger school with more aircraft and facilities. Cheapest isnt always the best! It did help I wasnt paying for it at that stage though!

You can get cracking with the theory exams right away. There are basically two sets of books to use I think; Trevor Thom or Jeremy Pratt AFE series. I used the AFE books simply as they were given to me. They are easier to read and dont go into as much detail as the Thom books, but its not really needed. I averaged it must have been 98/99%, so those books are just fine. If you're definate about doing it, then starting the theory asap is a good idea just to get familiar with the material and make it all easier.

If you havent had a trial lesson yet, get one asap, just to make sure you actually like flying and it doesnt make you ill. Although if you do get a little airsick, it does disappear as you fly more and more. If you've any specific q's, ask away. :)
 
1pudding1 said:
Whereabouts are you flying from? I was in Bristol when I did mine, and did most of my training with Aeros, based at Filton and they also have a base at Gloucester. I'd highly recommend them. I did my first 10hours or so with another place at Filton who were cheaper, but on moving to Aeros, I realised it was worthwhile going to a slightly larger school with more aircraft and facilities. Cheapest isnt always the best! It did help I wasnt paying for it at that stage though!

You can get cracking with the theory exams right away. There are basically two sets of books to use I think; Trevor Thom or Jeremy Pratt AFE series. I used the AFE books simply as they were given to me. They are easier to read and dont go into as much detail as the Thom books, but its not really needed. I averaged it must have been 98/99%, so those books are just fine. If you're definate about doing it, then starting the theory asap is a good idea just to get familiar with the material and make it all easier.

If you havent had a trial lesson yet, get one asap, just to make sure you actually like flying and it doesnt make you ill. Although if you do get a little airsick, it does disappear as you fly more and more. If you've any specific q's, ask away. :)
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Cheers for the reply.

I'm going to be flying from Coventry and the club is called Almat. It does seem to get pricey but thats to be expected. I had a trial lesson and I did really enjoy it.

I was also wondering, in the private flying sector what sort of jobs can you get and where can it lead?

Cheers about the book info I'll get onto finding those.
 
Yeah thats the main problem with flying, the price :/ You'll also find those books are quite expensive too, over £100 I think for the set. If you can wait a couple of weeks, I'll be going home and think Ive still got my AFE set, which I dont need anymore so could sell maybe.

In the private sector and not involved with air transport operations, the job opportunites are quite limited I think. There's aerial photography, aircraft ferrying (such as flying in aircraft from around europe and the US for private buyers, can be very lucrative but also dangerous!), glider towing, ag pilot involved with crop spraying? and parachute dropping. Most of these jobs will generally be done to build up your flying hours whilst providing a small income in order to proceed to commercial air transport ops, apart from the ferrying which is usually done for the money I think.
 
1pudding1 said:
Yeah thats the main problem with flying, the price :/ You'll also find those books are quite expensive too, over £100 I think for the set. If you can wait a couple of weeks, I'll be going home and think Ive still got my AFE set, which I dont need anymore so could sell maybe.
Click to expand...


That would be awesome thank you very much for all the info aswell.

And thank you for those links dmpoole.
 
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