How does anyone learn to fly in the UK [weather rant]

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Ed

Ed

Soldato
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It's my 3rd cancellation now. I'm a low hours PPL student out of Lydd and I just keep going back to square one. What with the weather being what it is and my huge, inflexible workload, it's going to cost me a fortune at this rate. Are these 'crash course' trips to the US I hear about worth considering?

:(
 
Adz said:
To avoid spending too much time backtracking I've taken to booking 2 lessons - one on the Saturday, one on the Sunday.
My workload would interfere with this though. I'm actually considering pausing training until I'm in a better position to manage my time. :(

Adz said:
Edit: You can get a PPL for close to half the cost in the UK over in the US or Europe. It all depends if you can take the time off. You'll also (so I'm told) need some time in the UK to familiarise yourself with different procedures, conditions, etc.
I've heard that due to fuel costs it's a big saving and if you stick to Southern states the conditions are nearly always perfect. I'll have to investigate this further. Although time still plays a big part.
 
Blinkz said:
Weather will always make things tricky. Going to the US like you say is an option. The problem with this is that you can argue it doesn't prepare you that well for flying in the UK. In the US you will have great weather, generally no airspace and fairly simple RT. In the UK you have to battle bad weather, lots of airspace and more precise RT all at the same time!

however saying that if you really cannot fly often due to work commitments then getting a PPL in the US is probably a viable option. However just bare in mind that it will be a good idea to have some flights with an instructor back in the UK to learn the differences.
I can imagine the workload is a world apart compared to flying in the US which is why I'd dearly love to stick to learning in the UK. You just get so much more experience.
 
Adz said:
Nah. Strike while the iron's hot otherwise you might find it never happens due to other commitments.

Trust me, I know exactly how you feel WRT time juggling but it's so worth it.
I've just been on the phone to Liz, my instructor and she's put this afternoons lesson back to 10am next Tuesday. Now, I'll take the slot but I have to make the phone calls to cancel clients appointments, rearrange them to times I hope I don't get an opportunity to fly in. Logistically it's just very difficult to dance with the weather and move appointments around.
 
Blinkz said:
Its not quite worlds apart but there is a significant difference between the two countries. If your switched on then it shouldn't be a problem. Just do some dual flying back here before you start flexing your newly qualified wings over here.

The weather recently has been worse then normal, however even someone doing it full time in the UK I'd be impressed if they could do it in less then 6 months or so. The weather just never plays ball.

I'm planning on getting my FI in the near future, maybe we should setup a Ocuk flying club hehe :D
Good to see you in the South too. Perhaps, weather permitting, when Adz and I ever get to qualify, we hook up. Should be plenty of spare seats for any other OcUK'ers nearby too. If they dare.
 
Adz said:
Are you self employed?
Yep.

Adz said:
Isn't there a single day you can set aside where you can be free from work?
I can, but it means stacking up clients around that day, which is fine, if I actually get to fly, but if I don't, then it's time lost and so it goes on. I run a consultancy service, mainly offering my time by directly contracting to AIF which is a Eurpean funded business development team. On top of this I teach at the local college and university as well as private consultancy/training. Everything is carved in the calendar something flying doesn't agree with.

Adz said:
I used to work 7 days a week until I realised it was killing me. Leisure time is extremely important and despite now only working 5 full days, my overall productivity hasn't changed and I'm far happier/healthier for it.
I get the work/life thing, but the reality is what time I have left over I give to my two boys. Flying is something I've always wanted to do but the unpredictability of it is seriously difficult for me to manage.

Adz said:
Sorry if this sounds condescending, I'm just trying to point out where I went wrong. There's more to life than money :).
I don't plan on working until I'm 60 that's for sure. While I'm fit, in demand, and the money is flooding in, I'm taking it. I don't see myself doing this in 5 or 10 years time so perhaps then is the time to take up such a pastime.
 
Blinkz said:
Yea I live in Hampshire, currently flying from Blackbushe. Sounds good flying once you guys get qualified. If you want to fly whilst your learning thats cool too, its always fun to fly with fellow pilots. You get to learn how they do things, and all experience is useful!

Also, I've got an IR so am not restricted by the weather like you guys are hehe, although flying a SEP in IMC isn't my idea of a good time :eek: ;)
When I think of Hampshire I think of the New Forest as it's where my Uncle/Auntie hail from, Dibden Purlieu to be precise. You're quite North I see. Do you get to see much coast line?

Adz said:
Definitely up for some flying once I'm qualified which hopefully won't be long. I was speaking to 'the boss' the other day and he assures me I should be able to do it in minimum hours if I get at least 1 hour a week as I've got age + enthusiasm on my side.

Then of course it's onto night rating, IR/IMC, etc. I'd like to go as far as I can as a private pilot really then perhaps buy a share in an A/C. Getting a bit ahead of myself, aren't I? ;)

Edit: spinneR~uk - I see your problem now ;). I don't have kids or a wife or any other time consuming hobbies so it's a lot easier for me.
I too want to go far with ratings etc and my aeroclub runs jaunts to Majorca, Italy and all sorts of exotic locations, although most members are in their 60's. As for part buying, me too. I've already looked at prices, running costs etc.
 
Great, now it's cancelled and I was booked in today at 4:30pm, which is now, it's turned out nice.

:(
 
Yay! I got two hours in today. From Lydd we headed over Rye, out to Hastings, circled above my kids school [at 1500ft I could see plenty of kids waving meaning my other half was working the playground] then headed out to Battle, back to Ashford, then over to Dover, past Folkestone and back to Lydd. Covered some more circuit training too. Very turbulent today. Cumulus clouds at 2000ft.

Happier now! Booked another 2 hours in two weeks time. Now it's up to the weather.
 
alexthecheese said:
I'd love to learn to fly. How much does it cost and what are all your aims? Commercial pilot?
I pay about £150 per hour but I'm a big lad and need a Piper Warrior to haul me ass in the air. Cessna 152 will invariably be cheaper. This covers the flight. As you learn there's lots of theory, study, exams to do as well as landing fees which can add up when circuit training. Best to budget around £8000 and find the time to keep the lessons frequent which is something I'm struggling with.

As for aims, I'd never fly commercially as I can earn more doing other things but I'm really after a recreational license that allows me to fly anywhere in the EU. I'm also looking at IMC too which means I can fly by instrument too, not just visually.
 
Adz said:
I'm just over 8 hours now - 2 more lessons booked for this weekend weather permitting.
I'm at 6 hours now but I fear that since more work has come in and this atrocious weather we're experiencing I'm going to have to slow down on the lessons.

Adz said:
I'm still hearing "I have control" just after the turn onto final though :(.
Won't be long now though. I've been following the controls on final and landing since I started but I'm nowhere near following glideslope and flaring for the land.

Adz said:
Best investment made so far - £180 for a very basic David Clark headset. So much nicer than pressing your lips up against the mic of a 15 year old skanky set full of the saliva from the 50 other people who used it that week.
I need to look into that. The set I use are the clubs but they're brand new so it's OK for now.
 
Solac said:
Just wondering how much in total will it cost about to obtain a PPL?
Between £5000 and £10000 as it depends on the license and generally how quick you pick it up. Budget for £8000.

Some links from the club I learn at:

JAA PPL
http://www.lyddaero.co.uk/private_pilots_licence.html

National PPL
http://www.lyddaero.co.uk/national_ppl.html

Crash Course
http://www.lyddaero.co.uk/ppl_6_weeks.html




Edit: Sandtoft Aerodrome near you looks fairly cheap. Bloody northerners get everything at a discount!!!
 
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