An Eminently Sensible Use For....

[Smoke2much]

... my inheritence is flying lessons!  I will be coming into a little cash in a month or so and have decided to go with some lessons.

Sadly I cannot fit into a Cessna 152, with the seat fully back and my feet on the rudder pedals the yoke presses into my knees :-/

The question is, should I go with the Cessna 172 (

[Hagar]

Hi Will. Much as I love the Tiger Moth I would would go with the cheapest option. From the ones you quoted that seems to be the Cessna 172. One modern basic trainer is very similar to another & once you get your licence it should be easy enough to convert onto another type.. I forget the details right now but there's a limited PPL that requires less hours & allows you to fly VFR only. That would suit you for now & I expect you can upgrade to the full PPL as & when you can afford it. I know at least one club at Shoreham offers this & it might be worth looking into. I'll try to find out more about it.

[TacitBlue]

Theres the sport pilot class wich requires very little training, but is very limited. At least we have that in the US, I dont know if they have that on your side of the pond.

[Craig.]

Where are you learning to fly Heathrow? Those prices seem high. I had my lessons in a Piper warrior (loved it) and it cost

[Smoke2much]

Thanks guys.

I'd like an hour in the Moth just to experience it but I'll probably go with the 172 on the grounds that it's cheaper.  If I play my cards right I should hopefully be able to save for further lessons whilst I am paying for the origional ones with the inheritance.

I think I've heard of the limited PPL you are talking about Doug, it only requires 35 hour instruction I believe.  The aim at the moment though is just to gain some real world experience, not to get a license as the upkeep of the license would cost a fair amount as well.

Will

[Hagar]

[quote]I think I've heard of the limited PPL you are talking about Doug, it only requires 35 hour instruction I believe.

[Smoke2much]

Where are you learning to fly Heathrow?

Not quite, Headcorn seems the cheapest in Kent.  South East prices are always higher than elsewhere.  Theres no point in a 100 mile round trip to save

[Hagar]

The NPPL seems quite a good option, but how many hours per year do you need to fly to keep your license once you have it?

Will

Look at the FAQ page from my link.

Q How many hours each year do I need in order to keep my NPPL current?
A For the SEP rating, you need to have done at least 6 hours flying (of which at least 4 should be as P1) within the 12 months preceding the flight flown, and you must have carried out a training flight of at least 1 hour duration with a flying instructor within the previous 24 months. These words are taken from the relevant Amendment to the ANO and do not reflect the original intention regarding currency. However, this is the law as it stands at present, and it is understood that no change can be expected to reflect the original intention until at least mid-2003

[Craig.]

LOL the point iw as trying to make was, Bristol is quite a big airport in terms of flight instruction so you'd expect it to be higher costs for lessons.  So i would hope for those you were flying out of heathrow:)

[Felix/FFDS]

Will.F - it appears, though, that the NPPL will NOT allow you to fly a FW190 ...

[Smoke2much]

But I already know that I can't fly an FW190, I don't need a license to tell me that!

I'll look into Heathrow and Gatwick for lesson costs, they may prove cheaper.

Thanks for the Info Doug, it seems that to keep the license is cheaper than I thought!

Will

[Hagar]

I'll look into Heathrow and Gatwick for lesson costs, they may prove cheaper.

Don't bother. I doubt very much that there are any flying clubs based at either, certainly not Gatwick. Redhill maybe but this ain't the US. I suspect Headcorn is as good as any & it's local.

Thanks for the Info Doug, it seems that to keep the license is cheaper than I thought!

You're welcome. I think it's worth considering. Ask about it at the club. They will know more about it than me. I think it was originally organised by the PFA (Popular Flying Association). You could also enquire about more details from them.

[C]

Where are you in Kent Will...

You could always consider going across the tunnel/bridge and up to Clacton, and learning on a real aeroplane, which looks a wee bit cheaper too (with the nosewheel in the right place). I was considering them to complete my PPL a couple of years ago, and their prices seem favourable. Who are you looking at for Headcorn?

Charlie

Clacton Aero Club

PS. Do the whole thing in the Cub and you have the easy job of converting to a nosewheel aircraft if you're that way inclined!!!

[Smoke2much]

Seems like a viable option Charlie.  

[Craig.]

That one you posted looks good. If you can get 3 weeks off work its got a good live in training scheme. But how many people can get 3 weeks.