Obtaining a NPPL or PPL

[Saitek]

How many hours flying would it take from scratch to obtain? I'm just interested because I may have the funds available next year.

http://www.highlandflyingschool.co.uk/licence.html

What I was especially surprised at was this.

"The full course including all Flying, Books, Equipment, Practical Radiotelephony Course and Exam, [b]plus Medical is estimated to be in the region of

[TSC.]

Without checking Ben, that price sounds fairly competitive for the UK, however, you can do intensive 3 week courses in America for as little as

[C]

Remember 45hrs is the minimum, but many people take longer, so you can't just allow enough money for a minimum 45hrs.
At the very least, you should consider doing a trial flight.

Indeed - and having had first hand experience of flying training, unless you do an intensive course then I'd expect you to have to go a little over the hours required (although, having said that, the standard required for a PPL/NPPL isn't massively high...). If you have the time I would probably think about shooting off for the states for a month or so, although you'll need to plan well in advance to sort out visas etc.

If not then the more expensive option may be to do it in the UK, be it all in one go or having on or two hours a week. Bear in mind you'll also need to plan on flying at least an hour per month (13 hrs/yr) to keep [i]bare[/] minimum currency on the license...

[Saitek]

Well my sister wanted to go to Texas (near Houston) on holiday, but she can only go with me there. So would you suggest I go with her and get some practice on the cheap there then, before taking up a course here?

P.S TSC any info about that travel, accomodation,flight package?

[C]

So would you suggest I go with her and get some practice on the cheap there then, before taking up a course here?

There would be very little point really unless you happen to have spare cash to throw away - I would suggest any flying you do towards a licence is all done in the same place - changing schools (particulary in different countries) again is how you end up over the 45hrs - particularly as you'd then have to get used to flying in the UK once back over here - again meaning more time, and therefore money.

You'd really also have to find a JAA recognised flying school in Houston.

P.S TSC any info about that travel, accomodation,flight package?

Go to WHSmiths (or eqiuvalent) and purchase PILOT, TODAYS PILOT and FLYER. The are lots of flying school ads towards the back of all of them.

You may also be able to purchase a very useful publication published annually by Pilot called the "Where to fly guide", which cover just about all UK flying schools, and many of those recommended for use abroad in the States, Canada, Australia etc... - Having just looked at the Pilot website, it appears that it came with thw April 2006 issue. Back issues are available via the website.

[TSC.]

P.S TSC any info about that travel, accomodation,flight package?

As Charlie said, any of the PPL orientated magazines have ads in the back for the US schools, the one I noticed was in 'Today's Pilot', the school was this one Ormond Beach Aviation in Florida. Although, I know nothing about this school, so I can't reccomend them as such.

Or there is Trade Winds, in Florida. They were also advertising in Today's Pilot.

Cheers,

TSC.

[Saitek]

Thanks for the info.

[Sir_Jon]

I'm currently 15 hours into my PPL training at EGSP ( Sibson) and they gave me almost the same quote of

[C]

Just a medical point - for the NPPL I believe this is just a form signed by your GP, hence costing about zero AFAIK...


http://www.nppl.uk.com

For full PPL details and forms, look up LASORS 2006 on the CAA website...

[beaky]

Not sure how it works across the pond, but over here the best value for training is to join a flying club.
The deposit required to join is refundable if you leave, monthly dues are reasonable,the hourly rates (usually less per hour than a typical flight school) are usually tach time and not Hobbs time, and most clubs have members who are CFIs with all necessary credentials and experience teaching the way most flight schools teach.
Finding the right club for you could be as challenging as finding the right school, but you could save a lot of money , and even a lot of time (many clubs have lots of paying members, which means more money in the kitty for planes, etc., but often a club will not have many active members, which means the planes are free more often), by learning to fly as a club member.
 A flight school might offer a good discount for time if a deposit is made up front, but I still think, generally speaking, that a club is a less expensive way to go... wish I'd started that way.

BTW, through a typical NYC-area flight school, I spent about $7000 over two years getting my PPL, about 10 years ago. Only slightly more time and money than the average...

[Saitek]

Thanks. Unfortunately I don't have much choice. I have one flying school in INverness and 100 miles away in Aberdeen I might be able to get something there (where I hope to go to uni) and other than them there is nothing for at least a 3 hours drive away.