dazzyboi Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 My dads friends son is 17 and he has just recieved his private pilots licence after completing courses of theory/practical. Its something that i am very interested in, not as a career but more of a hobby, my work lies in I.T so thats that. What i want to know is if its feasable for me to do this or is it financially going to cripple me? Are there any pilots on here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 Yes, do it. It doesn't have to cost a fortune. Find your local airfield and go up there, ask around and at least have a taster lesson. They will explain what is required and what kind financial outlay you might be looking at. The great thing is if you are a bit skint then just lay off on the lessons / airtime and study instead. Buy the course materials second hand, the number of people who buy all the required reading new and then jack it in is phenomenal, bargains to be had. Do it, you won't regret it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzyboi Posted July 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 Yes, do it. It doesn't have to cost a fortune. Find your local airfield and go up there, ask around and at least have a taster lesson. They will explain what is required and what kind financial outlay you might be looking at. The great thing is if you are a bit skint then just lay off on the lessons / airtime and study instead. Buy the course materials second hand, the number of people who buy all the required reading new and then jack it in is phenomenal, bargains to be had. Do it, you won't regret it! Is this someone talking through experience??? are you a pilot too??? Seeing as you replied to my thread, how much could you see this costing me? (Ball park figure) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 Yes I am, its difficult for me to estimate the cost for you because I learned to fly predominantly through a flying scholarship, however the answer depends on may factors and isn't easily answered. However the average figure is probably around the £5000 mark, to learn in the UK. You can go abroad to learn though, for example you could travel to the states and learn for about 2/3rds of that figure. Be careful here though because things changed not so long ago and you will need further instruction to reach the acceptable UK standard (which could cost another £1000+). Do some research on the net mate, google has all the answers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzyboi Posted July 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 I will have a good read when i get time, i dont think its something i can do right away, but its something that i want to do.. For the moment i have coughdownloadedcough MS Flight Simulator X Delux. Not as good as the real thing but i can still dream Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 You would be surprised how useful that is. In fact, have a look at http://www.vatsim.net/ With a simple cheap yoke and pedals you can lean all the basics, where it is invaluable is for navigation and familiarisation. You can learn everything you need to know, how VOR's work, correct intercept techniques as well as other mundane aspects like climbing and descending, glide paths etc. Grr, now I want to go and fly but I'm skint Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzyboi Posted July 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 Tell stories please What planes, flights, trips you have made .... im intrigued Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 I'll PM you later fella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzyboi Posted July 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 Nice one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaggyRS6 Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 I have actually been rated on a 777-200ER (All be it a REAL simulator) whilst in Seattle. By luck I happened to know the head of IP at Boeing and spent 2 solid weeks on in the Sim at Boeing. Happy Days. Vatsim is a great way of learning by the way, you cant beat the real thing though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 You jammy swine Cupra! I'd love a go in one of those bad boys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony9r Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 £5000 for the licence... several million £££'s for the Learjet I've been looking into getting a light aircraft (microlight) licence for a while now... one day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 Cheapest "flying" you can get into at the moment is "paramotoring" which is essentially paragliding (large airofoil parachute) with a small engine and prop strapped to your back. The CAA class them as SPHG's (self propelled foot launched hang gliders) which means you don't actually need a license to fly one. http://www.paraglide.co.uk/paramotor.htm Fit it in the car and please yourself, rigs from about £1500. EDIT: Clearly you need to learn how, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony9r Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 Cheapest "flying" you can get into at the moment is "paramotoring" which is essentially paragliding (large airofoil parachute) with a small engine and prop strapped to your back. The CAA class them as SPHG's (self propelled foot launched hang gliders) which means you don't actually need a license to fly one. http://www.paraglide.co.uk/paramotor.htm Fit it in the car and please yourself, rigs from about £1500. EDIT: Clearly you need to learn how, though! Yes, we have a paramotor club just down the road which I often spectate at... keep threatening to sell the bike for a set-up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadkill Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 go for it mate , i have been dreaming about this for years , At the minute im a loadmaster for a cargo company at East Midlands airport and i also love flight sim too this is a great tool for learning all of the Instruments may i suggest a add on which is the captain sim 727 you wont be dissapointed its amazing . Like pin said its bout £5000 here but loads cheaper in the states. A good magazine to read is Todays pilot.. Also there is a cheaper licence i believe which is a NPPL ( National Private Pilot's Licence (the NPPL) came into effect at the end of July 2002. This new licence is aimed purely at those wishing to fly for fun rather than those who want a PPL as a stepping stone to a commercial licence and a career in aviation.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaggyRS6 Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 Cheapest "flying" you can get into at the moment is "paramotoring" which is essentially paragliding (large airofoil parachute) with a small engine and prop strapped to your back. The CAA class them as SPHG's (self propelled foot launched hang gliders) which means you don't actually need a license to fly one. http://www.paraglide.co.uk/paramotor.htm Fit it in the car and please yourself, rigs from about £1500. EDIT: Clearly you need to learn how, though! I came back with a Pallet, and I kid you not, a pallet full of Manuals. About $10k worth I pride myself on knowing the 777 inside out. But that's as far as it will ever go for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trakker01 Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 i have not flown for a couple of years now, but join a club, away from a commercial airport,as they are expensive to touch down (LBA = £25 each touch) & with a variety of light single engine planes..cessna/warrior etc. you may find a cessna, a bit reliant robbin size ,but with a very forgiving under carrage, its just the job for feild flights & landings, after 4/5 hrs get to a warrior 151 or similar, nicer..faster, just ease.... do it you'll love it , at appox £100+ per hr, with trainer for 1st 4-6 flights you'll love it...& be amaised how far ya can go in 1hr..after ya confidence kicks in, its all yours ..take a bud or 3..(no trainer) & dont forget , include ya friends on pleasure flights whilst building up ya hrs in a warrior £120 divided by 4 = cheep licence.. see ..tt ,isle of mann..blackpool etc etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poacher Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 remember it maybe cheaper to fly in the states or NZ is often popular, but you'll have to pay for flights out there + accomodation, so any savings you make soon go elsewhere. Best advice is find a small club (that don't operate on a big runway) that way you can avoid the fees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbjunkie Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 Microlights are quite a bit cheaper to learn in, however the NPPL license is only valid in the UK whereas if you get a SEP JAA PPL license you can fly anywhere in Europe (IIRC it does not extend further than this) And yes, there are a lot of people who jack it in - me included Not enough time, or money. Oh well, i've still got my logbook.. maybe will pick it up again sometime in the future. Tip: Flyer forums is an excellent place for PPL advice, http://forums.flyer.co.uk Just while I remember... there is a flying school in South Africa - it's at Port Elizabeth airport - called Algoa Flight Centre Fees are very reasonable, cheaper even than the US/NZ and the weather is flyable 90% of the year. (Ask Jenni Morton on the flyer forums, she spent a month out there a year or two back) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hwr Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 My dads friends son is 17 and he has just recieved his private pilots licence after completing courses of theory/practical. Its something that i am very interested in, not as a career but more of a hobby, my work lies in I.T so thats that. What i want to know is if its feasable for me to do this or is it financially going to cripple me? Are there any pilots on here? Find your nearest flying school and book a half hour trial lesson,thats all you need to have a taste of whether its for you. If you decide you like it then earn your money in IT and spend it in aviation! as posted above in all the replies there's plenty of info on the web and magasines too in whsmith , Flyer, Pilot, todays pilot. be careful though as its ADDICTIVE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikky Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 be careful.......it is addictive...my uncle took up flying lessons......he owned a very succesful garage business...............he now works part time at b&q..failed marraige..house re possessed....all in 3 years......what a *****..my auntie was a great,lively,outgoing woman now she is a shell...if i had my way i would take him up to 10000 ft and throw him out. and i'd take the shotty....i would give a new meaning to dtl shooting mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hwr Posted July 27, 2007 Report Share Posted July 27, 2007 Sorry to hear about your uncle so will have to clarify my answer a little to lighten the tone a bit Its so much fun its addictive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trakker01 Posted July 27, 2007 Report Share Posted July 27, 2007 GET ON WITH IT...YOU SPEND TOO MUCH TIME HERE!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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