Tim made some good points - especially getting back to where you were after
a spell of not flying due to poor weather. I found that to be a real issue,
which inevitably also affected to total cost of learning to fly - three
steps forward and then two steps back sort of thing. Lots of cancelled
lessons because of crap weather and then spending 1/2 the next lesson
ginning up on what I had forgotten from before.
I've seen a number of posts about not paying up front for blocks of
lessons, but I found it a useful way to keep track of the costs, and if the
club has been going for many years then it is unlikely to suddenly go broke
now. If you pay with a credit card you should protected.
I was not the worlds fastest learner and went solo after 20 hours and skills
tested at 70 hours, although that included club-flyouts to France (twice),
IoM, and other places in England so not all of that was lessons. I was
paying £115/hour in a PA28 but that now is £125, which from what I can see
on this newsgroup and on various websites is about average. So 70 hours @
£125 = £8750, + about £600 to hire the plane, pay the examiner for the
skills test and then stump up the licence fee to the crooks at the CAA.
Like you I got the itch after a trial lesson voucher and being told that I
could do it in 46 hours did not seem bad value, but of course the hourly
rate has gone up due to the fuel price increase since then. Very soon after
I started two instructors told me to budget for at least another £1,000.
That was reasonable advice I think £250 /month is OK, but there will be
good and bad (lots of flying and no flying) months so regard it as an
average. If you need to keep the wife on board always make sure she knows
when a lesson has to be cancelled and don't always let on every time you do
fly. I found that gave a slightly rosy picture.
I got my PPL 21 months ago now (after 4 aborted test dates due to weather!!)
and I have often wondered if I would have done it if I knew at the start
what it would cost. Possibly not, but most probably I would - I fly about
20 hours a year PIC and about that again with a friend in the other seat and
I enjoy nearly all of it. My wife is quite reasonable about it and we both
feel that up to about 30 hours a year is not pushing my luck, but if she
knew how much I spent getting the licence........well thing might just be
different. After all she learnt to play golf while I was learing to fly and
if she joined the swanky golf club up the road, paid them their annual subs
and then spent £2000 a year on course fees I suppose I might be a bit
miffed!!
If you go for it it's all because she gave you the trial lesson - so its all
her fault!!
Rob
Post by RobertHi all,
I have recently completed my second 1/2 hour trial flight at Barton near
Manchester, which was a gift from my wife. I must admit I now have the bug
and would like to go for my PPL. I have a few questions though, that I
hope you be able to help with.
1. What is the average cost of gaining a PPL and would it cost more to pay
monthly rather than a lump sum to one flight school.
2. Once I have gained my PPL what is the average cost of joining a PFA.
3. Are there any good schools near or in Chester where I live.
I can afford about £250 a month at the moment without the wife chopping of
my dangely bits. Is this a realistic amount to see it though to the end.
Thanks in advance,
Daniel