Mass wrote on Aug 19^th, 2008 at 8:35am:

Hi Danny. I think you would be much better off at a smaller airfield but it still doesn't come cheap. You can check prices of the local flying schools online. I found two at Wellesbourne with a quick search on Google.
South Warwickshire Flying School. http://www.southwarwickshireflyingschool.com/chargesandfees.htm

Wellesbourne Aviation. http://www.wellaviate.co.uk/Flying_School/Training/ppl.htm

Bear in mind that the prices quoted are based on the minimum number of hours. It might take considerably longer depending on your aptitude & how often you can take lessons.

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I think Cobra has recently done this. Your best bet would to ask him. Send him a PM.

I will talk to cobra then, ill find him and PM him.
One of the main reasons i thought about the US is because of the family out there, and i could stay with them for a while and do some of the usual tourist stuff around the states. I believe that you can get licences out there for around 6 or 7000 $$$ if you find the right places which, including flights of about £400 which are available seems pretty good.

As to the differences in airspaces... what are the main differences? at the moment all i know is the simple stuff from slight sim so excuse my lack of knowledge at this time!

Thanks guys!
Danny

Hagar wrote on Aug 19^th, 2008 at 9:49am:


So it is. I'll revise that to £6000 if you shop around!


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UK airspace is generally a lot busier, and far less open (lots of airports and military airfields etc on a quite a small island!).

beaky wrote on Aug 19^th, 2008 at 8:30pm:

A lot of US flight schools offer JAA training. That's how Cobra did it. http://www.flyoba.com/ppl.php

If someone were to ask me right now; how much it would cost to learn how to fly (in the U.S.)... the instinctive answer is:  If you have to ask, you can't afford it.

Now.. sarcasm aside... Unless it's something you just want to add to your life-list and then move on... flying is a huge, open-ended commitment. If you plan on actually being a pilot; flying places and taking civilians along with you... you'll have invested close to $20,000 before you reach that point (PPL in hand and then 100 hours as a true PIC). I've said this before, but it warrants repeating: My brother wouldn't fly with me until I had 250 hours total time. Not because he didn't trust me... but because a friend of the family (airline captain) said so. There's also a school of thougt that you shouldn't be taking off on long, X-country flights with passengers on-board until you're holding an instrument ticket, and are experinced in its use (make that $30,000 before you're a pilot). I can agree with that school of thought to a point. I've been stuck on the ground, en-route with several people counting on me to make sound descisions while under pressure to "get there". It's a serious, sobering position to be in.

Whatever formula you agree with and abide by... you're also looking at a BARE minimum $300/month to stay current (more likely $500). So that, "how much does it cost to get the license" question really is moot and just the tip of the iceberg.

NOW... if all you want to do is get the license... and then maybe go up on the occasional, nice Saturday, because you can... it's not quite so expensive. But also opens the can of worms about aircraft access. Clubs have dues and insurance requirements that make you stay current... else have to start each weekend  "fun trip" with an hour of dual with a club instructor... and  does that really qualify you to be taking a passenger along ? In my opinion, no.

Back to the question. I'd tell a person to have $10,000 set aside when they start the training.. and to budget $500/month for the rest of your flying life.

Mass wrote on Aug 20^th, 2008 at 11:13am:


Brett made a good point. If you get a PPL now, but can't afford there after to keep it current, you could end up spending several grand to renew it at a later date - which could have a knock on effect on finance for CPL/ATPL.

If you intend to go to Uni, don't forget the UAS too. It is a great eye opener, free flying, good training, and you don't have to join the RAF afterwards.