Looking to get my PPL

[munkygunn182]

Anyone on here already done it?

Any advice on going for it?

Flying seems to be the in thing on the org at the moment.

I can't comment in detail on the PPL, I learned the skills of flying through the air cadets and the university air squadron but that doesn't give you a civvie ticket to go flying, now got my CPL so never held a PPL.
However, I know plenty of people with PPLs and the key is to have plenty of £££ and time. Flying isn't like driving or riding, you don't just get a licence for life and use it as much or as little as you like, there is much you must do to maintain it (and the ratings that go on the licence).

As for getting the initial licence it's going to cost a few thousand. You may be able to get it a little cheaper and quicker in the states, but factor in travel, accommodation and time off work costs, and then I believe there is a paperwork exercise to convert the FAA licence to JAR (european).

So with all the above hassle out the way, flying is fantastic fun! It's challenging and rewarding in a similar way to riding. Different people seem to take different things from flying, but for me it's the basics I enjoy most, looking out of the window and just flying with stick and rudder. The best times I've had flying were when I was gliding, and I'd strongly recommend looking into this as well as the PPL.

[munkygunn182]

My plan of attack is to sit the ground school stuff here, and then head out to florida to Ormond Beach (google Ormond Beach Aviation), who I had recommended to me by a flight inspector from here and do the actual air hours over there. I started about 4 years ago, never got massively far, but racked up a few hours anyway, dunno if they'll still be valid?

This has all happened because next year at uni is going to be part time for me, so I'll be working lots, so will have the cash so might as well take advantage while I've got no major bills to pay?

I did a lot of my training (to JAA syllabus) in Florida so I know about Ormond Beach, I met a few people out there who don't exactly speak highly of their standards, but I don't have any personal experience. I'm not sure about the validity of your hours. Exams lapse if you don't complete the course. LASORS on the CAA website is you friend here.

i have always wanted to fly, i would have given anything to be a commercial pilot, however due to illness when younger i was not able to persue it, and now it all comes down to money. There is not as i am sure you all know the funding from the airlines any more, and i dont have the £70k odd needed to put myself through training to fly for a living, i will do my PPL at some point however.

I think if you are looking to do a PPL then heading to the states won't be worth it. Commercial training there in total comes out as more than half the price of what it is here but the PPL isn't that big a difference.
At Cranfield Airport near hear in MK it's just over £4,000 to get your PPL, in the States it's around £3,000.

If you go for it though you need to be willing to maintain the hours, which isn't cheap. What's more is you need to be dedicated. The pilot I flew with a couple of days ago had a person who tried to join in on the ownership share of his aircraft but turned him down because his piloting was so rusty. He said it was quite common with a lot of people who have PPL's to not bother keeping up with flying.

Advice on going for it...go for it!! My plan is to save £20,000 or so over two years of work (and living with my parents) then head out to Florida taking a year out from work and do this
http://www.flyeasa.com/airline_pilot.php

The equivalent of in the UK is about 50-60k. Landing an airline job in todays aviation industry is near on impossible apparently, but I'd love to get an instrument rating and multi engine rating to fly bigger things and have options later on. I'd be happy with a career change flying Safari planes or being a bush pilot in Canada if I don't end up enjoying hospital work. After I come back here, I'll continue work whilst building more hours, either flying parachute planes/banner planes/whatever during the weekends, then see what the future holds.

Getting paid to fly would be an absolute dream. It'd be like getting paid to ride but 10times better.

[G]

My boss sent his son to get his pilots lisence in Florida. He's now a fully qualified commecial pilot and can't get work anywhere.

I'd love to learn to fly helicopters though. But you would never get work with that either as there's so many navy and army pilots available with masses more experience.

Originally Posted by G

I'd love to learn to fly helicopters though. But you would never get work with that either as there's so many navy and army pilots available with masses more experience.

Helicopters are awesome, but civilian training is twice the cost of fixed wings, and if you luckily get a job flying helicopters you'll generally get paid less than your fixed wing counterparts. Military pilots practically trump civilians chances, and it's no surprise considering experience and quality of training.

[Mr Speirs]

Airline Pilots are getting paid rubbish money now though.

Was watching an Aircrash Investigation programme and the first officer was earning $16k a year!!! Bonkers.

All depends on what airline, and how much experience you've got. Some first officers start at £30k, still peanuts relative to how much it would have cost them to train though. Captains still get nice healthy sums.

Mind you, basic starting salary for a junior doctor is £22,000, isn't that nuts after 6years of uni?!