Northern Ireland Aviation Enthusiast's Forum

General Aviation Discussion => General Aviation Discussion => Topic started by: casper on January 04, 2006, 09:40:09 PM

Title: Flight Training
Post by: casper on January 04, 2006, 09:40:09 PM

Just wondering if anyone on the forum holds a pilots licence - I know one or two of you do but what about the rest?

Have you ever considered it? At the moment I couldn't afford the cost of a PPL but I'm thinking of looking into microlights or even gliding. Any thoughts or comments?

Title: Flight Training
Post by: alert5 on January 10, 2006, 11:20:03 AM

Always considered it but just too expensive for me. Never thought of microlights or gliding though.

Title: Flight Training
Post by: Chris G on January 10, 2006, 07:25:03 PM

Gliding used to be the cheap way to do it, get your wings and then just do a conversion but i think some regs were brought in a few years ago to stop this. If you want to do it fairly cheaply then go to the USA where there are some CAA approved flight schools (especially in Florida) and they cost about half of what it costs in the UK, oh and the weather is a hell of a lot better as well.  8)  8)  8)

Title: Flight Training
Post by: casper on January 13, 2006, 09:05:56 PM

Turns out there's a microlight school less than 10 miles from where I live so I may look it up, but I'll probably leave it until the summer.

Title: Flight Training
Post by: Scuzi on January 31, 2006, 06:20:12 PM

If you want to train for a PPL your best bet would be to fly with Woodgate Flight Training at Aldergrove. Last time I flew with them it was about £120 per hour + £4.50 landing fee. If you could manage to do 2 hours a month it would be plenty to keep your hand in. Another option is the NPPL which require less hours although you can't use it to fly over the border.



If a PPL(A) is a bit too costly you gould go for the Microlight PPL. As far as I know, dual instruction on a microlight is about £70-80 an hour so you'd be making quite a saving. It's easy enough to upgrade to a PPL(A) if you find yourself a bit more flush in the future.



Check out http://www.kernanaviation.co.uk/



I'll be back in the north sometime in the summer and I'll probably be flying, so if you trust me enough you are more than welcome to take the right hand seat! Drop me an email if you fancy it.



I haven't been able to afford to fly much since moving house, everything here in London is so expensive! I can't wait until I get back into the skies of NI.  :)

Title: Flight Training
Post by: casper on January 31, 2006, 06:48:37 PM

Hi Scuzi

I'd definitely be up for that :) Let me know when your back and I'll get in touch.

Any ideas I had of flying have just been put on hold because I've just bought a new house.

Title: Flight Training
Post by: Tomcatboy48237 on February 01, 2006, 01:56:00 AM

Quote from: "Scuzi"

£120 per hour + £4.50 landing fee.

They have a landing fee?  That's interesting, I've never heard of something like that before.  I guess it's an extra incentive to teach you well, because if you don't land they lose money!   :lol:

Title: Flight Training
Post by: alert5 on February 01, 2006, 12:42:29 PM

Maybe they should give you the landing fee if you bring the plane back  :lol:  :lol: