More flying videos.

[TeePee]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbzwqIxt1q8

A beech 1900 is a 19 seat plane used by regional airlines..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o40_MzuKIGA

This is an RV-4 Kit plane...

[awm]

I've flown on the Beachcraft 1900. The are kind of fun for short periods of time on clear days since they fly low and you get a good view. Wouldn't like to be on one doing a barrel roll though.

On a side note: what type of plane do you fly? Just curious, you don't have to answer if you don't want too.

[TeePee]

Right now? I'm flying a Piper Cherokees. Arrow III's and Cadets. Working on my instructor rating. The Cessna 310R is the biggest I have time in. I'm always looking for part 91 work if you know of anythng .

[awm]

Cool, good luck on you instructor rating. And finding a job, I really don't know anything about that, I just fly a lot, does stimulating the airline industry count as helping you get a job ?

[Whiternoise]

How much do flying lessons in the UK cost?

And how many hours do you need to qualify as a pilot?

(Just i'm thinking about getting flying lessons - the nearest "airport" is Oxford, so i'm guessing they do them)

[mart_haj86]

Not sure on the price but I am led to believe that its 40Hrs of flying to qualify, TeePee should have the offical answer for you.

[TeePee]

It's 45 hours minimum for a European PPL, but I wouldn't reccomend it.

Firstly, if you are flying once or twice a week and slowly working towards the licence, people average 60-80 hours. The cost for the basic 45 hours, including everything, will be £6000-7000. Obviously more if you take longer.

If you can take the time off work, you can travel to the USA and do an intensive course, getting the same licence in as little as three weeks. This will benefit you as the intensive nature will mean you take less hours, as the skills stay fresh. The cost for the flight training will be around $6000-7000. Obviously add flights and accomodation, but at 1.95 $ to the £, you save a ton!

The third option, which is by far the best, is getting an FAA certificate in the USA. It's a better licence, allowing you to go flying as soon as you have it instead of waiting for the paperwork from the CAA (great if you have an extra week in the US after finishing your course, you can fly places!). It also isn't restricted to daytime flying only, like the European licence, and you can use it to fly British registered planes anywhere in the world! The cost for training will be $5000-6000 and add travel expenses.

If you're interested in more details, or would like me to reccomend a school, then let me know.

[Whiternoise]

Ah cool

It sounds like something that'd be really fun to do in the summer hols (how long does the FAA one take?). That's be such an ace 18th present (*saves and plots*).

Yeah, the conversion should help quite a bit, £6K is absolutely extortionate.. What i'll probably end up doing is going to the State's in the summer before i start Uni (so 2008), work off the money for the plane tickets and enjoy myself.

I'll probably bother you in the Autumn sometime - provided you're still here of course..

EDIT: actually, if you would be so kind as to recommend me a school now so i can check out their website, prices, etc. that'd be great! - Oh, i don't having any intention of learning to drive any time soon, would that be a serious hitch? Or would i just mean taking a taxi to the airport every morning?


Thanks!

[Gerrard]

This was one place I came across whilst thinking about a PPL. Based in Florida, a 3 week course for £3695 plus flights getting there. Seemed like a good deal, however I never really researched too far into it. Whilst it seemed cool to have a pilot's license, I didn't feel I would follow it through to be of any great use.

[TeePee]

OBA is one of the better JAA schools in Florida. Again, if it's just for 'having the licence' FAA is the way to go. You get a snazzy plastic card with a picture of the Wright brothers, rather than the tatty bit of paper in Britain, and it NEVER EXPIRES.

I've heard of the FAA certificate being done in two weeks. Mine took 17 days. Many flight schools have accomodation close to or at the airport. I'd reccomend a small town FBO rather than a large academy, as they work out cheaper. I went to www.crystalaerogroup.com in Crystal River, and had a great time. $15 a night for basic accomodation at the airport.

[Capt Doufos]

That's a really intrested blog you have there TeePee.

I would really love to fly, but I really don't think I could afford it. Or afford to keep it up afterwards

I hope to take a couple of sample type lessons, just to have a go!

I was thinking of doing a gliding course instead. About £600 to solo, so alot cheaper. Obviously a totally different experience though.

[Whiternoise]

Thanks mate appreciate it!
Right.. gotta try and persuade the various members of my family to start putting pennies in their piggy banks..
The accomodation sounds great, i'm fine with sleeping in a dorm for a few weeks (gotta practice for uni anyhoo ).