A few questions about PPL

First up....

Why do you want a PPL ?

Is that really want you want ?

It maybe that flying a microlight might satisfy your itch and could be a lot cheaper.

I agree, you gotta really want to! If you do, you will make it happen. However, for many, going solo is sufficient, and a hell of an achievement that is not overly expensive.

For me, I always wanted to, but could never justify the cost (thanks to hearty budget indoctrination from my mum). Some 20 years after leaving school and with the benefit of hindsight and a more seasoned view of life I realised I could have done my PPL several times over instead of spending on other forms of recreation.

So, I did. I didn't set a time frame, I just started learning to fly for the sheer fun of it and to get it out of my system. I saw each lesson (one a fortnight) as a part of my recreation and had enormous fun and satisfaction along the way - no time pressure. In less than two years I was a newly qualified PPL. By drip-feeding the cost of flying and flying only when I could afford each lesson, I had fulfilled a dream and owed nothing at the end (or should I say, the beginning)!!

Flying has broadened my perspective (literally and philosophically) taught me self-discipline. As a PIC the added dimension of responsibility and accountability can take away a little from the sheer thrill of flight without such burdens, indeed I've scared the hell out of myself a number of times, but that also teaches you something about life.

There are a lot of things that can and will take your money (cars, girls, drink, etc) and a lot of the fun things to do while you're young aren't cheaper than flying (travel, jetskis, snow skis). The thing is, with flying you can share your accomplishment with others. And once you've got your PPL you've always got it. Even while learning to fly, there's no obligation to continue, unlike a hire-purchase agreement. I don't have a well-paying job. I have people dependant on me. You don't need to be rich to make it work, just desire, determination, and self-discipline.

I say, if you love it, GO FOR IT! It's never gonna be cheaper!!

I'd suggest the best thing for you to do is to go to your local aero club and have a chat to one of the instructors. They can give you all the info.

Most aero clubs offer trial flights which are relatively inexpensive, and give you the chance to get a feel for flying a light aircraft.

There are 6 exams to sit which can be done during the flight training, though you have to complete some of them before your cross country flights.

Most PPL's will start training with the basics of straight and level flight and turns, climbing and descending, stalling, etc, and will then move into circuit training which teaches you to take off, climb, descend and land. From there comes forced landings, instrument flying, low flying, cross countries etc following which you will eventually sit your flight test.

I got my PL about 7 years ago and absolutely loved the training. You can spread it over a period of time to spread the cost, but of course always good to start saving asap.

I think you need to be 17 to sit your flight test and 16 to go solo (suggest you confirm that) but you can easily start learning at 16 or maybe even 15.

I didn't start until I was 30 and really wished I'd begun earlier. I started off on GA stuff then moved into tailwheel and now have a syndicate share in a Chipmunk at Warbirds. If you're into historics there is a very active scene and its welcoming to newcomers, particulatly those that can lower the average age a bit...

So go for it....

If you are referring to my post Thomarse I thought I was being helpful.
I do know his age and background and have spent more time in that ATC room than you could ever imagine.
I also flew with Thelma Bradshaw in Nelson and it was Kevin Allport that encouraged me to take up power flying.

The ATC room is on Nelson Airport and you have to pass all the places I mentioned to get to it.

I, and others here, wondered why he wanted to spend his money on a PPL. Once we know that we can offer advice based on our experiences.

Years ago the club had Snoopy and Scotty about the place. More recently it was Jacob but I have lost track of things there the past few years.

Recreational flying activity is strong in Nelson and once again Kevin Allport is only going to be keen to assist there. He flies the RANS they have.

I think this is a good and valid question that Jasper has asked and such a thread will be interesting to many others young and old who are considering learning to fly. Please keep things civil, helpful and knowledgable, and respect the fact that it is young novices that are asking, so keep it simple and positive.

Good luck Jasper.

Cheers baron.

Jasper, see these links also to help you:

www.caa.govt.nz/safety_info/how_tos/how_to_be_a_pilot.pdf

www.caa.govt.nz/pilots/pilots.htm

100% agree with whoever said fly for fun and the license will come. I started out on my PPL at a large flight school and was indoctrinated with 'must fly twice a week or you will go backwards' In hindsight I now realise those schools are a factory for spitting out pilots with a CPL and a multi engine instrument rating. Not surprisingly I ran out of money and enthusiasm. They don't really get the fly for fun thing, its about a career, which is fine if that is your goal.

I have recently got back into it at an aero club after a 10 year break, they laughed at me when I was worried about only being able to afford to fly once a fortnight. They said most people in the real world without a student loan can't afford to fly more often. I fly because I enjoy it and the instructors at the smaller aero club get that (with occasional reminders) I don't care how many lessons it takes to master something as long as it is fun. I don't care if I go solo or with an instructor as long as I get to fly. And some days I just say bollocks to practicing x,y or z lets just go for a scenic tour with a bit of map reading practise thrown in.

I find fortnightly works fine, I still remember the last lesson ok, and the cost (about $250 on average) is 'just' doable on a normal sort of a salary if you don't have too many other expensive habits. The only hiccup with the pay as you go theory is the cross countries which you need about $4k in the bank to do it as a block. I have opted to defer them and sit the license without them...eventually.... (rather than go into debt) and then do them the next year or whenever I save up enough, stopping flying for several months to save up isn't an option

Sorry a rather long 2 cents worth just to agree with the previous posts that said, shop around for the right place and instructor (it will make the difference) and make sure you enjoy every flight, if you are doing it for fun who cares how long it takes to get the bit of paper, as long as you get to go flying. I have flown all sorts of fun stuff like tiger moths and cubs on the road to getting my PPL, you just need to take an instructor along.

Microlights are an option, they are just like 2 seat PPL planes now, but for me the restriction to 1 pax, no flights over built up areas and no night flying, and no warbird or tiger moth options was too restrictive. I just fly a bit less than I could in a microlight.