I’m not that old, but it was about 2 or 3 years before.

On one hand there are those teenagers who start flying at 13, but can’t go solo until 16 and then cannot pass until 17. They seem to manage okay. On the other hand, if you spread out the lessons too much, you may find yourself spending about 30% of each lesson going back over old ground. I found myself at 24 with my meagre student debts and no cash flow (I was broke but had paid off all my loans) wishing I could afford more than 1 hour per week to maintain momentum. But if you are doing it for fun and for destressing, who cares, the hours all count. 🙂

I considered joining the UAS. However my chin wasn’t square enough, I wear specs, the UAS joining procedure was shrouded in secrecy (they weren’t even at the Freshers Fair) and it did mean going over to Southampton. Consequently I didn’t join htough was very jealous when their Bulldogs flitted overhead.

What clubs and socs are you in?

BR
B.Sc (Hons) Computer Science (Portsmuff) 🙂

Hi James,

If you are typical fresher age, then there are more options open to you.

I see you mentioned Viggies which made me think “UAS”. Have you checked out LUAS? http://www.sn63.dial.pipex.com/ Are you eligible? Some commitment including summer camp means you get free flying lessons in return. All really depends on whether you have the time available, I know many students now have to fit in part-time jobs to fund those awful tuition fees.

There is also the Air League http://www.airleague.co.uk/

Don’t know much between Ravenair and LFS, they both seem to fly Tomahawks. Best go check out each and if you are serious have a trial lesson with both. You will then get to see how well organised they are in terms of admin, instructing and wanting your business!

Your next nearest flying clubs are at Barton, on the NW side of Manchester.

The NPPL, in terms of fixed wing and above the microlight category, is only really of any use for people who are unable to obtain a full medical. If you want to gain a CPL, you have to get a full JAR PPL(A) first. The NPPL is treated as non-standard.

Where do you live? There may be a cheaper outfit nearby that will furnish you with a trial lesson.

£302, I had mine two months ago and you will need to go down to the CAA at Gatwick for the initial exam in their small clinic. Rather informal procedure so don’t panic. The price is less than it has been due to the EEG and chest X-Ray no longer being performed.

If you wear specs or contact lenses, you need a sight ‘script less than 12 months old. Mine wasn’t so I printed off the visual acuity requirements from the CAA website and had my optician test me against all of them. I think she enjoyed breaking away from the usual routine. Also you willl I believe need some form of additional approval if you wear contacts. The medical front desk will run through it all when you book in.

If it is a Class 2, you can do it more locally and there is a list of CAA Authorised Medical Examiners (AMEs) here. Those with a 10000 code can do Class 1 renewals, Class 2 Initials and Class 2 Renewals. Those with 20000 codes can only do Class 2 Initials and Class 2 Renewals. A Class 2, which is adequate for a PPL, may set you back between £100-130 as an estimate.

Just remembered a point about the English. Apparently my school had a quite intelligent chap over from Holland and knew quite a lot of aeronatics and commercial aviation. However because the exam questions are devious in their language he failed to pass. I have to respect therefore the guys in my class who are from Italy and the Faroes.

The Wings scheme last time I looked wanted to you to fund about £60000 up front for the bond.

Cabair are rather expensive too.

Could you fund an Integrated course straight away? If not, could you fund a Modular route doing so over a greater time period?

You need decent Maths and English to get you through the ATPL theory. Maths because you need to be abel to juggle numbers and formulas, English because well let’s just say the questions are twisted such that they try not to give you the mark, 🙁

You may have to consider going to college first, all depends on how good you are 🙂

in fact it would be nice to see them. I have been told hat said company also operate government contracts moving frieght which is more of a concern

Classic Flight is arm of Air Atlantique and it is just the Classic Flight that are engaged in a feasibility study regarding a move to Deenethorpe.

Air Atlantique themselves run a small outfit divided into two keys areas, 1. passenger services on a small number of ATR turboprops. The same is true for their Highland Airways operation. 2. Marine and Coastguard Agency work utilising light piston and turboprop twins. In both cases they would stay at Coventry. One reason why is that Coventry offers instrument capability, i.e. reduced weather conditions. This is something Deenethorpe do not have.

Air Atlantique perform very little in the way of freight work. They did have a cargo arm, Atlantic Airways, but this is now independent from the old parent company and again having no operational connection with the parent company, will stay at Coventry again.

I believe Classic Flight are considering the move because they will have access to more space, which is limited at Coventry.

http://www.airatlantique.co.uk/

I recall having seen the Mossie documentary either…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuQ6pMb1Jsc&mode=related&search=