bigJoe

I second that, I'd suggest you wait until spring though – the main thing you need while training is continuity (if you do it in the UK it will take longer than you plan on, for all sorts of reasons). When you do start try and fly maybe two or three times a week – that’s what I did and it took most of a summer

Be prepared to spend more than 5K, you might need more than the minimum hours (if you work hard though you’ll be close), then there’s flight tests, books, radio test, landing fees etc…..

In the mean time you could visit some clubs (talk to some students & PPLs), do some gliding and reading to get a better picture.

It’s expensive and a bit of a treadmill, but a few nice trips to Le Touqet or the Channel Islands will make it all worth while (or how about California???)

You'll love it...(probably )

Nicci

I am still waiting for my dad to take me to France, he has flown there twice this summer.

Got taken for a flight in a brand new Diamond plane (4 seater) last week, it was lovely compared to a cessna..lol

Think of the freedom you will have (although lots of planning for a long flight).

Flatcapdriver

Singe - you don't have to spend £500.00 per month but its that sort of figure if you want to progress your flying skills rather than maintain a base level. Go and try it and if you like then progress things. At the end of the day you may enjoy it enough to invest in a syndicate or buy your own PFA aircraft but don't be sucked in to the cost propaganda that exists within the industry.

Alternatively, try Gliding and you'll really learn to fly.

Deep Singh

Singe? Who the hell is Singe?

Point taken though. Someone at work also recommended gliding and said he actually preferred it to flying.

Thanks to all for the input so far

Can anyone fill me in on gliding?

Deep SINGH

JackClark

I'm interested in gliding as well, 3 good airfields within ten miles of me. Self sustaining would be very interesting.

Deep Singh

Jack, a couple of questions;

If the engine doesn't provide forward flight, what does? Wind?

You don't mention the average sort of heights reached

Cheers
Deep

JackClark

The glider is designed to fly forwards when it's full of air and has weight under it. The motor pushes you forwards tilting the glider upwards. Pretty hard to get your head around but makes sense in the end.

500ft is a nice height to fly at, not too cold, good view and plenty of time to find a landing spot should you need one. I flew around chasing rabbits last week, probably 5-10ft off the ground then climbed up to 2500ft on the return home as I knew I had spare fuel. Plenty of people have been up to 12,000ft.

SimonD

Just seen this. Very Interesting.
FCD is spot on. I got my PPL a few years back and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The first solo, cross country and flight test were quite stressful but very rewarding and I picked up skills that I would not have expected before attempting to fly.
.......however, once quailfied I found that regular flying became a real pain. I flew from Biggin Hill and the amount of time required to achieve only a few hours a month was disproportionate to the enjoyment. Weather is a serious issue - you book a plane; turn up; wait until the last minute to be sure that it really isn't going to clear up; then go home. During the winter you'll repeat this a lot (particularly with Biggin Hill being at 600ft).
Flying around the SE can be pretty dull unless constant radio chat is your thing. I found myself flying so infrequently that I was probably becoming a liablility so I let my licence lapse and started doing (bike) track days as they were far cheaper and I enjoyed them more.
I don't, however, regret getting my PPL. The learning process was actually more enjoyable than flying after I got my licence and if you live away from the SE I'm sure it would be more fun. The best experience I had was renting a Cessna 150 while on holiday in the Highlands. I still think that if I moved further north or across to the states I would take up flying again.

^Qwerty^

Two people I know, both in their 30's have recently started flying for BMI, so it shows it can be done.

I did my PPL(A) two years ago, and I'm booked in to do an hour with an instructor next week to re-validate my licence.

All in all it cost me just over £6k. I did post a break down of all the costs on here before, but I can't appaer to find the thread. I included everything right upto spending between £5-10 to travel to/from the airfield. Don't let people tell you that you won't pass in 45 hours either, if you have the right aptitude for it, you'll walk it in 45 hours.

If you decide to do it, don't forget that you could take up aerobatics rather than fly to L2Q everyweekend

Flatcapdriver

Google Gliding and you'll get heaps of hits. Gliders rely on lift just the same as SEPs but without the thrust being produced by an engine. Instead they rely on larger wings to provide massive levels of lift which provide incredible glide ratios to keep you airborne. I've not done much of it and at first it feels very weird without a fan in front of you but after a while you get used to it and start to enjoy it.

Sorry about the Singe, Singh.

Deep Singh

No probs FCD!

Thanks for all the input.

I think I'll try gliding first, then think about a ppl. Will post an update when I actually get off my **** and do it!

Deep Singh

Jack if you're still around a few more questions

I'm a little confused about where one is allowed to use the Paramotor ie how does one define a 'populated' area? Is it where there are houses or where any people may reasonably be expected to be?

When you say 500 ft from 'anything' what does that mean?

Where do you fly yours?

Cheers
Deep

JackClark

Anything means everything, exept when taking off and landing of course. I try not to fly over any houses at all. I'll try to find a link to the air navigation order for you. I've flown mine in Bucks, Oxford and Kent.

JackClark

Here's the information you need http://www.paramotorsuk.co.uk/pdf/4y117.pdf