Am I allowed to comment on energy prices in here? Don't want to get banned for blaming environmental groups for driving up the costs of energy...

Better not. No need to hijack the thread.

I wouldn't blame the cost of Flight School on the Environmentalists. The primary reasons (I noted above) are increase in insurance premiums for the school operators, increase in Petrol (due to many reasons), decrease in enrolment (due to increased fees as well as a poor economy), this kind of creates a snowball effect.Other reasons may include the cost to maintain a fleet or replace an aging fleet, upgrading facilities, smaller airports closing due to urban sprawl, fewer schools, their are probably a lot more reasons I could brain storm.It is a different time right now compared to the 1970's when Flight Schools where in their prime and enrolment was at its highest, even back in the 1970's their was a fuel crisis but that didn't keep people away, in the 1970's insurance premiums were lower, economy was good, A C150 coming off the assembly line was affordable, Times were good. And yes GreenPeace was around in the 1970's as well so environmentalism is nothing new.Cheers

Thank you all so much for your responses, I didn't expect this amount of feedback. I had an interesting conversation with a private pilot today. Coincidentally (to my current predicament) he called me to discuss a work issue and told me during conversation that he had sold his Piper ((PA-28) Cherokee aircraft. He could no longer afford to keep it flying. He also flies microlights and advised me to give it a try as it is a much more affordable hobby. This option had crossed my mind in the past but now I may be a step closer to seeing it as my new reality.I'm taking up his offer a free flight and will let you know of my first impressions.

Hi Anthony.The most efficient way to get a PPL, that I know of at this time for the people on the other side of the pond, is to save all the money you need to Complete the program, it can be around 5-6000 US$, study and know All your Ground, get your medical there also, in US is much simpler to get it, get a ticket to US and get your PPL during your next summer vacation. You may have some issues with the conversion to the European / French requirements but you can get both in US in some places.It is very important that you keep a regular schedule, I recommend at least 3 times a week, at the beginning, and if possible throughout, otherwise you loose the "muscle memory" required to get you an efficient result.Like some others have mentioned, Insurance, Government regulations, Fuel, Maintenance, etc. have driven most of the Flight schools into the ground. Soon we, in US, will be in the same boat that you guys are in Europe. TV

Microlights was going to be my other suggestion, but I figured my post was getting long and assumed you'd think of that when I mentioned cheaper options such as gliding. Note that some of your Microlight hours when gaining a PPL (M) in the UK can be credited toward a full ppl (something like ten of the requisite hours if I recall correctly). If you fly a three axis microlight, as opposed to a flex wing, it's really not that different from flying a Cessna, although take off and landing speeds have the advantage of being miniscule, so every field below you is a landing option, which makes them extremely safe even in an engine out situation.One of the other advantages is that if you wanted your own aircraft, and wanted to keep the costs down, it's a crapload easier to service your own aircraft when it is a microlight with a Rotax compared to doing it on a spam can with a Lycoming, and hangarage is minimal because you can fold up most microlights and store them at home, then tow them to an airfield and stick them together in 15 minutes with nothing more than a few basic tools, which is also good from a safety standpoint, because you get to know your aircraft well from a mechanical point of view. Don't forget that you will need a helmet for flying a microlight (and some wind proof clothes if it is an open one). You'll love it, it is proper basic flying, and inexpensive too. Three grand could get you the licence and an aircraft in the UK, if you shop around.Al

There are far more important things to consider than learning to fly. Life is a reality.

There are far more important things to consider than learning to fly. Life is a reality.

My wife would agree with you :)

There are far more important things to consider than learning to fly. Life is a reality.

Unless you're a career pilot guy. Flying is the only reality for us types. Besides, I know a wealth of mid-life guys coming into aviation as a second career (not the best idea, but what'cha gonna do?) Some decided they wanted to go professional only after getting their Private License. Chase your dreams, you only live once.

Every PPL I know of are doing it at the expense of the rest of their family, while they go short. The cost of not only flying but of living is now rising beyond recovery. Save your money while you can, it's likely that you will need it very soon.

Every PPL I know of are doing it at the expense of the rest of their family, while they go short. The cost of not only flying but of living is now rising beyond recovery. Save your money while you can, it's likely that you will need it very soon.

Right. But flight training for me is an education expense. Along with college tuition. That's the point.

Hi Anthony and everyone.>>G7USL, on 14 March 2012 - 10:58 PM, said:There are far more important things to consider than learning to fly. Life is a reality.<< >>Anthony1968My wife would agree with you :)<<While I agree that flying can be expensive it can also be very rewarding, in many ways. Many things you learn from aviation you can apply and use in real life. I've seen people spending thousands of dollars on booze, fancy cars, boats, extravagant vacations and getting very little out of all those.There were others that planned things out, got all their pleasures and meeting all their commitments in life, got their PPL, Commercial, CFI, ATPs etc. and at the same time using their aviation background to supplement their income, some have chosen it as a life career, all enjoying life in a way that only birds and only few earth bound creatures can enjoy.Add to it all the fact that you learn discipline, responsibility, management, physics, communications, etc. that you can hardly get anywhere else, with the same intensity and commitment, as your life and you dear ones depend on you, and you get something unmatched in any other industry that I know of.Don't give up. As you get older things will just be more difficult. You do not have to do it all at once. Hang around the airports, make friends with people that own airplanes, wash their planes, contribute in same way, and one day you will have your Commercial and or CFI and get some of the money back also. TV

Does anyone have any experience with flying clubs? I work for a large company in Massachusetts. They have a flying club, but it's a separate enterprise, to my knowledge, not supported by the company. The club owns a few aircraft and operates out of a local field. The end result is reduced rates for club members.I don't know how they deal with instruction, but they occasionally have open houses to get new members into the cockpit, people without licenses, so I'd imagine they have something going there, too.My life is full enough and my bank account is empty enough that I doubt I'll ever learn to fly, but this may be an option for others.

Does anyone have any experience with flying clubs? I work for a large company in Massachusetts. They have a flying club, but it's a separate enterprise, to my knowledge, not supported by the company. The club owns a few aircraft and operates out of a local field. The end result is reduced rates for club members.I don't know how they deal with instruction, but they occasionally have open houses to get new members into the cockpit, people without licenses, so I'd imagine they have something going there, too.My life is full enough and my bank account is empty enough that I doubt I'll ever learn to fly, but this may be an option for others.

I used to teach for BEFA. It was a great way to get employees up in the air. Www.befa.org if you want to check it out.

Hi Anthony and everyone.>>G7USL, on 14 March 2012 - 10:58 PM, said:There are far more important things to consider than learning to fly. Life is a reality.<< >>Anthony1968My wife would agree with you :)<<While I agree that flying can be expensive it can also be very rewarding, in many ways. Many things you learn from aviation you can apply and use in real life. I've seen people spending thousands of dollars on booze, fancy cars, boats, extravagant vacations and getting very little out of all those.There were others that planned things out, got all their pleasures and meeting all their commitments in life, got their PPL, Commercial, CFI, ATPs etc. and at the same time using their aviation background to supplement their income, some have chosen it as a life career, all enjoying life in a way that only birds and only few earth bound creatures can enjoy.Add to it all the fact that you learn discipline, responsibility, management, physics, communications, etc. that you can hardly get anywhere else, with the same intensity and commitment, as your life and you dear ones depend on you, and you get something unmatched in any other industry that I know of.Don't give up. As you get older things will just be more difficult. You do not have to do it all at once. Hang around the airports, make friends with people that own airplanes, wash their planes, contribute in same way, and one day you will have your Commercial and or CFI and get some of the money back also. TV

That is the way. Spend time at airports and you will surprise yourself with the opportunities and support that comes your way.You may need to work hard, but hey that is how all pilots start. Look at Air Force pilots, they have to work extremely hard. They always cut loose the ones that don't make the cut.

I have been passionate about flying since...maybe 5 years old. It has always been something i've wanted to do and, for the most part, no day went by since as early as I can remember where I didn't think about flying or something related to it. Fast forward to today. I'm 26, have a good paying job, a fiance, and 2 kids. I am at the point in my career (and life) where I can afford to take flying lessons.I do a 1.5 hour lesson once a week (weather permitted). 1hr flight time and 30 mins with instructor before and after the flight. I am about 7 hours into it now and things are going great. I am one of the fastest learning students my instructor has ever had and thats because I do a few things (which I'll outline at the end of the thread) to maintain what I learn and expand my knowledge every day. I feel that if I took lessons every 2 weeks what I do would work well also. If it was a lesson once a month then I'm not sure how well it would work.Ultimately you need to have the finances and/or be passionate about flying. If you're passionate enough then you'll get a second job or a loan to pay for flying lessons. If you're not then you probably should just save up money and wait a while before continuing your lessons.What I do between lessons:

• Read any material I can get my hands on for 1hr a day. So for this has included a few books (Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Student Pilot Handbook (flight maneuvers and training syllabus), some FAA documents, flash cards and documents I've made from flight lessons and reading materials, and my aircraft's PoH).
• Flight sim either in FSX or even Microsoft Flight just to stay acclimated to the concepts of flying a plane. it doesn't feel the same...but it does the trick. I practice maneuvers, touch and gos, or just have a fun flight.
• I listen to my ATC tower at least an hr or two a day while at work. For my area, radio work is one of the biggest barriers to entry.
• Have a Saturday or Sunday 6-8 hour "study session". This session includes all of the above plus watching Test Prep DVDs (I have Private Pilot Virtual Test Prep on DVD), and documents that i've created based on flight lessons.
• Fly cheap terrible indoor R/C helicopters for fun. It helps because you need to maintain smooth and gradual controls.