Mon Feb 04, 2019 2:56 am
#1671547
@ChrisRowland:
Haha! Yes, I know that term very well! However, I do end up making a choice, but to get there, I pore over whatever detail I can look up. I prefer making a decision after selling the product to myself, that way I know that I've made the best decision I can at the time. I always do this, from picking PC parts, choosing which phone and phone plan to get, buying a car, etc. but like I said, I do end up making a choice!
@KeithM:
Does the tower not take note of aircraft take-off and landing time? That is of course assuming a tower-controlled airfield which is what my local airfield is.
As for costs, it seems like the cheapest is one of the nearer schools so that puts costs as a factor as a lower priority. It probably would've been a more important factor if there was a cheaper school but I had to go further out; that meant I'd have to calculate lesson costs plus fuel (and time) costs. At this stage, it would look like flight lesson pricing would only be a factor in the sense that whether I think a school offers good value for money so that means I don't mind paying more if I do think I'm getting more. So of course, I'd still like training to be done as cheaply as possible, but that does not mean I'm simply going forward based on cost. I hope that made some sense?
I've now arranged for a trial flight with one school and weather permitting, I'll be visiting the other school tomorrow and arranging a flight with them too. I like the idea of THEIR job interview! I doubt I have enough local schools that a significant part of the training will be covered by trial flights but I do like your strategy of combining the trial with a lesson. I think I have 4-6 schools in my list so far. I do agree with you regarding travelling and bad weather and if I do take that option, I'll have to weigh it against more options such as training abroad (Poland, Spain, etc.)! Analysis paralysis indeed!!
I am employed full time but can probably structure my schedule to work 4 days and be free for 3 and if I tie those together, I could work 8 days and have 6 days off. However, at this point in time, I have zero expectations regarding time to complete or hours to PPL. What I said earlier was just a rough guess and not tied to it at all. I think that way, I have no pressure on myself to meet certain targets and I'll take training as it goes. Of course if I get 60+ hours and nowhere near PPL, I'll have to re-assess, but I'll worry about that when I get there. For now, the short term is 45 hours and see where I am after that. The even shorter term is to commit to a flight school! Ha!
No real rush as I'd like to be as cautious as I can, but no real desire to drag it out either. As mentioned in my first post, I am considering moving forward after PPL and make this a career so the sooner the better, but again, I don't want to be jumping before I look.
@cockney steve:
To be honest, I'm hoping that this summer will be like the last one which I'm told had a good number of flying days, but yes, it is a gamble!
I am subscribed to the magazine but to be honest, I've spent more time on here than on the magazine! New subscriber too!
As for GASCO, I was not aware of them but will definitely look at attending a seminar or two! New info is always appreciated!
With regards to flight hours, I'm really not looking into that very much. I think I would be more bothered by whether I've learned something or not, or whether I've achieved something or not, rather than be worried about the hours racking up on my logbook. An hour in the air sucking eggs would be money wasted in my books but 20 minutes learning and mastering something new would be good value for me. I'll just take it as it goes and I'll be ready when I'm ready.
Haha! Yes, I know that term very well! However, I do end up making a choice, but to get there, I pore over whatever detail I can look up. I prefer making a decision after selling the product to myself, that way I know that I've made the best decision I can at the time. I always do this, from picking PC parts, choosing which phone and phone plan to get, buying a car, etc. but like I said, I do end up making a choice!
@KeithM:
Does the tower not take note of aircraft take-off and landing time? That is of course assuming a tower-controlled airfield which is what my local airfield is.
As for costs, it seems like the cheapest is one of the nearer schools so that puts costs as a factor as a lower priority. It probably would've been a more important factor if there was a cheaper school but I had to go further out; that meant I'd have to calculate lesson costs plus fuel (and time) costs. At this stage, it would look like flight lesson pricing would only be a factor in the sense that whether I think a school offers good value for money so that means I don't mind paying more if I do think I'm getting more. So of course, I'd still like training to be done as cheaply as possible, but that does not mean I'm simply going forward based on cost. I hope that made some sense?
I've now arranged for a trial flight with one school and weather permitting, I'll be visiting the other school tomorrow and arranging a flight with them too. I like the idea of THEIR job interview! I doubt I have enough local schools that a significant part of the training will be covered by trial flights but I do like your strategy of combining the trial with a lesson. I think I have 4-6 schools in my list so far. I do agree with you regarding travelling and bad weather and if I do take that option, I'll have to weigh it against more options such as training abroad (Poland, Spain, etc.)! Analysis paralysis indeed!!
I am employed full time but can probably structure my schedule to work 4 days and be free for 3 and if I tie those together, I could work 8 days and have 6 days off. However, at this point in time, I have zero expectations regarding time to complete or hours to PPL. What I said earlier was just a rough guess and not tied to it at all. I think that way, I have no pressure on myself to meet certain targets and I'll take training as it goes. Of course if I get 60+ hours and nowhere near PPL, I'll have to re-assess, but I'll worry about that when I get there. For now, the short term is 45 hours and see where I am after that. The even shorter term is to commit to a flight school! Ha!
No real rush as I'd like to be as cautious as I can, but no real desire to drag it out either. As mentioned in my first post, I am considering moving forward after PPL and make this a career so the sooner the better, but again, I don't want to be jumping before I look.
@cockney steve:
To be honest, I'm hoping that this summer will be like the last one which I'm told had a good number of flying days, but yes, it is a gamble!
I am subscribed to the magazine but to be honest, I've spent more time on here than on the magazine! New subscriber too!
As for GASCO, I was not aware of them but will definitely look at attending a seminar or two! New info is always appreciated!
With regards to flight hours, I'm really not looking into that very much. I think I would be more bothered by whether I've learned something or not, or whether I've achieved something or not, rather than be worried about the hours racking up on my logbook. An hour in the air sucking eggs would be money wasted in my books but 20 minutes learning and mastering something new would be good value for me. I'll just take it as it goes and I'll be ready when I'm ready.