What is the most cost effective way to get PPL ?

[bennz]

Hello all:)

As part of my interest and passion for aviation, I would like to get my PPL just to be able to fly for pleasure.

I am living in Wellington and aware of one aviation club to do my PPL, but in the same time I have limited available fund and possibly going to take me a while to be able to have the 50 hours as the minimum requirement (financial constraints)

At first, I will go to do my medical test so I know that is all done and sorted.

This might sound like a newbie question or out of the context for this forum, But I am wondering if anyone has ideas on how to reduce the costs of getting PPL? And what resources and materials (Books, DVDs or online) beside from the prescribed textbooks are helpful ?


Any support and advice is highly appreciated


Cheers!

[benwynn]

a few quick tips.

Don't train in Wellington. You'll spend way too much time/money orbiting downwind, conducting abnormal approaches etc. Go up to Pram or something.

Save until you have enough money to fly regularly. The more regularly you fly leading up to your PPL, you'll learn you checks easier and it will become routine rather than having to re-learn bits of flying when each lesson is a few weeks apart.

Hit the books! Although most of the PPL theory doesn't directly relate to flying procedures, studying your checks, procedures, maps etc will make it easier for you when you are flying. I'd probably also recommend doing your PPL subjects before you start, rather than trying to balance the flying and exams. In some aspects, it would be a bit easier having done some flying, but I'm sure you have a reasonable understanding of it anyway.

50 hrs is a very achievable target, although most people I know were closer to the 60-65 hour mark when sitting their test.

[bennz]

Thanks a lot for your suggestion,

I guess the cost is the main issue, specially if I have to travel to/from Pram and have regular flights.

Will it be possible to buddy-up with someone and share the flying costs? Or it is against any regulation/law? I guess that would be a good choice for me (and someone else hopefully!)

[cowpatz]

Get mum and dad to pay for it!

But failing that I echo bennwynn's comments. Unless you are looking at aviation as a career move then the timing is not so critical. The first few lessons are usually only of a short duration of around 30 min flight times so the cost is not so great initially. It would pay to save up a sizeable lump sum first and use that and then continue to top up the fund as you go.
You could look at buying into a syndicate aircraft and use the lower costs for training then sell it on afterwards.
Use flight sim to practice all your checklists etc and to revise what you have learnt. It has limitations but is still fairly accurate.
If you intend to pursue a career then get started as soon as you can and look for a training establishment that can access student loans and has the potential to employ you afterwards (instructing).
If you intend to borrow then make sure that flying is what you want to do as it has no cross credits for anything.

[bennz]

QUOTE (cowpatz @ May 11 2012,12:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Get mum and dad to pay for it!

That comment made my day I am at the age that I need to support them now. haha

But thanks for the advice.
I have a different profession which been doing for over 12 years. Aviation is my hobby and I want to get PPL purely for my pleasure and entertainment, I am just looking for ways to be smart about the money I will be spending on it:)

Cheers

[benwynn]

Depending on where you are in Wellington, I'd say it would nearly be definitely cheaper to travel to Pram than fly in Wellington. The rates are fairly pricey in Wellington, but as I said before, the main obstacle is traffic. You wouldn't even get half as many circuits in at Wellington as you would at Pram, and even if you did most of them would be unorthodox, steep approaches from a tight base leg.

Pre PPL level, theres nothing you can really do as to cost sharing. What you could do, is ask the aeroclub if you could backseat on some flights, to listen in and watch what they're doing. Although it probably wouldn't be very beneficial until you can appreciate what is being taught/done, once you've gone solo and perhaps getting closer to the X-C phase, it would certainly help out.

[connor]

Not that I've got a PPL, but wellington is also fairly pricy to land at as opposed to NZPP.

[GlennAV8R]

I trained in Wellington and got my PPL there in 2009.

I dont agree that it is not cost effective to do your training in Wellington, with Wellington Aeroclub.

The hire rates and landing fees are not much different to Paraparaumu. Wellington Aero club has an aircraft and instructor based at Masterton also and we have regular club trips to Omaka, Martinbourogh and Masterton which are ideal locations to do circuit training. Also if you enter the club competitions ALL this flying is done at solo rates, but logged as Dual. As for delays at Wellington due traffic, yes this can happen but it makes for excellent training. Knowing the quiet times and making your bookings accordingly helps alot.

There is a whole lot more to consider than just hire rates. You need to look at the big picture. The training experience you get flying from Wellington is unique and cant be taught at a small uncontrolled airfield. Try and cut costs too much and you will be dangerous. Remember, after completing your PPL you will need to be able to afford to stay SAFELY current, which is not the same as being able to afford to be legally current.


Glenn.

[Ian Warren]

Do what i do .... Hire a plane .. ready to go ... Ooooh by the way - can i fly it (make sure you have a good dialogue with your pilot/instructor) cheapest way to do it .

[bennz]

Thanks all for your feedback. All very valuable.

I must say that training at Wellington airport has its own advantages as getting familiar with an active airspace and the procedures used in such airports. And I compared the costs with pram club and it is not much difference. Maybe they have special deal for special people . haha

I would be interested to share the costs with others who are working towards their PPL, so if you know anyone let me know


Cheers
Ben

[Timmo]

I would suggest gathering the total amount first and then just doing it as quickly as possible in one go- This will save on time to relearn things after not flying for a while- Doing it intensively may enable you to train somewhere other than Wellington too.

[zkcav]

As an all up cost were I'm doing mine at Flight Manawatu they estimate about $12K this will vary form place to place. For example at NZFI there are no landing fees so may be a bit less than say NZWN

Note that your medical is only current for a year - at close to $500 so as a minimum unless you want to shell that out as well as your flying training I'd recommend trying to get it out of the way in one year. And the other thing is I've noted even taking a break for a week you loose small things. But by the same token if you take a few lessons back to back you feel drained after it and loose the benefit, too so don't make it too intense at once!

[ardypilot]

Class 2 medicals (for private pilots) are valid for 5 years if you're younger than 40 and for 2 years if you're over 40. You can get them for much less than $500 too.

Agree with everything Ben has said. All the best with your training!

[rayclyde]

Do not throw away learning to fly in Wellington. A busy airport, thus very good introduction to radio technique around high traffic areas. You soon learn to handle difficult wind conditions (Try full nose down trim, absolutely no power and the climb rate stuck on 1500' per minute - does much to learn spincter control). Personally I think you would find very rewarding to do your initial training there. Not being funny either you quickly learn that flying mostly over water is not something to be avoided - the automatic engine rough syndrome

Clyde Williams
Levin

[chopper_nut]

I did most of my fixed wing training in Wellington. Great place to learn apart from the spring time weather. I wouldnt go anywhere near Pram now, way too busy to be uncontrolled and far too many people who have got no idea whats going on. The people who couldnt meet the requirements for licenses when I was training at Motueka went up to Pram and got them. Theres something wrong with that.

[huff3r]

I'd have to say I much preferred learning at a controlled aerodrome than uncontrolled, it just seemed to make it easier particularly during early circuit lessons, and it meant that going through controlled airspace was always the norm rather than being seen as a big hassle.

I would've loved to learn at Wellington, although admittedly I have never been in there. Paraparaumu kinda scared me a little, it is crazy busy! Should really be controlled IMHO.

[benwynn]

The reason I say don't train at WLG, is because you asked for the most cost effective training. Orbiting downwind for 30 minutes before getting two circuits in on a Friday afternoon, is not cost effective. I also trained in both Class C and D environments and find out extremely beneficial for my training. However, my school also had access to separate circuit training airfields and its own runway for taking off and landing at home base. Training at Wellington you simply would not be getting value for money when it comes to time in the air.

[chopper_nut]

You definatly have to pick your times to go flying in Wellington. The longest I had to hold was about 10mins I think. Its the same where Im flying now though. Little aerodrome that it is, you dont try and do circuits on a Sunday afternoon because the aeroclub has a bbq.... every man and his dog turn up and turn the place upside down!