Private Pilots License in Ireland

logie101

Hi Guys,

I am considering starting to train for my Private Pilots License. (PPL) I am looking for any advice from PPL holders on traing in Ireland.

Where is the best flight school?
How long is it likely to take?
Is it best to train in the USA?
Is there a new National license? (Similar to UK NPPL)



I have flown in many light aircrafts and completed some time learning to fly in the UK over 5 years ago. ( Flew up to solo level)

Now back in Ireland i'm to keen to get my licence. I live in Dublin so i suspect Weston is the only real option.

Any general advise would be appreciated.

diverdriver

Ah the eternal question, expect many answers and preferences.

Where is the best flight school? You'll get plenty of answers. All of them in Weston are fine. But if you intend to continue flying a club is the way to go. But you will learn to fly quicker at a commercial school than at a club depending on volunteer instructors.

How long is it likely to take? That's like the proverbial: 'How long is a piece of string. ' question. The shortest I've known in Ireland was four months, more or less full time. The longest well, I'm sure there are eternal students pilots out there. But you can expect a year or two. I won't even tell you how long it took me. It's too embarrassing.

Is it best to train in the USA? Well that depends on the flight school. But it's cheaper. There are good schools and there are really terrible schools. It probably is best to learn here to get used to local conditions, which after all is where you're going to fly. But the USA is a good place to get flying.

Is there a new National license? (Similar to UK NPPL) No at least that I'm aware of.

Go to the http://www.flyinginirelandmagazine.com/main/ forum. There are quite a few there with recent experience.

Flyboy!!!

I'd say whichever flightschool you end up with, the most important thing is the instructor you end up with. If you're not happy with them, drop them and get another, it's your money and your time, don't waste it by trying to weather it out with someone you're not comfortable with.

As for flying in the states, it's cheaper for sure but stick to a JAA sylabus. Trying to relearn to fly in a new system can be pretty confusing. If you're going to go commercial, I'd say try 43 Airschool. If I were starting again, I think I'd go this route. Admitedly I've heard mixed things about them but I also find that a lot of pilot's egos will never let them admit the fault is with them. You'll be immersed in your studies with no outside distractions and so long as you put in the study and do plenty of chair flying, you'll probably do much better that way. Mind you, I believe places are limited there so dunno if they'll take you on if you're only looking for your PPL but then things may be different now we're in a recession. Wherever you, get health insurance, very very important. You don't want to find yourself grounded with no way to prove something stupid isn't cancer. I had to come home because I couldn't prove a kidney flu wasn't kidney stones, very expensive mistake.

How long will it take? Depends on yourself and your abilities but if you find yourself heading over 45, don't worry, they're all hours and it's not unheard of to bust 100 hours before you get your PPL. Plus if you find your hours are adding up because you're making mistakes, it's best you make them and learn from them while you're with an instructor.

Again, no matter where you train, I'd say the most important thing to have is an instructor you're happy with.

Good luck up there and have fun!

fabbydabby

Waterford train on almost brand new aircraft and are really competitive on price - probably much moreso than any other club I have seen. Aircraft availability is fantastic and the airport has good facilities and is quite quiet... no holding at the runway for long periods. If you have relatives or whatever down there I would def. give them a look.

Consider your other options also. Microlighting is growing really really fast these days, and there's a lad in Limetree (about an hour from dublin) setting up a gyro school (www.gyroflying.com)

I have done an irish PPL and it took 4 years all in all, with crap weather, aircraft going tech, crap weather, running out of money, crap weather, airfield in a swamp, crap weather, exams, crap weather, not living at home and crap weather.

If I was doing it again I would just p*ss off to USA and do it there. You'll probably need a fair bit differences training to become a competent pilot when you get back to deal with the crap weather and the grass airfields here but it will be cheaper in the long run and MILES less frustrating. I almost jacked it in a few times, had I not spent a few grand already on it I would have.

One thing you will get by taking your time and doing the PPL over a year or two in Ireland is plenty of good quality experience and knowledge, and this leads to confidence and safety in the air. There's people who will tell you they got their licence in 3 weeks. I am not saying they are liars, but I do find this hard to believe. The theory tests alone took me a fortnight to study for.

logie101

fabbydabby wrote: »

Waterford train on almost brand new aircraft and are really competitive on price - probably much moreso than any other club I have seen. Aircraft availability is fantastic and the airport has good facilities and is quite quiet... no holding at the runway for long periods. If you have relatives or whatever down there I would def. give them a look.

Consider your other options also. Microlighting is growing really really fast these days, and there's a lad in Limetree (about an hour from dublin) setting up a gyro school (www.gyroflying.com)

I have done an irish PPL and it took 4 years all in all, with crap weather, aircraft going tech, crap weather, running out of money, crap weather, airfield in a swamp, crap weather, exams, crap weather, not living at home and crap weather.

If I was doing it again I would just p*ss off to USA and do it there. You'll probably need a fair bit differences training to become a competent pilot when you get back to deal with the crap weather and the grass airfields here but it will be cheaper in the long run and MILES less frustrating. I almost jacked it in a few times, had I not spent a few grand already on it I would have.

One thing you will get by taking your time and doing the PPL over a year or two in Ireland is plenty of good quality experience and knowledge, and this leads to confidence and safety in the air. There's people who will tell you they got their licence in 3 weeks. I am not saying they are liars, but I do find this hard to believe. The theory tests alone took me a fortnight to study for.

Thanks for the advice.

i live in North County Dublin so Waterford would be a bit off a trek. Weston is my only real choice. Although I was looking into heading up North to Ulster Flying Club in County Down. May be an option.

Yes i know what you mean about the weather. very frustrating.

yaeger

If your North county Dublin then why not try Leinsteraeroclub.com
They are based outta Trevet field which is Dunshaughlin.
Hourly rate of 120 euro including instructor I believe, and annual membership of circa 600euro, will take a lil longer but a fine set up, and availability is good so wouldnt nescessarily be that longer.
Dropped in there once and gotta say the field is great lil spot.
PM if you have any queries on it

Mr Benevolent

OP, if you can wait the EASA LPL (Leisure Pilot Licence) is coming out in the next 18 months. The hours needed will be reduced to 25 and things simplified (learning and exams). It's definitely the one I'm going for. The PPL is the first step to the ATPL, and if you're not interested in being an airline pilot then the PPL will no longer make any sense.

logie101

Confab wrote: »

OP, if you can wait the EASA LPL (Leisure Pilot Licence) is coming out in the next 18 months. The hours needed will be reduced to 25 and things simplified (learning and exams). It's definitely the one I'm going for. The PPL is the first step to the ATPL, and if you're not interested in being an airline pilot then the PPL will no longer make any sense.

It would be great if a LPL license came out within the next 18 months. But i reckon it will take alot longer. I see that you are in Brisbane at the moment?

If you are interested in doing a bit of flying you should head up to Redcliffe aerodrome. great airfield and a friendly club just north of Brisbane. Or if you can make it up to Watts Bridge it is full of vintage stuff. It is about an hour inland from Brisbane.

Thanks for the advice on the LPL but i think i am best to bite the bullet and get training.