SEP Aircraft Hire post PPL

CharlieOscar · 20-01-2012 1:34pm #1

I am in the middle of my PPL, and really enjoying it. I have no intentions of becoming an airline pilot, and as such will be flying recreationally and as a hobby for as long as I keep getting medicals certifying my reasonable health.

My question is however, having researched "aircraft for hire" in Ireland, the opportunities to hire an aircraft seem limited. Waterford and Sligo seem to be the only ones to openly advertise the hire of an aircraft.

I am doing my PPL in NFC, so if any former NFC'ers could help me out, as I have not asked about it yet, what is it like to rent an aircraft from them. Obviously at weekends, when I would be doing most of my flying it will be busy. I am in Dublin, so travelling to Waterford and Sligo dont seem very realistic options.

If you know of anywhere that does rent aircraft to suitably qualified PPL'ers, could you let me know, or maybe post it on here.

I have a feeling though the response may be to join a club (probably Trim) or to buy a share in an aircraft. If it is to buy a share in an aircraft, is there any website or such that these are regularly advertised in?

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help.

phonypony · 20-01-2012 2:07pm

CharlieOscar wrote: »

I have a feeling though the response may be to join a club

Funnily enough...

Yeah, a club is a good bet and there are a couple of clubs in Weston and in Newcastle worth a look, both closer to you than Trim. You're likely to have better availability and flexibility in a club, more opportunities to share costs or book an aircraft for a few days for trips abroad.

xflyer · 20-01-2012 2:09pm

You've almost answered your own questions. The NFC will rent you an aircraft to you but at weekend it will be difficult in terms of availablity and being able to take it away, say to a fly in. I have to say they have always facilitated me but I only ever need to rent for very specific purposes.

As for joining a club, there are two at Weston that I know of, The Airport Flying Club and the Dublin Flying Club. They both used to be the Dublin Airport Flying Club but a split occurred.:rolleyes: Both have websites. Then there's other airfields like Trim, Newcastle etc. The Fly in Ireland website has a list of airfields.

I don't know of anywhere the availability of group shares comes up. Perhaps the FII website occasionally and in the magazine. But the best option is word of mouth. Once you have your PPL and you visit places, attend fly ins etc. You'll get to know the scene.

rallye150flyer · 20-01-2012 3:07pm

http://www.einc.ie/2011091663/wicklow-wings-a-new-experience-in-flight

this is the option for newcastle, plenty of different types of aircraft there and a great field thats where i fly from.

if when you finish your ppl you want to join a group the group for the aircraft i fly has its own site http://www.eidma.com/ we are always looking for members currently there is only 3 people involved plenty of availability to fly as the aircraft does not get used enough for more info email the address on the site

cheers

xflyer · 20-01-2012 3:48pm

The Wicklow Wings idea is very good. A great opportunity to access various aircraft. The Dublin Airport Flying Club in it's heyday was very similar. Each aircraft had it's own group of owners but this gave you access too all the other aircraft. So at one point I remember you had a choice of Three C172s, two C150s, a Mooney, Bellanca Decathlon and a Piper Arrow retractable. Plus there was a great cadre of Instructors ranging from airline pilots to PPL Instructors with multiple thousands of hours.

The best flying club in the country at the time. Relatively inexpensive flying too.

SEP Aircraft Hire post PPL

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