Best route to PPL License in Ireland.

Consonata

I always wanted to learn how to fly. I wouldn't mind learning how to fly a C172 but it seems very expensive, often plus 10k. What is the best route for it?

Track 240

Most start on a 150/152. Smaller aircraft less expensive. A 172 is a 4 seater. Why do you want to train on a 172?

I think 10k is optimistic for getting your PPL. But it can be down.

Cessna_Pilot

Best route would be straight to Dublin airport, board a flight to the states and do it there

martinsvi

I started my training on a Socata Rallye, way cheaper than C172 but can bite on landings. You don't want your first aircraft to be too fast - faster aircraft means you need more time to actually understand what is happening and navigation can become more difficult. C150 is indeed the perfect machine for training, very forgiving and easy to handle

I did it in the area of 10k. It seems expensive alright, but if you're really into it it will be the best 10k you've ever spent on anything.

As for going abroad to do the training, it is an option alright, but please don't fall for any false economy pitfalls. You might see training on offer in USA for 6-7k, but this is for FAA licence that only works in US or US registered aircraft. Converting it to EASA (EU) licence will probably cost you another arm and leg.

There are some schools in US that offer EASA PPL, but make no mistake, they are no longer that cheap as some people will tell you they are.. most of them charge 8/9k for the course nowadays, if you count in accommodation/flights you might be better of staying home. Same problem will exist for most western EU schools - you will find number of them doing PPLs in the area of 8-9k, but accommodation is not always cheap.

Some people look at eastern EU, you have a number of schools offering ppl in the area of 7k, but lack of proper English speaking instructors and aircraft availability is a problem. You might be there stuck in Czech Republic sitting there for days doing nothing because your instructor is sick or the only plane they have is being serviced.

People also tend to forget to factor in how much your time off work is going to cost you? If you're one of those wonder-kids who can get it done in 3 weeks during summer holiday, good for you. Most of us are not that talented and will need the lessons to actually sink in therefore doing the training close to home at weekends might be a far better option at the end of the day.

If I had to do it all over again, I would still pick Ireland as a place to do it. I would probably use the good weather days more wisely but other than that, wouldn't change a thing. And don't worry about the money you will waste it anyway one way or another

deaddonkey15

Consonata wrote: »

I always wanted to learn how to fly. I wouldn't mind learning how to fly a C172 but it seems very expensive, often plus 10k. What is the best route for it?

Do you live near a flying club or school that offers lessons? Do you have a club in mind where you'd like to use your license once you get it?

Consonata

deaddonkey15 wrote: »

Do you live near a flying club or school that offers lessons? Do you have a club in mind where you'd like to use your license once you get it?

There's classes in Sligo airport for 170 I think, but there's a discount with the more you get so that could realistically come down to 7k.

Was going to fly with Dublin Aero club maybe.

Consonata

Link for the interested http://sligoaeroclub.com/wp/?page_id=24 it's actually 180 but I think thats one of the best rates I've come accross, especially considering they'll give you a discount if you buy in bulk.

pepe the prawn

Don't know what way your fixed for location, but you could also try http://www.limerickflyingclub.com

ned14

Consonata wrote: »

Link for the interested http://sligoaeroclub.com/wp/?page_id=24 it's actually 180 but I think thats one of the best rates I've come accross, especially considering they'll give you a discount if you buy in bulk.

That's for a qualified PPL. If you're a member and block pay for hours, it costs 190 as a student 5% off. Also the clock on hours in Sligo goes from wheels up to wheels down.

b757

Not sure where you are located but Waterford Aero Club has extremely reasonable prices for a PPL..

http://waterfordaeroclub.com/fly-with-us/courses-training-renting/private-pilot-licence/

They operate a fleet of 2 Tecnam P2002 and a single Piper Warrior. The level of instruction there I found to be fantastic and the club is in the process of upgrading the facilities to include a new classroom and instructor offices.

Price wise, the Tecnam is €140 per tach hour and €175 for the PA28. So you would be looking at roughly €98 per clock hour for the Tecnam and ~€125-140 respectively for the PA28, plus instructor rates. And if you buy in bulk you get the same deal as the hour building packages, which is 5% for 20+ tach hours. Membership is quite cheap too, €225 or €190 if paid in January.

I recently finished my PPL there and would highly recommend them. Took about 7 months with a small break in between of a few weeks, flying once/twice a week depending if weather was good.

http://waterfordaeroclub.com/fly-with-us/courses-training-renting/hour-building/

On average, 0.7 tach hours corresponds to 1 clock hour of flight time for our Tecnams.

or our Piper aircraft, 0.8 tach hours correspond on average to 1 clock hour of flight time.

martinsvi

agreed, Waterford is the best value at the moment with youngest fleet

deaddonkey15

Where are you based OP? Where do you see yourself actually using your PPL?

king2

Ormand Flying club, Birr. A student just got his PPL there in 12 months and 47 hrs Flight time.

Consonata

deaddonkey15 wrote: »

Where are you based OP? Where do you see yourself actually using your PPL?

As a hobby mainly. I don't mind taking a slow route, but I always liked the idea of flying, plus my grand- uncle used to fly a small cessna and loved it.

NewApproach

Can anyone provide insight into the options available in Dublin? Also what is the longest time frame you could reasonably complete it in?

martinsvi

I think in Dublin you only have NFC left in Weston, there used to be 3 or 4 schools running not too long ago, but it's just too expensive to operate out of Weston
NFC are also the most expensive school in country for PPL

Surrounding areas will give you Trevet airfield for http://www.leinsteraeroclub.com/
Then you have Trim flying club, which is very good value for money, but places are limited http://www.trimflyingclub.ie/
Let's not forget my home turf http://www.einc.ie/

a bit further away but still within a driving distance depending where you are is Abbeyshrule Airfield which do training for both PPL(A) and PPL(M) as far as I know

*I just noticed that Trim flying club are open to new memberships, they are by far the cheapest in the area and operate a very nice pair of C172's. Few years back it was impossible to get a membership there

Consonata

martinsvi wrote: »

I think in Dublin you only have NFC left in Weston, there used to be 3 or 4 schools running not too long ago, but it's just too expensive to operate out of Weston
NFC are also the most expensive school in country for PPL

Surrounding areas will give you Trevet airfield for http://www.leinsteraeroclub.com/
Then you have Trim flying club, which is very good value for money, but places are limited http://www.trimflyingclub.ie/
Let's not forget my home turf http://www.einc.ie/

a bit further away but still within a driving distance depending where you are is Abbeyshrule Airfield which do training for both PPL(A) and PPL(M) as far as I know

*I just noticed that Trim flying club are open to new memberships, they are by far the cheapest in the area and operate a very nice pair of C172's. Few years back it was impossible to get a membership there

How much is it to do it in trim exactly?

martinsvi

Consonata wrote: »

How much is it to do it in trim exactly?

I think it's best for you to call them and ask. When I was looking at them in 2013, I think they charged something in the area of 140 for a dual instruction on a c172 per hour.

logie101

martinsvi wrote: »

I think it's best for you to call them and ask. When I was looking at them in 2013, I think they charged something in the area of 140 for a dual instruction on a c172 per hour.

I heard Trim are accepting new PPL members but not sure about new students.
€130 self hire and €150 under instruction.

Another possible option would be the Ulster Flying Club. Plenty of aircraft,instructors and runaways. Depending were you live in Dublin probably no further of a drive than abbeyschrule.

Leinster aero club have moved to Weston as Trevet has closed.

PeteF

If you want to learn on a Cessna 172, Atlantic Flight Training in Cork have one. I flew on it a few days ago and found them to be very good. The aircraft itself is 2003 and looks very well maintained. Their PPL package is roughly 12k though, so it might be out of your price range. My main concern is learning to fly safely and on safe aircraft, so I'm happy enough to save a little harder and put the money aside for it.

I've heard people say Coonagh in Limerick are a good crowd to learn from too. They're a dedicated bunch there. If you're in the Limerick area you can drop by at the weekend to chat to them about the process.

Keep in mind though, even once you get your PPL it's a costly hobby. You need to keep your medicals up to date and flying itself will always cost you at least 140-200 an hour.

For flying in Dublin I would recommend Brian Higgins at Flightwise in Weston. They're another very safety conscious bunch there. I've heard from a number of people that they're very good operators.

Good luck with your training, let us know how it goes.

martinsvi

PeteF wrote: »

For flying in Dublin I would recommend Brian Higgins at Flightwise in Weston. They're another very safety conscious bunch there. I've heard from a number of people that they're very good operators.

you don't follow this forum much, do you?

PeteF

martinsvi wrote: »

PeteF wrote: »

For flying in Dublin I would recommend Brian Higgins at Flightwise in Weston. They're another very safety conscious bunch there. I've heard from a number of people that they're very good operators.

you don't follow this forum much, do you?

Just realised Flightwise aren't in business anymore..... have been out of Dublin too long!!