| Most people look at learning to fly and becoming a | | | | the modular route. |
| private pilot as an overly expensive and complicated | | | | On the subject of cost, in the UK an all-inclusive price |
| process available only to an exclusive few. The reality | | | | of £6,000 is quite reasonable. This may sound like a |
| is that most potential pilots give up either because | | | | lot of money to spend all at once, but remember that if |
| they're not sure they can commit their time and money | | | | you train part-time during your free time this would be |
| to training or that they are even capable of doing it. | | | | spread over a year to two years. You can cut this |
| The best advice for someone who is considering | | | | cost by about 40% if you choose to train abroad, |
| learning to fly is to purchase a trial lesson (which cost | | | | more information is given on the website mentioned |
| anywhere from £70 - £150 depending on the | | | | below. |
| duration), this is a very worthwhile investment in making | | | | There are thousands of qualified private pilots in the |
| your decision, you will be flying with a qualified | | | | UK, all from a range of different backgrounds. There is |
| instructor and in an aircraft similar to that in which you | | | | not only that satisfaction of being a qualified pilot but |
| will complete your flight training should you wish to | | | | also the freedom to travel wherever in the world you |
| proceed. | | | | want, so where you take it is only limited by what you |
| You may well have heard of a 'Private Pilot Licence' | | | | want from it |
| often abbreviated as just PPL. This is the first licence | | | | As you can imagine the course for a Private Pilot |
| that prospective students train for and will enable you | | | | Licence consists of training with a qualified instructor, |
| to operate aircraft for private recreational use. This | | | | studying for and passing theory exams and practical |
| encompasses anything from flying around your local | | | | tests. It is a challenging, but extremely rewarding |
| area to flying internationally. This is also the first stage | | | | course. During this time you will go from knowing |
| for those wishing to train as a professional pilot using | | | | nothing (or very little), through to becoming fully qualified. |