Private pilots license

[Fat Tone]

I know VJ will be able to answer my questions here, but I won't be surprised if other murcers can too

I had a very interesting chat last night with a guy who has a one-third share in a 2-seater plane, and I got quite enthusiatic about getting involved once he explained the costs to me, which were much lower than I had imagined.

The way he put it if I was really keen I could get a PPL in about 18 months for about 3,500 pounds. His plane (old but low hours) allegedly cost about 11,000.

Does any of this seem realistic? Anything I should watch out for?

(His plane has just been replaced, the previous one having suffered terminal damage in the hands of a very famous motor-cyclist who I probably shouldn't name here).

[VJ]

Hard to say... But for comparison: a theory course here lasts about 10 months and costs 1000 euro. You can start with the practical lessons during this (best to start after approx 3 months in the theory). Depending on weather and your free time, one year is feasible; so the 18 months term is realistic. For the practical lessons you need to rent a plane (e.g. at 1.60 euro/minute and an instructor at 0.48 euro/minute - check out these rates for you). Legally you need at least 45 hours before you can go to the exam, but in practise you'll have a bit more (planned navigation flights are not always possible). So this gives an estimate at what the practical lessons cost.
Additional costs are medical checks, license cost, examination cost, etc. A rough estimate for all of these together is 500 euro (here, these cost can differ per country).

On the cost of the plane you have to count cost of a hangar to store it, insurance, maintenance (some maintenance is independant of flying hours), fuel, ... Also, some components need to be replaced after a set number of flying hours (engine, propellor, ...). It is a complex computation (I'll see if I can find
those by our club, to give you an idea ).

[Fat Tone]

Thanks VJ

I'm generally healthy, but my BMI is very high. Is there any sort of threshold on that?

Do you have to do a certain number of hours per year to keep your license?

Have you calculated the break even point at which it is worth owning (maybe just a share of) your own plane?

[VJ]

Just checked, the minute-price of the two seater planes is more than when I learned to fly (fuel cost is included) and is now at 1.80 euro/minute.

Part of the medical check is a blood-test, so cholesterol and so are verified. Also, there is a limit on total weight (to give an idea: I weigh 58 kg, my instructor 80 kg, and when we fill up the two seater with long range tanks completely, it is in overweight). The one without long range tanks can carry more weight as it carries less fuel (total weight is similar).

To keep you license, I believe you have to fly 12 hours in two years (could be wrong about that); but if the license expires you can quickly reactivate it after flying with an instructor. There are people at the club that have put their license on hold for two years or so, and simply manage to pick it back up. Of course, lacking the experience, it may require some lessons with an instructor, but in all no big deal.

I haven't done the maths of owning my own plane or a share of it. I have found the calculations of the flying club, but they part in a pps presentation used in the last general assembly. I'll see if I can extract them, and if not just mail you the presentation (with some translations and explanations: it's in Dutch).

[VJ]

I mailed you some details...

A big factor in lowering the cost is to increase the use of the airplane (more flying hours per year). Main issue is that one is dependent on weather and free time (both must coincide as well). During my learning year, I flew about 55 hours in one and a half year; to achieve this I planned to fly every weekend, but the weather often kept me on the ground.

The school for airline pilots (next door to our club) actually has a contract to "rent" some privately owned planes, so that may be a way of thinking... (but of course it doesn't give you when-you-want access to the plane).